2009 Featured Archives
2009 Weekly Archives:
Featured InfoMedLinks
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Monday December 28 - January 3 2009
Health Tip: Who Shouldn't 'Cosleep' With an Infant “"Cosleeping" is the practice of letting babies sleep in bed with their parents, an older sibling or a caregiver. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has said the practice is dangerous for any child under 2 years old, according to the Nemours Foundation. Advocates of the practice dispute the agency's recommendation. Nonetheless, the Nemours Foundation says the following people should avoid cosleeping with an infant: • Anyone who has consumed alcohol or used any drugs. • Smokers (because of an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome). • Children, especially of toddler age, because they may inadvertently roll over on the baby.”
Ear Infections: New Thinking on What to Do “Ear infections often clear up on their own. But another pediatric otolaryngologist, Dr. Richard Rosenfeld, stressed that "observation is different than no treatment." Rosenfeld is chairman of otolaryngology at Long Island College Hospital and the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center and a consultant for the American Academy of Pediatrics on the ear infection guidelines. When recommending observation before medication, he said, doctors might send parents home with a "safety net" prescription, one to have on hand in case the situation worsens. Parents should ask the doctor for specifics on the timeline for observation, which typically ranges from one to three days. And while watching and waiting, the focus would be on pain relief. But observation isn't advised for all kids, even if they're healthy and 2 years or older, Tunkel said. For instance, a child with a fever of 102 or more would typically be treated. "We don't want to withhold antibiotics from kids," he said.”
As Problems Accumulate, Frailty May Set In “So is frailty inevitable? Eventually, if people live long enough, it's likely they will become increasingly frail. But "it can be delayed," Brangman and others said. Much of it is rooted in unhealthy habits picked up in early and middle age -- "especially a lack of physical exercise, smoking and poor nutrition," said Heppenstall. "To prevent it, we should emphasize regular physical activity in all adults at all ages, as well as a balanced diet," she said. Exercise on a regular basis will at least delay frailty, agreed Brangman. "What we are trying to do is avoid that period of time when people are dependent and debilitated and have a lot of disability and need to be institutionalized." “
Autism increase may reflect greater awareness
86% of physicians use Internet to access health information “Of physicians who use the Internet for health information, 92% said they accessed it from their office, while 21% said they did so with a patient in the examination room. Meanwhile, 88% said they looked for health information online from home, while 59% reported doing so from a mobile device. Physicians who responded to the survey could give more than one answer about their Internet use.”
Earlier Bedtimes May Help Protect Adolescents Against Depression and Suicidal Thoughts “Results show that adolescents with parental set bedtimes of midnight or later were 24 percent more likely to suffer from depression (odds ratio = 1.24) and 20 percent more likely to have suicidal ideation (OR=1.20) than adolescents with parental set bedtimes of 10 p.m. or earlier. This association was appreciably attenuated by self-reported sleep duration and the perception of getting enough sleep. Adolescents who reported that they usually sleep for five or fewer hours per night were 71 percent more likely to suffer from depression (OR=1.71) and 48 percent more likely to think about committing suicide (OR=1.48) than those who reported getting eight hours of nightly sleep. Participants who reported that they "usually get enough sleep" were significantly less likely to suffer from depression (OR=0.35) and suicidal ideation (OR=0.71).”
It's Never Too Late to Quit Smoking and Save Your Vision
High Fat Diet Increases Inflammation in the Mouse Colon “Colorectal cancer, the third most common type of cancer worldwide, has been linked to an increased prevalence of the Western diet: one high in fat and low in fiber, vitamin D and calcium. Now, a team of scientists led by researchers at Rockefeller University have shown what happens to colon tissue when mice are fed such a diet: an inflammatory response that could be the trigger for carcinogenic processes. Their results are published in the November 2009 issue of The Journal of Nutrition.”
Aerobic Exercise No Big Stretch For Older Adults But Helps Elasticity Of Arteries “An improvement was seen in the elasticity of the arteries of the group that performed the activity compared to those who didn't exercise. "There was an impressive drop in arterial stiffness after just three months of exercise. In that time we saw a 15 to 20 per cent reduction."”
Vitamin D and cardiovascular risk. (Int Urol Nephrol. 2009) “Further activities of vitamin D relate to defence of microbial infections, e.g. tuberculosis, prevention of cancer, contractility of muscle cells and counteraction of congestive heart failure. Given early reports in the 1960s on deleterious effects of vitamin D supplementation in rodents, that is ectopic media ossification of arterial vessels, a pro-atherogenic function had been anticipated for humans as well. However, cross-sectional studies reveal that vitamin D deficiency in humans is associated with elevated blood pressure and propagation of atherogenesis. These contradictory findings on the progression of atherosclerosis may be reconciled by dissecting the activation mechanism(s) of vitamin D in rodents versus humans. Notably, novel findings convincingly indicate that vitamin D exerts anti-inflammatory effects. In conclusion, vitamin D supplementation in adults may be regarded as simple means with few potential side effects to prevent atherogenesis or halt its progression and combat arterial hypertension. Adjustment of vitamin D dosing regimens is required in patients with chronic kidney disease …”
Impact of Body Mass Index and the Metabolic Syndrome on the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Death in Middle-Aged Men. (Circulation. 2009) “Conclusions-Middle-aged men with MetS had increased risk for cardiovascular events and total death regardless of BMI status during more than 30 years of follow-up. In contrast to previous reports, overweight and obese individuals without MetS also had an increased risk. The present data refute the notion that overweight and obesity without MetS are benign conditions.”
Vulvovaginal atrophy. (Mayo Clin Proc. 2010)
Killer superbug solution discovered in Norway “Twenty-five years ago, Norwegians were also losing their lives to this bacteria. But Norway's public health system fought back with an aggressive program that made it the most infection-free country in the world. A key part of that program was cutting back severely on the use of antibiotics.”
Tylenol Recall Expands: Nauseating 'Moldy' Odor From Tylenol Arthritis Pain Caplets
Safety of Beef Processing Method Is Questioned “Eight years ago, federal officials were struggling to remove potentially deadly E. coli from hamburgers when an entrepreneurial company from South Dakota came up with a novel idea: injecting beef with ammonia. … With the U.S.D.A.’s stamp of approval, the company’s processed beef has become a mainstay in America’s hamburgers. McDonald’s, Burger King and other fast-food giants use it as a component in ground beef, as do grocery chains. The federal school lunch program used an estimated 5.5 million pounds of the processed beef last year alone. But government and industry records obtained by The New York Times show that in testing for the school lunch program, E. coli and salmonella pathogens have been found dozens of times in Beef Products meat, challenging claims by the company and the U.S.D.A. about the effectiveness of the treatment.”
Tylenol Arthritis Pain Caplet, 100 count bottles: Recall of all lots “In November 2009, 5 lots of this product were recalled due to consumer reports of an unusual moldy, musty, or mildew-like odor that was associated with nausea, stomach pain, vomiting and diarrhea. The odor is caused by the presence of a chemical 2,4,6-tribromoanisole, believed to be the breakdown of a chemical used to treat wooden pallets that transport and store packaging materials.”
Adiposity in Midlife May Reduce Healthy Survival in Women Who Live to Older Ages “"It is important to maintain a healthy weight from early adulthood to enjoy a healthy life in older ages," the study authors conclude.”
25-Hydroxyvitamin D, dementia, and cerebrovascular pathology in elders receiving home services (NEUROLOGY 2010) “Conclusions: Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency was associated with all-cause dementia, Alzheimer disease, stroke (with and without dementia symptoms), and MRI indicators of cerebrovascular disease. These findings suggest a potential vasculoprotective role of vitamin D.”
Chronic endurance exercise training prevents aging-related cognitive decline in healthy older adults: a randomized controlled trial. (Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: A 12-month EET intervention may reduce the progression of age-related cognitive decline in healthy older adults.”
Confusion About Epinephrine Dosing Leading to Iatrogenic Overdose: A Life-Threatening Problem With a Potential Solution. (Ann Emerg Med. 2009) “Epinephrine is indicated for various medical emergencies, including cardiac arrest and anaphylaxis, but the dose and route of administration are different for each indication. For anaphylaxis, it is given intramuscularly at a low dose, whereas for cardiac arrest a higher dose is required intravenously. … An e-mail survey of local hospitals in southeast Michigan revealed that 6 of 7 hospitals did not stock prefilled intramuscular dose syringes for emergency use in anaphylaxis. At our institution, we have introduced prefilled and appropriately labeled intramuscularly dosed epinephrine syringes in crash carts, which are easily distinguished from intravenously dosed epinephrine syringes. In this Concepts article, we describe the clinical problem of inadvertent epinephrine overdose and propose a potential solution. Epinephrine must be clearly packaged and labeled to avoid inappropriate usage and unnecessary, potentially lethal complications in patients with anaphylaxis.”
Association of vitamin D deficiency with cognitive impairment in older women: Cross-sectional study (Neurology 2010) “Conclusions: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D deficiency was associated with cognitive impairment in this cohort of community-dwelling older women. “
E. coli-tainted beef infects 21 people in 16 states “Mechanical tenderization softens tough cuts of beef by hammering the meat with metal needles or blades that break up muscle fibers and connective tissue. It is often used to improve the tenderness of roasts and steaks that are cooked at a processing plant before being sent to restaurants. In the meat industry, it is referred to as "needled" meat. Consumer advocates say mechanical tenderization poses contamination risks in meats that are served rare, such as steaks, because it can bring bacteria from the surface of meat to the center of the cut. A rare steak may be cooked enough so that bacteria on the surface are killed but those inside the meat survive.”
Fruits, Leafy Greens Are Good for the Eyes
Omega-3s help stave off age-related vision loss “People who consumed the largest amounts of the two main dietary types of omega-3 fatty acids -- docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) -- were about 30 percent less likely to develop either wet or dry AMD than people with the lowest intake, the researchers found.”
Trans Fat Facts: Where Are Trans Fats Now?
Monday December 21 - December 27 2009
Increased Risk of Death, Stroke in Postmenopausal Women Taking Antidepressants, Study Finds
Curcumin prevents free radical mediated cataractogenesis through modulations in lens calcium. (Free Radic Biol Med. 2009)
Risks of Copper and Iron Toxicity during Aging in Humans. (Chem Res Toxicol. 2009)
Acceleration of hippocampal atrophy in a non-demented elderly population: the SNAC-K study. (Int Psychogeriatr. 2010)
Lithium Beats Valproate for Long-Term Bipolar Therapy “People with bipolar I disorder will do best over the long term with lithium treatment alone or a combination of lithium and valproate compared to valproate alone, new research suggests. Patients who underwent the lithium or lithium/valproate treatments were less likely to relapse regardless of how severe their conditions were at the beginning of treatment, the study authors reported in the Dec. 22 online edition of The Lancet.”
Largest-Ever Meta-Analysis Finds CRP Is Unlikely to Be Causal for CVD “In the largest and most comprehensive meta-analysis to date looking at C-reactive-protein (CRP) levels and risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke, British researchers conclude that CRP is unlikely to be a causal factor for cardiovascular disease [1]. Although CRP concentration was linearly associated with CHD, stroke, and vascular mortality, as well as nonvascular mortality, statistical adjustment for conventional cardiovascular risk factors "resulted in considerable weakening of associations," note the scientists of the Cambridge-based Emerging Risk Factors Collaboration (ERFC), who report their findings online December 21, 2009 in the Lancet. In an editorial accompanying the paper [2], Drs S Matthijs Boekholdt and John JP Kastelein (Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands) say the UK authors "are to be commended for this impressive data set." Although the findings "add weight to the evidence of noncausality" for a role of CRP in the development of cardiovascular disease, "the debate can be resolved only by randomized trials with agents that specifically target CRP, and such compounds are currently under development," say the Dutch doctors.”
Vitamin E Use Is Associated with Improved Survival in an Alzheimers Disease Cohort (Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2009)
Lipoic acid effects on established atherosclerosis. (Life Sci. 2009)
Tourette syndrome and comorbid early-onset schizophrenia. (Psychosom Res. 2009)
Long-term Consequences of Childhood ADHD on Criminal Activities. (J Ment Health Policy Econ. 2009)
UVA tanning is involved in the increased incidence of skin cancers in fair-skinned young women. (Pigment Cell Melanoma Res. 2009)
Mortality and Predictors of Death 1 Month and 3 Years after First-Ever Ischemic Stroke: Data from the First National Acute Stroke Israeli Survey (NASIS 2004) (Neuroepidemiology 2009)
Medical complications after stroke (The Lancet Neurology 2009)
School Classroom Air May Be More Polluted With Ultrafine Particles Than Outdoor Air “The highest levels occurred during art activities such as gluing, painting and drawing when indoor levels were several times higher than outdoor levels. There also were significant increases in ultrafine particle levels when detergents were used for cleaning.”
Hypertension in seven Latin American cities: the Cardiovascular Risk Factor Multiple Evaluation in Latin America (CARMELA) study (Journal of Hypertension 2009)
Trichomoniasis in pregnancy and mental retardation in children. (Ann Epidemiol. 2009)
New Study Links DHA Type Of Omega-3 To Better Nervous System Function “The authors concluded that not enough DHA in the diet may reduce the ability to handle sensory input. "It only takes a small decrement in brain DHA to produce losses in brain function," said Salem. In humans, weak sensorimotor gating is a hallmark of many nervous-system disorders such as schizophrenia or ADHD. Given mounting evidence of the role omega-3s play in the nervous system, there is intense interest in their therapeutic potential, perhaps as a supplement to medicines. For example, people with schizophrenia have lower levels of essential fatty acids, possibly from a genetic variation that results in poor metabolism of these nutrients. More broadly, the typical American diet is much lower in all types of omega-3 than in omega-6 essential fatty acids, according to Salem. High intake of omega-6, or linoleic acid, reduces the body's ability to incorporate omega-3s. As a result, "we have the double whammy of low omega-3 intake and high omega-6 intake," he said.”
Chinese Herbal Tea Ingredient Linked to Cancer “Herbal teas may help you relax, but new studies show that an acid found in Chinese herbal teas may increase the risk of urinary tract cancer. The carcinogen aristolochic acid, which was found in many prescribed Chinese herbal products including Guan Mu Tong, was linked to a higher risk of cancer. “
Pollution Linked to Pneumonia in Older Adults “"Our study found that among older individuals, long-term exposure to traffic pollution independently increased their risk of hospitalization for pneumonia," principal investigator, Mark Loeb, M.D., of McMaster University, Ontario, Canada, was quoted as saying. “
Hand Washing 10 Times a Day May Help Keep Flu Away
Association Between Green Tea Intake and Coronary Artery Disease in a Chinese Population. (Circ J. 2009)
Reduced gray matter volume of Brodmann's Area 45 is associated with severe psychotic symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. (Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2009)
Monday December 14 - December 20 2009
Postmenopausal Woman and Antidepressants: Deadly Combination? “Postmenopausal women who take antidepressants may have a greater risk of stroke or death, new research shows.”
Physical Activity and Rapid Decline in Kidney Function Among Older Adults (Arch Intern Med. 2009) “Conclusion Higher levels of PA are associated with a lower risk of RDKF among older adults.“
Insomnia Could be Disguising Other Problems in Kids “You might think your child has insomnia, but researchers say it may actually be a gastrointestinal problem. A new study indicates that significant associations exist between parent-reported insomnia symptoms and medical complaints of regurgitation and headaches in young school-aged children.”
Combined Effects of Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Not Smoking, and Normal Waist Girth on Morbidity and Mortality in Men (Arch Intern Med. 2009) “Conclusion Being physically fit, not smoking, and maintaining a normal waist girth is associated with lower risk of CHD events, and CVD and all-cause mortality in men.”
The Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis in 3 US Communities (Prev Chronic Dis 2010) “Three-year US age-adjusted prevalence estimates for the study areas varied substantially. The prevalence was lowest (47.2 per 100,000 population) in the Texas study area (33°30' north latitude), intermediate (86.3 per 100,000 population) in the Missouri study area (39°07' north latitude), and highest (109.5 per 100,000 population) in the Ohio study area (41°24' north latitude). The geographic differences remained strong after age-adjustment to the world standard population. The inverse association between UV light exposure and MS prevalence estimates was consistent with this observed latitude gradient. In all 3 areas, MS prevalence was highest among women, people aged 40 to 59 years, and non-Hispanics.”
Lifetime Vigorous But Not Light-To-Moderate Habitual Physical Activity Impacts Favorably on Carotid Stiffness in Young Adults (Hypertension. 2010) “Promoting vigorous intensity physical activities among the healthy young may, therefore, prevent arterial stiffness and related cardiovascular sequelae later in life, partly through its favorable impact on other biological cardiovascular risk factors.”
Calorie Intake Linked to Cell Lifespan, Cancer Development “Researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) have discovered that restricting consumption of glucose, the most common dietary sugar, can extend the life of healthy human-lung cells and speed the death of precancerous human-lung cells, reducing cancer's spread and growth rate.”
6 Surprising Toxics Hiding in Your Home
Male reproductive organs are at risk from environmental hazards. (Asian J Androl. 2009)
Moderate Fish Consumption May Lower Risk in Patients With a History of Heart Failure “Including fish in a balanced diet has long been associated with the prevention of heart disease, and scientists now believe that it can help preserve heart function in patients who have experienced heart failure.”
HER2-positive breast cancer: What is it? “HER2-positive breast cancer is a breast cancer that tests positive for a protein called human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2), which promotes the growth of cancer cells. In about one of every three breast cancers, the cancer cells make an excess of HER2 due to a gene mutation. This gene mutation can occur in many types of cancer — not only breast cancer. HER2-positive breast cancers tend to be more aggressive than other types of breast cancer. They're also less responsive to hormone treatment. “
Whole Foods Recalls Hazelnuts Due to Possible Salmonella
MRSA Leads to Worse Outcomes, Staggering Expenses for Surgical Patients “Post-surgical infections significantly increase the chance of hospital readmission and death and cost as much as $60,000 per patient, according to Duke University Medical Center researchers who conducted the largest study of its kind to date.”
NSAIDs: Take 'Em Early and Often When Competing? Think Again
Thousands of New Cancers Predicted Due to Increased Use of CT
Diet High in Methionine Could Increase Risk of Alzheimer's “A diet rich in methionine, an amino acid typically found in red meats, fish, beans, eggs, garlic, lentils, onions, yogurt and seeds, can possibly increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to a study by Temple researchers.”
For Babies' Sake, Pregnancy Spacing Matters “If that little bundle of joy has had such a profound impact on your life that you just can't wait to have another, take a breath. A new study suggests that you might want to wait at least six months before getting pregnant again, and that more than 11 months could be even better. The study found that when the interval between pregnancies was less than six months, the chances of the baby dying, being born prematurely, having birth defects or having a low birth weight were significantly higher than among those who waited more than 11 months between pregnancies.”
That Tap Water Is Legal but May Be Unhealthy “The 35-year-old federal law regulating tap water is so out of date that the water Americans drink can pose what scientists say are serious health risks — and still be legal.”
Blinds Recalled Due to Strangulation Risk “The risk of strangulation in children has prompted the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Window Covering Safety Council to issue a voluntary recall today for more than 50 million Roman-style shades and roll-up blinds.”
Study finds over 90 percent of people with gum disease are at risk for diabetes
C-Reactive Protein - What's All The Hype About?
Monday December 7 - December 13 2009
Menopause, as Brought to You by Big Pharma
Bullying at School Linked to Bullying at Home “It was also the case that significantly more boys than girls told us that they bullied their sibling -- who was most likely to be younger than them. It's likely that this form of sibling bullying is all about maintaining a position of dominance. "However, for girls, bullying is mainly related to a poor quality of sibling relationship and not to birth order. In fact, high levels of conflict and low levels of empathy were significantly related to sibling bullying and sibling victimization." A significant link between bullying and victimisation patterns at home and at school was found. Children who bullied siblings were likely to bully their peers, while victims at home were likely to also be victimized at school. “
Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Reduce Risk of Colon Cancer
Long-Term Physical Activity Has an Anti-Aging Effect at the Cellular Level “Intensive exercise prevented shortening of telomeres, a protective effect against aging of the cardiovascular system, according to research reported in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.”
Young Adults Who Exercise Get Higher IQ Scores “The study shows a clear link between good physical fitness and better results for the IQ test. The strongest links are for logical thinking and verbal comprehension. But it is only fitness that plays a role in the results for the IQ test, and not strength. "Being fit means that you also have good heart and lung capacity and that your brain gets plenty of oxygen," says Michael Nilsson, professor at the Sahlgrenska Academy and chief physician at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital. "This may be one of the reasons why we can see a clear link with fitness, but not with muscular strength. We are also seeing that there are growth factors that are important."”
Long-term particulate matter exposure and mortality: a review of European epidemiological studies. (BMC Public Health. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: European studies on long-term exposure to PM indicate a direct association with mortality, particularly from cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.”
When Did Merck Know Vioxx Was Deadly? “"By our analyses, the association is clear that by June 2001 -- more than three years before the drug was eventually taken off the market -- the risk could have been known," Ross tells WebMD. Merck took Vioxx off the market in November 2004, after the "APPROVe" study conclusively demonstrated that Vioxx users had more heart attacks and strokes than patients receiving a placebo.”
Daily Dose of Nuts Reduces Cancer Risk “A diet that incorporates a daily dose of pistachios may help reduce the risk of lung and other cancers. "It is known that vitamin E provides a degree of protection against certain forms of cancer,” Ladia M. Hernandez, M.S., R.D., L.D., senior research dietitian in the Department of Epidemiology at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, was quoted as saying. Higher intakes of gamma-tocopherol, a form of vitamin E, may reduce the risk of lung cancer. "Pistachios are a good source of gamma-tocopherol,” said Hernandez. “Eating them increases intake of gamma-tocopherol so pistachios may help to decrease lung cancer risk."”
Women Who Drink 2 or More Diet Sodas Daily Double Their Risk of Kidney Function Decline, Study Shows“Diet soda may help keep your calories in check, but drinking two or more diet sodas a day may double your risk of declining kidney function, a new study shows. Women who drank two or more diet sodas a day had a 30% drop in a measure of kidney function during the lengthy study follow-up, according to research presented Saturday at the annual meeting of the American Society of Nephrology in San Diego. “
What's the best approach to acute low back pain? (J Fam Pract. 2009)
Blood lead levels and major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder in US young adults. (Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: In these young adults with low levels of lead exposure, higher blood lead levels were associated with increased odds of major depression and panic disorders. Exposure to lead at levels generally considered safe could result in adverse mental health outcomes.”
Overweight Children at Risk for Spinal Problems
Study confirms association between tobacco smoke and behavioral problems in children “"We were able to show that children who are exposed to tobacco smoke prenatally and during the first years of life have a higher risk of developing abnormal behavioral symptoms when they are of school age," said Dr. Joachim Heinrich of the Institute of Epidemiology at Helmholtz Zentrum München. "Moreover, it makes a difference whether the child was exposed to tobacco smoke first after birth or was already confronted with it during prenatal development." According to the study, children who were only exposed to tobacco smoke prenatally have a 1.9 times higher risk of developing abnormal behavioral symptoms in comparison to children without any exposure (change this if it is the wrong comparison). The risk for children first exposed to tobacco smoke after birth is 1.3 times higher. Furthermore, children who were exposed to tobacco smoke both while in the womb and while growing up doubled the risk of developing abnormal behavioral symptoms. Such symptoms include hyperactivity, attention deficits or problems in their relationships with peers. The results of the study were independent of affects from the social environment in which the children were growing up.”
CDC: Pet Frogs Source of Salmonella Outbreak
Salmonella Or Other Bacteria Found In Most Chickens Sold In Stores, US “According to a survey by a consumer organization, most chickens sold in US stores carry salmonella and/or campylobacter, the leading bacterial causes of foodborne disease. The survey report will appear in the January 2010 issue of Consumer Reports Magazine, and describes how an analysis of fresh, whole broilers bought at stores throughout the US showed that two-thirds contained salmonella and/or campylobacter. Consumer Reports bought 382 chickens from over 100 supermarkets, mass merchandisers, gourmet and natural food stores in 22 states, and had them analyzed by outside labs. Altogether they tested three top brands (Foster Farms, Perdue, and Tyson), 30 nonorganic store brands, nine organic store brands, and nine organic name brands. Five of the organic name brands were labelled as "air chilled", a slaughterhouse process that refrigerates and mists carcasses instead of dunking them in cold chlorinated water, they told the press. The tests revealed that: • 62 per cent of the chickens contained campylobacter. • 14 per cent of them contained salmonella. • And 9 per cent of the chickens contained both campylobacter and salmonella. • Only 34 per cent of the birds were clear of both pathogens. • This is double the percentage of clean birds found in the 2007 survey but considerably less than the 51 per cent found in 2003. • Some of the cleanest overall were the air-chilled broilers; about 40 per cent of which had one or both pathogens.”
Cola intake and serum lipids in the Oslo Health Study. (Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2009) “Thus, the self-reported intake frequency of colas, but not other soft drinks, was negatively associated with serum HDL, and positively associated with TG and LDL.”
Serum Long-Chain n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Risk of Hospital Diagnosis of Atrial Fibrillation in Men. (Circulation. 2009) “Conclusions-An increased concentration of long-chain n-3 PUFAs in serum, a marker of fish or fish oil consumption, may protect against AF. Serum docosahexaenoic acid concentration had the greatest impact.”
Which screening tests are best?
Breast Ultrasounds Spot More Cancers
Body-Mass Index and Waist Circumference Equally Predictive for CV Events, Mortality
Functional MRI Shows Permanent Brain Damage From Lead Poisoning in Early Childhood “New research using functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate brain function has found that adults who were exposed to lead as young children incur permanent brain injury.”
MRI Reveals High Incidence of Disc Disease in Overweight and Obese Youngsters “"Back pain and degenerative disc disease are yet another problem associated with obesity in children, along with type 2 diabetes," Dr. Judah G. Burns, a fellow in diagnostic neuroradiology, said. "Disc herniation and spinal disease are generally thought of as a problem of older people, but we're seeing it in obese youngsters, too. This is the first study to show an association between increased body mass index and disc abnormalities in children."”
West Sweden Asthma Study: Prevalence Trends Over the Last 18 Years Argues No Recent Increase in Asthma “Asthma prevalence, defined as asthma diagnosed by a physician, was 8.3%. Moreover, the prevalence of respiratory symptoms was lower compared to previous studies. The most common respiratory symptom was any wheeze (16.6%) followed by sputum production (13.3%). In comparison with studies performed 18 years ago, the prevalence of asthma has not increased, and the prevalence of most respiratory symptoms has decreased. Therefore, our data argues that the continued increase in asthma prevalence that has been observed over the last half century is over.”
Half of teen girls have STIs by 2 years of first sex “Within 2 years of having sex for the first time, half of teenage girls may be at least one of three common sexually transmitted infections (STIs), according to results of a study published today. Often, those girls are infected by the age of 15. Researchers followed 386 urban adolescent girls aged 14 to 17 for up to 8 years. Within 2 years of becoming sexually active, half of the girls were infected with at least one of three common sexually transmitted organisms: Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, or Trichomonas vaginalis -- the organisms that cause chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis, respectively. The researchers found that a quarter of the women had acquired their first STI by age 15, most often Chlamydia. "Repeated infections were very common," study investigator Dr. Wanzhu Tu, of Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis told Reuters Health by email. "Within 4 to 6 months (depending on the organism) after treatment of the previous infection, a quarter of the women were re-infected with the same organism." “
Monday November 30 - December 6 2009
International Study of the Prevalence and Outcomes of Infection in Intensive Care Units (JAMA. 2009) “Conclusions Infections are common in patients in contemporary ICUs, and risk of infection increases with duration of ICU stay. In this large cohort, infection was independently associated with an increased risk of hospital death.”
Urinary incontinence and waist circumference in older women. (Age Ageing. 2009)
The Association between Cigarette Smoking and Risk of Colorectal Cancer in a Large Prospective Cohort from the United States (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009)
Passive Smoking and Risk of Breast Cancer in the California Teachers Study (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009) “Conclusion: These results suggest that cumulative exposures to high levels of sidestream smoke may increase breast cancer risk among postmenopausal women who themselves have never smoked tobacco products.”
Radiofrequency Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: A Guide for Adults
Basketball, Track and Field, Other High-Impact Sports Good for Aging Bones
Exercise May Lead to a Smarter, More Successful You “Any number of factors could explain why better cardiovascular fitness through exercising impacts brain function, including improved blood flow to the brain, diminished anxiety, enhanced mood and less fatigue, Whiteson said. "We've known that aerobic exercise has been associated with improved cognitive performance. We've known that from studies dating back from the '70s," he said. "They picked the area of young men which may not have had a lot of research. This confirms what we've already known about younger and older individuals."”
Ecstasy Users at Higher Risk of Sleep Apnea “McCann and colleagues conducted sleep tests on 71 people who'd used ecstasy (MDMA) and 62 people who'd never used the illegal drug. Ecstasy users had a more than eight-fold increased risk of sleep apnea compared to non-users. Mild sleep apnea rates were similar in both groups (21 percent of ecstasy users and 27 percent of non-users), but only ecstasy users had moderate (13 percent) or severe (1 percent) sleep apnea. The longer a person used ecstasy, the more sleep apnea episodes they experienced, said the researchers. They also found that ecstasy use was a greater risk factor for sleep apnea than obesity. "Our findings may be explained by how ecstasy damages neurons related to serotonin, a chemical in the brain that is involved in sleep regulation and breathing, among other important functions," McCann said. "Sleep apnea in itself is dangerous, but it can also contribute to thinking problems in people who use ecstasy because chronic sleep disruption is known to have a negative effect on how a person functions during the daytime."”
Smokers Inhaling Germs With Each Cigarette “The researchers found hundreds of types of bacteria in the cigarettes, including some that cause respiratory disease, lung and blood infections, foodborne illness, as well as infections that people get when they're in the hospital.”
Cardiovascular fitness is associated with cognition in young adulthood. (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009) “Cardiovascular fitness changes between age 15 and 18 y predicted cognitive performance at 18 y. Cox proportional-hazards models showed that cardiovascular fitness at age 18 y predicted educational achievements later in life. These data substantiate that physical exercise could be an important instrument for public health initiatives to optimize educational achievements, cognitive performance, as well as disease prevention at the society level.”
Radiation Exposure From Annual Mammography Increases Breast Cancer Risk in Young High-Risk Women “The low doses of radiation associated with annual screening mammography could be placing high-risk women in even more jeopardy of developing breast cancer, particularly if they start screening at a young age or have frequent exposure, according to new research presented here at the Radiological Society of North America 95th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting. A meta-analysis of 6 studies found that women with BRCA1 or BCRA2 gene mutations or a family history of breast cancer who were exposed to radiation, either from mammography or chest x-rays, before the age of 20 had a risk for breast cancer that was 2.5 times higher than their counterparts who were not exposed to radiation (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9 - 3.2). The analysis, which examined 9420 high-risk women, also found that 5 or more mammograms increased risk 2.5-fold (95% CI, 1.6 - 3.9), Marijke C. Jansen-van der Weide, PhD, from the University Medical Center Groningen in the Netherlands, reported.”
Vitamin D: What is an adequate vitamin D level and how much supplementation is necessary? (Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2009) “Ideally, the target range for 25-hydroxyvitamin D should be at least 75nmoll(-1), which may need more than 700-1000IU vitamin D in individuals with severe vitamin D deficiency or those overweight.”
Well-Water Consumption and Parkinson’s Disease in Rural California (Environmental Health Perspectives 2009)
AMI Patients Get 30% of Annual Maximum Recommended Radiation Dose in One Hospital Admission “Kaul told heartwire , "We certainly don't want to be alarmist. We're trying to change the way people think about radiation. . . . We're not suggesting that appropriate or necessary testing be withheld, but we're trying to reinforce the need for physicians to carefully evaluate the indications, so that when they do order tests that involve radiation, they consider decreasing the dose based on the admitting diagnosis." Kaul added that the findings of this study suggest a need for better efforts to track a patient's radiation dose throughout the diagnostic process.”
Salt Increases Risk of Stroke and Heart Disease
Smokers Double Their Risk for Heart Disease “Researchers followed 12,152 American and European male and female smokers, formers smokers and nonsmokers for three years. During that time, current smokers were 4.16 times more likely to die of cancer , 2.26 times more likely to die of heart disease and 2.58 times more likely to die from any cause than were former or nonsmokers. Current smokers were also more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke.”
Monday November 23 - November 29, 2009
Midlife Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Risk of Dementia in Later Life in Swedish Twins. (Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2009)
Epidemiology of cheerleading fall-related injuries in the United States. (J Athl Train. 2009)
Epidemiology of cheerleading stunt-related injuries in the United States. (J Athl Train. 2009)
The role of MRI in breast cancer screening. (J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2009) “The NCCN now recommends considering breast MRI as an adjunct to annual mammography and clinical breast examination for women who have a BRCA1 or -2 mutation or who have a first-degree relative who has a BRCA1 or -2 mutation but who have not undergone genetic testing themselves; those who are determined to have a lifetime risk greater than 20% based on models that are highly dependent on family history; and those with a history of lobular carcinoma in situ. MRI is also recommended for patients who underwent radiation treatment to the chest between 10 and 30 years of age, and in those who carry or have a first-degree relative who carries a genetic mutation in the TP53 or PTEN genes (Li-Fraumeni, Cowden, and Bannahyan-Riley-Ruvalcaba syndromes). MRI is specifically not recommended for screening women at average risk for breast cancer.”
Effects of amiodarone therapy on thyroid function. (Medscape.Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2009)
The Dangers of High Cholesterol “How does atherosclerosis begin to happen exactly? In a healthy artery, the inner lining, or endothelium, is smooth and intact. But disease or injury -- including diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol -- can damage this lining, paving the way for atherosclerosis. Scientists aren't sure how high cholesterol injures arteries, Gotto says, but he explains one theory: The fatty acids carried by LDL become oxidized and injure blood vessel walls. "The higher the level of LDL circulating in the blood, the more the wall gets injured." An inflammatory reaction ensues, Gotto says. "The blood vessel responds by a reaction to injury. It treats this as if you scratched your finger." Atherosclerosis begins when white blood cells move into the lining and artery wall. They transform into foam cells, which accumulate fat and cholesterol. Other substances, such as calcium, also collect at the site. Eventually, an atherosclerotic plaque, or atheroma, forms. These plaques thicken and harden the artery wall and bulge into the bloodstream to reduce or block blood flow. When an atheroma ruptures, it can trigger a blood clot leading to heart attack or stroke. Most commonly, atherosclerosis affects the left anterior descending coronary artery [one of the main arteries of the heart], the carotid arteries in the neck, and the abdominal aorta, Gotto says.”
15 Cancer Symptoms Women Ignore
Toxic Chemicals in Everyday Products
Psychotropic drugs boost fall risk in the elderly “A new analysis of studies including nearly 80,000 people aged 60 and older confirms that certain types of widely prescribed drugs, such as antidepressants and sedatives, can increase their risk of falling. Falls often have serious consequences for older people, such as injuries leading to disability and admission to a nursing home, or even death.”
Lead, chemicals found in toys despite stricter law
MIGRAINE RAISES RISK OF MOST COMMON FORM OF STROKE
U.S.-made drywall also being investigated
CDC connects H1N1, severe bacterial infections “The illnesses are caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, a microbe often carried in the nose and throat. While often benign, the bacterium can cause bloodstream infections, fatal pneumonia and meningitis.”
Postmarketing Lessons to Learn From Vioxx Debacle “"If we are to detect harms early and protect the public's health while ensuring the availability of new clinically effective therapeutics, a system must be established that makes full use of all existing evidence," they add. Ross said that although the recent changes to US legislation go some way toward this goal, there is still much room for improvement. The Answer to a Question The tale of rofecoxib is inscribed in pharmaceutical history: an anti-inflammatory drug was introduced in 1999 and hawked as a safer alternative to traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; its sales soon reached $2 billion annually. From 2000 onward, for four years, there were numerous analyses and endless rancorous debate about whether rofecoxib increased cardiovascular risk, with the company maintaining that it did not until, in September of 2004, the large APPROVE trial was terminated early because of an increased risk of cardiovascular events with rofecoxib compared with placebo; the drug was dramatically pulled from sale worldwide, the biggest withdrawal in pharmaceutical history. The results illustrate how critical it is to make all clinical-trial data available for independent research. "All along, Merck insisted there was no evidence that rofecoxib increased cardiovascular risk in comparison with placebo, until the APPROVE study," Ross explained to heartwire . "Our new analysis shows how the placebo-control-only clinical-trial data could have been used to identify the cardiovascular risk with the drug far sooner. The results illustrate how critical it is to make all clinical-trial data available for independent research," he stressed. “
Dietary Antioxidants Could Help Preserve Muscle Strength in Older Adults “In a study in older adults, dietary intake of vitamins C and E was linked with muscle strength, leading the researchers to suggest at a meeting in Atlanta this past weekend that a diet high in antioxidants could play an important role in preserving muscle function in older adults "Muscle strength is really a marker of aging," one of the investigators, Dr. Anne Newman of the University of Pittsburgh, told Reuters Health. "Muscle strength starts declining when people are in their 40s, but it decreases dramatically after age 60." This decline is "a major risk factor for...frailty and disability in older persons," she said, but certain strategies may slow down the loss.”
Total- and HDL-Cholesterol Levels, Not Triglycerides, Predict Vascular Risk
Depression, Anxiety Symptoms Common in Preschoolers “The longitudinal study of 1759 children, ranging in age from 5 months to 5 years, found that 15% of study participants had unduly high symptoms of depression and anxiety and that these children were more likely to have mothers with a history of depression. The study also found that difficult temperament at 5 months was the most important predictor of depression and anxiety in children. "As early as the first year of life, there are indications that some children have more risks than others of developing high levels of depression and anxiety. We also found that these symptoms increase in frequency during the first 5 years of life," one of the authors, Sylvana Côté, PhD, from the Université de Montréal in Quebec, told Medscape Psychiatry. “
High Waist-To-Hip Ratio in Midlife Linked to Later Dementia “"These data emphasize the importance of maintaining a healthy body weight throughout life, and that the prevention of Alzheimer's disease is a life-long process," lead author Dr. Deborah R. Gustafson, of the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, told Reuters Health.”
High-Impact Exercise Reduces Stroke Risk “Regular workouts are protective against ischemic stroke, say researchers. They suggest that the intensity of the activity is important and the effect is independent of the improvement exercise has on hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia. "We believe that maintaining, and even initiating, moderate- to heavy-intensity activity, such as racket sports or swimming, is an important component of risk reduction strategies against ischemic stroke," said Joshua Willey, MD, from Columbia University in New York.”
Keep Muscles Strong to Slash Risk of Cognitive Decline
Preeclampsia Linked to Reduced Thyroid Function
Morphine May Help Tumors Spread in Cancer Patients
Monday November 16 - November 22, 2009
Increased frequency of rhinitis medicamentosa due to media advertising for nasal topical decongestants. (B-ENT. 2009)
How Safe Are Popular Reflux Drugs? The drugs belong to a class of pharmaceuticals called "proton pump inhibitors," or PPIs, which are generally considered safe and effective. But lately these acid-reducing medications have been the subject of studies linking their use to a number of health risks, from an increased rate of hip fracture to a greater likelihood of diarrhea and community-acquired pneumonia. … Altman said he is mostly concerned about high-dose and long-term users of the drugs because their increased exposures boost the odds that they'll experience some unintended consequence. He's also worried about people who continue to use PPIs but don't get better. "They may not have acid reflux, or they may already have a more severe complication of acid reflux than they're aware of," he said. Patients who have concerns about the use of these drugs should speak with their physicians, Vaezi said. But he also said that people need to recognize that the findings of these studies merely suggest an association with a particular outcome -- not a cause.”
Fifty years of thiazide diuretic therapy for hypertension. (Arch Intern Med. 2009)
Exercise Prescription for the Prevention and Management of Hypertension (American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine 2009)
Is there a benefit from lycopene supplementation in men with prostate cancer? A systema tic review. (Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2009)
Risk of chronic low-dose selenium overexposure in humans: insights from epidemiology and biochemistry. (Rev Environ Health. 2009) “Experimental evidence from laboratory studies and veterinary medicine appears to confirm previous epidemiologic observations that selenium overexposure is associated with an increased risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and a recent large trial indicated no beneficial effect in preventing prostate cancer. Moreover, the pro-oxidant properties of selenium species and the observation that the selenium-containing enzymes glutathione peroxidases are induced by oxidative stress imply that the increase in enzymatic activity induced by this metalloid may represent at least in part a compensatory response. Taken together, the data indicate that the upper safe limit of organic and inorganic selenium intake in humans may be lower than has been thought and that low-dose chronic overexposure to selenium may be considerably more widespread than supposed.”
Neti Pot, Nasal Irrigation Pros and Cons
Fruits and vegetables consumption and the risk of histological subtypes of lung cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). (Cancer Causes Control. 2009) “CONCLUSION: We observed inverse associations between the consumption of vegetables and fruits and risk of lung cancer without a clear effect on specific histological subtypes of lung cancer. In current smokers, consumption of vegetables and fruits may reduce lung cancer risk, in particular the risk of squamous cell carcinomas.”
Imported Dengue Fever: an important reemerging disease. (Pediatr Emerg Care. 2009)
Cancer Incidence and Mortality After Treatment With Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 (JAMA. 2009)
Study: Young Athletes Need Multiple Screenings for Heart Defects “Early signs of life-threatening heart defects in young athletes are best detected using two popular diagnostic tests -- not just one of them, according to new research from heart experts at Johns Hopkins. Sudden cardiac death due to heart rhythm disturbances is blamed for more than 3,000 deaths a year in young people, especially athletes who have inherited tendencies to develop overly enlarged and thickened hearts, says Theodore Abraham, M.D., an associate professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and its Heart and Vascular Institute. In some instances, top athletes have died from heart conditions while seemingly in peak physical form, something that can hide warning signs and allow many cases to go undiagnosed.”
New Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines Opposed by Societies “Several professional organizations and expert groups have voiced their objections to new recommendations for breast cancer screening issued by the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and published in the November 17 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. "[The American Cancer Society] continues to recommend [mammography] screening annually for women 40 to 49 years of age," Victor G. Vogel, MD, MHS, FACP, national vice president for research at the American Cancer Society (ACS) in Atlanta, Georgia, told Medscape Medical News. "Clinicians should recognize that very few agencies, including the ACS, are altering their screening guidelines based on the USPSTF modeling results, which simply reanalyze previously published data." Based on an evidence review, the updated USPSTF guidelines recommend against routine mammography screening for women before age 50 years, suggest that screening end at age 74 years, and recommend changing the screening interval from 1 year to 2 years.”
Cervical cancer screening can wait till 21, group says “The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommended the change after concluding that more frequent testing did not catch significantly more cancers and often resulted in girls and young women experiencing unnecessary stress, anxiety and sometimes harmful treatments because of suspicious growths that would not cause problems. "We really felt that the downsides of more frequent screening outweighed any benefits," said Alan G. Waxman, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of New Mexico who led the revision of the guidelines. "More testing is not always more intelligent testing." “
For bubbly Va. 6-year-old, swine flu's attack came quick and strong “With seasonal flu, 90 percent of the people who die are older than 65; most of those victims are older than 85. The worst outbreaks of seasonal flu are usually reported in nursing homes. But with this year's H1N1 strain, the demographics are reversed. Now, most of those dying are younger than 65, the worst outbreaks are in schools and the highest hospitalization rate is among children younger than 4. Forty to 150 children die from the seasonal flu every year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently said that it had vastly underestimated the number of children who have died from swine flu. The number of pediatric deaths had previously been reported to be 129. Now, the government estimates that 300 to 800 children died between April 1 and Oct. 17. During that period, 14 million to 34 million Americans came down with swine flu, the CDC said. “
Lifelong Exercise Keeps Seniors Young at Heart “For example, those who exercised four to five times a week during their lives had about 54 percent of the benefit seen in "Master" athletes, while those who exercised two to three times a week had 42 percent of the benefit. Master athletes are seniors who've exercised six to seven times a week for 15 to 25 years and retained 100 percent of their heart's youthful characteristics and have hearts similar to those of 30-year-olds. “
Hidden Threat: Elevated Pollution Levels Near Regional Airports
Steroids' risks can equal their healing benefits
To Feel Better, Low-Fat Diet May Be Best “"The exact mechanism for the observed effects on mood still remains largely unknown," Brinkworth said. "However, if the mechanism for the return of mood toward more negative baseline levels following weight loss with a very low-carbohydrate diet is related to this diet being so far removed from normal dietary habits, then a very low-carbohydrate diet may be best recommended for individuals who habitually consume low amounts of carbohydrate foods in their diet." More carbs can increase serotonin concentrations in the brain, whereas added fat and protein can reduce concentrations. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter involved in mood. "Altered mood has been shown to influence interpersonal behavior and, therefore, the consumption of a very low-carbohydrate diet may have psychosocial consequences for interpersonal behavior and relationships," Brinkworth said. "I am not entirely clear as to the effects of mood on long-term weight loss; however a recent review article ... suggested that one of the factors that may pose risk for poor long-term weight maintenance may be 'eating in response to negative emotions and stress.'" "Therefore, since negative mood may promote overeating, this suggests that consumption of a very low-carbohydrate diet over an even longer period beyond one year may have implications for maintaining dietary habits and weight loss maintenance," he added. "Further, longer-term studies would be required to confirm this."”
Size Matters -- Obesity Leading Risk Factor for Heart Condition “In individuals with high blood pressure, the heart has to deal with greater pressure, which results in a thickening of the walls of the left ventricle. This change also affects the left atrium as the pressure in this chamber ultimately increases as well as resulting in enlargement and loss of function of the atrium. The mechanisms by which obesity might promote the increased size of the left atrium are seemingly more complex. Obese subjects may undergo dilatation of this chamber because of the cardiac output. The heart of an obese person must transport more blood per minute, which may lead to a volume overload in the left atrium.”
Screening for Breast Cancer: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement (Annals 2009)
New advice: Wait until 50 for mammograms “Most women should wait until age 50 to get mammograms and then have one every two years, a government task force said Monday in a major reversal that conflicts with the American Cancer Society's long-standing recommendation of annual screening starting at 40. Also, the task force said breast self-exams do no good and women shouldn't be taught to do them.”
Wireless Phones Alter Levels of Brain Chemical
Main Ingredients in Household Dust Come From Outdoors “This outdoor-based dust can contain lead, arsenic and other potentially harmful substances, said the Arizona researchers. For example, they estimated that 60% of arsenic in floor dust may come from arsenic in the surrounding air, with the remainder coming from tracked-in soil. The substances in household dust that originates outdoors may be a special concern for homes with children, who put dust-contaminated toys and other objects into their mouths …”
Monday November 9 - November 15, 2009
Study raises new questions about Merck pill Zetia “In the study, Zetia failed to shrink buildups in artery walls while a rival drug, Niaspan, did so significantly. Zetia users also suffered more heart attacks and other problems although the numbers of these events are too small to draw firm conclusions. Zetia "has been on the market for about seven years and we still haven't proven that it improves clinical outcomes," said Dr. Roger Blumenthal, preventive cardiology chief at Johns Hopkins University.”
Food Poisoning May Hurt for Life “Episodes of food poisoning may have serious long-term consequences -- including kidney failure or mental retardation -- particularly among children, researchers say.”
Daily Nasal Saline Irrigation Not Recommended for Long-Term Use “Daily long-term use of nasal saline irrigation (NSI) by patients with recurrent rhinosinusitis (RS) can increase the frequency of acute infection by as much as 60%, according to a new study presented here at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) 2009 Annual Scientific Meeting. Many called the study "important." "We have a serious problem with many patients who suffer with chronic sinus disease thinking that the best treatment is daily [NSI]. They think it isn't harmful and so use it all the time," said lead investigator Talal M. Nsouli, MD, clinical professor of pediatrics and allergy/immunology at Georgetown University Hospital School of Medicine and medical director at the Watergate and Burke Allergy and Asthma Research Centers in Virginia. He presented the results during a podium session. Afterward, Dr. Nsouli told Medscape Allergy & Clinical Immunology that he has no problems with the use of NSI over a short term, and that previous studies have shown that it can improve nasal mucociliary clearance. However, "despite the common use of [NSI], or neti pots, in the treatment of sinus disease over a long period of time, there has been little evidence to confirm its success." For this study, the investigators hypothesized that the "long-term use of NSI may deplete the nose of its immune blanket of mucus, resulting in recurrent RS." “
Report Warns Against Overuse of Household Disinfectants
Linking hippocampal structure and function to memory performance in an aging population. ( Arch Neurol. 2009)
Differences in brain volume, hippocampal volume, cerebrovascular risk factors, and apolipoprotein E4 among mild cognitive impairment subtypes. ( Arch Neurol. 2009)
Cigarette smoking is associated with suicidality in bipolar disorder. (Bipolar Disord. 2009)
Adulthood asthma after wheezing in infancy: a questionnaire study at 27 years of age. (Allergy. 2009)
Peripheral arterial disease in women. (Maturitas. 2009)
Physical Examination is Minimally Useful in Defining Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Population Based Studies. (Occup Environ Med. 2009)
Evolution of the human diet: linking our ancestral diet to modern functional foods as a means of chronic disease prevention. (J Med Food. 2009) “The evolution of the human diet over the past 10,000 years from a Paleolithic diet to our current modern pattern of intake has resulted in profound changes in feeding behavior. Shifts have occurred from diets high in fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and seafood to processed foods high in sodium and hydrogenated fats and low in fiber. These dietary changes have adversely affected dietary parameters known to be related to health, resulting in an increase in obesity and chronic disease, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, and cancer. Some intervention trials using Paleolithic dietary patterns have shown promising results with favorable changes in CVD and diabetes risk factors. However, such benefits may be offset by disadvantages of the Paleolithic diet, which is low in vitamin D and calcium and high in fish potentially containing environmental toxins. More advantageous would be promotion of foods and food ingredients from our ancestral era that have been shown to possess health benefits in the form of functional foods. Many studies have investigated the health benefits of various functional food ingredients, including omega-3 fatty acids, polyphenols, fiber, and plant sterols.”
[Severe vitamin B12 deficiency in infants breastfed by vegans] (Ugeskr Laeger. 2009)
Automobile traffic around the home and attained body mass index: A longitudinal cohort study of children aged 10 -18 years. (Prev Med. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: This analysis yields the first evidence of significant effects from traffic density on BMI levels at age 18 in a large cohort of children. Traffic is a pervasive exposure in most cities, and our results identify traffic as a major risk factor for the development of obesity in children.”
How to Bathe a Person with Dementia: An Evidence-Based Guide (Geriatrics & Aging 2009)
Association of Muscle Strength With the Risk of Alzheimer Disease and the Rate of Cognitive Decline in Community-Dwelling Older Persons (Arch Neurol. 2009)
Is exercise training an effective therapy targeting endothelial dysfunction and va scular wall inflammation? (J.Int J Cardiol. 2009)
Prenatal acetaminophen exposure and risk of wheeze at age 5 years in an urban, low-income cohort. (Thorax. 2009)
Young Tennis Players Who Play Only One Sport Are More Prone To Injuries “Injuries in young tennis players typically include muscle strains, ankle sprains, hip injuries, knee cap instability, stress fractures in the spine and tendonitis of the wrist and rotator cuff. "But one injury you rarely see in kids is tennis elbow," Jayanthi said. "That's because they learn to hit the ball correctly."”
New Brain Findings On Dyslexic Children: Good Readers Learn From Repeating Auditory Signals, Poor Readers Do Not “The vast majority of school-aged children can focus on the voice of a teacher amid the cacophony of the typical classroom thanks to a brain that automatically focuses on relevant, predictable and repeating auditory information, according to new research from Northwestern University. But for children with developmental dyslexia, the teacher's voice may get lost in the background noise of banging lockers, whispering children, playground screams and scraping chairs, the researchers say. Their study appears in the Nov. 12 issue of Neuron. Recent scientific studies suggest that children with developmental dyslexia -- a neurological disorder affecting reading and spelling skills in 5 to 10 percent of school aged children -- have difficulties separating relevant auditory information from competing noise.”
15 Toxic Ingredients in Personal Care
Lipstick and Lead: Questions and Answers
Household Cleaning Bad for Asthma?
Red, processed meats linked to prostate cancer “Overall, the researchers found, the 20 percent of men with the highest intakes of red meat, which in this study included beef and pork, were 12 percent more likely than those who consumed the least to develop prostate cancer. That's after a range of other factors, like smoking, exercise habits and education, were taken into account. There was a stronger connection to advanced prostate cancer -- with that risk being almost one-third higher among those who ate the most red meat versus those who ate the least. Similar findings were seen with processed meat. But when the researchers broke the men's diet information down further, they found that red processed meats -- like bacon and red-meat sausage and hot dogs -- were related to higher prostate cancer risk, while white processed meats, like poultry cold cuts, were not. When it came to cooking methods, the only one that was linked to prostate cancer was grilling/barbecuing, Sinha's team found. The finding is in line with the theory that meats cooked at high temperatures may be particularly linked to cancer because the cooking process produces certain chemicals -- including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heterocyclic amines -- that are known to cause cancer in animals. Giving further support to that idea, the researchers found that higher dietary levels of a PAH called benzo-alpha-pyrene were related to a higher risk of prostate cancer. A similar pattern emerged when the investigators looked at men's intake of nitrites and nitrates -- chemicals used to preserve and flavor processed and cured meats like ham, bacon and sausage. In the body, nitrites and nitrates can promote the production of potentially cancer-promoting chemicals called nitrosamines.”
1 in 4 breast cancers 'not threatening' “They concluded that screening was picking up many slow-growing cancers that would otherwise not have been detected. While this can be seen as a helpful "early diagnosis", it also falls into the category of "over-diagnosis", says Morrell. "Some of those early-diagnosed cases would not manifest clinically during that woman's lifetime," he says. Morrell says 23% to 29% of all invasive breast cancers detected in NSW are "over-diagnosed". … Roder agrees: "We need to identify a group of tumours that we dare to leave and not treat," he says. In the meantime, he says doctors may be increasingly likely to remove abnormal cells for fear of being sued. Roder says there should be more research on how best to communicate to women the uncertainties involved with screening mammography to ensure they are properly informed. "We don't want [women] to forgo the breast cancer mortality reduction by scaring them," he says. "But we don't want them to go into screening not aware of potential negatives."”
Review: Reports on Pfizer drug studies misleading “In eight of the 12 published studies, the main outcome listed in internal documents differs from the one later given in the published report. In half the cases, a new primary outcome was substituted and in others, the original main outcome was instead reported as a secondary measure or wasn't disclosed at all. The authors cited some limitations to their review, including not knowing who made the changes. "We cannot be certain that selective reporting was a decision made by employees of Pfizer and Parke-Davis, since the authors of the published reports included nonemployees," the researchers wrote. Arthur Caplan, director of the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Bioethics, called the report "one of the most ethically disturbing papers I've read in some time" and "an indication that people have been playing fast and loose with studies," particularly industry ones.”
Alcohol may Encourage Cancer Progression “ "Alcohol consumption is known to increase the risk of several cancers, including cancers of the oral cavity, esophagus, liver, colon, rectum, and, in women, the breast," Christopher B. Forsyth, assistant professor of medicine and biochemistry at Rush University Medical Center, was quoted as saying. "We also suspect an association with cancers of the pancreas and lung. However, the mechanisms by which alcohol increases the risk for these cancers have not been established. EMT is an active area of cancer research and growing evidence supports a role for EMT during cancer progression and metastases for several cancer types but previously not for alcohol-associated cancers." “
Monday November 2 - November 8, 2009
Antiaging, longevity and calorie restriction. (Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2009) “SUMMARY: Dietary restriction in rodents has not been shown to be effective when started in older rodents. Weight loss in humans over 60 years of age is associated with increased mortality, hip fracture and increased institutionalization. Calorie restriction in older persons should be considered experimental and potentially dangerous. Exercise at present appears to be a preferable treatment for older persons.”
Evolution of the human diet: linking our ancestral diet to modern functional foods as a means of chronic disease prevention. (J Med Food. 2009) “The evolution of the human diet over the past 10,000 years from a Paleolithic diet to our current modern pattern of intake has resulted in profound changes in feeding behavior. Shifts have occurred from diets high in fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and seafood to processed foods high in sodium and hydrogenated fats and low in fiber. These dietary changes have adversely affected dietary parameters known to be related to health, resulting in an increase in obesity and chronic disease, including cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, and cancer. Some intervention trials using Paleolithic dietary patterns have shown promising results with favorable changes in CVD and diabetes risk factors. However, such benefits may be offset by disadvantages of the Paleolithic diet, which is low in vitamin D and calcium and high in fish potentially containing environmental toxins. More advantageous would be promotion of foods and food ingredients from our ancestral era that have been shown to possess health benefits in the form of functional foods. Many studies have investigated the health benefits of various functional food ingredients, including omega-3 fatty acids, polyphenols, fiber, and plant sterols.”
The early prevention of metabolic syndrome by physical exercise. (Antropol. 2009)
Why are women predisposed to autoimmune rheumatic diseases? ( AJ.Arthritis Res Ther. 2009)
Automobile traffic around the home and attained body mass index: A longitudinal cohort study of children aged 10 -18 years. (Prev Med. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: This analysis yields the first evidence of significant effects from traffic density on BMI levels at age 18 in a large cohort of children. Traffic is a pervasive exposure in most cities, and our results identify traffic as a major risk factor for the development of obesity in children.”
Diagnosis of asthma in adults (CMAJ 2009)
What Soft Drinks are Doing to Your Body
Asbestos in Drinking Water:
Asbestos in Drinking-water (WHO)
Basic Information about Asbestos in Drinking Water
Asbestos: 400,000 Miles of Drinking Water Pipes May Have Been Made With The Deadly Substance
In the UK about 10% of the water mains are made from asbestos cement
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Slideshow: Surprising Headache Triggers
11 Tips for Living With Chronic Pain
Aspirin for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
Dementia: Rare Brain Disorder Is Highly Hereditary “The brain disorder, called frontotemporal dementia, is formerly known as Pick's disease and destroys parts of the brain, leading to dementia, including problems with language or changes in behavior and personality. The disease often affects people under the age of 65.”
Acetaminophen May Be Linked To Asthma In Children And Adults
Common Plants Can Eliminate Indoor Air Pollutants
Diet Beats Drugs for Diabetes Prevention
The French Women Don't Get Fat Diet
Obesity Significantly Cuts Odds Of Successful Pregnancy, Study Finds
Big Air Pollution Impacts On Local Communities: Traffic Corridors Major Contributors To Illness From Childhood Asthma “Heavy traffic corridors in the cities of Long Beach and Riverside are responsible for a significant proportion of preventable childhood asthma, and the true impact of air pollution and ship emissions on the disease has likely been underestimated, according to researchers at the University of Southern California (USC).”
Diet Rich in Processed Food Linked to Increased Risk for Depression “Patients who consume a diet rich in high-fat dairy products and fried, refined, and sugary foods are at increased risk of developing depression, whereas those whose diet is rich in fish, fruit, and vegetables are at lower risk of developing depression, a new study shows. Although other research has looked at the relationship between single nutrients and depression, this is the first study to investigate the effect of dietary patterns on depression. The results suggest that diet should be considered a potential target for the prevention of depressive disorders …”
Alcohol may Encourage Cancer Progression “ "Alcohol consumption is known to increase the risk of several cancers, including cancers of the oral cavity, esophagus, liver, colon, rectum, and, in women, the breast," Christopher B. Forsyth, assistant professor of medicine and biochemistry at Rush University Medical Center, was quoted as saying. "We also suspect an association with cancers of the pancreas and lung. However, the mechanisms by which alcohol increases the risk for these cancers have not been established. EMT is an active area of cancer research and growing evidence supports a role for EMT during cancer progression and metastases for several cancer types but previously not for alcohol-associated cancers." “
Study Ties Common Antibiotics With Birth Defects “Researchers studying antibiotics in pregnancy have found a surprising link between common drugs used to treat urinary infections and birth defects. Reassuringly, the most-used antibiotics in early pregnancy -- penicillins -- appear to be the safest. Bacterial infections themselves can cause problems for the fetus if left unchecked, experts said, so pregnant women shouldn't avoid antibiotics entirely. Instead, women should discuss antibiotics choices with their doctors.”
Concern over canned foods “Now Consumer Reports' latest tests of canned foods, including soups, juice, tuna, and green beans, have found that almost all of the 19 name-brand foods we tested contain some BPA. The canned organic foods we tested did not always have lower BPA levels than nonorganic brands of similar foods analyzed. We even found the chemical in some products in cans that were labeled "BPA-free." “
Diet Soda and Salt: Destroying your Kidneys? “Researchers studied more than 3,000 women and found those who drink at least two diet sodas daily double their rate of kidney function decline. Sodium also increased their odds, as demonstrated by test results consistent with previous experimental animal testing.”
Monday October 26 - November 1, 2009
Surgery Provides Modest Benefit for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Weight Loss Can Shed Pounds And Carpal Tunnel
Antipsychotics cause rapid weight gain in youth “Up to a third of children and adolescents who took common antipsychotic drugs for the first time became overweight or obese in as little as 11 weeks, raising their risk for diabetes and heart disease, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday. They said doctors who prescribe antipsychotics to children should carefully consider the benefits against the risks, and keep close watch on children taking the drugs. "These data confirm prior findings that children and adolescents are highly vulnerable to antipsychotic medication," Dr. Christopher Varley and Dr. Jon McClellan of the Seattle Children's Hospital wrote in a commentary in the Journal of the American Medical Association.”
Otitis media: viruses, bacteria, biofilms and vaccines (Med J Aust 2009)
Primary care management of otitis media among Australian children (Med J Aust 2009)
The Clinical Course of Advanced Dementia (NEJM 2009)
Migraine and cardiovascular disease: systematic review and meta-analysis (BMJ 2009)
Are You Perimenopausal–14 Signs
Household Insecticides Linked to Lupus and Arthritis “New research out of Philadelphia suggests a link between women’s exposure to household insecticides (including roach and mosquito killers) and the autoimmune disorders rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Previous research has shown a link of agricultural pesticides to higher risk of rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Autoimmune diseases are diseases where the immune system goes haywire and begins to attack the body. Farmers were shown to be a high risk group for this reason. Women who reported applying insecticides had a higher risk of developing the two autoimmune disorders than women who reported no insecticide use, whether or not they had lived on a farm. Those who used the insecticide the most often and most frequently had double the risk.”
Analgesia in Children: Ibuprofen as Effective as Acetaminophen-Codeine
Vegetables Can Protect Unborn Child Against Diabetes
Diet And Intestinal Bacteria Linked To Healthier Immune Systems “The indigestible part of all plant-based foods pushes its way through most of the digestive tract unchanged, acting as a kind of internal broom. When it arrives in the colon, bacteria convert it to energy and compounds known as 'short chain fatty acids'. These are already known to alleviate the symptoms of colitis, an inflammatory gut condition. 1 Similarly, probiotics and prebiotics, food supplements that affect the balance of gut bacteria, reduce the symptoms of asthma and rheumatoid arthritis, also inflammatory diseases. Until now no-one has understood why. … The conclusions drawn from the current research provide some of the most compelling reasons yet for eating considerably more unprocessed whole foods -- fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds. 4 Dietary fibre, of course, has many known health benefits in addition to those discussed above, including reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers 5, and various health organizations around the world recommend daily minimum levels. 6 It is certain that the majority of people in countries like Australia, the United States and Britain eat much less fibre than they need to stay healthy.”
Shellfish May Raise Diabetes Risk: Study “Eating white and oily fish regularly may provide protection against type 2 diabetes, but eating shellfish may have the opposite effect, a study from the UK hints. The study team noted about 25 percent less risk type 2 diabetes among men and women who reported eating one or more, as opposed to fewer, servings of white or oily fish each week. Unexpectedly, however, they found that men and women who ate similar amounts of shellfish -- primarily prawns, crab, and mussels -- had about 36 percent increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. But "it may not be the 'shellfish' per se which increased the risk for diabetes," Dr. Nita Forouhi, of Addenbrooke's Hospital, University of Cambridge, noted in an email to Reuters Health. Rather, the cooking and preparation methods used in the UK, for example, oils used when frying or butter- and mayonnaise-based sauces served with shellfish, may increase cholesterol intake which, in turn, may raise diabetes risk.”
88% of H1N1 Swine Flu Deaths Are People Under Age 65, Reversing Seasonal Trend
Weight Loss Can Shed Pounds And Carpal Tunnel
Fish Oil May Protect Against Stroke From Ruptured Carotid Artery Plaques “Our bodies produce only a small amount of omega-3 fatty acids, so most of what we need has to come from eating omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods like fish (salmon, tuna, trout, herring, etc.) or from supplements. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to protect against cardiovascular disease, particularly heart attack and sudden cardiac death. Dr. Bazan’s team wanted to determine what the association might be with plaques in the carotid arteries, a common cause of strokes. Vulnerable plaques which can rupture in the carotid arteries may lead to transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), strokes, or vision loss by affecting the artery to the retina. The mechanisms leading to plaque rupture are still not fully understood but inflammation within the plaque is beginning to be recognized as an important cause of plaque rupture. … The plaques of asymptomatic patients contained more than twice as much DHA as the symptomatic patients, and about one and a half times as much EPA. Significantly less inflammation was also seen in the carotid atherosclerotic plaques from asymptomatic patients. “In the future, a study to address whether supplementation with dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids prevents carotid-related events in patients with moderate or high-grade carotid stenosis will help answer whether this is a formidable therapeutic target for the prevention of stroke,” says Dr. Bazan.”
Exercise Keeps Dangerous Visceral Fat Away A Year After Weight Loss, Study Finds
H1N1 Flu Safety and Ingredients Discussion:
Squalene-based adjuvants in vaccines (WHO)
Summary of: WHO Virtual Consultation on the Safety of Adjuvanted Influenza Vaccines
Thimerosal, squalene and Guillain-Barré: Expert answers to your seasonal and H1N1 flu questions
Blogs:
http://remixxworld.blogspot.com/2009/10/h1n1-swine-flu-trial-vaccine-contains.html
http://knowthelies.com/?q=node/4324
From Novartis Vaccines (Pharmaceutical Company):
MF59-adjuvanted vaccines for seasonal and pandemic influenza prophylaxis.
---------------------------------------------Monday October 19 - October 25, 2009
Long-Term and Recent Recreational Physical Activity and Survival After Breast Cancer: The California Teachers Study. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: Consistent long-term participation in physical activity before breast cancer diagnosis may lower risk of breast cancer death, providing further justification for public health strategies to increase physical activity throughout the lifespan.”
The effect of electromagnetic radiation in the mobile phone range on the behaviour of the rat. (Metab Brain Dis. 2009) “These findings suggested that EMR exposure may lead to abnormal brain functioning.”
Transient DNA damage induced by high frequency electromagnetic fields (GSM 1.8GHz) in the human trophoblast HTR-8/SVneo cell line evaluated with the alkaline Comet assay. (Mutat Res. 2009) “Our data suggest that HF-EMF with a carrier frequency and modulation scheme typical of the GSM signal may affect the DNA integrity.”
Salt Shockers Slideshow: High-Sodium Surprises
Alzheimer's Researchers Find High Protein Diet Shrinks Brain
Insecticides May Raise Risk of Lupus, RA “Women who spray their homes and gardens with insecticides may be placing themselves at risk for rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, a study shows. In a study of more than 75,000 women, those who used insecticides six or more times a year had nearly two-and-a-half times the risk of developing the autoimmune diseases than women who adopted a live-and-let-live attitude toward bugs. Similarly, the risk more than doubled if bug sprays were used in the home for 20 or more years. Hiring a gardener or commercial company to apply insecticides also resulted in a doubling of risk, but only if they were used long-term, says Christine G. Parks, PhD, an epidemiologist with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, N.C. "Our new results provide support for the idea that environmental factors may increase susceptibility or trigger the development of autoimmune diseases in some individuals," she says. “
WHO Issues Guidelines for Antiviral Treatment of H1N1 and Other Influenza
During Pregnancy A High Fat Diet Can Lead To Severe Liver Disease In Offspring
Decline In Other Cognitive Skills May Precede Memory Loss In Alzheimer's
Cancer Society, in Shift, Has Concerns on Screenings ““We don’t want people to panic,” said Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical officer of the cancer society. “But I’m admitting that American medicine has overpromised when it comes to screening. The advantages to screening have been exaggerated.” Prostate cancer screening has long been problematic. The cancer society, which with more than two million volunteers is one of the nation’s largest voluntary health agencies, does not advocate testing for all men. And many researchers point out that the PSA prostate cancer screening test has not been shown to prevent prostate cancer deaths. There has been much less public debate about mammograms. Studies from the 1960s to the 1980s found that they reduced the death rate from breast cancer by up to 20 percent. The cancer society’s decision to reconsider its message about the risks as well as potential benefits of screening was spurred in part by an analysis published Wednesday in The Journal of the American Medical Association, Dr. Brawley said. In it, researchers report a 40 percent increase in breast cancer diagnoses and a near doubling of early stage cancers, but just a 10 percent decline in cancers that have spread beyond the breast to the lymph nodes or elsewhere in the body. With prostate cancer, the situation is similar, the researchers report. If breast and prostate cancer screening really fulfilled their promise, the researchers note, cancers that once were found late, when they were often incurable, would now be found early, when they could be cured. A large increase in early cancers would be balanced by a commensurate decline in late-stage cancers. That is what happened with screening for colon and cervical cancers. But not with breast and prostate cancer.”
Sleep Disturbances and Frailty Status in Older Community-Dwelling Men (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 2009)
Comorbidity in adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. (Can J Psychiatry. 2009)
Urinary Incontinence Pictures Slideshow: Foods and Drinks That Make You Gotta Go
Anatomy of a Sore Throat Pictures Slideshow: Distinguish Common Sore Throat From Strep
MRSA Picture Slideshow: A Collection of Photos on MRSA
Childhood ADHD Linked to Criminal Behavior in Adults “Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely than other children to engage in criminal activity when they grow older, a U.S. study has found. The study included more than 10,000 adolescents who were later surveyed in adulthood. It found that youngsters with ADHD were twice as likely to commit theft later in life and were 50 percent more likely to sell drugs.”
Swine Flu May Stress ICUs This Winter “Among ICU patients with swine flu the death rate was 16%. That's the same death rate as Australian hospitals see in ICU patients with seasonal flu. But with seasonal flu, most patients with severe disease are elderly. Most patients with severe H1N1 swine flu were infants under age 12 months or adults 25 to 64. In Australia and New Zealand, swine flu behaves very much as it does in the U.S. and elsewhere. About 30% of those with severe disease have no underlying condition. But the majority of severe cases are among people with underlying conditions. In Australia and New Zealand, a disproportionate number of patients were pregnant, had chronic lung disease, or were morbidly obese. Indigenous populations were also disproportionately likely to be admitted to the ICU with swine flu.”
Largest Turtle-Linked Salmonella Outbreak Detailed “Two girls who swam with pet turtles in a backyard pool were among 107 people sickened in the largest salmonella outbreak blamed on turtles nationwide, researchers report. The 2007-08 outbreak involved mostly children in 34 states; one-third of all patients had to be hospitalized. In many cases, parents didn't know that turtles can carry salmonella. Despite a 1975 ban on selling small turtles as pets, they continue to be sold illegally. … Salmonella in turtle feces can end up on their shells and body, and can spread to people who handle them. “
Strategies for Diagnosing and Treating Dehydration in Children “On physical examination, the most helpful individual signs for detecting dehydration in children are prolonged capillary refill time, abnormal skin turgor, and abnormal respiratory pattern. Compared with individual signs, however, clinical dehydration scales based on a combination of physical examination findings are more specific and sensitive for accurate diagnosis of dehydration in children, and they are also useful for categorizing the severity of dehydration. Four factors that most reliably predicted dehydration in 1 study were capillary refill time exceeding 2 seconds, absence of tears, dry mucous membranes, and general appearance suggesting acute illness. When at least 2 of these signs are present, fluid deficit is likely to be 5% or more. Another validated scale in children with acute gastroenteritis suggested that general appearance, degree of sunken eyes, mucous membrane dryness, and lack of tear production were associated with length of hospital stay and the need for intravenous fluids. Complications of dehydration may on occasion include hypernatremia, hyponatremia, and hypoglycemia. Therefore, children with severe dehydration and those with atypical presentations of moderate dehydration should undergo measurement of serum electrolyte levels. Hypoglycemia (blood glucose levels < 60 mg/dL [3.33 mmol/L]) has been reported in 1 study in 9% of children younger than 9 years (mean age, 18 months) who were hospitalized with diarrhea. Because history and physical examination findings were not suggestive of hypoglycemia in these children, blood glucose screening may be indicated for toddlers with diarrhea.”
Monday October 5 - October 18, 2009 (2 weeks combined)
A Fish Tale With Merit: Omega-3 PUFAs Underrated for Heart Failure “At least one observational study of dietary fish and heart-failure prevention showed a dose-response effect (p=0.009) when consumption levels of various types of fish were converted to omega-3 PUFA intake [3]. A number of potential omega-3 physiologic effects require multigram doses, according to Stanley. "A gram a day is low, I think. With that I'd say you're tickling the bottom of the curve for most effects of fish oil that you'd want for [treating] heart failure. You probably need three or four times that dose for an optimal benefit," he said to heartwire .”
Evidence-Based Medicine, Conscience-Based Medicine, and the Management of Low-Risk Prostate Cancer
Maternal overweight before pregnancy and asthma in offspring followed for 8 years. (Int J Obes (Lond). 2009) “Conclusion:Children with a predisposition for asthma may have a higher risk to develop asthma during childhood when their mothers are overweight before pregnancy, irrespective of the child's BMI.”
Study Finds 52 Percent Lower Chance Of Dying At Top-rated Hospitals
Suffering Caused By Dialysis For Nursing Home Seniors May Outweigh Its Benefits, Researchers Find “"We have tended to overestimate the benefits and ignore or downplay the negative aspects of dialysis when we counsel patients about their treatment options," Kurella Tamura said. "There's a huge burden of adverse symptoms and physical disability even among the patients who receive dialysis, and these aspects are sometimes easy to overlook." After reviewing the findings, Peter Aronson, MD, a professor of nephrology at Yale University who was not involved in the study, said, "It's a real eye-opener to see how poorly patients do," The study, he added, "will be very useful for clinicians in counseling elderly nursing home patients about their care decisions." Aronson said he recommends increasing the training for nephrologists on end-of-life care issues. "Many patients have false hopes when they start dialysis. When doctors don't have realistic expectations about how their patients will do, I think it is very hard for patients to make appropriate decisions about their care." “
Compliance with hand hygiene on surgical, medical, and neurologic intensive care units: Direct observation versus calculated disinfectant usage. ( Am J Infect Control. 2009) “BACKGROUND: Hand hygiene (HH) is considered the single most effective measure to prevent and control health care-associated infections (HAIs). Although there have been several reports on compliance rates (CRs) to HH recommendations, data for intensive care units (ICUs) in general and for shift- and indication-specific opportunities in particular are scarce. … Worrisomely, CRs were very low, especially concerning indications of greatest impact in preventing HAIs, such as before aseptic task.”
Meat and Meat-related Compounds and Risk of Prostate Cancer in a Large Prospective Cohort Study in the United States. (Am J Epidemiol. 2009) “Red and processed meat may be positively associated with prostate cancer via mechanisms involving heme iron, nitrite/nitrate, grilling/barbecuing, and benzo[a]pyrene.”
Glucocorticoid Use and Risk of Atrial Fibrillation or Flutter (Arch Intern Med. 2009) “Conclusion Current glucocorticoid use was associated with an almost 2-fold increased risk of atrial fibrillation or flutter. “
The Clinical Course of Advanced Dementia (NEJM 2009) “Conclusions Pneumonia, febrile episodes, and eating problems are frequent complications in patients with advanced dementia, and these complications are associated with high 6-month mortality rates. Distressing symptoms and burdensome interventions are also common among such patients. Patients with health care proxies who have an understanding of the prognosis and clinical course are likely to receive less aggressive care near the end of life.”
Cell Phones and Brain Cancer -- Jury Still Out “A new report suggests that that regular use of cell phones can result in a "significant" risk for brain tumors. But previous studies have been inconsistent. Even so, some European countries have taken precautionary measures, aimed specifically at children. In the United States, a recent Senate hearing examining the safety of cell phones was inconclusive, saying that although more research is needed, it might be wise to begin taking precautionary measures right now. The National Cancer Institute also said that additional research is needed.”
When Malignant Melanoma Is in the Family “The guideline authors recommend that families or individuals who have a hereditary pattern of melanoma meet with a genetics counselor. The indicators of a hereditary pattern are 3 or more primary melanomas, or at least 1 case of melanoma and 2 or more other diagnoses of melanoma and/or pancreatic cancer among first- or second-degree relatives on the same side of the family. Affected individuals might also want to take the next step: getting tested to determine if they have mutations of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A). Up to 40% of hereditary melanoma cases have CDKN2A mutations, which are associated with an increased risk for pancreatic cancer, write the international team of guideline authors, led by Sancy Leachman, MD, PhD, from the Huntsman Cancer Institute of the University of Utah in Provo.”
Chronic Rhinosinusitis Gateway to Other Illnesses “A new study suggests patients who suffer from CRS also tend to suffer from asthma, arthritis and asthma-like illnesses. Researchers studied 1,970,695 patients to determine if such a relationship existed. The analysis shows an especially high incidence of CRS in patients with asthma, who are also more likely to have nasal polyps. Researchers also noted that patients with high blood pressure and arthritis have high incidences of chronic sinusitis. Results of the study suggest these chronic illnesses and chronic rhinosinusitis may share certain mechanisms that influence how they arise or progress.”
H1N1 Critical Illness Mostly Affects Young Patients and Is Often Fatal “Among critically ill patients, overall 28-day mortality was 14.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.5% – 20.7%), and shock and nonpulmonary acute organ dysfunction were common (sequential organ failure assessment mean score 6.8 ± 3.6 on day 1). At 90 days, overall mortality was 17.3% (95% CI, 12.0% – 24.0%; n = 29). At ICU admission, all patients were severely hypoxemic (mean ratio of partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood [PaO2] to fraction of inspired oxygen [FIO2] of 147 ± 128 mm Hg). Median time from symptom onset to hospital admission was 4 days (interquartile range [IQR], 2 – 7 days) and from hospitalization to ICU admission was 1 day (IQR, 0 – 2 days). Most critically ill patients received neuraminidase inhibitors (n = 152 [90.5%]) and mechanical ventilation (n = 136 [81.0%]). Median duration of ventilation was 12 days (IQR, 6 – 20 days) and of ICU stay was 12 days (IQR, 5 – 20 days). Some patients also required lung rescue therapies, including neuromuscular blockade in 28% of patients, inhaled nitric oxide in 13.7%, high-frequency oscillatory ventilation in 11.9%, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in 4.2%, and prone positioning ventilation in 3.0%. "Critical illness due to 2009 influenza A(H1N1) in Canada occurred rapidly after hospital admission, often in young adults, and was associated with severe hypoxemia, multisystem organ failure, a requirement for prolonged mechanical ventilation, and the frequent use of rescue therapies," the study authors write. "Our data suggest that severe disease and mortality in the current outbreak is concentrated in relatively healthy adolescents and adults between the ages of 10 and 60 years, a pattern reminiscent of the W-shaped curve previously seen only during the 1918 H1N1 Spanish pandemic." “
Swine Flu Can Move Quickly to Severe Illness "These people were not just a little bit ill. They were spectacularly ill," said Dr. Anand Kumar, the Canadian lead author of one of the JAMA studies. "To see 40 patients like this simultaneously in the ICU, all struggling for their lives, all in the space of a few weeks -- that's really unusual." "Without preparation, there would be some chance that some areas would be overwhelmed," Kumar said. "As long as we prepare, it should be handled." “
Shingles Raises Risk Of Stroke By 30 Percent Or More In Adults, Study Finds “Researchers didn’t design the study to determine how shingles infection raises stroke risk. But other research suggests that as the herpes zoster virus replicates and attacks the vessel wall, the vessel wall becomes damaged and inflamed. This in turn can cause the vessel to close up, or occlude, blocking blood flow to the brain. Shingles is also the only recognized human virus able to invade cerebral arteries. In addition, shingles is also associated with severe pain, and the stress of that chronic pain may raise the risk of cardiovascular disease theoretically, Kang said.”
Phthalates Hard To Avoid In Food: Junk Food No Worse Than Healthful Food For These Potentially Harmful Substances “Phthalates – the softening agents in synthetic materials – were a hot topic during the last decade and have been linked to deformities in the male genitals, diabetes, premature births and excess weight. Now, a study from ETH Zurich has revealed that they are extremely difficult to avoid, even if you eat healthily. Synthetic materials are omnipresent in our everyday lives. To make them soft, flexible, durable and nicer, PVC or synthetically produced rubber is mixed with an organic compound made up of phthalate ester and alcohol (otherwise known as phthalates), for example. The synthetics industry uses about five million tons of these softeners annually; they are present in conventional flooring, cables and packaging materials, but also medical products and cosmetics. Easy pickings Because they are everywhere, they can easily enter the food chain and the human organism via food and drink. When and where this happens, however, is difficult to ascertain and has barely been researched. “After all,” says Michael Siegrist, a professor at the Institute of Environmental Decisions at ETH Zurich, “often you don’t know where in the food chain the phthalates get into the food – whether they come from the bucket used to harvest olives, the conveyor belt, or elsewhere in the production chain”.”
FDA Warns of Radiation Overexposure With Brain CT “The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reporting cases of radiation overexposures during brain perfusion computed tomography (CT) imaging. The overexposures took place at a single institution but may reflect a more widespread problem regarding CT quality assurance programs. During an 18-month period, the agency found that 206 patients received radiation doses that were approximately 8 times the expected level. According to an alert sent yesterday from MedWatch, the FDA's safety information and adverse event reporting program, "If patient doses are higher than the expected level, but not high enough to produce obvious signs of radiation injury, the problem may go undetected and unreported, putting patients at increased risk for long-term radiation effects." Patients received 3 to 4 Gy instead of the expected 0.5 Gy (maximum) to the head, the FDA notes. "In some cases, this excessive dose resulted in hair loss and erythema."”
Dementia Is a Terminal Illness, But Palliative Care Often Poor “The presence of distressing symptoms and burdensome interventions of limited benefit are "2 things that are not really indicative of high-quality palliative care," she said. However, when family members understood the poor prognosis and clinical course of end-stage dementia, patients were far less likely to undergo aggressive intervention, Dr. Mitchell added. "For example, if the family felt they both understood the clinical complications that were expected and the poor prognosis, 27% of those patients got a burdensome intervention in the last 90 days of life, compared to 73% of those patients whose family members didn't understand either of those things." "It really comes down to what the goals of care are," she added. When it becomes clear to families that these patients have a poor prognosis, and they understand the types of complications the patients will face near the end, most want the goal of care to be comfort for the patient, she explained. Families can then take the different problems that arise and consider the treatment options, whether they be palliative or aggressive, and decide which one is going to promote that goal of comfort for the patient, Dr. Mitchell said. "I think as soon as the preferences turn toward comfort with an understanding of where these folks are in the end stage of the disease, that's when you can comfortably stop doing some of those things that don't promote comfort," Dr. Mitchell concluded.”
Living to 100 to Become Common?
American future lifespans greatly exaggerated? “First, if people of a given society are to live to 100, on average, smoking rates need to first drop to zero percent. Few smokers live to age 80 let alone 100. Currently about 20 percent of Americans smoke; worldwide the rate in wealthy countries is 20 to 40 percent. So scratch them off the list. Smokers won't get close to 100 unless there are miracle cures for lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema and myriad other diseases associated with smoking. Next, obesity and diabetes rates need to drop back to their natural lows, around zero percent. There are no obese centenarians. Currently, two-thirds of Americans are overweight and half of these folks are obese. These rates are predicted to climb, not fall. More than 24 million Americans, or 8 percent of the population, are diabetic, and nearly 60 million are pre-diabetic, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While many of these people may live to a respectful old age, none will be living to 100. Diabetes ravages the body, weakening blood vessels and leading to heart disease and sundry vascular diseases.”
Protect Against Colds With Exercise “David C. Nieman, DrPH, FACSM, says that multiple studies have shown a 25- to 50-percent decrease in sick time for active people completing at least 45 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (such as walking) most days of the week. "This reduction in illness far exceeds anything a drug or pill can offer," Nieman said. "All is takes is a pair of walking shoes to help prevent becoming one of the thousands predicted to suffer from the common cold this winter."”
Dyslexia More Complicated for Chinese “In people who speak English, dyslexia is a phonological disorder. This means they have difficulty detecting or manipulating the sound structure of oral language, which causes problems in mapping speech sounds into letters. Dyslexia in those who speak Chinese, though, is a phonological disorder as well as a visuospatial deficit, the study found. "In English, the alphabetic letters that form visual words are pronounceable, so access to the pronunciation of English words is made possible by using letter-to-sound conversion rules," study author Wai Ting Siok said in a news release from Cell Press, which published the findings in the Oct. 12 issue of Current Biology. "Written Chinese maps graphic forms -- i.e., characters -- into meanings; Chinese characters possess a number of intricate strokes packed into a square configuration, and their pronunciation must be memorized by rote," Siok explained. "This characteristic suggests that a fine-grained visuospatial analysis must be performed by the visual system in order to activate the characters' phonological and semantic information. Consequently, disordered phonological processing may commonly coexist with abnormal visuospatial processing in Chinese dyslexia." “
H1N1 Deaths Among Youths Rise as Epidemic Spreads “While most of the children who have died have had other health problems that made them particularly vulnerable, such as asthma, muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy, 20 to 30 percent were otherwise healthy, Schuchat said. Between 46 and 88 children died from the seasonal flu in each of the past four years, so the fact that so many have already succumbed is disturbing, Schuchat said. "It's only the beginning of October," she said, noting that the flu season usually starts much later and runs through May. "We saw a peak of deaths, you know, starting April, May, June. It started to level off this summer. Now it's starting to shoot up again." In addition to the two deaths in Maryland, three were reported in Tennessee, seven in Texas and one each in Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. Since the pandemic began, at least 3,873 Americans have died from complications associated with the flu, primarily the H1N1 virus, including at least 28 pregnant women. “
Air Quality Up, Ear Infections Down “Cleaner air resulting from federal pollution laws may have significantly reduced the prevalence of ear infections in children, a new study shows.”
Contact with Beach Sand among Beachgoers and Risk of Illness (American Journal of Epidemiology. 2009)
Sunlight, hormone replacement status and colorectal cancer risk in post-menopausal women. (Int J Cancer. 2009) “These data, although exploratory, are consistent with evidence from the WHI suggesting a decrease in colorectal cancer risk may be associated with vitamin D exposure among postmenopausal women who are not taking HRT, but not among current HRT users.”
Dehydration Pictures Slideshow: Causes, Symptoms and Tips to Stay Hydrated
Stimulus takes on stubborn foe — lead in homes
The 10 riskiest foods in America
Organic Foods Slideshow: To Buy or Not to Buy Organic
Eating liquorice in pregnancy may affect a child's IQ and behavior “Expectant mothers who eat excessive quantities of liquorice during pregnancy could adversely affect their child's intelligence and behaviour, a study has shown. A study of eight year old children whose mothers ate large amounts of liquorice when pregnant found they did not perform as well as other youngsters in cognitive tests. They were also more likely to have poor attention spans and show disruptive behaviour such as ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). It is thought that a component in liquorice called glycyrrhizin may impair the placenta, allowing stress hormones to cross from the mother to the baby. High levels of such hormones, known as glucocorticoids, are thought to affect fetal brain development and have been linked to behavioural disorders in children. “
Maternal Licorice Consumption and Detrimental Cognitive and Psychiatric Outcomes in Children. (Am J Epidemiol. 2009)
2009 H1N1 Influenza -- Just the Facts: Vaccine Essentials
Slide show: Stages of breast cancer
Video: Gastric bypass surgery for weight loss
Watch for depression during and after menopause “The risk for major depression more than doubles while women are going through menopause and afterward, according to research presented this week at the annual meeting of the North American Menopause Society in San Diego. Recent studies have suggested that the risk for depressive symptoms in women increases in midlife, around the time of menopause, perhaps because of the effects of reduced estrogen on the mind, and the stress of hot flashes and other symptoms. However, less is known about the risk for major depression. … Women were more than twice as likely to have a major depressive episode as they were going through menopause, and almost four times as likely after menopause, compared to before menopause.”
Indian Ethnicity Tied to Higher Diabetes Risk “Americans of Indian descent may have a heightened risk of diabetes, even when their weight is in the normal range, research suggests. Researchers found that among more than 7,400 Asian Americans in a national health study, those of Indian descent had roughly three times the risk of diabetes as U.S. whites as a whole, and a higher prevalence of the disease than people of other Asian ethnicities. Moreover, although type 2 diabetes is closely associated with obesity, Asian Indians' risk began to climb even at lower weights. Among those with weights in the normal range -- as measured by body mass index (BMI), a ratio of weight in relation to height -- about 7 percent had diabetes. That compared with rates of anywhere from 2 percent to 4 percent among whites and people of other Asian ethnicities. … Studies have shown that compared with people of other races and ethnicities, Asians tend to have a higher proportion of body fat at any given weight -- along with a higher type 2 diabetes risk. It's possible that people of Indian background are particularly likely to have body fat distributions -- including more abdominal fat -- that are closely associated with diabetes, according to Oza-Frank and colleagues “
Plastics Chemical Tied to Aggression in Young Girls “In the latest study to suggest an association between the plastics chemical bisphenol A (BPA) and adverse effects on humans, researchers report that BPA may affect the behavior of little girls. Girls exposed to higher levels of BPA displayed more "externalizing" behaviors, such as aggression and hyperactivity, according to the study, which is published in the Oct. 6 online edition of Environmental Health Perspectives. "We found almost all of the women [in the study] had detectable levels of bisphenol A in at least one of the tests, and elevated concentrations were associated with externalizing behaviors in female children," said study author Joe Braun, a graduate student and research assistant in epidemiology at the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Not everyone agreed with the study's conclusions, however. "This type of study has no capability to establish cause and effect, only associations. At the end of the study, the authors even point out that the results 'should be viewed cautiously,'" noted Steven Hentges, executive director of the polycarbonate/BPA global group at the American Chemistry Council, which represents the chemicals industry. BPA is a commonly used chemical that's found in hard plastics and epoxy resins. The chemical is used in water bottles, food containers, infant bottles and medical devices. BPA may also be found in the lining of canned foods. Most human exposure comes through diet when the chemical leaches into food and beverages from the containers, according to the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Previous studies suggest that more than 90 percent of people in the United States have detectable levels of BPA in their urine.”
Association of the Mediterranean Dietary Pattern With the Incidence of Depression (Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2009) “Conclusions Our results suggest a potential protective role of the MDP with regard to the prevention of depressive disorders … “
Government Finds Higher Autism Figure: 1 in 100 “Greater awareness, broader definitions and spotting autism in younger children may explain some of the increase, federal health officials said. "The concern here is that buried in these numbers is a true increase," said Dr. Thomas Insel, director of the National Institute of Mental Health. "We're going to have to think very hard about what we're going to do for the 1 in 100." “
Monday September 28 - October 4, 2009
Maternal tobacco, cannabis and alcohol use during pregnancy and risk of adolescent psychotic symptoms in offspring (The British Journal of Psychiatry (2009))
Clinical inquiries. When is it OK for children to start drinking fruit juice? (J Fam Pract. 2009) “Children should be at least 6 months of age and parents should provide only 100% fruit juice in a cup (not a bottle). Intake should be limited to 4 to 6 oz a day until 12 months of age. It's important to reiterate to parents that breastfeeding is the preferred source of infant nutrition for the first 6 (preferably 12) months of life. Sugar-sweetened fruit drinks have been linked to excess weight gain and obesity. Sugar-sweetened beverages provide little nutritional benefit to children and should be restricted.”
Marketing disease: is osteoporosis an example of 'disease mongering'? (Br J Nurs. 2009)
Obesity Linked to 124,000 New Cancers in Europe
High-Dose Vitamin D Supplement May Reduce Risk of Falling Among Older People “"In several trials of older individuals at risk for vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplementation improved strength, function, and balance in a dose-related pattern," write H.A. Bischoff-Ferrari, MD, MPH, from the University of Zurich in Zurich, Switzerland, and colleagues. "Most importantly, these benefits translated into a reduction in falls. Overall, however, results have been mixed for fall prevention with vitamin D; for example, several trials of vitamin D have had non-significant results."”
Vitamin D Deficiency in Younger Women May up Risk of Hypertension “"The take home message for clinicians and the general public is that low levels of vitamin D in young adulthood may put women at heightened risk for hypertension at mid-life," lead researcher Flojaune C. Griffin, from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, told Reuters Health. Griffin said that several prior studies have yielded similar findings. The present study, however, "is novel because it has a longer follow-up than most other comparable studies, examines women in early adulthood at baseline and follows them through mid-life, and uses the current definition of vitamin D deficiency, which is based on evidence from studies of other health outcomes," she noted.”
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Tears Common And Additional Surgery Likely In Teens “Patients who have their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructed are more likely to have subsequent knee surgery if they are women or are treated by a surgeon who does a low volume of ACL reconstructions, according to a study in the October 2009 TK issue of The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. The study, conducted by investigators at Hospital for Special Surgery, also found that overall, 6.5% of patients undergoing ACL surgery had to undergo another knee operation within one year.”
Market survey on toxic metals contained in tattoo inks. (Sci Total Environ. 2009)
Trail of E. Coli Shows Flaws in Inspection of Ground Beef “Meat companies and grocers have been barred from selling ground beef tainted by the virulent strain of E. coli known as O157:H7 since 1994, after an outbreak at Jack in the Box restaurants left four children dead. Yet tens of thousands of people are still sickened annually by this pathogen, federal health officials estimate, with hamburger being the biggest culprit. Ground beef has been blamed for 16 outbreaks in the last three years alone, including the one that left Ms. Smith paralyzed from the waist down. This summer, contamination led to the recall of beef from nearly 3,000 grocers in 41 states. … The frozen hamburgers that the Smiths ate, which were made by the food giant Cargill, were labeled “American Chef’s Selection Angus Beef Patties.” Yet confidential grinding logs and other Cargill records show that the hamburgers were made from a mix of slaughterhouse trimmings and a mash-like product derived from scraps that were ground together at a plant in Wisconsin. The ingredients came from slaughterhouses in Nebraska, Texas and Uruguay, and from a South Dakota company that processes fatty trimmings and treats them with ammonia to kill bacteria. … Those low-grade ingredients are cut from areas of the cow that are more likely to have had contact with feces, which carries E. coli, industry research shows. … Unwritten agreements between some companies appear to stand in the way of ingredient testing. Many big slaughterhouses will sell only to grinders who agree not to test their shipments for E. coli, according to officials at two large grinding companies. Slaughterhouses fear that one grinder’s discovery of E. coli will set off a recall of ingredients they sold to others. “Ground beef is not a completely safe product,” said Dr. Jeffrey Bender, a food safety expert at the University of Minnesota who helped develop systems for tracing E. coli contamination. He said that while outbreaks had been on the decline, “unfortunately it looks like we are going a bit in the opposite direction.” …To finish off the Smiths’ ground beef, Cargill added bread crumbs and spices, fashioned it into patties, froze them and packed them 18 to a carton. The listed ingredients revealed little of how the meat was made. There was just one meat product listed: “Beef.” … In the wake of the outbreak, the U.S.D.A. reminded consumers on its Web site that hamburgers had to be cooked to 160 degrees to be sure any E. coli is killed and urged them to use a thermometer to check the temperature. This reinforced Sharon Smith’s concern that she had sickened her daughter by not cooking the hamburger thoroughly. But the pathogen is so powerful that her illness could have started with just a few cells left on a counter. “In a warm kitchen, E. coli cells will double every 45 minutes,” said Dr. Mansour Samadpour, a microbiologist who runs IEH Laboratories in Seattle, one of the meat industry’s largest testing firms. With help from his laboratories, The Times prepared three pounds of ground beef dosed with a strain of E. coli that is nonharmful but acts in many ways like O157:H7. Although the safety instructions on the package were followed, E. coli remained on the cutting board even after it was washed with soap. A towel picked up large amounts of bacteria from the meat.”
Over 65s Should Take High Dose Vitamin D To Prevent Falls, Say Researchers “A daily supplement of vitamin D at a dose of 700-1000 IU reduces the risk of falling among older people by 19% according to a study published on the British Medical Journal website. But a dose of less than 700 IU per day has no effect.”
Radon: Second Leading Cause Of Lung Cancer, European Study Confirms “Numerous studies worldwide have shown that radon, a natural radioactive gas that seeps into homes in some regions, is the second leading factor (after smoking) in causing people to develop lung cancer…. Sainz points out that radon is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas generated by the decay of uranium-238 (a natural radioactive element present in all rocks and soil in varying degrees).”
Recent, Vigorous Exercise Is Associated With Reduced Breast Cancer Risk “Post-menopausal women who engage in moderate to vigorous exercise have a reduced risk of breast cancer.”
High-sugar Diet Increases Men's Blood Pressure; Gout Drug Protective, Study Finds “After only two weeks on the diet, the high-fructose plus placebo group experienced significant average blood pressure increases of about 6 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) in systolic blood pressure (the pressure when the heart beats) and about a 3 mm Hg rise in diastolic blood pressure (the pressure between heartbeats). … Fruit, which has just 4 g to 10 g of fructose per serving, also contains many beneficial substances including antioxidants, vitamin C, potassium and fiber that are believed to counter the effects of fructose alone. The main risk for excessive fructose consumption in the Western diet comes from sweetened drinks and foods rich in sugar or high fructose corn syrup, he said.”
Daily Bathroom Showers May Deliver Face Full Of Pathogens, Says Study
Adiposity in Midlife May Reduce Healthy Survival in Women Who Live to Older Ages “"It is important to maintain a healthy weight from early adulthood to enjoy a healthy life in older ages," the study authors conclude.”
Effects of caffeine on daytime recovery sleep: A double challenge to the sleep–wake cycle in aging (Sleep Medicine 2009) “The combined influence of age and caffeine made the sleep of middle-aged subjects particularly vulnerable to the circadian waking signal. We propose that lower brain synchronization due to age and caffeine produces greater difficulty in overriding the circadian waking signal during daytime sleep and leads to fragmented sleep. These results have implications for the high proportion of the population using caffeine to cope with night work and jet lag, particularly the middle-aged.”
2009 H1N1 Influenza -- Just the Facts: Detection and Disease Prevention
Are We Aware How Contaminated our Mobile Phones with Nosocomial Pathogens? “Conclusion: These results showed that HCWs' hands and their mobile phones were contaminated with various types of microorganisms. Mobile phones used by HCWs in daily practice may be a source of nosocomial infections in hospitals.”
Hand Washing 10 Times a Day May Help Keep Flu Away
Monday September 21 - September 27, 2009
Prostate specific antigen for early detection of prostate cancer: longitudinal study (BMJ 2009) “Conclusions Although prostate specific antigen has a relatively high validity for prediction of subsequent prostate cancer, this longitudinal study shows that no cut-off value for prostate specific antigen attains the likelihood ratios formally required for a screening test. However, prostate specific antigen concentrations below 1.0 ng/ml virtually ruled out a diagnosis of prostate cancer during follow-up, and higher prostate specific antigen concentrations expressed a continuum of prostate cancer risk. Taken together, our study and the recent findings from screening trials strongly indicate that in addition to serum concentrations of prostate specific antigen, further biomarkers are needed before population based screening for prostate cancer can be recommended.”
Influence of Dermal Exposure to the Pyrethroid Insecticide Deltamethrin on Rat Brain Microanatomy and Cholinergic/Dopaminergic Neurochemistry. (Brain Res. 2009) “These findings indicate that dermal exposure to the pyrethroid insecticide deltamethrin using an administration module mimicking a possible long lasting occupational skin contact is accompanied by cerebrocortical injury and loss of hippocampal and striatal dopamine and dopamine transporter. The sensitivity of dopaminergic system in our experimental model suggests that dermal exposure to deltamethrin could represent a risk factor for Parkinson's disease.”
A Prospective Study of Bone Lead Concentration and Death From All Causes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Cancer in the Department of Veterans Affairs Normative Aging Study (Circulation. 2009) “Conclusions— We found bone lead to be associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in an environmentally exposed population with low blood lead levels. This study suggests that cumulative lead exposure from prior decades of high environmental exposures continues to significantly affect risk of death despite recent declines in environmental lead exposure.”
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in pregnancy and congenital malformations: population based cohort study (BMJ 2009) “Conclusion There is an increased prevalence of septal heart defects among children whose mothers were prescribed an SSRI in early pregnancy, particularly sertraline and citalopram. The largest association was found for children of women who redeemed prescriptions for more than one type of SSRI.”
Association of low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and high arterial blood pressure in the elderly (Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation 2009) “Conclusions. Low serum 25(OH)-D levels were inversely and independently associated with BP. Supplemental measures to prevent hypovitaminosis D in this population would be important, not only to protect the skeletal system but also for the possible beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system and the BP regulation.”
Meta-analytic Evidence for Familial Coaggregation of Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder (Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2009) “Conclusions This meta-analysis provides direct evidence for familial coaggregation of schizophrenia and BD, a finding that argues against the view that these disorders are entirely discrete diagnostic entities. Rather, a continuum model is supported.”
Poisons on Pets “Flea control products now on the market include seven specific "organophosphate insecticides" (OPs). OPs work by blocking the breakdown of the body's messenger chemical, acetylcholine, thereby interfering with the transmission of nerve signals in the brains and nervous systems of insects, pets and humans alike. In the presence of OPs, acetylcholine builds up in the body. The resulting interference with nerve transmissions is of such a magnitude that it actually kills insects. In overdoses, OPs can also kill people and pets. But even with normal use of flea-control products containing OPs, pets and children may be in danger. The seven OPs are chlorpyrifos, dichlorvos, phosmet, naled, tetrachlorvinphos, diazinon and malathion. They are the active ingredients in dozens of pet products. A comprehensive list of products appears in Table 1. It includes major pet pesticide brands, such as Alco, Americare, Beaphar, Double Duty, Ford's, Freedom Five, Happy Jack, Hartz, Hopkins, Kill-Ko, Protection, Rabon, Riverdale, Sergeant, Unicorn, Vet-Kem, Victory and Zema. … The continued exposure of children, pets and animal workers to OPs contained in pet products is all the more distressing because safer alternatives are readily avail-able. Easy physical measures alone, like frequent washing and combing of the pet and vacuuming carpets and furniture, can bring mild flea infestations under control. Alternatives include insect growth regulators, or IGRs, which are not pesticides, but rather chemicals that arrest the growth and development of young fleas. These include methoprene, fenoxycarb and pyriproxyfen and the popular lufenuron (Program®). Alternatives also include newer pesticide products sprayed or spotted onto pets, such as fipronil (Frontline®) or imidacloprid (Advantage®). Particularly when used in combination with physical measures, the safety and effectiveness of these newer chemical products makes the continued use of pet products containing OPs -- and their attendant risks for humans and pets alike -- rash and unnecessary. … “
Zinc Deficiences A Global Concern “Other vitamins and nutrients may get more headlines, but experts say as many as two billion people around the world have diets deficient in zinc – and studies at Oregon State University and elsewhere are raising concerns about the health implications this holds for infectious disease, immune function, DNA damage and cancer. One new study has found DNA damage in humans caused by only minor zinc deficiency. Zinc deficiency is quite common in the developing world. Even in the United States, about 12 percent of the population is probably at risk for zinc deficiency, and perhaps as many as 40 percent of the elderly, due to inadequate dietary intake and less absorption of this essential nutrient, experts say. Many or most people have never been tested for zinc status, but existing tests are so poor it might not make much difference if they had been. … However, studies have shown that zinc is essential to protecting against oxidative stress and helping DNA repair – meaning that in the face of zinc deficiency, the body's ability to repair genetic damage may be decreasing even as the amount of damage is going up. Two studies recently published, in the Journal of Nutrition and the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found significant levels of DNA damage both with laboratory animals and in apparently healthy men who have low zinc intake. Zinc depletion caused strands of their DNA to break, and increasing the intake of zinc reversed the damage back to normal levels.”
Noisy Roads Increase Risk Of High Blood Pressure
A Connection Between Sleep and Alzheimer's? “In both humans and mice, levels of a peptide called amyloid-ß rise during waking hours and decline during sleep, researchers have found. They also report that sleep-deprived mice are more prone to developing deposits of amyloid-ß, called plaques, like those found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. Although far from proven, the finding suggests that sleep disorders could be a risk factor for Alzheimer's. On a brighter note, it also hints at new avenues of treatment. Many lines of evidence suggest that the naturally occurring amyloid-ß builds up in the brain over many years in people who develop Alzheimer's disease, beginning long before people show signs of memory loss. But very little is known about what factors might influence levels of the peptide in the brain, says David Holtzman, a neurologist at Washington University in St. Louis in Missouri. … The findings suggest that people who are chronically sleep deprived may have higher levels of amyloid-ß that make them more susceptible to Alzheimer's disease, Holtzman says.”
Bipolar Disorder Amongst Children And Adolescents Receive Late Diagnosis “Both diagnostic delay and error with paediatric bipolar disorder are related, according to Escamilla, with the distinct presentation of the disorder in children and adults. Amongst children, the most common mood change is irritability, while in adults a typical manifestation is euphoria and expansiveness. In fact, a symptom like euphoria, related to bipolar disorder, appears in at least half of the paediatric patients. In this vein the specialist points to the fact that the key lies in evaluating the type of irritability, a manifestation that also appears in depression disorders. In paediatric bipolar disorder, the characteristic irritability is explosive and severe. On occasions significant violence happens in short or sporadic outbursts, and often this is not reactive to anything or the trigger is minimum. It can be confused with a tantrum, but is much more disproportionate. Likewise, she added, unlike the progress of the illness amongst adults, the episodes in children are not clearly defined: very frequent changes in mood and these fluctuating rapidly. Rarely does a sufferer have a period of at least two months without symptoms. This form of instability means that the illness is highly disabling. Also, symptoms such as euphoria and expansiveness appear in child patients, but with less frequency than in adults and with other characteristics: expansiveness in a child may manifest itself at school, where it is deemed by the patient that he or she has more authority than the teacher, who is thus defied, and is then interpreted as a behaviour problem. Also observed is social non-inhibition amongst these children. For example, making derogatory or rude comments in a loud voice about other persons in public or even of sexual content inappropriate for his or her age, remarked the specialist.”
Study: HRT Could Be Risky “Women who take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may have a higher risk of developing lung cancer and dying. Data from researchers at Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbour-UCLA Medical Center suggest that HRT, oestrogen plus progestin in postmenopausal women, carries more health risks than benefits.”
Drinkers at Risk for Infection
Insufficient levels of vitamin D puts elderly at increased risk of dying from heart disease “"It's likely that more than one-third of older adults now have vitamin D levels associated with higher risks of death and few have levels associated with optimum survival," said Adit Ginde, MD, MPH, an assistant professor at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine's Division of Emergency Medicine and lead author on the study. "Given the aging population and the simplicity of increasing a person's level of vitamin D, a small improvement in death rates could have a substantial impact on public health." “
Is swimming pool chlorine fueling the allergy epidemic? “Swimming in a chlorinated pool may boost the odds that a child susceptible to asthma and allergies will develop these problems, a study released today indicates. "These new data clearly show that by irritating the airways of swimmers chlorination products in water and air of swimming pools exert a strong additive effect on the development of asthma and respiratory allergies such as hay fever and allergic rhinitis," Dr. Alfred Bernard, a toxicologist at the Catholic University of Louvain in Brussels, Belgium, noted in an email to Reuters Health. "The impact of these chemicals on the respiratory health of children and adolescents appears to be much more important -- at least by a factor of five -- than that associated with secondhand smoke," Bernard noted.”
C. Difficile Easily Transmitted on Contaminated Work Surfaces “Results showed that in half of the cases, patients had as many contaminated spores on environmental surfaces in their rooms — the bed rail, the bedside table, the telephone, the call button — as they did on commonly touched skin surfaces, such as their chest, abdomen, and hands, said lead researcher Dubert Guerrero, MD, an infectious disease fellow at University Hospitals of Cleveland in Ohio. There was no significant difference in the number of spores that healthcare workers acquired on their hands after touching environmental surfaces and after having contact with patients, he added. "It's important to raise the awareness in healthcare workers that infection-control methods are important, especially wearing gloves and handwashing," Dr. Guerrero said. "Even if they don't touch patients, but just casually touch the handrail, they should practice strict infection control, because the environment is a significant source of transmission," he said.”
Severe H1N1 Infection in Children Linked to Asthma and Other Diseases
Effects of Dietary Sodium Reduction on Blood Pressure in Subjects With Resistant Hypertension (Hypertension. 2009) “These results indicate that excessive dietary sodium ingestion contributes importantly to resistance to antihypertensive treatment. Strategies to substantially reduce dietary salt intake should be part of the overall treatment of resistant hypertension.”
2 Easiest Ways to Catch Swine Flu
Using food to battle inflammation “"[Chronic inflammation] is an emerging field," says Dr. David Heber, a UCLA professor of medicine and director of the university's Center for Human Nutrition. "It's a new concept for medicine." The point of an anti-inflammation diet is not to lose weight, although it is not uncommon for its followers to shed pounds. The goal: combat what proponents call "chronic silent inflammation" in the body, the result of an immune system that doesn't know when to shut off. The theory goes that long after the invading bacteria or viruses from some infection are gone, the body's defenses remain active. The activated immune cells and hormones then turn on the body itself, damaging tissues. The process continues indefinitely, occurring at low enough levels that a person doesn't feel pain or realize anything is wrong. Years later, proponents say, the damage contributes to illnesses such as heart disease, neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease and cancer. In general terms, following an anti-inflammatory diet means increasing intake of foods that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. (Antioxidants reduce the activity of tissue-damaging free radicals at sites of inflammation.) The diet includes vegetables, whole grains, nuts, oily fish, protein sources, spices such as ginger and turmeric and brightly colored fruits such as blueberries, cherries and pomegranates. Foods that promote inflammation -- saturated fats, trans fats, corn and soybean oil, refined carbohydrates, sugars, red meat and dairy -- are reduced or eliminated.”
Monday September 14 - September 20, 2009
Use of oral dimercaptosuccinic acid (succimer) in adult patients with inorganic lead poisoning. (QJM. 2009)
Efficacy of omega-3 Fatty acids in mood disorders - a systematic review and metaanalysis. (Psychopharmacol Bull. 2009)
Whole-Grain Intake and Cereal Fiber Are Associated with Lower Abdominal Adiposity in Older Adults. (J Nutr. 2009)
Report Finds Toxins Common in Products for Children, Pets “The group tested the products for such chemicals as lead, brominated flame retardants (BFR), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), cadmium, arsenic and mercury, which studies have linked to birth defects, impaired learning, liver toxicity, and cancer. “The more we test, the more we find that the presence of toxic chemicals is widespread in everyday consumer products," said Jeff Gearhart, Research Director at the Ecology Center, who created the site. "It should not be the responsibility of public health advocates to test these products. Product manufacturers and legislators must take the lead and replace dangerous substances with safe alternatives." Gearhart said children and pets are especially vulnerable to the chemicals found in these products, which are common in our homes, schools, daycares, offices, and cars.”
New Vitamin K Analysis Supports The Triage Theory “An important analysis conducted by Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute scientists suggests the importance of ensuring optimal dietary intakes of vitamin K to prevent age-related conditions such as bone fragility, arterial and kidney calcification, cardiovascular disease, and possibly cancer (1). Vitamin K is concentrated in dark green plants such as spinach or Swiss chard, and is either not present or present in only small amounts in most multivitamin pills. … Vitamin K is known as the "Koagulation" vitamin because about half of the 16 known proteins that depend on vitK are necessary for blood coagulation. The other vitK-dependent proteins are involved in a variety of different functions involving the skeletal, arterial, and immune systems. Average intakes of vitamin K in the United States and the United Kingdom are less even than currently recommended intakes, which are primarily based on levels to ensure adequate coagulation. McCann & Ames' analysis supports recommendations by some experts that non-clotting functions requiring vitamin K may need higher intakes than are currently recommended.”
Spanking Found To Have Negative Effects On Low-income Toddlers “A new longitudinal study that looks at how low-income parents discipline their young children has found that spanking 1-year-olds leads to more aggressive behaviors and less sophisticated cognitive development in the next two years. Verbal punishment is not associated with such effects, especially when it is accompanied by emotional support from moms. In addition, 1-year-olds' fussiness predicted spanking and verbal punishment at ages 1, 2, and 3.”
Daily Bathroom Showers May Deliver Face Full Of Pathogens, Says Study “It's not surprising to find pathogens in municipal waters, said Pace. But the CU-Boulder researchers found that some M. avium and related pathogens were clumped together in slimy "biofilms" that clung to the inside of showerheads at more than 100 times the "background" levels of municipal water. "If you are getting a face full of water when you first turn your shower on, that means you are probably getting a particularly high load of Mycobacterium avium, which may not be too healthy," he said. … Previous studies by Pace and his group found massive enrichments of M. avium in "soap scum" commonly found on vinyl shower curtains and floating above the water surface of warm therapy pools. A 2006 therapy pool study led by Pace and CU-Boulder Professor Mark Hernandez showed high levels of M. avium in the indoor pool environment were linked to a pneumonia-like pulmonary condition in pool attendants known as "lifeguard lung," leading the CU team into the showerhead study, said Pace.”
Cost of surgery? Secret prices confound patients
Physical Activity Should Be Encouraged Into Advanced Old Age “Physical activity should be encouraged into advanced old age, according to the results of a prospective cohort study reported in the September 14 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. "Recommendations encouraging physical activity set no upper age limit, yet evidence supporting the benefits of PA [physical activity] among the very old is sparse," write Jochanan Stessman, MD, from Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, Israel, and colleagues. "We examined the effects of continuing, increasing, or decreasing PA levels on survival, function, and health status among the very old." “
Outcomes With "Watchful Waiting" in Prostate Cancer in US Now So Good, Active Treatment May Not Be Better “Outcomes have greatly improved in recent years for men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer who opt for "watchful waiting" or "active surveillance," and are now so good that this option of conservative management should be considered as a reasonable alternative to immediate treatment. This is the conclusion from the largest study to be conducted in the United States since the advent of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening. The results appear in the September 16 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. “
'Safe' lead levels harm children “The researchers say the toxic effects of lead on the central nervous system are obvious even below the current so-called safe level of lead in the blood. They are recommending the threshold should be halved.”
During CPR, more chest compressions mean more saved lives ““There was roughly a 10 percent increase in the chance of survival for every 10 percent increase in the chest compression fraction,” Christenson said. “
2009 H1N1 Vaccine: Will One Dose Be Enough?
Insomnia: Studies Confirm Calcium And Magnesium Effective “In magnesium deficiency, chronic insomnia is one of the main, central symptoms. Sleep is usually agitated with frequent nighttime awakenings. On the other hand, a high magnesium, low aluminum diet has been found to be associated with deeper, less interrupted sleep. This was proven in a study done by James Penland at the Human Nutrition Research Center in North Dakota. The study was titled "Effects of trace element nutrition on sleep patterns in adult women." It's important to note that a balanced ratio of calcium and magnesium is important to overall health, and these two minerals should be taken together for best results.”
Postpartum Baby Blues Impact Majority Of New Moms “Postpartum depression occurs in 15 - 20 percent of mothers. Symptoms include blues that do not go away and worsen into strong feelings of depression and anger. Women also may express a lack of interest in the baby, a fear of harming the baby and thoughts of self-harm or suicide.”
Only Three Cigarettes a Day Significantly Increases Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Brain Scans for Schizophrenia? “About 75% of diagnosed schizophrenics show early, fleeting signs of the disease before they fully develop it. These so-called prodromal symptoms include mild hallucinations, such as hearing your name in the wind, or a sudden, unfounded suspicion that your friends are talking about you behind your back. Some patients may even experience a full psychotic episode--similar to what schizophrenics experience chronically--which lasts only a couple of days. Not all prodromal patients develop psychotic disorders: Two-and-a-half years after first experiencing these symptoms, only 35% receive a schizophrenia diagnosis. Predicting who gets that diagnosis is "a little better than flipping a coin," says Scott Schobel, a psychiatrist at Columbia University. To help understand how these patients progress from mild hallucinations to schizophrenia, Schobel and his colleagues compared brain activity between 18 schizophrenic and 18 healthy patients. The scientists used a high-resolution version of functional magnetic resonance imaging, which measures brain activity through changes in blood volume, to take detailed snapshots of the subjects' brains while they lay in the scanner. Three regions differed: two in the frontal cortex and a 5-millimeter-long part of the hippocampus called the CA1 subfield. The hippocampus, the brain's learning and memory center, is known to be more active in schizophrenics, but this study, which appears in this month's issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, pinpoints the part that's hyperactive. Moreover, the researchers found that among schizophrenics, those with a busier CA1 had worse delusions.”
Prostate cancer linked to sexually transmitted disease “Men with prostate cancer who were previously infected with the sexually transmitted germ Trichomonas vaginalis are more likely to have an aggressive form of the cancer, compared with men who never had the STD, a new study says.”
Monday September 7 - September 13, 2009
Most diabetics falling short on healthy eating “But many people in this study were not making healthy diet choices, even if they had long-standing diabetes, the researchers found. "The findings clearly illustrate a need to provide ongoing nutrition education for people with diabetes regardless of the amount of time they've had the disease," Vitolins said. "These people have, within their cupboards and refrigerators, the potential to really manage their diabetes well," she added. "Day to day, the foods they are eating should be considered a vital part of their treatment." “
Dangerous staph germs found at West Coast beaches “People should not avoid beaches or be afraid to enjoy them, scientists say. "It's probably prudent to shower when you come out" to lower the risk of bacteria staying on the skin, said Dr. Lance Peterson, a microbiologist at NorthShore University Health System in Evanston, Ill. "Make sure you get all the sand off," and cover any open cuts or scrapes before playing in the sand, Roberts added. Digging in the sand or being buried in it seems to raise the risk of infection, she said.”
How Accurate Are Hospital Report Cards? “Researchers cited several other problems with rating systems. For example, report cards typically lump neurology and neurosurgery into one category, neurosciences. "Although both services treat many of the same pathological processes, their performance at any given institution is by no means shared," researchers wrote. "This can be misleading if the neurology aspects of the rating system misrepresent the neurosurgical service or vice versa." Another common practice is using reputation as one of the main ranking criteria. This practice "is at best subjective," researchers wrote. Researchers wrote that misleading information in report cards and rakings "may falsely direct patients and their families to hospitals providing a lower level of neurosurgical care, or direct them away from hospitals providing a high level of neurosurgical care." “
Model Backs Green Tea And Lemon Claim, Lessens Need To Test Animals “The in vivo study backed up the model study that showed adding sugar and vitamin C to green tea enhanced the body's ability to absorb polyphenols. Ferruzzi said that adding lemon juice or other citrus juice to tea would do the trick, or consumers could look for ready-to-drink products that contain 100 percent of the recommended amount of vitamin C or ascorbic acid on the ingredient list. "Having that vitamin C seems to do it," Ferruzzi said. "And if you don't want to squeeze a lemon into your cup, just have a glass of juice with your green tea."”
Exercise Alone Shown To Improve Insulin Sensitivity In Obese Sedentary Adolescents
Beverage intake of girls at age 5 y predicts adiposity and weight status in childhood and adolescence. (Am J Clin Nutr. 2009) “CONCLUSION: These findings provide new longitudinal evidence that early intake of sweetened beverages predicts adiposity and weight status across childhood and adolescence.”
Prenatal and childhood Mediterranean diet and the development of asthma and allergies in children. (Public Health Nutr. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: Findings from recent studies suggest that a high level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet early in life protects against the development of asthma and atopy in children.”
Ghostwriting: The Dirty Little Secret of Medical Publishing That Just Got Bigger (PLoS Medicine 2009) “If you are an editor, author, reviewer, or reader of medical journals, or if you depend on your doctor or health care provider getting unbiased information from medical journals, then the 1,500 documents now hosted on the PLoS Medicine Web site [1] should make you very concerned and angry. Because, quite simply, the story told in these documents amounts to one of the most compelling expositions ever seen of the systematic manipulation and abuse of scholarly publishing by the pharmaceutical industry and its commercial partners in their attempt to influence the health care decisions of physicians and the general public. Here's just one sample thread [2] that gives an idea of the topsy-turvy world invented by the pharmaceutical and medical writing companies involved. While readers expect and assume that the named academic authors on a paper carried out the piece of work and then wrote up their article or review informed by their professional qualifications and expertise, instead we see a prime example of “ghostwriting”: a writing company was commissioned to produce a manuscript on a piece of research to fit the drug company's needs and then a person was identified to be the “author”: An email from a writer employed by the medical writing company, DesignWrite, to employees of Wyeth, the company that performed the study, and Parthenon (another medical writing company) on November 10, 2003 concerning manuscripts on Totelle (a brand of hormone replacement therapy manufactured by Wyeth) tells the story concisely. “Thanks to all who have reviewed and approved the manuscripts… I have received no word on authors for the Totelle 2 mg bone manuscript P3(2), and need input on this matter before this manuscript can move forwards.” [our emphasis added] PLoS Medicine became involved in this particular ghostwriting story when we intervened in an ongoing court case [1] in which women were suing Wyeth, the manufacturers of Prempro, a hormone replacement therapy. During the discovery process for this case, one of the lawyers representing injured women in the litigation, Jim Szaller of Cleveland, Ohio, became aware of many documents that laid out in detail the company's (mostly successful) attempts to publish papers written by unacknowledged professional medical writers in which the message, tone, and content had been determined by the company but the paper was subsequently nominally “authored” by respected academics—in sum a coordinated and carefully monitored campaign of ghostwriting. Our interest was not in the specific drugs, but in the issue of ghostwriting itself, a topic we have long been interested in and published on [3]–[6]. … This is not the place to review everything written on this topic. Others have written about ghostwriting campaigns concerning single drugs that have led to catastrophic health effects [7], and how even research papers and clinical trials are affected by ghost authors [7],[8]. What's clear is that ghostwriting can no longer be considered one of the “dirty little secrets” of medical publishing that nothing can be done about. While editors, medical schools, and universities have turned a blind eye to, or at the least failed to tackle head-on the pervasive presence of ghostwriting, drug companies and medical education and communication companies have built a vast and profitable ghostwriting industry. Recruitment of academic “authors” appears, within some academic circles, to have come to be considered acceptable, and marketing campaigns are no longer orchestrated around paid display advertisements but instead center on “evidence” provided by seemingly respectable academic review articles, original research articles, and even reports of clinical trials. What, a cynical reader might ask, can I truly trust as being unbiased? The answer is that, sadly, for some or even many journal articles, we just don't know. … It's time to get serious about tackling ghostwriting. As has been shown in the documents released after the Vioxx scandal [7], this practice can result in lasting injury and even deaths as a result of prescribers and patients being misinformed about risks. Without action, the practice will undoubtedly continue. How did we get to the point that falsifying the medical literature is acceptable? How did an industry whose products have contributed to astounding advances in global health over the past several decades come to accept such practices as the norm? Whatever the reasons, as the pipeline for new drugs dries up and companies increasingly scramble for an ever-diminishing proportion of the market in “me-too” drugs, the medical publishing and pharmaceutical industries and the medical academic community have become locked into a cycle of mutual dependency, in which truth and a lack of bias have come to be seen as optional extras. Medical journal editors need to decide whether they want to roll over and just join the marketing departments of pharmaceutical companies. Authors who put their names to such papers need to consider whether doing so is more important than having a medical literature that can be believed in. Politicians need to consider the harm done by an environment that incites companies into insane races for profit rather than for medical need. And companies need to consider whether the arms race they have started will in the end benefit anyone. After all, even drug company employees get sick; do they trust ghost authors?”
Chinese tea consumption is associated with longer telomere length in elderly Chinese men. (Br J Nutr. 2009)
Even Mild Infections Hasten Decline With Alzheimer's “For people with Alzheimer's disease, even a minor infection can double the rate of memory loss, British researchers report. In this new study, researchers found that Alzheimer's patients who had respiratory, gastrointestinal or other infections -- even minor bumps and bruises -- can have high levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), in their blood. TNF-a is a protein linked to inflammation, and has been associated with memory loss or other types of cognitive decline. "Illnesses that we normally consider to be of little consequence in the healthy aged person need to be taken more seriously in patients with Alzheimer's disease," said lead researcher Clive Holmes, from the Clinical Neurosciences Research Division at the University of Southampton in the U.K. "Short-lived illnesses or conditions that cause inflammation outside the brain are associated with a marked decline in memory function in patients that have Alzheimer's disease. This decline is not a temporary effect, and remains after the illness has resolved," he added. “
CT screening for coronary artery calcification can cause radiation-induced cancer “A study based on computer modeling of radiation risk suggests that widespread screening for the buildup of calcium in the arteries using computed tomography scans would lead to an estimated 42 additional radiation-induced cancer cases per 100,000 men and 62 cases per 100,000 women, according to a report in the July 13 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Coronary artery calcification is associated with coronary artery disease. "Computed tomography (CT) has been proposed as a tool for routine screening for coronary artery calcification in asymptomatic individuals as part of a comprehensive risk assessment," the authors write as background information in the article. Evidence suggests that this type of screening may detect the presence of calcium in the arteries of individuals who would be at low risk when assessed by traditional risk factors. "However, the potential risks of screening, including the risk of radiation-induced cancer, have to be considered along with the potential benefits." “
Antiviral Drugs Should Be Used Cautiously to Fight Flu, U.S. Says “Antiviral medications such as Tamiflu and Relenza, which are effective in treating the H1N1 swine flu, should be taken only by people hospitalized with the flu or those at high risk for complications from the disease, U.S. health officials said Tuesday. Those at risk include people with underlying health conditions, such as asthma or diabetes, as well as the very young, the elderly, and pregnant women, officials said. Because the H1N1 swine flu remains mild for the vast majority of people who get it, most people won't need these medications at all, according to new guidelines for antiviral drug use issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
Study: Shrinking Brain Not a Normal Part of Aging “In contrast to the 35 people who stayed healthy, the 30 people who declined cognitively over nine years showed a significant effect for age in the hippocampus and parahippocampal areas, and in the frontal and cingulate cortices. In short, among the people whose cognition got worse, older participants had smaller brain areas than younger participants. Thus, what had seemed to be age-related atrophy in gray matter more likely reflected pathological changes in the brain that underlie significant cognitive decline, rather than aging itself, the authors wrote. As long as people stay cognitively healthy, the researchers believe that the gray matter of areas supporting cognition might not shrink much at all. "If future longitudinal studies find similar results, our conception of 'normal' brain aging may become more optimistic," lead author Saartje Burgmans was quoted as saying.”
Monday August 31 - September 6, 2009
An evidence-based review of the AMA/AHA guideline for the primary prevention of ischemic stroke (Geriatrics 2009)
X-ray equipment may be crawling with germs “Portable X-ray equipment is implicated in the spreading of drug-resistant bacteria in the intensive care unit (ICU), Israeli researchers report.”
Swine flu has killed 36 U.S. children so far: CDC “"In two-thirds of those, the child had at least one severe underlying illness or underlying disability ... cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, long-standing respiratory or cardiac problems," CDC director Dr. Thomas Frieden told reporters in a telephone briefing. "There were some children who didn't have an underlying condition and who did become severely ill, and they were generally infected also by bacteria," Frieden added. "When you get the flu, your immune system can be a little weakened. You can be more susceptible to other infections. That's an important message for doctors to know that if someone has the flu, they get better, then they get worse again with high fever, that's a clue that maybe they should be treated with antibiotics." “
Physical Activity, Diet, and Risk of Alzheimer Disease (JAMA 2009) “Conclusion In this study, both higher Mediterranean-type diet adherence and higher physical activity were independently associated with reduced risk for AD. “
Habitual Exercise and Vascular Aging. (J Physiol. 2009) “Habitual aerobic exercise is an effective strategy to combat arterial aging.”
Ablation of atrial fibrillation: What can we tell our patients? “Key points During the procedure, scar tissue is created in rings around the ostia of the pulmonary veins and in other locations in the left atrium to electrically isolate triggers of fibrillation and areas that maintain it. Results of the procedure are superior to those of drug therapy. Success rates are higher for those with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation than for those with persistent atrial fibrillation. The main indication for this procedure is failure of drug therapy or inability to tolerate drug therapy. Patients must understand that ablation therapy will not eliminate the need to take anticoagulant drugs. More patients with atrial fibrillation are asking their physicians about catheter-based radiofrequency ablation as a treatment option. Indeed, in the mere 10 years or so since this procedure was introduced, it has shown promising clinical results. Still, it is not yet available at many medical centers, and it is not yet considered the first-line treatment for atrial fibrillation.1 Moreover, some patients may have unrealistic expectations about it, such as being able to stop taking anticoagulant drugs afterward. It is therefore important for health care professionals not only to recognize which patients may benefit from catheter-based treatment, but also to educate them about it so they have reasonable expectations. “
Prostate Cancer Overdiagnosis in the United States: The Dimensions Revealed “More than 1 million additional men have been diagnosed with and treated for prostate cancer since the introduction of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening in the 1980s. And the "vast majority of these additional 1 million men did not benefit from early detection," write the authors of a new study published online August 31 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. "Prostate cancer screening has resulted in substantial overdiagnosis and in unnecessary treatment," Otis W. Brawley, MD, medical director of the American Cancer Society, writes in an editorial that accompanies the new study. These new findings once again question the benefits of prostate cancer screening, says Dr. Brawley.”
Experts Warn Over Health Check Brain Scans In UK
How Much Omega-3 Fatty Acid Do We Need To Prevent Cardiovascular Disease? “A team of French scientists have found the dose of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) that is "just right" for preventing cardiovascular disease in healthy men. In a research report appearing in the September 2009 print issue of The FASEB Journal, the scientists show that a 200 mg dose of DHA per day is enough to affect biochemical markers that reliably predict cardiovascular problems, such as those related to aging, atherosclerosis, and diabetes. This study is the first to identify how much DHA is necessary to promote optimal heart health.”
Is Lead Dust Within Nuclear Medicine Departments a Hazard to Pediatric Patients? (J Nucl Med Technol. 2009) “Because of the penetrating ability of the radiation used in nuclear medicine, metallic lead is widely used as radiation shielding. However, this shielding may present an insidious health hazard because of the dust that is readily removed from the surfaces of lead objects. The lead dust may become airborne, contaminate floors and other nearby surfaces, and be inadvertently inhaled or ingested by patients. We determined if the quantity of lead dust encountered within nuclear medicine departments exceeded Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards.”
Contribution of Clinical Breast Examination to Breast Cancer Screening (Journal of the National Cancer Institute 2009)
Hippocampal volumes are important predictors for memory function in elderly women. (BMC Med Imaging. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: Gender and left hippocampal volumes are main predictors for verbal memory function in normal aging. APOE genotype did not affect the results in any part of our analysis.”
Polyphenols and health: What compounds are involved? (Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2009)
Resveratrol: A Natural Polyphenol with Multiple Chemopreventive Properties. (Curr Drug Metab. 2009)
Is sea salt better for your health than table salt?
Ankle Circulation Could Warn of Future Strokes “The test compares blood flow in the ankle to that in the arm. A significant difference between the two readings could suggest that a patient suffers from peripheral artery disease, caused by fatty plaque buildup in the arteries of the extremities, the researchers explained in a news release from the American Heart Association. Stroke survivors and those who have experienced transient ischemic attacks -- also known as TIAs or mini-strokes -- are at high risk of stroke if they have peripheral artery disease, the study authors noted.”
Extreme obesity can shorten people's lives by 12 years
As Waistlines Widen, Brains Shrink “For every excess pound piled on the body, the brain gets a little bit smaller. That's the message from new research that found that elderly individuals who were obese or overweight had significantly less brain tissue than individuals of normal weight. "The brains of obese people looked 16 years older than their healthy counterparts while [those of] overweight people looked 8 years older," said UCLA neuroscientist Paul Thompson, senior author of a study published online in Human Brain Mapping. Much of the lost tissue was in the frontal and temporal lobe regions of the brain, the seat of decision-making and memory, among other things. The findings could have serious implications for aging, overweight or obese individuals, including a heightened risk of Alzheimer's, the researchers said.”
Listeria and the not-so-healthy salad lunch
Infant Car Seats May Lower Oxygen Levels “Leaving young infants in car seats for extended periods of time may result in low oxygen levels and put them at risk for breathing problems, according to a new study. Researchers say car seats are essential for the safe transportation of infants. But leaving an infant in an upright position for a long period of time can partially compress the chest wall, affecting airway size.”
Pfizer to pay record $2.3B penalty over promotions “The government said the company promoted four prescription drugs, including the pain killer Bextra, as treatments for medical conditions different from those the drugs had been approved for by federal regulators. Authorities said Pfizer's salesmen and women created phony doctor requests for medical information in order to send unsolicited information to doctors about unapproved uses and dosages. Use of drugs for so-called "off-label" medical conditions is not uncommon, but drug manufacturers are prohibited from marketing drugs for uses that have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. They said the junkets and other company-paid perks were designed to promote Bextra and other drugs, to doctors for unapproved uses and dosages, backed by false and misleading claims about safety and effectiveness. Bextra, for instance, was approved for arthritis, but Pfizer promoted it for acute pain and surgical pain, and in dosages above the approved maximum. In 2005, Bextra, one of a class of painkillers known as Cox-2 inhibitors, was pulled from the U.S. market amid mounting evidence it raised the risk of heart attack, stroke and death.”
Sunbeds and UV Radiation “An IARC Working Group has classified UV-emitting tanning devices as “carcinogenic to humans” (Group 1). The Working Group was convened by the IARC Monographs programme and the conclusions are reported in an article and press release issued today by The Lancet Oncology . Combined analysis of over 20 epidemiological studies shows that the risk of cutaneous melanoma is increased by 75% when the use of tanning devices starts before age 30. There is also sufficient evidence of an increased risk of ocular melanoma associated with the use of tanning devices.”
Monday August 24 - August 30, 2009
Schizophrenia. (Lancet. 2009) “Symptoms typically emerge in adolescence and early adulthood. The incidence of the disorder varies greatly across places and migrant groups, as do symptoms, course, and treatment response across individuals. Genetic vulnerability is shared in part with bipolar disorder and recent molecular genetic findings also indicate an overlap with developmental disorders such as autism. The diagnosis of schizophrenia is associated with demonstrable alterations in brain structure and changes in dopamine neurotransmission, the latter being directly related to hallucinations and delusions. Pharmacological treatments, which block the dopamine system, are effective for delusions and hallucinations but less so for disabling cognitive and motivational impairments. Specific vocational and psychological interventions, in combination with antipsychotic medication in a context of community-case management, can improve functional outcome but are not widely available. 100 years after being so named, research is beginning to understand the biological mechanisms underlying the symptoms of schizophrenia and the psychosocial factors that moderate their expression. Although current treatments provide control rather than cure, long-term hospitalisation is not required and prognosis is better than traditionally assumed.”
Essential tremor is associated with dementia (NEUROLOGY 2009)
Green tea and bone metabolism (Nutrition Research 2009) “In general, tea and its bioactive components might decrease the risk of fracture by improving bone mineral density and supporting osteoblastic activities while suppressing osteoclastic activities.”
Domestic use of hypochlorite bleach, atopic sensitization, and respiratory symptoms in adults. (J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009) “CONCLUSION: People who clean their homes with hypochlorite bleach are less likely to be atopic but more likely to have respiratory symptoms.”
High Oxidative Stress Is Correlated with Frailty in Elderly Chinese. (J Am Geriatr Soc. 2009)
What Are Carbohydrates? What Is Glucose?
How Healthy Is Your Water Bottle?
Tunnels Concentrate Air Pollution By Up To 1,000 Times
Wider Waist Boosts Asthma Risk “Women with extra fat around their waists are more likely to develop asthma, even if they aren't overweight, a new study finds. The California Teachers Study of more than 88,000 women found the same association between obesity and increased incidence of asthma that has been seen in other research, according to the Aug. 25 online report in the journal Thorax. But it also found a 37 percent increased incidence of asthma among women with a waist circumference of 88 centimeters -- about 35 inches -- even if they were of normal weight. That finding was an offshoot of a study originally intended to look at factors related to breast cancer in women, said study author Julie Von Behren, a research associate at the Northern California Cancer Center. But the researchers also got a lot of other information about the participants, including waistline measurements and asthma risk factors, such as smoking exposure. "We had a lot of detailed information, also on body weight at age 18 and later," Von Behren said. Using the standard designations of "overweight" for a woman with a body-mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher and "extreme obesity" for a body-mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, the study found a doubled incidence of asthma among the obese women and a more than tripled incidence among the extremely obese. While the study was not designed to determine why the location of body fat could play a role in development of asthma, "waist size can be an indicator of the type of body fat," Von Behren explained. "Abdominal fat is visceral fat, which is more biologically active. It has been linked to diabetes and heart disease." Fat around the waist "could be acting in some inflammatory way," she said.”
2 in 3 had recent test with radiation, study says
Two-Thirds Get Medical Tests with Radiation Dose
Asbestos fibres in carpet underlay
Concerns raised over Asian dental products
Cellphones Cause Brain Tumors, Says New Report By International EMF Collaborative “The exposé discusses research on cellphones and brain tumors and concludes: - There is a risk of brain tumors from cellphone use; - Telecom funded studies underestimate the risk of brain tumors, and; - Children have larger risks than adults for brain tumors. This report, sent to government leaders and media today, details eleven design flaws of the 13-country, Telecom-funded Interphone study. The Interphone study, begun in 1999, was intended to determine the risks of brain tumors, but its full publication has been held up for years. Components of this study published to date reveal what the authors call a 'systemic-skew', greatly underestimating brain tumor risk. The design flaws include categorizing subjects who used portable phones (which emit the same microwave radiation as cellphones,) as 'unexposed'; exclusion of many types of brain tumors; exclusion of people who had died, or were too ill to be interviewed, as a consequence of their brain tumor; and exclusion of children and young adults, who are more vulnerable. Lloyd Morgan, lead author and member of the Bioelectromagnetics Society says, "Exposure to cellphone radiation is the largest human health experiment ever undertaken, without informed consent, and has some 4 billion participants enrolled. Science has shown increased risk of brain tumors from use of cellphones, as well as increased risk of eye cancer, salivary gland tumors, testicular cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and leukemia. The public must be informed." “
Neurotoxic Effects of Methamphetamine. (Neurochem Res. 2009) “Results showed that methamphetamine caused significant generation of reactive oxygen species and decreased complex I activity in the mitochondria leading to dopamine depletion in the striatum.”
Outgrowing Asthma: Is Remission Possible?
Certain Behavioral Traits And Feeding Practices May Increase Risk For Weight Gain In Children
Cut back, way back, on sugar, says heart group
Research shows why low vitamin D raises heart disease risks in diabetics “Low levels of vitamin D are known to nearly double the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes, and researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis now think they know why. They have found that diabetics deficient in vitamin D can't process cholesterol normally, so it builds up in their blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. The new research has identified a mechanism linking low vitamin D levels to heart disease risk and may lead to ways to fix the problem, simply by increasing levels of vitamin D. "Vitamin D inhibits the uptake of cholesterol by cells called macrophages," says principal investigator Carlos Bernal-Mizrachi, M.D., a Washington University endocrinologist at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. "When people are deficient in vitamin D, the macrophage cells eat more cholesterol, and they can't get rid of it. The macrophages get clogged with cholesterol and become what scientists call foam cells, which are one of the earliest markers of atherosclerosis." Macrophages are dispatched by the immune system in response to inflammation and often are activated by diseases such as diabetes. Bernal-Mizrachi and his colleagues believe that in diabetic patients with inadequate vitamin D, macrophages become loaded with cholesterol and eventually stiffen blood vessels and block blood flow. … "Cholesterol is transported through the blood attached to lipoproteins such as LDL, the 'bad' cholesterol," Bernal-Mizrachi explains. "As it is stimulated by oxygen radicals in the vessel wall, LDL becomes oxidated, and macrophages eat it uncontrollably. LDL cholesterol then clogs the macrophages, and that's how atherosclerosis begins." That process becomes accelerated when a person is deficient in vitamin D. And people with type 2 diabetes are very likely to have this deficiency. Worldwide, approximately one billion people have insufficient vitamin D levels, and in women with type 2 diabetes, the likelihood of low vitamin D is about a third higher than in women of the same age who don't have diabetes. The skin manufactures vitamin D in response to ultraviolet light exposure. But in much of the United States, people don't make enough vitamin D during the winter — when the sun's rays are weaker and more time is spent indoors. The good news is when human macrophages are placed in an environment with plenty of vitamin D, their uptake of cholesterol is suppressed, and they don't become foam cells. Bernal-Mizrachi believes it may be possible to slow or reverse the development of atherosclerosis in patients with diabetes by helping them regain adequate vitamin D levels.”
Monday August 17 - August 23, 2009
Paternal age as a risk factor for schizophrenia: How important is it? (Schizophr Res. 2009)
Effect of sunlight exposure on cognitive function among depressed and non-depressed participants: a REGARDS cross-sectional study (Environ Health. 2009)
Debating How Much Weed Killer Is Safe in Your Water Glass “For decades, farmers, lawn care workers and professional green thumbs have relied on the popular weed killer atrazine to protect their crops, golf courses and manicured lawns. But atrazine often washes into water supplies and has become among the most common contaminants in American reservoirs and other sources of drinking water. Now, new research suggests that atrazine may be dangerous at lower concentrations than previously thought. Recent studies suggest that, even at concentrations meeting current federal standards, the chemical may be associated with birth defects, low birth weights and menstrual problems. Laboratory experiments suggest that when animals are exposed to brief doses of atrazine before birth, they may become more vulnerable to cancer later. … The E.P.A. has not cautioned pregnant women about the potential risks of atrazine so that they can consider using inexpensive home filtration systems.”
Carnitine Supplements Reverse Glucose Intolerance In Animals “After just eight weeks of supplementation with carnitine, the obese rats restored their cells' fuel- burning capacity (which was shut down by a lack of natural carnitine) and improved their glucose tolerance, a health outcome that indicates a lower risk of diabetes. These results offer hope for a new therapeutic option for people with glucose intolerance, older people, people with kidney disease, and those with type 2 diabetes (what used to be called adult-onset diabetes). Muoio said that soon her team of researchers will begin a small clinical trial of carnitine supplementation in people who fit the profile of those who might benefit from additional carnitine – older people (60 to 80 years) with glucose intolerance. … Carnitine is a natural compound known for helping fatty acids enter the mitochondria, the powerhouses of cells, where fatty acids are "burned" to give cells energy for their various tasks. Carnitine also helps move excess fuel from cells into the circulating blood, which then redistributes this energy source to needier organs or to the kidneys for removal. These processes occur through the formation of acylcarnitine molecules, energy molecules that can cross membrane barriers that encase all cells.”
Prostate Volume Changes Over Time: Results From the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. (J Urol. 2009)
Dietary fiber intake and risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women: the National Institutes of Health–AARP Diet and Health Study (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2009) “Conclusion: Our findings suggest that dietary fiber can play a role in preventing breast cancer through nonestrogen pathways among postmenopausal women. “
Vitamin D: Bone and Beyond, Rationale and Recommendations for Supplementation (The American Journal of Medicine 2009)
Increase in visceral fat during menopause linked with testosterone “"For many years, it was thought that estrogen protected premenopausal women against cardiovascular disease and that the increased cardiovascular risk after menopause was related only to the loss of estrogen's protective effect," said Janssen. "But our studies suggest that in women, it is the change in the hormonal balance – specifically, the increase in active testosterone – that is predominantly responsible for visceral fat, and for the increased risk of cardiovascular disease."”
Are Candles Making You Sick? “The candles, which are made from petroleum, are a source of known human carcinogens and indoor pollution, researchers said in a study to be presented Wednesday at the American Chemical Society's national meeting in Washington, D.C. In the study, R. Massoudi and Amid Hamidi found that candles made from beeswax or soy, although more expensive, apparently are safer because they do not release potentially harmful pollutants. "An occasional paraffin candle and its emissions will not likely affect you," Hamidi said in a news release. "But lighting many paraffin candles every day for years or lighting them frequently in an unventilated bathroom around a tub, for example, may cause problems." “
HPV Vaccine: Debate Over Benefits, Marketing, and New Adverse Event Data “The benefit of vaccinating against human papilloma virus (HPV) to prevent cervical cancer is questioned in an editorial in the Journal of the American Medical Association. "The theory behind the vaccine is sound: if HPV infection can be prevented, cancer will not occur," writes editorialist Charlotte Haug, MD, PhD, from the Journal of the Norwegian Medical Association. "But in practice, the issue is more complex." HPV is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection, "but the virus does not appear to be very harmful because almost all HPV infections are cleared by the immune system," she explains. In a few women, the HPV infection persists, and some women may develop precancerous cervical lesions and eventually cancer, Dr. Haug writes, "but it is currently impossible to predict in which women this will occur." The net benefit of the HPV vaccine to a woman is uncertain. "The net benefit of the HPV vaccine to a woman is uncertain," Dr. Haug comments. "Even if persistently infected with HPV, a woman most likely will not develop cancer if she is regularly screened [with cervical smear tests]." Dr. Haug has spoken out against HPV vaccination previously. Last year, she urged caution over widespread vaccination programs in an editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine (2008;359:861–862), as reported by Medscape Oncology at the time. This latest editorial accompanies 2 articles published in the same issue of JAMA. One of the articles is critical of the marketing of the HPV vaccine Gardasil (Merck & Co) in the United States, and the other details adverse events that have been reported with the vaccine since it was launched there in 2006. Dr. Haug comments that, in view of the uncertain benefit from the HPV vaccine, "only a small risk of harmful effects from the vaccine" is acceptable. The balance between the risks and benefits of HPV vaccination should rest only on medical and scientific evidence, Dr. Haug states. However, she warns that this balance is "easily skewed" if other matters weigh in; for example, profit for a company or gains for physicians — issues that are explored in the article on marketing. … Dr. Harper agreed that "HPV vaccination is generally safe for most girls or women," but she also commented that the adverse events reported are "quite significant." However, Dr. Harper was critical of the system in which the reports were collected. "VAERS, by all accounts, is an inadequate reporting system whose function in this form is biased towards not showing causality," she said. The definition of the denominator (those exposed to the vaccine) is very broad — if this figure was divided by 3 for women who received all 3 doses, then the reporting rate would be increased, she added. … Dr. Harper also highlighted another concern about the VAERS data. The majority of the reports (68%) were submitted by the manufacturer (Merck & Co), which the authors say compares with a rate of 40% from manufacturers of other vaccines. But for nearly 90% of these reports, Merck & Co would not provide the CDC with any follow-up information to investigate possible statistical causality link. As the authors pointed out in the article, this is unusual behavior for a pharmaceutical company, Dr. Harper comments.”
Antioxidants Abound in Cereals, Popcorn, Whole-Grain Snacks “Whole grains are the main source of polyphenols in breakfast cereals, and since nearly all cereals contain at least some whole grains, it stands to reason that consumers should consider making cereals a regular part of their diet, said Vinson, adding that he received no food industry funding for his study. "Early researchers thought the fiber was the active ingredient for these benefits in whole grains -- the reason why they may reduce the risk of cancer and coronary heart disease," Vinson noted. "But recently, polyphenols emerged as potentially more important. Breakfast cereals, pasta, crackers and salty snacks constitute over 66 percent of whole grain intake in the U.S. diet," he added. "We found that, in fact, whole-grain products have comparable antioxidants per gram to fruits and vegetables," Vinson said. "This is the first study to examine total phenol antioxidants in breakfast cereals and snacks, whereas previous studies have measured free antioxidants in the products." Polyphenols occur naturally in plants and are the most abundant antioxidant. They have anti-inflammatory properties, and scientists believe they may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and other illnesses. Nutritionists have recommended regular consumption of green tea, red wine, fruits, nuts and a few other food categories for their antioxidant content. Vinson found that cereals containing whole-grain corn or oats contained the most polyphenols, roughly 0.2 percent by weight per box. Wheat-based cereals contained an average of 0.07 percent polyphenols, and rice cereals contained the lowest amount, at 0.05 percent. Raisin bran had the most polyphenols -- 3 percent by weight; however, Vinson attributed the concentration to the raisins -- like other dried fruits, a known rich source of antioxidants. Another high-ranking cereal was a wheat-based blend containing the polyphenol-rich spice cinnamon. Vinson declined to name the brands he tested, but he encouraged people to add nuts, raisins and various spices like cinnamon to their cereal to boost their polyphenol content. As for snacks, Vinson found that popcorn had the most polyphenols (2.6 percent), followed by whole-grain crackers (0.45 percent). Sadly, most processed tortilla chips -- Vinson's favorite -- contained negligible amounts of polyphenols.”
Parents 'ignoring eye sun danger' “Three in four parents are risking their child's eyesight by exposing them to bright sun without appropriate protection, experts warn. Nearly a third of parents in Britain do not buy their children sunglasses, a poll of 2,000 people for the College of Optometrists revealed. Of those who do, nearly half put price before protection and only a quarter buy sunglasses from a trusted brand. The College recommends choosing dark glasses with a CE mark for quality. People with light coloured eyes are most at risk from sun damage and those with blue eyes should always wear sunglasses, the experts advise.”
Breast Cancer: Breast Cancer in Young Women
Sleep apnea can raise death risk 46 percent
Dietary Fiber Is Linked to Lower Diabetes Risk
MRSA: From Hospitals to Homes “Patients recently discharged from the hospital frequently carry methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with them from the hospital into their households. Although other household members may be colonized with the bacteria as a result, healthy household members do not appear likely to develop infections. MRSA is common in hospitals in most countries, and as the incidence of infection increases, new patterns of spread are emerging, according to the authors. "Thus, in the last decade, community-acquired MRSA strains have caused hospital outbreaks and sometimes replaced older strains previously responsible for hospital-acquired MRSA infections," the authors wrote. "Conversely, hospital-acquired MRSA strains can spread outside the health care system."”
Monday August 10 - August 16, 2009
Confirmed moisture damage at home, respiratory symptoms and atopy in early life: a birth-cohort study. (Pediatrics. 2009)
Cognitive activities delay onset of memory decline in persons who develop dementia. (Neurology. 2009)
How Much Evidence Do We Need to Change Practices in Which We Firmly Believe? “In the first major trial (done in the 1960s) of tight glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes, oral glucose-lowering agents were associated with higher cardiovascular mortality and no differences in microvascular complications compared with placebo.1 Insulin also was not associated with clinical benefit. In three recent large randomized trials (ACCORD,2 ADVANCE,3 and VADT4), tight control in patients with long-standing type 2 diabetes did not lower overall mortality, cardiovascular-related mortality, stroke, amputations, or even clinical (as opposed to surrogate) microvascular endpoints. Differences in specific outcomes in these trials might be related to different treatments or to duration of diabetes in participants. In some studies, fewer intensively treated patients reached composite outcomes (such as "any diabetes complications"), but the bulk of improvement was in nonclinical outcomes (e.g., incident albuminuria). Tight control was associated with severe hypoglycemia and weight gain. In the UKPDS study,5 published a decade ago, nonobese intensively treated participants with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes were less likely to reach microvascular endpoints (including "need for photocoagulation," but not visual loss) but showed no difference in mortality (cardiovascular, diabetes-related, or all-cause) compared with nonobese control patients. Among obese participants, metformin alone lowered long-term mortality and myocardial infarction rate, but sulfonylureas and insulin did not; tight control did not lessen risk for microvascular complications. Metformin and sulfonylureas in combination were associated with excess diabetes-related deaths and all-cause mortality. Because trials do not support tight control and because of the cost, burden, and harms associated with tight control, we should be emphasizing cardiovascular risk reduction (particularly control of blood pressure and cholesterol levels) and healthy lifestyles for patients with type 2 diabetes.6 “
Glycemic control in type 2 diabetes: time for an evidence-based about-face? (Ann Intern Med. 2009) “Some diabetes guidelines set low glycemic control goals for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (such as a hemoglobin A(1c) level as low as 6.5% to 7.0%) to avoid or delay complications. Our review and critique of recent large randomized trials in patients with type 2 diabetes suggest that tight glycemic control burdens patients with complex treatment programs, hypoglycemia, weight gain, and costs and offers uncertain benefits in return. We believe clinicians should prioritize supporting well-being and healthy lifestyles, preventive care, and cardiovascular risk reduction in these patients. Glycemic control efforts should individualize hemoglobin A(1c) targets so that those targets and the actions necessary to achieve them reflect patients' personal and clinical context and their informed values and preferences.”
Calcium, vitamin D and cancer. (Anticancer Res. 2009) “A low vitamin D status and inadequate calcium intake are important risk factors for various types of cancer. Ecological studies using solar UV-B exposure as an index of vitamin D3 photoproduction in the skin found a highly significant inverse association between UV-B and mortality in fifteen types of cancer. Of these, colon, rectal, breast, gastric, endometrial, renal and ovarian cancer exhibit a significant inverse relationship between incidence and oral intake of calcium. In addition, lung and endometrial cancer as well as multiple myeloma are considered calcium and vitamin D sensitive.”
Schizophrenia and Violence: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PLoS Med. 2009) “Schizophrenia and other psychoses are associated with violence and violent offending, particularly homicide. However, most of the excess risk appears to be mediated by substance abuse comorbidity. The risk in these patients with comorbidity is similar to that for substance abuse without psychosis. Public health strategies for violence reduction could consider focusing on the primary and secondary prevention of substance abuse.”
Management of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults: focus on methylphenidate hydrochloride (Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment 2009) “The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental disorders, Fourth Edition Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) requires 6 out of 9 symptoms of inattention (ie, failure to attend to detail, difficulty sustaining attention, not listening when spoken to, failure to follow through on tasks, organizational deficits, difficulty concentrating, losing items, distractibility, forgetfulness) or hyperactivity/impulsivity (ie, fidgeting, difficulty staying seated, excessive running/climbing, difficulty playing quietly, acts as though “driven by a motor”, excessive talking, difficulty awaiting one’s turn, interrupting frequently, prematurely responding to questions) be present for a diagnosis of ADHD.1 In addition, the symptoms must be present before age 7 and result in significant impairment observable in at least two settings. The three ADHD subtypes according to DSM criteria are: predominantly hyperactive-impulsive type, inattentive type and combined type.1 However, it is important to note that the DSM criteria were developed based on childhood presentation and may not adequately represent symptoms in adults.9–14 The Utah criteria, developed for identification of adult ADHD, may be utilized as an alternative to DSM criteria. According to these criteria, an adult must have a childhood history of ADHD and current motor hyperactivity, attention deficits and 2 of the following: labile affect, temper outbursts, excessive emotional reactivity, disorganization, impulsivity and associated features of ADHD.15 … Adult ADHD causes academic, occupational and social dysfunction with significant economic burden to society. Currently, there are no national guidelines to aid physicians in the diagnosis and management of adult ADHD, and most of the treatment principles are based on evidence from childhood ADHD treatment. In spite of the advent of longer-acting and nonstimulant medications for the treatment of ADHD, MPH remains the most cost-effective treatment with clinically significant outcomes. Amid concerns for diversion of drugs for potential abuse, MPH (particularly short-acting, immediate-release MPH) has been shown to decrease substance use disorders in children and young adults. Long-acting preparations are beneficial because of their potential for increased compliance and lower potential for abuse. Compared with the childhood ADHD literature, there is a significant paucity of evidence on the cardiovascular and psychiatric adverse effects in adults. Further, there is limited evidence of the comparative efficacy, including long-term efficacy, and safety of different pharmacological agents. Until more data are available, immediate-release and long-acting MPH and other stimulant medications remain the mainstay of treatment for adult ADHD.”
Prenatal psychosocial stress exposure is associated with subsequent working memory performance in young women. (Behav Neurosci. 2009)
Vitamin C deficiency in early postnatal life impairs spatial memory and reduces the number of hippocampal neurons in guinea pigs. (Am J Clin Nutr. 2009)
Kidney function is associated with the rate of cognitive decline in the elderly. (Neurology. 2009) “CONCLUSION: Impaired kidney function is associated with a more rapid rate of cognitive decline in old age.”
Bedtime Aspirin Lowers Ambulatory Blood Pressure “Blood pressure did not change after nonpharmacological intervention or after administration of aspirin upon awakening, the researchers note. In contrast, the authors report, systolic blood pressure decreased by 6 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure decreased by 3 mm Hg in patients who took 100 mg aspirin at bedtime. Nearly three quarters (71%) of the patients who took aspirin at bedtime experienced at least a 3 mm Hg reduction in 24-hour systolic blood pressure, but only 6% showed an increase in blood pressure after treatment. Heart rate was unchanged in all treatment groups. "Aspirin given at the end of the activity cycle, but not upon awakening, could thus target the nocturnal peak of plasma renin activity, while enhancing the nocturnal trough in the production of nitric oxide," the investigators suggest.”
Zinc Deficiency Affects DNA Damage, Oxidative Stress, Antioxidant Defenses, and DNA Repair in Rats. (J Nutr. 2009) “Approximately 12% of Americans do not consume the Estimated Average Requirement for zinc and could be at risk for marginal zinc deficiency. Zinc is an essential component of numerous proteins involved in the defense against oxidative stress and DNA damage repair. Studies in vitro have shown that zinc depletion causes DNA damage. … These results suggest interactions among zinc deficiency, DNA integrity, oxidative stress, and DNA repair and suggested a role for zinc in maintaining DNA integrity.”
Physical Activity, Diet, and Risk of Alzheimer Disease (JAMA. 2009) “Conclusion In this study, both higher Mediterranean-type diet adherence and higher physical activity were independently associated with reduced risk for AD. “
Brain structure and obesity. (Hum Brain Mapp. 2009) “In an Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) model controlling for age, gender, and race, obese subjects with a high BMI (BMI > 30) showed atrophy in the frontal lobes, anterior cingulate gyrus, hippocampus, and thalamus compared with individuals with a normal BMI (18.5-25). Overweight subjects (BMI: 25-30) had atrophy in the basal ganglia and corona radiata of the WM. Overall brain volume did not differ between overweight and obese persons. Higher BMI was associated with lower brain volumes in overweight and obese elderly subjects. Obesity is therefore associated with detectable brain volume deficits in cognitively normal elderly subjects.”
Cell phones and brain tumors: a review including the long-term epidemiologic data (Surgical Neurology 2009) “The results indicate that using a cell phone for =10 years approximately doubles the risk of being diagnosed with a brain tumor on the same (“ipsilateral”) side of the head as that preferred for cell phone use. The data achieve statistical significance for glioma and acoustic neuroma but not for meningioma. Conclusion The authors conclude that there is adequate epidemiologic evidence to suggest a link between prolonged cell phone usage and the development of an ipsilateral brain tumor.”
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Obesity and Physical Inactivity May Explain Insulin Resistance With Aging “Insulin resistance is not an inherent characteristic of aging, but rather a result of obesity and physical inactivity, according to a report in the August issue of Diabetes Care. "Since the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is higher among older adults, it has been suggested that aging is associated with insulin resistance," Dr. Bret H. Goodpaster, from the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, told Reuters Health. "The key question that our paper addresses in a novel way is whether or not insulin resistance is a fundamental characteristic of aging or (an outcome of) lifestyle patterns linked with aging, such as physical inactivity and obesity. … "Many of our older adults have a common belief that some of their ailments, including diabetes, or 'high sugar,' are merely an inevitable consequence of getting older," Dr. Goodpaster said. "Sadly, some health care practitioners share this belief." The "results of this paper and our previous papers clearly show that many aspects of declining health in older age, including insulin resistance, can be prevented or at least attenuated, by regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight," he added.”
Psychologists Find That Those With Lots Of Working Memory Are Not Easily Distracted
When Kids Are Hospitalized, Parents Fret About Errors “Parents can help prevent medical errors by being an active and informed member of their child's health-care team and by taking part in every decision about their child's health care, says the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.”
Study Ties Mini-Strokes to Memory Loss “People with mini-stroke damage were nearly twice as likely to have mild cognitive impairment that included memory loss, whereas those with stroke damage were more likely to have mild cognitive impairment that did not include memory loss, according to the report in the Aug. 11 issue of Neurology.”
New Review Endorses CV Benefits of Fish Oil “A new review concludes that there is extensive evidence from three decades of research that fish oils, or more specifically the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) contained in them, are beneficial for everyone [1]. This includes healthy people as well as those with heart disease — including postmyocardial infarction (MI) patients and those with heart failure, atherosclerosis, or atrial fibrillation — say Dr Carl J Lavie (Ochsner Medical Center, New Orleans, LA) and colleagues in their paper published online August 3, 2009, in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. "We reviewed everything that was published on omega-3 that was clinically important, and the major finding is that there are a tremendous amount of data to support the benefits of omega-3, not just as a nutritional supplement — people have known that for years — but evidence that it prevents and treats many aspects of cardiovascular disease," Lavie told heartwire . Lavie said he believes physicians are not as familiar with the omega-3 studies as they should be: "Clinicians know the findings of many statin trials even if they do not know all the details — they know that there are a ton of statin data. The omega-3 data may not be as impressive or as plentiful as this, but it should be 'promoted' to clinicians." Omega-3 PUFA, says Lavie, "is a therapy that clinicians should be considering prescribing to their patients. Not just as something healthy but as something that may actually prevent the next event. In HF [heart failure], it may prevent death or hospitalization and the same thing post-MI." He and his colleagues reiterate the advice of the American Heart Association (AHA): that those with known coronary heart disease (CHD) or HF eat four or five oily-fish meals per week or take the equivalent in omega-3 supplements; healthy people should consume around two fatty-fish meals per week or the same in supplements.”
Breast Cancer Risk May Be Affected By The Way You Eat “This study "contributes to accumulating evidence that caloric restriction acts by altering hormone levels rather than by directly starving cancers of energy. In particular, lower levels of insulin are associated with reduced food intake, and this may be protective," said Pollak, who is also an editorial board member for Cancer Prevention Research. In the editorial Pollak wrote: "there is reason for concern that the 'obesity epidemic' may lead to an increased prevalence of a hormonal profile associated with elevated cancer risk and/or an adverse cancer prognosis. Therefore, in addition to its well-known general health benefits, maintaining an ideal body weight is also important in the specific contexts of cancer prevention and improving the prognosis of cancer patients." Based on varied findings from clinical trials, Pollak suggested that lifestyle and pharmacologic methods to reduce IGF-1 and insulin deserve ongoing investigations. Cleary agreed, stating that these results may provide interest to more aggressively pursue cancer prevention studies related to calorie restriction.”
Survey Finds High Fees Common in Medical Care (USA) ““It’s the wild, wild West when it comes to prices of anything in the U.S. health care system, whether for a doctor visit or for hospital charges,” said Jonathan S. Skinner, a health economist at Dartmouth. The situation is so irrational, said Uwe E. Reinhardt, a health economist at Princeton, that it simply cannot go on. “We will not emerge out of this decade with this lunacy,” Dr. Reinhardt said, adding, “You worry about credit card charges, you scream for consumer protection — why not scream for it here?” … He put in three stitches, and Ms. Davis assumed her insurer, UnitedHealthcare, would cover the bill. It did not. The bill was $6,000 — $300 for the emergency room consultation and $5,700 for putting in the stitches. “
Cell phone use and acoustic neuroma: the need for standardized questionnaires and access to industry data (Surgical Neurology 2009)
Monday August 3 - August 9, 2009
Mobile phone radiation induces reactive oxygen species production and DNA damage in human spermatozoa in vitro. (PLoS One. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: RF-EMR in both the power density and frequency range of mobile phones enhances mitochondrial reactive oxygen species generation by human spermatozoa, decreasing the motility and vitality of these cells while stimulating DNA base adduct formation and, ultimately DNA fragmentation. These findings have clear implications for the safety of extensive mobile phone use by males of reproductive age, potentially affecting both their fertility and the health and wellbeing of their offspring.”
Tobacco smoking in individuals with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: epidemiology and pharmacological approaches to cessation. (CNS Drugs. 2009) “The co-occurrence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and nicotine dependence is common. Individuals with ADHD are more likely to initiate smoking and become dependent on nicotine than their non-ADHD counterparts, and recent evidence suggests that they may have more difficulty quitting smoking. Little is known about how to best approach treating these co-morbidities to optimize clinical outcome. Clinicians treating individuals with either ADHD or nicotine dependence should be aware of their common co-occurrence and the need to address both in treatment.”
Vitamin D, nervous system and aging. (Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2009) “Clinical data suggest that vitamin D(3) insufficiency is associated with an increased risk of several CNS diseases, including multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, seasonal affective disorder and schizophrenia. In line with this, recent animal and human studies suggest that vitamin D insufficiency is associated with abnormal development and functioning of the CNS. Overall, imbalances in the calcipherol system appear to cause abnormal function, including premature aging, of the CNS.”
Antiproliferative effects of honey and of its polyphenols: a review. (J Biomed Biotechnol. 2009) “Honey has been used since long time both in medical and domestic needs, but only recently the antioxidant property of it came to limelight. The fact that antioxidants have several preventative effects against different diseases, such as cancer, coronary diseases, inflammatory disorders, neurological degeneration, and aging, led to search for food rich in antioxidants. Chemoprevention uses various dietary agents rich in phytochemicals which serve as antioxidants. With increasing demand for antioxidant supply in the food, honey had gained vitality since it is rich in phenolic compounds and other antioxidants like ascorbic acid, amino acids, and proteins. Some simple and polyphenols found in honey, namely, caffeic acid (CA), caffeic acid phenyl esters (CAPE), Chrysin (CR), Galangin (GA), Quercetin (QU), Kaempferol (KP), Acacetin (AC), Pinocembrin (PC), Pinobanksin (PB), and Apigenin (AP), have evolved as promising pharmacological agents in treatment of cancer. In this review, we reviewed the antiproliferative and molecular mechanisms of honey and above-mentioned polyphenols in various cancer cell lines.”
Lead-based Consumer Paint Remains A Global Public Health Threat “In a new study, Scott Clark, PhD, and his team have found that approximately 73 percent of consumer paint brands tested from 12 countries representing 46 percent of the world’s population exceeded current U.S. standard of 600 parts per million (ppm) for lead in paint. In addition, 69 percent of the brands had at least one sample exceeding 10,000 ppm. With the majority of American consumer goods being produced overseas, Clark says that lead paint exposure remains a serious global health threat.”
Urinary polyphenols and breast cancer risk: results from the Shanghai Women's Health Study. (Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2009) “Polyphenols, the most abundant dietary antioxidants, also possess many other anticarcinogenic activities. Urinary metabolites of polyphenols could complement dietary assessment of the bioavailability of these nutrients. … In conclusion, high epicatechin may be related to a reduced risk of breast cancer.”
What is Important to Prevent Oxidative Stress? A Theoretical Study on Electron-Transfer Reactions between Carotenoids and Free Radicals. (J Phys Chem B. 2009)
Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease Protection “The current AHA guidelines recommended combined EPA and DHA in a dose of approximately 1000 mg/day in patients with CHD.17 This dose may also now be appropriate for patients with HF.1,12,14 Since few patients eat four or more oily fish meals per week, this dosage of EPA + DHA would generally require two or three OTC fish oil capsules, depending on the exact concentrations of EPA and DHA (equivalent to one Lovaza, which is not FDA-approved for this indication). In patients with elevated triglycerides, 3-5 g/day of EPA + DHA would be needed, which generally would require between 6-12 OTC fish oil capsules (or 4 Lovaza, the FDA-approved preparation). Conclusions Based on considerable evidence, the target EPA + DHA consumption should be at least 500 mg/day for individuals without overt CV diseases, and at least 800-1000 mg/day for individuals with known CHD and HF. As was recently reviewed in detail, 1 further studies are needed to determine optimal dosing and the relative ratio of DHA and EPA that provides maximal CV protection in those at risk of CV diseases, as well as in the treatment of atherosclerosis, arrhythmias, and primary myocardial disorders. However, the constellation of data suggests that this story represents a "fish tale with growing credibility."1 “
Slippery bathrooms cause many injuries in kids
Men with angina 'at greater risk' “Men with angina are much more likely than women to develop further serious heart problems, a study suggests. Researchers found male patients were twice as likely to have a heart attack and almost three times as likely to suffer a heart disease-related death. Angina, a type of chest pain, is common and can be the first sign of heart disease - but the risks are unclear. The study of UK patients, led by the National University of Ireland, Galway, appears in the British Medical Journal. Angina is caused by insufficient supply of blood to the heart muscle. Recent estimates suggest that 4.8% of men and 3.4% of women aged over 16 in England have angina. In Scotland, the figures are higher: 6.6% of men and 5.6% of women. “
Plasma Levels of B Vitamins and Colorectal Cancer Risk: The Multiethnic Cohort Study (Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 2009) “These data suggest an independent role for vitamin B6 in reducing colorectal cancer risk.”
Green Tea Consumption and Mortality among Japanese Elderly People: The Prospective Shizuoka Elderly Cohort. (Ann Epidemiol. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: Green tea consumption is associated with reduced mortality from all causes and CVD. This study also suggests that green tea could have protective effects against colorectal cancer.”
3 Shocking Facts About the Air in Your Home
Study Links Midlife Blood Pressure Change to Incident Dementia
Accidental Childhood Poisonings Mostly Due To Medicines
Go PVC-Free for Back-to-School “Toxic PVC plastic is widespread in lots of school supplies. While the chemical industry argues PVC is perfectly safe, PVC is unique among plastics because it contains dangerous chemical additives. These harmful chemicals include phthalates, lead, cadmium, and/or organotins, which can be toxic to your child’s health. What’s worse is the danger these chemicals pose- phthalates and other toxic additives can leach out or evaporate into the air over time posing unnecessary dangers to children. That’s why we call it the poison plastic. NY Times columnist Nichols Kristof recently wrote a must read op-ed about the dangers of phthalates. Over 90% of these phthalates are used to soften PVC products such as school supplies - that’s over 5 million tons a year! More and more studies are coming out every month uncovering the hidden dangers of these ubiquitous chemicals.”
Why Do Doctors and Patients Not Follow Guidelines? “Summary: Guidelines are recommendations regarding clinical behaviour, and their implementation is a complex process that is influenced by different factors, related both to the characteristics of guidelines themselves and to the social, organizational, economic and political context or to implementation strategies. During the last few years, different studies and theories have tried to explain the reason why doctors and patients do not follow the guidelines. Following the guidelines most of all depends on the characteristics linked to the doctor's and patient's subjectivity, which can be a real obstacle. Knowledge, attitude, skills, experiences, believes and values play a fundamental role both in physician and patient. By addressing these issues to physician's and patient's adherence, more exhaustive approaches to guidelines development and spread can be applied in order to improve care and outcomes.”
Recognizing Child Abuse: Slideshow
If Bipolar Disorder Is Over-Diagnosed, What Are The Actual Diagnoses?
Exercising the mind could hold off dementia
An investigation of vitamin B12 deficiency in elderly inpatients in neurology department. (Neurosci Bull. 2009) “Conclusion Vitamin B12 deficiency is remarkably common in elderly patients in neurology department, with various and atypical clinical manifestations, and the neurological symptoms are more common than megaloblastic anemia symptoms.”
Millions of Children In U.S. Found to Be Lacking Vitamin D “Millions of U.S. children have disturbingly low Vitamin D levels, possibly increasing their risk for bone problems, heart disease, diabetes and other ailments, according to two new studies that provide the first national assessment of the crucial nutrient in young Americans. About 9 percent of those ages 1 through 21 -- about 7.6 million children, adolescents and young adults -- have Vitamin D levels so low they could be considered deficient, while an additional 61 percent -- 50.8 million -- have higher levels, but still low enough to be insufficient, according to the analysis of federal data being released Monday. "It's astounding," said Michal L. Melamed of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, who helped conduct one of the studies published online by the journal Pediatrics. "At first, we couldn't believe the numbers. I think it's very worrisome." “
Monday July 27 - August 2, 2009
Tea polyphenols regulate key mediators on inflammatory cardiovascular diseases. (Mediators Inflamm. 2009) “Tea polyphenols known as catechins are key components with many biological functions, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and anticarcinogenic effects. These effects are induced by the suppression of several inflammatory factors including nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-?B). While these characteristics of catechins have been well documented, actions of catechins as mediators on inflammation-related cardiovascular diseases have not yet been well investigated. … From our results, catechins are potent agents for the treatment and prevention of inflammation-related cardiovascular diseases because they are critically involved in the suppression of proinflammatory signaling pathways.”
Daily Potassium Citrate Wards Off Kidney Stones In Seizure Patients On High-fat Diet “Children on the high-fat ketogenic diet to control epileptic seizures can prevent the excruciatingly painful kidney stones that the diet can sometimes cause if they take a daily supplement of potassium citrate the day they start the diet, according to research from Johns Hopkins Children's Center.”
Got Zinc? New Zinc Research Suggests Novel Therapeutic Targets “Specifically, scientists from Florida found that zinc not only supports healthy immune function, but increases activation of the cells (T cells) responsible for destroying viruses and bacteria.”
9 Things in Your Home That Are Making You Sick
Fruits, vegetables and the risk of cancer: a multisite case-control study in Uruguay. (Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2009) “CONCLUSION: Our results provide some evidence that high intake of fruits and vegetables and particularly fruit may decrease the risk of cancer. However, because of the possibility that these findings could be due to residual confounding from intake of meat, alcohol drinking and tobacco smoking, further studies in populations with a large number of participants with low or no exposure to these potential confounding factors are warranted.”
Stop And Smell The Flowers -- The Scent Really Can Soothe Stress
Role of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in Cardiac disease, Hypertension and Meniere- like syndrome. (Pharmacol Ther. 2009) “Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) is a mitochondrial coenzyme which is essential for the production of ATP. Being at the core of cellular energy processes it assumes importance in cells with high energy requirements like the cardiac cells which are extremely sensitive to CoQ10 deficiency produced by cardiac diseases. CoQ10 has thus a potential role for prevention and treatment of heart ailments by improving cellular bioenergetics. In addition it has an antioxidant, a free radical scavenging and a vasodilator effect which may be helpful in these conditions. It inhibits LDL oxidation and thus the progression of atherosclerosis. It decreases proinflammatory cytokines and decreases blood viscosity which is helpful in patients of heart failure and coronary artery disease. It also improves ischemia and reperfusion injury of coronary revascularisation. Significant improvement has been observed in clinical and hemodynamic parameters and in exercise tolerance in patients given adjunctive CoQ10 in doses from 60-200mg daily in the various trials conducted in patients of heart failure, hypertension, ischemic heart disease and other cardiac illnesses.”
Pregnancy: Summer Heat Increases Risk Of Amniotic Fluid Level Deficiency, Study Reveals
Eating High Levels Of Fructose Impairs Memory In Rats “Fructose, unlike another sugar, glucose, is processed almost solely by the liver, and produces an excessive amount of triglycerides — fat which get into the bloodstream. Triglycerides can interfere with insulin signaling in the brain, which plays a major role in brain cell survival and plasticity, or the ability for the brain to change based on new experiences. … Although humans do not eat fructose in levels as high as rats in the experiments, the consumption of foods sweetened with fructose — which includes both common table sugar, fruit juice concentrates, as well as the much-maligned high fructose corn syrup — has been increasing steadily. High intake of fructose is associated with numerous health problems, including insulin insensitivity, type II diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. "The bottom line is that we were meant to have an apple a day as our source of fructose," Parent said. "And now, we have fructose in almost everything." Moderation is key, as well as exercise, she said. Exercise is a next step in ongoing research, and Parent's team will investigate whether exercise might mitigate the memory effects of high fructose intake. Her lab is also researching whether the intake of fish oil can prevent the increase of triglycerides and memory deficits.”
Mosquito-Free Naturally “Duke University research shows that regular use of chemical repellents like DEET may damage brain cells and interact with medications. The pharmacologist conducting the study observed brain cell death and behavioral changes in animals exposed to DEET after frequent and prolonged use. Another study showed that up to fifteen percent of DEET is absorbed by the skin into the bloodstream.”
Keeping Your Balance Is Valuable, Especially as You Grow Older
How The Carrot Approach Facilitates Learning
CDC Issues H1N1 Vaccination Recommendations
Moderate Physical Exercise, DASH Diet Protective Against Age-Related Cognitive Decline “Regular physical exercise and a heart-healthy diet, 2 of the mainstays of good physical health, may also be protective against age-related cognitive decline and dementia, 2 new studies suggests.”
Close Caregiver Relationship May Slow Alzheimer's Decline “"We've shown that the benefits of having a close caregiver, especially a spouse, may be substantial. The difference in cognitive and functional decline over time between close and not-as-close pairs can mean the difference between staying at home or going to a nursing facility," says Lyketsos.”
Flaxseed Reduces Blood Lipids “Whole flaxseed and flaxseed lignans significantly reduce circulating total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, showing their greatest effect in postmenopausal women and individuals with high initial cholesterol concentrations, according to the results of a meta-analysis published in the August 2009 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.”
Eating seafood while pregnant may boost mood “Compared with pregnant women who ate 3 or more servings of seafood per week - the equivalent of more than 1.5 grams of omega-3 fatty acids -- those who ate no seafood were about 50 percent more likely to report symptoms of depression at 32 weeks of pregnancy, the researchers found.”
Doctors Reap Benefits By Doing Own Tests “A host of studies and reports by academics and the federal government shows that physicians who own scanners order many more scans than those who do not. As a result, Americans pay billions of dollars in extra taxes and insurance premiums. Government panels have found that, across several areas of medicine, ordering more procedures does not improve health outcomes. In the case of medical scans, unnecessary imaging also creates a health risk -- as many as 1 percent of all cancers in the United States appear to be caused by radiation from medical imaging, according to Amy Berrington de Gonzalez, a radiation epidemiologist at the National Cancer Institute.”
Drugs With Anticholinergic Properties, Cognitive Decline, and Dementia in an Elderly General Population (Arch Intern Med. 2009) “A 1.4- to 2-fold higher risk of cognitive decline was observed for those who continuously used anticholinergic drugs but not for those who had discontinued use. The risk of incident dementia over the 4-year follow-up period was also increased in continuous users (hazard ratio [HR], 1.65; 95% CI, 1.00-2.73) but not in those who discontinued the use of anticholinergic drugs (HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.59-2.76). Conclusions Elderly people taking anticholinergic drugs were at increased risk for cognitive decline and dementia. Discontinuing anticholinergic treatment was associated with a decreased risk. Physicians should carefully consider prescription of anticholinergic drugs in elderly people, especially in the very elderly and in persons at high genetic risk for cognitive disorder.”
Lipoprotein(a) Concentration and the Risk of Coronary Heart Disease, Stroke, and Nonvascular Mortality (JAMA 2009) “Conclusion Under a wide range of circumstances, there are continuous, independent, and modest associations of Lp(a) concentration with risk of CHD and stroke that appear exclusive to vascular outcomes. “
Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases: Slideshow
Exercise Reduces Risk for Premature Death From Cancer “A study from Finland has shown that men who exercised for at least 30 minutes a day at moderate to high intensity halved their risk of dying prematurely from cancer, mainly gastrointestinal and lung cancer. The results were published online July 28, 2009 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Physical inactivity over a person's lifespan might be a "key factor in the initiation of cancer development," the authors note. This study adds ammunition to the public-health message promoting at least 30 minutes a day of exercise, lead author Sudhir Kurl MD, from the School of Public Health at the University of Kuopio in Finland, told Medscape Oncology. “
Study: Tanning Beds as Deadly as Arsenic “International cancer experts have moved tanning beds and other sources of ultraviolet radiation into the top cancer risk category, deeming them as deadly as arsenic and mustard gas. For years, scientists have described tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation as "probable carcinogens." A new analysis of about 20 studies concludes the risk of skin cancer jumps by 75 percent when people start using tanning beds before age 30. Experts also found that all types of ultraviolet radiation caused worrying mutations in mice, proof the radiation is carcinogenic. Previously, only one type of ultraviolet radiation was thought to be lethal. The new classification means tanning beds and other sources of ultraviolet radiation are definite causes of cancer, alongside tobacco, the hepatitis B virus and chimney sweeping, among others. “
4 Calcium - Cardiovascular Articles:
High Calcium Level May Signal Heart Danger “CAD, the most common type of heart disease, is the leading cause of death in the U.S. for both men and women, killing more than 500,000 Americans each year. CAD is a condition in which plaque, consisting of cholesterol, calcium, fat and other substances, builds up inside the arteries that supply blood to the heart. When plaque builds up in the coronary arteries, blood flow to the heart is reduced and may lead to arrhythmia, heart attack or heart failure. Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging is a diagnostic procedure that provides excellent three-dimensional images of the coronary arteries to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of CAD. Currently, calcium scoring—measuring the amount of calcium in the arteries—is used to screen cases of suspected CAD, but is not used in cases of known CAD. Dr. Hacker and colleagues set out to determine if calcium scoring would lend additional prognostic value to SPECT findings in patients with known, stable CAD.“
Calcium Intake and Vascular Calcification(2005)
Calcium curious: How much is enough?
Calcium Supplements May Increase Heart Attacks In Older Women
CDC Briefing on Investigation of Human Cases of H1N1 Flu
Exercise is healthy but can trigger side effects
Longer Life For Milk Drinkers, Study Suggests ““Our findings clearly show that when the numbers of deaths from CHD, stroke and colo-rectal cancer were taken into account, there is strong evidence of an overall reduction in the risk of dying from these chronic diseases due to milk consumption. We certainly found no evidence that drinking milk might increase the risk of developing any condition, with the exception of prostate cancer. Put together, there is convincing overall evidence that milk consumption is associated with an increase in survival in Western communities.” “
Monday July 20 - July 26, 2009
Curcumin May Prevent Clogged Arteries “The current study suggests curcumin may thwart the development of atherosclerosis, or clogged arteries, a key risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. Researchers in France fed 20 mice a diet supplemented with curcumin or a comparison diet not supplemented with curcumin. After 16 weeks, mice fed on the curcumin-based diet had a 26% reduction in fatty deposits in their arteries compared to mice on the comparison diet. In addition, curcumin appeared to alter the genetic signaling involved in plaque buildup at the molecular level.”
Salt Shockers Slideshow: High-Sodium Surprises
Low levels of vitamin B-12 leads to serious health issues
Smoking Accelerates Progression of Multiple Sclerosis “Smoking cigarettes not only increases the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), it also might contribute to more rapid disease progression, new research suggests. However, quitting smoking might at least partly reverse the adverse effects that this addictive habit has on MS.”
Chemicals Found In Fruit And Vegetables Offer Dementia Hope
Diet High In Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Help Prevent A Leading Cause Of Blindness Among Elderly “A diet high in omega-3 fatty acids has been found to protect against a variety of diseases including atherosclerosis and Alzheimer's disease. Retrospective studies have suggested that diets high in fish oil or omega-3 fatty acids may also contribute to protection against AMD. A group led by Dr. Chi-Chao Chan at the National Eye Institute in Bethesda, MD examined the direct effect of omega-3 fatty acids on a mouse model of AMD. A diet with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids resulted in slower lesion progression, with improvement in some lesions. These mice had lower levels of inflammatory molecules and higher levels of anti-inflammatory molecules, which may explain this protective effect.”
FDA Urges Consumers Not to Purchase or Use Certain Gel-Filled Teethers
Effectiveness of honey on Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2009) “RESULTS: Honey was effective in killing 100 percent of the isolates in the planktonic form. The bactericidal rates for the Sidr and Manuka honeys against MSSA, MRSA, and PA biofilms were 63-82 percent, 73-63 percent, and 91-91 percent, respectively. These rates were significantly higher (P < 0.001) than those seen with single antibiotics commonly used against SA.”
Try This Laundry Trick for Allergy Relief “You may be able to turn your allergy symptoms down a notch by turning up the heat. Yep, set your washer temp on "hot." And the rinse cycle on "extra." Studies show these settings remove way more symptom-provoking dust mites, dog dander, and tree pollen from laundry than cold-water, single-rinse cycles.”
Bipolar disorder as a risk factor for repeat DUI behavior. (J Affect Disord. 2009)
Some cancer screening may do more harm than good “Nearly every body part susceptible to cancer has an advocacy group, politician or athlete with a public awareness campaign to promote routine screening tests -- even though it is well established that many of these exams offer little benefit for the general public. An upshot of the decades-long war on cancer is the popular belief that healthy people should regularly examine their bodies or undergo screening because early detection saves lives. But in fact, except for a few types of cancer, routine screening has not been proven to reduce the death toll from cancer for people without specific symptoms or risk factors -- like a breast lump or a family history of cancer -- and could even lead to harm, many experts on health say. That is why the continued rollout of screening campaigns, and even the introduction of a congressional bill, worries some health experts. And these experts say such efforts add to the large number of expensive and unnecessary treatments each year that help drive up the nation's health care bill. Rather than heed mass-market calls for screening, these experts urge people without symptoms or special risks to talk to their own doctors about what cancer tests, if any, might be appropriate for them. Blanket screenings do come with medical risks. A recent European study on prostate cancer screening indicated that saving one man's life from the disease would require screening about 1,400 men. But among those 1,400, 48 others would undergo treatments like surgery or radiation procedures that would not improve their health because the cancer was not life-threatening to begin with or because it was too far along. And those treatments could lead to complications including impotence, urinary incontinence and bowel problems. “
Pets, farm animals ..and germs and worms, prevent allergies and autoimmune disease
Benefits of fish oil supplementation in hyperlipidemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis (International Journal of Cardiology 2009) “Fish oil supplementation produces a clinically significant dose-dependent reduction of fasting blood TG but not total, HDL or LDL cholesterol in hyperlipidemic subjects.”
5 Basics for Non-Toxic Cleaning
New Rankings of the Best US Hospitals “American Hospital Association Senior Vice President Rick Wade tells WebMD that hospitals that made the honor roll and those that were ranked in the 16 specialty groups were generally teaching hospitals "with the most cutting-edge research and technology." Wade says that hospitals that didn't score enough points to make a list should be avoided. "You can investigate on your own," he says. "For people who don't live near a Hopkins, there are many community hospitals that have very good records." Arthur Caplan, PhD, director of the Center for Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania, tells WebMD that lists for most people "are almost useless. The only data of value is on specific doctors, treating cases analogous to your own." Rankings "are a quality perspective from 75,000 feet when what the prospective patient needs is precision at ground level about particular doctors doing particular things in situations close to the one the patient has," Caplan says.”
Easy Baby or Fussy -- It May Be Out of Mom's Control “Whether you have an easy baby or a fussy one may have nothing to do with your parenting skills because the combination of a certain gene and a particular pattern of brain activity may determine a child's temperament, a new study has found.”
Exposure to Common Pollutant in Womb Might Lower IQ “"And here we're talking about extremely common urban pollutants, found all across the U.S. and the world," Perera added. "Traffic emissions from diesel and gasoline vehicles -- like buses, trucks and cars -- are a major source of these pollutants, as is fuel-burning coal. So, certainly the exposure is widespread and not confined to any one population or area, and we have no reason to think that the effects that we see in our study will be any different for other ethnicities or locations. … "Children exposed to prenatal or in-utero air pollution from traffic oftentimes have lower birth weights, somewhat smaller head circumferences, and a number of adverse outcomes," he noted. "There's certainly enough there to suggest an effect. And I think any one of those outcomes -- if they happen early enough in life -- can affect development through childhood and exert an impact on intelligence," Jerrett said.”
Fish Oil Supplements Boost Memory
Predicting risk of dementia in older adults (NEUROLOGY 2009) “Results: Subjects had a mean age of 76 years at baseline; 59% were women and 15% were African American. Fourteen percent (n = 480) developed dementia within 6 years. The final late-life dementia risk index included older age (1–2 points), poor cognitive test performance (2–4 points), body mass index <18.5 (2 points), 1 apolipoprotein E 4 alleles (1 point), cerebral MRI findings of white matter disease (1 point) or ventricular enlargement (1 point), internal carotid artery thickening on ultrasound (1 point), history of bypass surgery (1 point), slow physical performance (1 point), and lack of alcohol consumption (1 point) (c statistic, 0.81; 95% confidence interval, 0.79–0.83). Four percent of subjects with low scores developed dementia over 6 years compared with 23% of subjects with moderate scores and 56% of subjects with high scores.”
'Heart Healthy' Diet And Ongoing, Moderate Physical Activity May Protect Against Cognitive Decline “"Our results suggest that including whole grains, vegetables, low-fat dairy foods, and nuts in one's diet may offer benefits for cognition in late life," Wengreen said. "However, we need more research before we can confidently say how much of these foods to include in your diet to experience some benefit. … "We found that older adults who were sedentary throughout the study had the lowest levels of cognitive function at the beginning and experienced the fastest rate of cognitive decline," Barnes said. "Cognitive decline also was faster in those whose physical activity levels consistently declined during the study period." According to the researchers, sedentary elders who began new aerobic exercise programs experienced improvements in cognitive function, especially the ability to process complex information quickly. "Sedentary individuals should be encouraged to engage in physical activity at least occasionally," Barnes said. "People who are currently active should be encouraged to maintain or increase their activity levels. … While the relationship of physical activity with cognitive performance as we age is a subject of considerable research, much less is known about how this relationship is impacted by the Alzheimer's risk gene Apolipoprotein E (APOE). The APOE gene comes in three types, or alleles, known as e2, e3, and e4. Each person gets one type of APOE from each parent, making the possible combinations: e2/e2, e2/e3, e2/e4, e3/e3, e3/e4, e4/e4. Having two copies of e4 conveys the highest risk for Alzheimer's; having one e4 also raises one's risk. E3 is the most common type. E2, though rare, is thought to be protective. … In their analysis, the researchers found that physical activity was associated with enhanced cognitive function, and that this relationship was differentially influenced by the person's APOE genotype: non-E4 carriers and people with one copy of E4 performed better than people with two copies of E4. After adjusting for age, ethnicity, severe chronic medical illness, lean body mass, and education, aerobic physical activity continued to show a statistically significant association with cognitive function in non-E4 carriers but not in people with E4 (any combination) "In our nationally representative sample, persons who reported higher levels of aerobic physical activity had better memory than those who reported no such activity. This was especially true in those people who didn't have the APOE-e4 Alzheimer's risk gene," Obisesan said. "Because physical activity is a low-cost, low-risk, readily available intervention, it may prove to be an important public health strategy to reduce or prevent memory loss and other symptoms of mental decline in the elderly. “
CDC Briefing on Investigation of Human Cases of H1N1 Flu “We do expect there to be an increase in influenza that occurs this fall, perhaps earlier than what we see with seasonal influenza. In particular, we think there may be challenges when people return to schools and our communities get back into the sort of the regular times with lots of kids congregated together. As you heard last week from the Secretary at the Influenza Summit, we're in an active stage of preparing ourselves with the government, working with the private sector, and we also want individuals and families to be planning and preparing. But we need to remember that influenza is unpredictable, including the new strain, the 2009 H1N1 virus, and we don't know the extent of the challenges that we'll face in the weeks and months ahead. “
Monday July 13 - July 19, 2009
Pesticide use and adult-onset asthma among male farmers in the Agricultural Health Study. (Eur Respir J. 2009) “Pesticides may be an overlooked contributor to asthma risk among farmers.”
Impact of APOE on the Healthy Aging Brain: A Voxel-Based MRI and DTI Study. (J Alzheimers Dis. 2009) “In conclusion, the presence of an ApoE4 allele in nondemented older adults is associated with decreases in cognition and gray and white matter changes in the medial temporal cortex. Overall we provide further evidence of the effects of genetic variance related to imaging and cognitive measures of risk for Alzheimer's disease.”
Obesity Contributes To Rapid Cartilage Loss “The results showed that the top risk factors contributing to rapid cartilage loss were baseline cartilage damage, high BMI, tears or other injury to the meniscus (the cartilage cushion at the knee joint) and severe lesions seen on MRI at the initial exam. Other predictors were synovitis (inflammation of the membrane that lines the joints) and effusion (abnormal build-up of joint fluid). Excess weight was significantly associated with an increased risk of rapid cartilage loss. For a one-unit increase in BMI, the odds of rapid cartilage loss increased by 11 percent. No other demographic factors—including age, sex and ethnicity—were associated with rapid cartilage loss. "As obesity is one of the few established risk factors for osteoarthritis, it is not surprising that obesity may also precede and predict rapid cartilage loss," Dr. Roemer said. "Weight loss is probably the most important factor to slow disease progression." “
Vitamin D, Curcumin May Help Clear Amyloid Plaques Found In Alzheimer's Disease “UCLA scientists and colleagues from UC Riverside and the Human BioMolecular Research Institute have found that a form of vitamin D, together with a chemical found in turmeric spice called curcumin, may help stimulate the immune system to clear the brain of amyloid beta, which forms the plaques considered the hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The early research findings, which appear in the July issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, may lead to new approaches in preventing and treating Alzheimer's by utilizing the property of vitamin D3 — a form of vitamin D — both alone and together with natural or synthetic curcumin to boost the immune system in protecting the brain against amyloid beta. … The synthetic curcuminoid compounds were developed in the laboratory of John Cashman at the Human BioMolecular Research Institute, a nonprofit institute dedicated to research on diseases of the human brain.Researchers found that naturally occurring curcumin was not readily absorbed, that it tended to break down quickly before it could be utilized and that its potency level was low, making it less effective than the new synthetic curcuminoids. "We think some of the novel synthetic compounds will get around the shortcomings of curcumin and improve the therapeutic efficacy," Cashman said. The team discovered that curcuminoids enhanced the surface binding of amyloid beta to macrophages and that vitamin D strongly stimulated the uptake and absorption of amyloid beta in macrophages in a majority of patients. … Fiala noted that this is early laboratory research and that no dosage of vitamin D or curcumin can be recommended at this point. Larger vitamin D and curcumin studies with more patients are planned.”
Lower Risk of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia in Women with High Plasma Folate and Sufficient Vitamin B12 in the Post-Folic Acid Fortification Era. (Cancer Prev Res (Phila Pa). 2009) “Our results do not corroborate the concern that supraphysiologic plasma folate concentrations seen in the post-U.S. folic acid fortification era increase the risk of CIN in premenopausal women of childbearing age. In fact, higher folate is associated with significantly lower risk of CIN, especially when vitamin B12 is sufficient, demonstrating the importance of vitamin B12 in the high-folate environment created by the folic acid fortification program.”
Carcinogenicity of inhaled nanoparticles. (Inhal Toxicol. 2009)
Obese men have higher-grade and larger tumors: an analysis of the duke prostate center database. (Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2009)
Epidemiology of invasive cutaneous melanoma (Ann Oncol 2009) “Approximately 5% of all invasive cutaneous melanomas occur in a familial setting with two or more close relatives affected. This observation indicates that, in a small minority of melanoma patients, low prevalence/high penetrance genes are involved. In addition, the typical phenotype of the melanoma patient, with pale Caucasian skin, red or blond hair and blue eyes indicates that high prevalence/low penetrance genes such as MC1R may interact with environmental factors, particularly with sun exposure. … The likely melanoma patient is a pale-skinned Caucasian. Studies from Australasia [19], North America [20] and Europe [21] have all shown that a high count of banal melanocytic naevi is a major risk factor for sporadic melanoma. Naevus counts vary according to country; high counts are associated with UV exposure and may be used as a surrogate marker for UV-induced cutaneous damage. The presence of large, atypical naevi, termed dysplastic naevi in pathology, is also an independent risk factor adding to melanoma risk. … short, intense episodes of burning sun exposure appear to be a significant risk factor for melanoma [10], but cumulative UV exposure over the years may also contribute to the risk. Studies of place of birth and residence during the first decade of life from Australia [22], Israel [23] and the USA [24] all record that birth and early life spent in a high-UV environment increases melanoma risk for the lifetime of the individual in question. There also appears to be an interaction between chronic UV exposure and the type of melanoma that may subsequently develop. The lentigo maligna variety of melanoma, found most commonly on constantly exposed body sites such as the face, is associated more with possible chronic occupational UV exposure than intermittent burning UV exposure episodes. Whiteman et al. [25] have taken this observation further and postulated two distinct, partly UV-induced pathways to melanoma that give rise to slightly different clinical outcomes. The first pathway involves intense intermittent exposure on the trunk of individuals who have large numbers of banal naevi and have melanoma diagnosed at a relatively young age. The second pathway, probably more related to chronic UV exposure, is found in older individuals who may have a past history of non-melanoma skin cancer. These melanomas develop on sun-damaged, constantly exposed sites. This dual-pathway concept has been strengthened by the observation of Thomas et al. [26] that BRAF gene mutations are more likely in melanoma of younger subjects with large numbers of naevi (type A) than in lesions on sun-exposed skin of older patients (type B).”
Is your house making you sick?
H1N1 pandemic spreading too fast to count: WHO (July 16, 2009)
Indoor allergens in Minnesota schools and child care centers. (J Occup Environ Hyg. 2009)
Asian spice could reduce breast cancer risk in women exposed to hormone replacement therapy “In the study, researchers found that curcumin delayed the first appearance, decreased incidence and reduced multiplicity of progestin-accelerated tumors in an animal model. Curcumin also prevented the appearance of gross morphological abnormalities in the mammary glands. In previous studies, MU researchers showed that progestin accelerated the development of certain tumors by increasing production of a molecule called VEGF that helps supply blood to the tumor. By blocking the production of VEGF, researchers could potentially reduce the proliferation of breast cancer cells. Curcumin inhibits progestin-induced VEGF secretion from breast cancer cells, Hyder said.”
MCI a Useful Diagnostic Term for Neurologists, but Guidelines Needed for Practice
Benefits of fish oil cancelled by high-fat diet in lab study of heart failure “Study highlights: • In an animal study of heart failure, fish oil supplementation was helpful to animals on a low-fat diet, but not to those on a high-fat diet. • Researchers think that a high-fat diet may block the heart cells’ ability to absorb the omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil.“
Why pesticides could be a common cause of prostate and breast cancers in the French Caribbean Island, Martinique. An overview on key mechanisms of pesticide-induced cancer. (Biomed Pharmacother. 2009)
Vitamin D for cancer prevention: global perspective. (Ann Epidemiol. 2009)
Flouride in Dog Food: Bone Meal and Cheap Fillers May Deliver Toxic Dose
Danish study looks at link between HRT, cancer “Menopausal women who took hormone replacement therapy increased their risk of ovarian cancer by 38 percent, Danish researchers reported on Tuesday. The study of more than 900,000 Danish women aged 50 to 79 found about one extra ovarian cancer for roughly 8,300 women taking hormone therapy each year. At the time they got sick, 9 percent of the women were taking hormone therapy, 22 percent were previous users and 63 percent did not take it. The researchers calculated that current hormone use conferred a 38 percent higher risk of contracting the disease compared to non-users over the eight-year study. “
Hormone Therapy Still Risky When Started Soon After Menopause “A further analysis of data from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) trials indicates that the risks of hormone therapy still generally outweigh the benefits, even when initiated soon after menopause. WHI trials examining the use of conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) with or without medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) were stopped early in 2002 and 2004, respectively, after these interventions were linked to increased risks of breast cancer and stroke and appeared to provide little benefit for heart disease. “
Critical Link Between Obesity And Diabetes Discovered “The team, led by Associate Professor Matthew Watt, discovered that fat cells release a novel protein called PEDF (pigment epithelium-derived factor), which triggers a chain of events and interactions that lead to development of Type 2 diabetes. "When PEDF is released into the bloodstream, it causes the muscle and liver to become desensitised to insulin. The pancreas then produces more insulin to counteract these negative effects, " Associate Professor Watt said. This insulin release causes the pancreas to become overworked, eventually slowing or stopping insulin release from the pancreas, leading to Type 2 diabetes." “
Understanding The Anticancer Effects Of Vitamin D3
Cancer risk significantly lower for vegetarians “London: Vegetarian diets can help combat cancer, according to a new study by Cancer Research UK. Research published in the British Journal Of Cancer this month found those who adhere to a strict meat-free diet are 45 per cent less likely to develop certain forms of the disease. Scientists monitored 61,000 people over 12 years and found that vegetarians were 12 per cent less likely to develop cancer of all types than their meat-eating counterparts. And when it came to cancers of the blood - including leukaemia, myeloma and lymphoma - the vegetarians' risk was almost half that of meat-eaters. “
Importance of Exercise and Physical Activity in Older Adults Reviewed “The 3 sections of the position stand review the structural and functional changes accompanying normal human aging, the degree to which exercise and physical activity can affect the aging process, and the benefits of both long-term exercise and physical activity and shorter-duration exercise programs on health and functional capacity. The reviewers conclude that no amount of physical activity can stop biological aging but that evidence to date affirms that by limiting the development and progression of chronic disease and disabling conditions, regular exercise can reduce the physiologic harms of an otherwise sedentary lifestyle and improve active life expectancy. Older adults who engage in regular exercise may also experience significant psychological and cognitive benefits. The position stand recommends that all older adults participate in regular physical activity and avoid an inactive lifestyle and that exercise prescription for older adults include aerobic, muscle strengthening, and flexibility exercises. “
Diabetes and heart attack “People with diabetes are highly susceptible to having heart attacks and therefore sudden death. They have about a four fold higher risk of having a heart attack than people without diabetes. This risk of sudden death is greater in women with diabetes especially those that have attained menopause.”
Dementia Incidence and Prevalence Continues to Rise Even in the Oldest Old “Results of 2 new studies show that both the incidence and prevalence of dementia continue to rise in a linear fashion among the so-called "oldest old," those in their 80s and 90s and even among centenarians. The results, from the population-based Monzino 80-Plus Study in Italy and the 90+ Study in the United States, would appear to contradict fairly conclusively the previously held idea that conversion to dementia plateaus or even declines in this oldest-old population. "The prevalence and incidence rates of dementia found in the Monzino 80-Plus study continue to rise also in very advanced ages," Ugo Lucca, MD, from the Laboratory of Geriatric Neuropsychiatry at the Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, in Milan, Italy. "Age remains the most important risk factor for dementia, and we need to further our understanding of its role if effective therapeutic and preventive strategies are to be developed." Claudia Kawas, MD, from the University of California, Irvine, showed a linear increase in dementia risk from 10% in the 90- to 95-year-olds to a "whopping" 41% for centenarians in the 90+ Study. “
Medicine's Not-So-Silent Killer: Drugs Gone Bad “ "In the last dozen years, far more drugs that were approved have had to be withdrawn from their market than in the entire history of drug regulation in the United States," Jerome Hoffman, M.D., Professor of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, told Ivanhoe. A recent study in JAMA says adverse drug reactions cause 100,000 deaths a year. Are drugs are being rushed to market? Are pharmaceutical companies promoting too much? Are patients demanding more than can be delivered? All of this is creating the perfect storm for disaster. “Their safety is uncertain because they’re newer, and they eventually turn out to be very unsafe," Dr. Hoffman said. … "If people were to know, for example, that one third of all trials for antidepressants show that the products are no more effective than a placebo, they might be a little bit less reluctant to take those drugs," Peter Lurie, M.D., Deputy Director of the Health Research Group at Public Citizen, told Ivanhoe. "I’m not saying they shouldn’t take them." In one year, $55 million were spent on advertising and promotion, almost twice as much as the industry spent on research and development. “They’ve got to get on the market as fast as possible, and while it’s on the market, they have to put the hard sell as much as possible," Dr. Lurie said. "If it turns out it’s for some use the product doesn’t even work, well, that doesn’t make any difference: A dollar is a dollar." “Overstating the benefits of the drugs, understating the risks, and the FDA is now letting them get away with it," Sidney Wolfe, M.D., Director of the Health Research Group at Public Citizen, told Ivanhoe. … Experts believe it will continue until doctors and patients demand honesty, integrity and transparency from the drug companies. Right now, money rules the making and marketing of medicine.”
Strength Training Is Good for Seniors “A new review, which compiles data from more than 100 clinical trials, concludes that progressive resistance training can help older people in daily activities, such as climbing stairs and fixing dinner. … The review concluded that PRT produced a large improvement in muscle strength, a moderate to large improvement in doing simple activities such as getting up from a chair or climbing stairs, and a small but statistically significant improvement in doing complex daily activities, such as bathing or preparing a meal. After PRT, people had less pain from osteoarthritis.”
Monday July 6 - July 12, 2009
Fatty fish and fish omega-3 fatty acid intakes decrease the breast cancer risk: a case-control study. (BMC Cancer. 2009)
Massage for Low Back Pain: An Updated Systematic Review Within the Framework of the Cochrane Back Review Group. (Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2009)
Muscle Rubs: Use For Pain Is Questionable, Review Finds
Contact With Beach Sand Among Beachgoers and Risk of Illness. (Am J Epidemiol. 2009) “Although evidence shows that beach sand can harbor high concentrations of fecal indicator organisms, as well as fecal pathogens, illness risk associated with beach sand contact is not well understood. … Sand contact activities were associated with enteric illness at beach sites. Variation in beach-specific results suggests that site-specific factors may be important in the risk of illness following sand exposure.”
Position of the American Dietetic Association: vegetarian diets. (J Am Diet Assoc. 2009)
Mortality and longevity of elite athletes. (J Sci Med Sport. 2009) “In conclusion, long-term vigorous exercise training is associated with increased survival rates of specific groups of athletes.”
Low Maternal Vitamin D Status and Fetal Bone Development: Cohort Study. (J Bone Miner Res. 2009) “Our observations suggest that maternal vitamin D insufficiency can influence fetal femoral development as early as 19 weeks gestation. This suggests that measures to improve maternal vitamin D status should be instituted in early pregnancy.”
Parkinson's disease and tea: a quantitative review. (J Am Coll Nutr. 2009) “CONCLUSION: Tea consumption can protect against PD and this protective effect is clearer in Chinese populations. The low rate of tea consumption among persons with PD should provide us many valuable insights into the nature of the illness. “
Lifetime consumption of alcoholic beverages and risk of 13 types of cancer in men: results from a case-control study in Montreal. (Cancer Detect Prev. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the hypothesis that moderate and high alcohol intake levels over the lifetime might increase cancer risk at several sites.”
Green tea (Camellia sinensis) for the prevention of cancer. (Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009) “AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There is insufficient and conflicting evidence to give any firm recommendations regarding green tea consumption for cancer prevention. The results of this review, including its trends of associations, need to be interpreted with caution and their generalisability is questionable, as the majority of included studies were carried out in Asia (n = 47) where the tea drinking culture is pronounced. Desirable green tea intake is 3 to 5 cups per day (up to 1200 ml/day), providing a minimum of 250 mg/day catechins. If not exceeding the daily recommended allowance, those who enjoy a cup of green tea should continue its consumption. Drinking green tea appears to be safe at moderate, regular and habitual use.”
No Benefit in Lowering BP Below "Standard" 140/90 mm Hg “A new review has found that lowering blood pressure below the "standard" target of 140/90 mm Hg is not beneficial in terms of reducing mortality or morbidity [1]. … "The Lewington meta-analysis of one million patients has convincingly shown that people fare better—ie, have fewer strokes and heart attacks—when their 'usual' BP is 115/70 mm Hg compared with those with a 'usual' BP of 130/80," Messerli adds. "However there are no data and probably never will be that lowering BP from 130/80 mm Hg to 115/70 mm Hg confers any benefits," he says. Attempting to achieve lower BP targets has several consequences, the researchers note; "the most obvious is the need for large doses and increased number of antihypertensive drugs. This has inconvenience and economic costs to patients. More drugs and higher doses will also increase adverse drug effects, which if serious could negate any potential benefit associated with lower BP." There is also the potential that lowering BP too much may cause adverse cardiovascular events, the so-called "J-curve" phenomenon, they observe.”
Importance of Exercise and Physical Activity in Older Adults Reviewed
Nitrosamine Exposure Causes Insulin Resistance Diseases: Relevance to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis, and Alzheimer's Disease. (J Alzheimers Dis. 2009) “In conclusion, environmental and food contaminant exposures to nitrosamines play critical roles in the pathogenesis of major insulin resistance diseases including T2DM, NASH, and AD. Improved detection and prevention of human exposures to nitrosamines will lead to earlier treatments and eventual quelling of these costly and devastating epidemics.”
Researchers Find Possible Environmental Causes For Alzheimer's, Diabetes “They found strong parallels between age adjusted increases in death rate from Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and diabetes and the progressive increases in human exposure to nitrates, nitrites and nitrosamines through processed and preserved foods as well as fertilizers. Other diseases including HIV-AIDS, cerebrovascular disease, and leukemia did not exhibit those trends. De la Monte and the authors propose that the increase in exposure plays a critical role in the cause, development and effects of the pandemic of these insulin-resistant diseases.”
Clot risk 'nearly triples' for travellers
Dieting Monkeys Offer Hope for Living Longer
Overdiagnosis in publicly organised mammography screening programmes: systematic review of incidence trends “Screening for cancer may lead to earlier detection of lethal cancers but also detects harmless ones that will not cause death or symptoms. The detection of such cancers, which would not have been identified clinically in someone’s remaining lifetime, is called overdiagnosis and can only be harmful to those who experience it.1 As it is not possible to distinguish between lethal and harmless cancers, all detected cancers are treated. Overdiagnosis and overtreatment are therefore inevitable.2 It is well known that many cases of carcinoma in situ in the breast do not develop into potentially lethal invasive disease.1 In contrast, many find it difficult to accept that screening for breast cancer also leads to overdiagnosis of invasive cancer. Harmless invasive cancer is common, however, even for lung cancer, with 30% overdiagnosis after long term follow-up of patients screened by radiography.2 Autopsy studies have shown that invasive prostate cancer occurs in about 60% of men in their 60s, whereas the lifetime risk of dying from such cancer is only about 3%.2 Autopsy studies have also found inconsequential breast cancer lesions. Thirty seven per cent of women aged 40-54 who died from causes other than breast cancer had lesions of invasive or non-invasive cancer at autopsy, and half were visible on radiography.”
New Report Finds Flaws in Sunscreen Protection, Safety “Sunscreens are improving, but three of five brand-name products either don't protect the skin from sun damage sufficiently, contain hazardous chemicals, or both, according to a report by the watchdog organization Environmental Working Group (EWG). "I'd give the industry a C minus," says Jane Houlihan, EWG's senior vice president for research. "They have moved from a D to a C-minus in my book." Overall, however, she says the industry is "not doing enough to protect consumers from UVA radiation."
Breast Cancer Decline “Now a new study out of the Northern California Cancer Center suggests more of this decline occurred in richer and more urban areas, and they point to greater news coverage of the breast cancer-hormone therapy link in those communities as one reason why. A report issued in 2007, for example, correlated the number of news articles on the link with urban residence and a greater likelihood women would either stop using hormone therapy or never begin it in the first place. “
Mini-Strokes May Cause Vision Loss “A study of people who suffer the mini-strokes called silent cerebral infarcts could help explain the medical mystery of normal-tension glaucoma, Hong Kong ophthalmologists report. Glaucoma is the progressive loss of vision caused by deterioration of the optic nerves, which carry signals from the eyes to the brain. It is customarily attributed to abnormally high pressure of the fluid in the eye. But glaucoma can occur in some people who have normal intraocular pressure, a phenomenon that puzzles eye doctors. The Hong Kong study of 286 people with normal-tension glaucoma found a high incidence of silent cerebral infarcts among those whose loss of vision progressed more rapidly. The finding is in the July issue of Ophthalmology. "We feel that our study does cast light on the pathogenesis of normal-tension glaucoma," said the study's lead author, Dr. Dexter Y.L. Leung, deputy coordinator of the glaucoma service at Hong Kong Eye Hospital. "We postulate that vascular [blood vessel] risk factors may be interacting with intraocular pressure in causing glaucoma optic neuropathy." “
Hormones may tie caffeine to cancer risk “Coffee and general caffeine intake may affect a woman's levels of estrogen and other sex hormones, a new study suggests -- offering a potential explanation for findings that link caffeine to certain cancers. Several studies have found connections between caffeine and breast and ovarian cancers, though the findings have not always been consistent. For instance, different analyses of the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) -- a large, long-running study of U.S. female nurses -- have linked higher caffeine intake to lower risks of breast and ovarian cancers in postmenopausal women, but to a higher risk of ovarian cancer before menopause. No one knows whether caffeine directly affects the risks of the cancers. But since estrogen and other sex hormones play a role in both diseases, it's possible that caffeine affects the risks of the cancers via hormonal influences, note investigators Dr. Joanne Kotsopoulos and colleagues at Harvard Medical School.”
Cyber Bullying Affects One in 10 Students “Bullying still makes life miserable for plenty of students, only these days some aggressors apparently operate electronically. A new study shows that many children in grades 6 through 10 have either bullied classmates or been bullied by them, sometimes online or through cell phones. “
Radial neuropathy due to occupational lead exposure: Phenotypic and electrophysiological characteristics of five patients (Ann Indian Acad Neurol 2009) “The common causes of neuropathy in India include Hansen's disease, diabetes mellitus, Guillain-Barr? syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy, genetically-determined neuropathy, and various drugs. [1] Exposure to toxins like acrylamide, carbon disulfide, inorganic mercury, methyl n-butyl ketone, polychlorinated biphenyl, thallium, triorthocresyl phosphate, arsenic, lead, styrene, and toluene could result in neuropathy , and correct diagnosis calls for a high index of suspicion. [2] Patients with lead neuropathy present with weakness that primarily involves the wrist and finger extensors, but which could also spread to involve other muscles. [3] Patients with unusually long exposure to inorganic lead may show mild sensory and autonomic neuropathic features rather than the motor neuropathy classically attributed to lead toxicity. [4] Lead intoxication in humans causes axonal degeneration, but in some other species it causes a primarily demyelinating neuropathy. Diagnosis of lead neuropathy is important because it is potentially reversible and also because its early detection and treatment may prevent other systemic complications. … Environmental exposure to toxic lead levels due to soil, food, and water contamination can also occur. The common sources of lead poisoning are fumes from burnt car batteries, ingestion of flaking paint, inhalation of vehicle fumes, consumption of food cooked in cheap aluminum or brass utensils or in 'kalai,' i.e., vessels that are poorly coated with tin adulterated with lead, and application of 'kajal' (mittal). Tesink et al . reported that poisoning is almost always caused by ingestion. Lead is absorbed from the respiratory tract into the circulation and is transported on the surface of the red cell, which carries most of the absorbed lead. [6] There are three compartments in the body where lead can be stored: the RBC pool, the soft tissues, and the skeletal system (stores 95% of the body lead). Though the kidneys excrete lead, only a small proportion of the total body lead is removed, and continued exposure results in accumulation of the metal in the tissues. Some people, perhaps due to genetic factors, are more susceptible to poisoning than others. About 15% of Caucasians have a variant of a gene which encodes for aminolevulinic acid dehydrogenase, a critical enzyme in the production of haem, which may make them more susceptible to toxicity from retained lead. Low levels of calcium, iron, copper, zinc, or phosphorus in the diet or high levels of fat can increase lead absorption. [1]”
Monday June 29 - July 5, 2009
Melamine in infant formula sold in Canada: occurrence and risk assessment. (J Agric Food Chem. 2009)
Cardiologist Gets 10 Years for Performing Unnecessary Interventions
"Boomeritis" hits aging athletes “Middle-aged people today are a lot more active than their parents were, he added, which is a good thing. "We're basically fitter and more athletic now longer into our lives than we ever were." But, he added, older athletes need to take a few precautions to protect themselves from injuries like rotator cuff tears, tendonitis and stress fractures. “
Purity of Federal 'Organic' Label Is Questioned (USA) “Three years ago, U.S. Department of Agriculture employees determined that synthetic additives in organic baby formula violated federal standards and should be banned from a product carrying the federal organic label. Today the same additives, purported to boost brainpower and vision, can be found in 90 percent of organic baby formula. The government's turnaround, from prohibition to permission, came after a USDA program manager was lobbied by the formula makers and overruled her staff. … Organic advocates and food marketing experts said the introduction this month of new "natural" products by an organics division of Dean Foods is the latest sign that the value of the USDA label has eroded. The yogurt and milk products will be distributed under the Horizon label and marketed as a lower-priced alternative to organic products. Congress adopted the organics law after farmers and consumers demanded uniform standards for produce, dairy and meat. The law banned synthetics, pesticides and genetic engineering from foods that would bear a federal organic label. It also required annual testing for pesticides. And it was aimed at preventing producers from falsely claiming their foods were organic. “
Vegetarian Diets Can Help Prevent Chronic Diseases, American Dietetic Association Says “The American Dietetic Association has released an updated position paper on vegetarian diets that concludes such diets, if well-planned, are healthful and nutritious for adults, infants, children and adolescents and can help prevent and treat chronic diseases including heart disease, cancer, obesity and diabetes.”
Insured, but Bankrupted by Health Crises (USA) “Health insurance is supposed to offer protection — both medically and financially. But as it turns out, an estimated three-quarters of people who are pushed into personal bankruptcy by medical problems actually had insurance when they got sick or were injured.”
Mississippi tops U.S. obesity rankings
Researcher claims disease overtreated “It did not make sense to do something which would increase peoples risk "if you are offering something which has a considerable hazard, you have really added to their problems". The difficulty was that the commonly used prostate specific antigen test (PSA) led to over-diagnosis of cancers and over treatment. About 30% of men over 50 had a small tumour on their prostate which, when studied under a microscope was indistinguishable from cancer. A vast majority of these tumours did not appear to become a clinical disease or even cause symptoms. Research into randomised trials using PSA for screening showed that the over-diagnosis of cancers could be as high as 50%. Men were undergoing radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy which could result in chronic incontinence (urinary or faecal), impotence, or in some instances, death, he said. Dr Cox estimates that about 2000 cases of prostate cancer are detected by PSA testing a year in New Zealand and about half of them would never become clinically relevant. “
Ban Is Advised on 2 Top Pills for Pain Relief “The two drugs combine a narcotic with acetaminophen, the ingredient found in popular over-the-counter products like Tylenol and Excedrin. High doses of acetaminophen are a leading cause of liver damage, and the panel noted that patients who take Percocet and Vicodin for long periods often need higher and higher doses to achieve the same effect.”
FDA panel votes to eliminate Vicodin, Percocet “Government experts say prescription drugs like Vicodin and Percocet that combine a popular painkiller with stronger narcotics should be eliminated because of their role in deadly overdoses. A Food and Drug Administration panel on Tuesday voted 20-17 that prescription drugs that combine acetaminophen with other painkilling ingredients should be pulled off the market. The FDA has assembled a group of experts to vote on ways to reduce liver damage associated with acetaminophen, one of the most widely used drugs in the U.S. “
Brown Recluse Spider Bite Manifestations and Management: Slideshow
Mole or Melanoma? Tell-Tale Signs in Benign Nevi and Malignant Melanoma: Slideshow
Studies Suggest Physicians Should Be Vigilant for Serious H1N1 Infection in Young “The pattern of the swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus (S-OIV) seen in March and April of this year suggests that people exposed to H1N1 strains during childhood before the 1957 flu pandemic will be relatively protected from severe illness, according to a study in the June 29 Online First issue of The New England Journal of Medicine. The study, which appears along with a case series describing some of the first patients to be hospitalized with confirmed H1N1 and pneumonia, paint a picture of the early days of the pandemic and highlight that the virus can cause serious illness in a younger population. “
Dietary fish and meat intake and dementia in Latin America, China, and India: a 10/66 Dementia Research Group population-based study. (Am J Clin Nutr. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: Our results extend findings on the associations of fish and meat consumption with dementia risk to populations in low- and middle-income countries and are consistent with mechanistic data on the neuroprotective actions of omega-3 (n-3) long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids commonly found in fish. The inverse association between fish and prevalent dementia is unlikely to result from poorer dietary habits among demented individuals (reverse causality) because meat consumption was higher in those with a diagnosis of dementia.”
47,000 senior falls in U.S. tied to walkers, canes
What Should A Teenage Girl Do If She Finds A Lump In Her Breast? “Among girls younger than 19, there are fewer than 25 cases of breast cancer per 100,000 per year, according to the National Cancer Institute. The vast majority of breast lumps in adolescents are benign and tend to wax and wane. Over time, many disappear. Many teenage girls undergo biopsy of breast lumps because of parental anxiety and surgeons' concerns, Vade said. Vade and colleagues wrote that for adolescents who present with solid masses that appear benign on ultrasound examination, "we conclude that excisional biopsy may not always be necessary." “
Abused Kids Face Higher Cancer Risk “"One important avenue for future research is to investigate dysfunctions in cortisol production -- the hormone that prepares us for 'fight or flight' -- as a possible mediator in the abuse-cancer relationship," she said in a news release from the university. "Few talk about childhood physical abuse and cancer in the same breath," Esme Fuller-Thomson, of the University of Toronto's faculty of social work and department of family and community medicine, said in the news release. "From a public health perspective, it's extremely important that clinicians be aware of the full range of risk factors for cancer. This research provides important new knowledge about a potential childhood abuse-cancer relationship." “
Meniscal Tears in Osteoarthritis: Ignore or Operate? (video)
Monday June 22 - June 28, 2009
Magic Ingredient In Breast Milk Protects Babies' Intestines “The ingredient called pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor, or PSTI, is found at its highest levels in colostrum - the milk produced in the first few days after birth. The lining of a newborn's gut is particularly vulnerable to damage as it has never been exposed to food or drink. The new study highlights the importance of breastfeeding in the first few days after the birth. The researchers found small amounts of PSTI in all the samples of breast milk they tested but it was seven times more concentrated in colostrum samples. The ingredient was not found in formula milk. “
High Fruit and Vegetable Intake is Positively Correlated with Antioxidant Status and Cognitive Performance in Healthy Subjects. (J Alzheimers Dis. 2009) “Healthy subjects of any age with a high daily intake of fruits and vegetables have higher antioxidant levels, lower levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress, and better cognitive performance than healthy subjects of any age consuming low amounts of fruits and vegetables. Modification of nutritional habits aimed at increasing intake of fruits and vegetables should be encouraged to lower prevalence of cognitive impairment in later life.”
Getting evidence-based treatment “What is evidence-based treatment? In the last 15 years or so there's been more emphasis on testing the evidence behind biological logic or age-old assumptions handed down over the years, in a practice called evidence-based medicine. This is where biological assumptions are tested through randomised controlled trials (see below) to find out if the logic's fine, or the treatment is useless or, like the example above, dangerous. Once tested, the information is published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and used by government organisations such as the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to make policies and guidelines for health professionals. The evidence, particularly behind drug treatments, has improved but there are still many types of treatments like surgery, physical therapies, natural therapies, dietary advice and counselling that haven't been properly tested. But even when there is evidence, you may not get treatment based on the latest evidence when you walk in your health professional's door – unless you ask for it. Asking for evidence-based treatment allows you to weigh up the benefits and risks of the treatment and talk to your health professional about your options. “
Study Challenges Routine Use Of MRI Scans To Evaluate Breast Cancer
Green Tea: The Next Cancer Therapy? “The study included 26 men, aged 41 to 72 years, diagnosed with prostate cancer and scheduled for radical prostatectomy. Patients consumed four capsules containing Polyphenon E until the day before surgery — four capsules are equivalent to about 12 cups of normally brewed concentrated green tea. The time of study for 25 of the 26 patients ranged from 12 days to 73 days. Findings showed a significant reduction in serum levels of HGF, VEGF and PSA after treatment, with some patients demonstrating reductions in levels of greater than 30 percent, according to the researchers. There were only a few reported side effects associated with this study, and liver function remained normal. Results of a recent year-long clinical trial conduced by researchers in Italy demonstrated that consumption of green tea polyphenols reduced the risk of developing prostate cancer in men with high-grade prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN). "These studies are just the beginning and a lot of work remains to be done; however, we think that the use of tea polyphenols alone or in combination with other compounds currently used for cancer therapy should be explored as an approach to prevent cancer progression and recurrence," Cardelli said.”
Selenium intake may worsen prostate cancer in some, study reports “Higher selenium levels in the blood may worsen prostate cancer in some men who already have the disease, according to a study by researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute the University of California, San Francisco. A higher risk of more-aggressive prostate cancer was seen in men with a certain genetic variant found in about 75 percent of the prostate cancer patients in the study. In those subjects, having a high level of selenium in the blood was associated with a two-fold greater risk of poorer outcomes than men with the lowest amounts of selenium. By contrast, the 25 percent of men with a different variant of the same gene and who had high selenium levels were at 40 percent lower risk of aggressive disease. The variants are slightly different forms of a gene that instructs cells to make manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2), an enzyme that protects the body against harmful oxygen compounds. The research findings suggest that "if you already have prostate cancer, it may be a bad thing to take selenium," … Therefore, they add, it is important to know which type of SOD2 gene a man has when considering the risks and potential benefits of taking selenium supplements. Additionally, the authors say the effects of the interaction between the SOD2 genotype and selenium may help explain apparently conflicting results of previous studies. The results may seem counterintuitive to the public, who have been told for years that antioxidants can help people live longer, healthier lives with a lowered risk of cancer. However, Kantoff says, "There is some precedent to this – research has suggested that antioxidants could be protective if you don't have cancer, but once you do, then antioxidants may be a bad thing."”
Exposure To Phthalates May Be A Risk Factor For Low Birth Weight In Infants “A new study soon to be published in the Journal of Pediatrics examines the possibility that in utero phthalate exposure contributes to low birth weight in infants. Low birth weight is the leading cause of death in children under 5 years of age and increases the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease in adulthood.”
Sugar-Sweetened Beverages, Physical Activity Independently Linked to Insulin Resistance “• A previous study found that each additional daily serving of sugar-sweetened beverages for children increased the risk for obesity by 60%. • In the current study, both lower consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and higher physical activity improved metabolic and anthropometric outcomes. The combination of these 2 variables was synergistic in improving insulin resistance and concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides.”
Topical application of green and white tea extracts provides protection from solar-simulated ultraviolet light in human skin. (Exp Dermatol. 2009) “RESULTS: Topical application of green and white tea offered protection against detrimental effects of UV on cutaneous immunity. Such protection is not because of direct UV absorption or sunscreen effects as both products showed a sun protection factor of 1. There was no significant difference in the levels of protection afforded by the two agents. Hence, both green tea and white tea are potential photoprotective agents that may be used in conjunction with established methods of sun protection.”
Pesticide Susceptibility In Children Lasts Longer Than Expected “"Current EPA standards of exposure for some pesticides assume children are 3 to 5 times more susceptible than adults, and for other pesticides the standards assume no difference," said Nina Holland, UC Berkeley adjunct professor of environmental health sciences and senior author of the paper. "Our study is the first to show quantitatively that young children may be more susceptible to certain organophosphate pesticides up to age 7. Our results suggest that the EPA standards need to be re-examined to determine if they are adequately protecting the most vulnerable members of the population." “
Anatomy of health effects of Mediterranean diet: Greek EPIC prospective cohort study (BMJ 2009) “Conclusion The dominant components of the Mediterranean diet score as a predictor of lower mortality are moderate consumption of ethanol, low consumption of meat and meat products, and high consumption of vegetables, fruits and nuts, olive oil, and legumes. Minimal contributions were found for cereals and dairy products, possibly because they are heterogeneous categories of foods with differential health effects, and for fish and seafood, the intake of which is low in this population.”
Underweight and extremely obese die earlier than people of normal weight, study finds “"It's not surprising that extreme underweight and extreme obesity increase the risk of dying, but it is surprising that carrying a little extra weight may give people a longevity advantage," said David Feeny, PhD, coauthor of the study and senior investigator for the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research. "It may be that a few extra pounds actually protect older people as their health declines, but that doesn't mean that people in the normal weight range should try to put on a few pounds," said Mark Kaplan, DrPH, coauthor and Professor of Community Health at Portland State University. "Our study only looked at mortality, not at quality of life, and there are many negative health consequences associated with obesity, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes." “
Women's First-trimester Working Conditions Impact Infant Birthweight
Impact of Androgen Deprivation Therapy on Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes (Journal of Clinical Oncology 2009) “Conclusion: Continuous ADT use for at least 6 months in older men is associated with an increased risk of diabetes and fragility fracture but not AMI or sudden cardiac death.”
Patients Not Always Told of Lab Results “Casalino tells WebMD that "patients should never assume that no news is good news" because "a lot of things can go wrong in the office. Some may never receive a report from the lab, or it may come in but the doctor never sees it and it might get filed away before he does." He tells WebMD that many primary care doctors' offices are swamped with paperwork, making it easy for test reports to go to the wrong place, or the right place and not be seen, and that often procedures are not in place to make sure doctors see and act on lab results. "Doctors should at the least mail out a form and keep a copy in the charts," he says. "In our research team, it turned out that almost everybody had a personal experience with a missed communication." … But the backup for patients should always be to call their doctors if they aren't notified of the results of tests, Dunham says. “
Athletic Trainers Issue Heat-Acclimatization Guidelines for High School Athletes “The guidelines define the heat-acclimatization period as the first 14 consecutive days of preseason practice. Days 1 through 5 of the heat-acclimatization period consist of the first 5 days of formal practice. During this time, athletes may not have more than 1 practice per day and total practice time should not exceed 3 hours in any 1 day, according to the guidelines. During the first 5 days of the heat-acclimatization period, the guidelines allow for a maximum 1-hour "walk-through" -- defined as a teaching opportunity without any protective gear or sports-related equipment -- but a 3-hour recovery period should be inserted between the practice and walk-through (or vice versa). During days 1 and 2 of the heat-acclimatization period, in sports requiring helmets or shoulder pads, a helmet should be the only protective equipment permitted; goalies should not wear full protective gear or perform activities that would require full gear. During days 3 through 5, shoulder pads can be added and on day 6, all protective equipment may be worn and full contact may begin. Beginning no earlier than day 6 and continuing through day 14, a single-practice day must follow all double-practice days. On single-practice days, one walk-through is permitted, separated from practice by at least 3 hours of continuous rest. When a double-practice day is followed by a rest day, another double-practice day is permitted after the rest day. On double-practice days, the guidelines state each practice should not exceed 3 hours and student-athletes should not participate in more than a total of 5 total hours of practice. Warm-up, stretching, cool-down, walk-through, conditioning, and weight-room activities are included as part of the practice time. The two practices should also be separated by at least 3 continuous hours in a cool environment. Because the risk of exertional heat illness during the preseason heat-acclimatization period is high, the guidelines "strongly recommend" that an athletic trainer be on site before, during and after all practices. “
Rethinking Daily Exercise: Less Regular, High-Intensity Intervals May Be Best Bet for Metabolic Syndrome “According to the Norwegian investigators who tested two different exercise regimens, high-intensity exercise actually reversed most of the risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome; after just 16 weeks of the exercise program, almost half the patients enrolled in this arm of the trial no longer had metabolic syndrome, without making any changes to their diets. Less impressive gains were seen with consistent, moderate exercise.”
Assisting Seniors With Insomnia: A Comprehensive Approach (US Pharm. 2009)
An introduction to headache classification (Techniques in Regional Anesthesia and Pain Management 2009)
Chemicals in Marijuana Smoke May Harm DNA “The smoke from cannabis, the plant from which marijuana is derived, contains compounds that can damage DNA and increase the risk of cancer just like tobacco smoke, says a new study from the United Kingdom. In laboratory tests, Rajinder Singh from the University of Leicester and colleagues found certain carcinogens in cannabis smoke in amounts 50 percent greater than those found in tobacco smoke. They noted that light cannabis use could possibly prove to be even more damaging because cannabis smokers usually inhale more deeply than cigarette smokers. "The smoking of three to four cannabis cigarettes a day is associated with the same degree of damage to bronchial mucus membranes as 20 or more tobacco cigarettes a day," the researchers noted in a news release from the university. “
Most men are deficient in key minerals and vitamins.
Pesticide Residue Common on Kitchen Floors “The most commonly detected insecticide was permethrin, a carcinogen, which was present on 89 percent of the floors. About 78 percent of the floors had measurable levels of chlorpyrifos, a broad-spectrum insecticide used to control pests in the house and garden. About 64 percent had chlordane, one of the organochlorine insecticides that are no longer in use. Other compounds that were found included piperonyl butoxide (52 percent), cypermethrin (46 percent) and fipronil (40 percent), a relatively new residential-use insecticide used to kill fleas and ticks on pets, termites and ants and cockroaches in bait traps, according to the study.”
Monday June 15 - June 21, 2009
Eli Lilly Accused of Pushing Ineffective Dementia Drug “In the early part of this decade, physicians — at the urging of drug maker Eli Lilly — prescribed Zyprexa for elderly patients with dementia. But the drug was not approved to treat dementia and was ineffective, and Lilly apparently knew that, some health insurers claim. Unsealed company documents reveal Lilly’s marketing campaign for the drug, originally approved for use as an anti-psychotic. The documents have been presented as evidence in litigation against Lilly for overpayment. … A company spokesman said the plaintiffs have released "one-sided, cherry-picked" documents that do not tell the whole story, and that Lilly will contest the charges in court. The released documents also allege that Eli Lilly produced a number of articles about Zyprexa, showing the drug in a positive light, and asked doctors to submit them to medical journals as their own work. The documents also allege that Lilly assembled a guide to selecting scientists who would write favorable articles. The documents saw the light of day only because of suits against the drug marker brought by health insurers and pension plans. These plaintiffs are seeking to recoup the money spent on Zyprexa to treat elderly policy holders with dementia. The plaintiffs also demand that Lilly pay $6.8 billion in damages for soft-peddling Zyprexa’s health risks and marketing it for unapproved uses.”
At V.A. Hospital, a Rogue Cancer Unit “Had the government responded more aggressively, it might have uncovered a rogue cancer unit at the hospital, one that operated with virtually no outside scrutiny and botched 92 of 116 cancer treatments over a span of more than six years — and then kept quiet about it, according to interviews with investigators, government officials and public records. The team continued implants for a year even though the equipment that measured whether patients received the proper radiation dose was broken. The radiation safety committee at the Veterans Affairs hospital knew of this problem but took no action, records show. … Peer review, a staple of every good hospital, in which colleagues examine one another’s work, did not exist in the unit. The V.A.’s radiation safety program; the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which regulates the use of all nuclear materials; and the Joint Commission, a group that accredited the hospital, all failed to intervene; either their inspections had been limited or they had not acted decisively upon finding problems.”
New Supplement May Help Slow Sight Loss In Elderly “As the macula of the eye is very rich in antioxidants the researchers wanted to see if a supplement called CARMA (Caroteneoids and Co-antioxidants in Age-related Maculopathy) containing the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin could help slow down AMD. The supplement also contained vitamins C,E and Zinc, which had been used in a previous study. The latest study showed that intake of high levels of both carotenoids preserved the macular pigments, slowing down the progression from early AMD to late AMD.”
Omega-3 Fatty Acids May Protect Against Progression Of Age-related Macular Degeneration “Eating two to three servings of fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, shellfish, and herring every week would achieve the recommended daily intake of DHA and EPA. However, the majority of AREDS participants and Americans eat a much lower level than recommended. "If changing dietary habits is not easy, supplementation is an option," says Chiu. The authors stress it is still premature to conclude dietary recommendations for people with AMD and more studies are warranted. "Taken together, these data indicate that consuming a diet with higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and low-GI foods may delay compromised vision due to AMD," says Taylor. "The present study adds the possibility that the timing of a dietary intervention as well as the combination of nutrients recommended may be important." AMD is a progressive disease that attacks central vision, resulting in a gradual loss of eyesight and, in some cases, blindness. The NEI reports that AMD is the most common causes of non-remediable vision loss in Americans over 60.”
Overweight in midlife and risk of dementia: a 40-year follow-up study (International Journal of Obesity 2009) “Conclusions: This study gives further support to the notion that overweight in midlife increases later risk of dementia. The risk is increased for both Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia, and follows the same pattern for men and women.”
Individuals Who Apply Pesticides Are Found To Have Double The Risk Of Blood Disorder “"As several million Americans use pesticides, it's important that the risks of developing MGUS from the use of pesticides is known," added senior study author and NCI investigator Michael Alavanja, DrPH.”
Ankle brachial index measurement in primary care: are we doing it right? (Br J Gen Pract. 2009) “CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the ABI is often not correctly determined in primary care practice. This phenomenon seems to be due to inaccurate methods for both blood pressure measurements and calculation of the index. A guideline for determining the ABI with a hand-held Doppler, and a training programme seem necessary.”
Environmental Pollution Increases Risk Of Liver Disease, Study Finds “"Our study found that greater than one in three U.S. adults had liver disease, even after excluding those with traditional risk factors such as alcoholism and viral hepatitis," said Matthew Cave, MD, assistant professor, department of medicine, division of gastroenterology and hepatology at the University of Louisville. "Our study shows that some of these cases may be attributable to environmental pollution, even after adjusting for obesity, which is another major risk factor for liver disease." “
Guys -- Start Protecting Your Brain Now!
What Is Exercise? The Benefits Of Exercise
Insufficient Sleep Linked To High Blood Pressure
U.S. swine flu cases top 21,000 as deaths rise “America's count of swine flu cases has risen to 21,449 cases and the number of deaths have nearly doubled to 87. The continued spread signals the new strain of H1N1 flu is causing “something different” to happen in the United States this year — perhaps an extended year-round flu season that disproportionately hits young people, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention said. … Figures provided by the global body show Argentina, Britain, Canada, Chile, China, Philippines and Thailand all reported a large rise in cases. A total of 93 countries had reported cases to WHO by Friday. In the U.S., Wisconsin, Illinois and Texas were the states with the most reported illnesses, and the Illinois count rose more than 500 since the last report. But CDC officials say much of the most recent flu activity has been in the Northeast. A quarter of the new deaths were in New York. An unusually cool late spring may be helping keep the infection going in the U.S. Northeast, especially densely populated areas in New York and Massachusetts, the CDC officials said.”
ENDO 2009: Use of Artificial Sweeteners Linked to 2-Fold Increase in Diabetes “People who use artificial sweeteners are heavier, more likely to have diabetes, and more likely to be insulin-resistant compared with nonusers, according to data presented here during ENDO 2009, the 91st annual meeting of The Endocrine Society. Results show an inverse association between obesity and diabetes, on one side, and daily total caloric, carbohydrate, and fat intake, on the other side, when comparing artificial sweetener users and control subjects. …Artificial sweeteners activate sweet taste receptors in enteroendocrine cells, leading to the release of incretin, which is known to contribute to glucose absorption. Recent epidemiologic studies in Circulation (2008;117:754-761) and Obesity (2008;16:1894-1900) showed an association between diet soda consumption and the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome.”
Nestle Toll House Prepackaged, Refrigerated Cookie Dough “FDA and the CDC are warning consumers not to eat any varieties of prepackaged Nestle Toll House refrigerated cookie dough due to the risk of contamination with E. coli O157:H7 (a bacterium that causes food borne illness). The warning is based on an ongoing epidemiological study conducted by the CDC and several state and local health departments. Since March 2009 there have been 66 reports of illness across 28 states. Twenty-five persons were hospitalized; 7 with a severe complication called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). No one has died.E. coli O157:H7 causes abdominal cramping, vomiting and a diarrheal illness, often with bloody stools. Most healthy adults can recover completely within a week. Young children and the elderly are at highest risk for developing HUS, which can lead to serious kidney damage and even death. FDA advises that if consumers have any prepackaged, refrigerated Nestle Toll House cookie dough products in their home that they throw them away. Cooking the dough is not recommended because consumers might get the bacteria on their hands and on other cooking surfaces.”
Maternal vitamin D intake during pregnancy is inversely associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis in 5-year-old children. (Clin Exp Allergy. 2009) “CONCLUSION: Maternal vitamin D intake from foods during pregnancy may be negatively associated with risk of asthma and AR in childhood.”
Fish-oil supplementation induces antiinflammatory gene expression profiles in human blood mononuclear cells. (Am J Clin Nutr. 2009)
Health Tip: Understanding Various Types of Insulin “The American Diabetes Association offers this information about insulin's different forms: • "Rapid-acting" insulin, often called Humalog or lispro, begins to work right away after injection and is most effective after about an hour. It's usually taken just before mealtime. • "Regular," or short-acting insulin, may be taken 30 minutes to 45 minutes before meals, but it takes longer to work, and keeps working longer. • "Intermediate-acting" insulin, often called NPH or Lente, is combined with another substance that helps it work more slowly. This type of insulin can last as long as 18 hours. • "Long-acting" insulin, dubbed Ultralente, is commonly taken early in the morning or at bedtime, and can last for up to 20 hours. • "Very long-acting insulin," or glargine, begins working about an hour after it's injected and can remain consistently effective for about 24 hours. “
Problems for Babies of Obese Mothers Start in Womb “A pre-diabetic condition -- insulin resistance -- is more often present at birth in babies of obese mothers than in those of lean mothers, according to a new report. Insulin resistance means that glucose processing is impaired, so there's a risk of developing diabetes. While it's recognized that children of obese women may have metabolic irregularities when they become adolescents and adults, "our study supports the contention that this may have its onset during pregnancy," Dr. Patrick M. Catalano told Reuters Health.”
Rear-Facing Car Seats Advised for Children Under 4 Years of Age
Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Products “FDA notified consumers and healthcare professionals to discontinue use of three Zicam Nasal Gel/Nasal Swab products sold over-the-counter as cold remedies because they are associated with the loss of sense of smell that may be long-lasting or permanent. The FDA has received more than 130 reports of loss of sense of smell associated with the use of the three Zicam products. In these reports, many people who experienced a loss of smell said the condition occurred with the first dose; others reported a loss of the sense of smell after multiple uses of the products.”
Red Yeast Rice Reduces LDL-Cholesterol Levels in Statin-Intolerant Patients “The use of red yeast rice and a therapeutic lifestyle change significantly reduced LDL-cholesterol levels in statin-intolerant patients with dyslipidemia and may provide a future treatment alternative for these difficult-to-treat patients, according to the results of a new study [1]. Investigators urged caution about moving these results into clinical practice, however, specifically pointing out that while the chemical composition of red yeast rice was known and controlled in this study, there is a lack of consistency between different manufacturers and an ongoing need for the Food and Drug Administration to better regulate this popular dietary supplement. "If properly regulated, I would say it's time that we began using red yeast rice in these statin-intolerant patients," lead investigator Dr David Becker (Chestnut Hill Hospital, Flourtown, PA) told heartwire . "Instead, right now, it's a promising avenue for research. If patients are going to take it, we'd recommend they use it only under a doctor's guidance." “
Red Yeast Rice for Dyslipidemia in Statin-Intolerant Patients (Annals 2009) “Conclusion: Red yeast rice and therapeutic lifestyle change decrease LDL cholesterol level without increasing CPK or pain levels and may be a treatment option for dyslipidemic patients who cannot tolerate statin therapy. “
Are everyday products from cosmetics to household cleaners causing the high rates of breast cancer? “Has the key to reducing breast cancer gotten lost in the race for a cure? A new book, No Family History, presents compelling evidence that exposure to everyday products such as cosmetics and toiletries, hormones in food, household cleaners and pesticides is behind the dramatic increase in breast cancer and argues that the solution is simple: prevention. … Breast cancer "hot spots" from Long Island, N.Y., to Northern California have two common threads—industrial pollution and agricultural pesticides. These "hot spots" are pockets of the United States where breast cancer has risen six times faster than the national rate. In Long Island, the incidence of breast cancer is 200 percent higher than the national average. "In our race for a cure for breast cancer, we have ignored the overwhelming body of evidence that demonstrates a link between products from cosmetics to pesticides and breast cancer," McCormick says. "We must focus on prevention by demanding safer products, reducing our exposure to chemicals and urging our policymakers to ban cancer-causing chemicals in everyday products." European governments responded to this scientific evidence by banning cosmetic products with certain chemicals from being sold in their countries. According to No Family History, one American cosmetics company known as much for its "pink ribbon" marketing campaigns as for its pink lipstick removed these chemicals from products sold in Europe, but these same chemicals remain in the products the company sells in the United States. "Women and girls should not have to check the ingredients in every stick of lipstick and each bottle of moisturizer. Better regulation to ensure that these products are safe would go a long way to reducing the incidence of breast cancer," McCormick says.”
Newborn weights affected by environmental contaminants “Recent epidemiological studies have revealed an increase in the frequency of genital malformations in male newborns (e.g., un-descended testes) and a decrease in male fertility. The role played by the growing presence in our environment of contaminants that reduce male hormone action could explain this phenomenon.”
Living Near Major Traffic Roads and Risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis (Circulation 2009) “Conclusions—Living near major traffic roads is associated with increased risk of DVT.”
Monday June 8 - June 14, 2009
An apple a day may hold colorectal cancer at bay: recent evidence from a case-control study. (Rev Environ Health. 2009) “Apples are a rich source of flavonoids and have the second highest level of antioxidant power among all fruits, with peels having a stronger antioxidant activity than apple flesh. A recent reanalysis of several case-control studies in Italy demonstrated a consistent inverse association between apple consumption and the risk of various cancers, and among them ofcolorectal cancer.”
Successful Weight Loss With Dieting Is Linked To Vitamin D Levels “Additionally, higher baseline vitamin D levels (both the precursor and active forms) predicted greater loss of abdominal fat. "Our results suggest the possibility that the addition of vitamin D to a reduced-calorie diet will lead to better weight loss," Sibley said. She cautioned, however, that more research is needed. "Our findings," she said, "need to be followed up by the right kind of controlled clinical trial to determine if there is a role for vitamin D supplementation in helping people lose weight when they attempt to cut back on what they eat." “
Selenium and selenium-antagonistic elements in nutritional cancer prevention. (Crit Rev Biotechnol. 2009) “Selenium is an essential trace element with antioxidative, antimutagenic, antiviral and anticarcinogenic properties. There is increasing evidence that the dietary selenium intakes are sub-optimal in the populations of many countries and that human cancer mortalities would significantly decline if additional selenium was made available either through supplementation or the fortification of certain foods. … Cadmium, for example, is a key risk-increasing element for prostate cancer; for breast cancer, Cd, Cr, Zn are mainly contributing; for bronchial cancer (in smelter workers), Cd, As, Cr, Sb, Co, La, all these elements are in a reciprocal relationship with Se. While selenium remains the key cancer-protective trace element, the interpretation of its mode of action necessitates consideration of the effects of selenium antagonistic elements.”
Atomoxetine: a review of its use in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. (Paediatr Drugs. 2009) “Atomoxetine (Strattera(R)) is a selective norepinephrine (noradrenaline) reuptake inhibitor that is not classified as a stimulant, and is indicated for use in patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). … Common adverse events included headache, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, vomiting, somnolence, and nausea. The majority of adverse events were mild or moderate; there was a very low incidence of serious adverse events. Few patients discontinued atomoxetine treatment because of adverse events. Atomoxetine discontinuation appeared to be well tolerated, with a low incidence of discontinuation-emergent adverse events. Atomoxetine appeared better tolerated among extensive CYP2D6 metabolizers than among poor metabolizers. Slight differences were evident in the adverse event profiles of atomoxetine and stimulants, both immediate- and extended-release. Somnolence appeared more common among atomoxetine recipients and insomnia appeared more common among stimulant recipients. A black-box warning for suicidal ideation has been published in the US prescribing information, based on findings from a meta-analysis showing that atomoxetine is associated with a significantly higher incidence of suicidal ideation than placebo.”
Concussion Experts: For Kids -- No Sports, No Schoolwork, No Text Messages “For children and adolescents, the guidance strongly reiterates several key points for coaches, parents, and physicians: • Injury to the developing brain, especially repeat concussions, may increase the risk of long term effects in children, so no return-to-play until completely symptom free. • No child or adolescent athlete should ever return to play on the same day of an injury—regardless of level of athletic performance. • Children and adolescents may need a longer period of full rest and then gradual return to normal activities than adults. For children, "cognitive rest" is a key to recovery. While restrictions on physical activity restrictions are also important, cognitive rest must be carefully adhered to, including limits on cognitive stressors such as academic activities and at-home/social activities including text messaging, video games, and television watching.”
Overused: Androgen-Deprivation Therapy in Prostate Cancer “The overuse of ADT has been driven, in part, by clinicians in the United States overestimating the effectiveness of ADT, suggests Dr. Albertsen. "If it's good for advanced disease, there's a good chance it will work for localized disease — that's probably been the thinking," he explained. Money has also been a driver. "Overuse was probably worse a few years ago when clinicians were making a lot of money off of it," Dr. Albertsen said about the administration of ADT and related follow-up care. The desire to take action is another driver, said Dr. Dale. "There is a propensity to 'do something' about cancer that leads to starting a therapy that is not justified. This is particularly true for older men," he told Medscape Oncology. Dr. Dale cited 2 "do something" settings in which data don't support the use of ADT. "Starting it early when PSA [prostate-specific antigen] first rises following surgery or radiation — versus waiting until later to start it — has not been shown to extend life. It is also being used increasingly in older men as primary therapy rather than surgery or radiation therapy," he noted.”
Non-Cardiac Chest Pain: The Long-Term Natural History and Comparison With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. (Am J Gastroenterol. 2009) “OBJECTIVES:The source of most cases of non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) is thought to be the esophagus. We reasoned that if the origin of NCCP is truly esophageal and not cardiac, the characteristics and survival of individuals with NCCP should be similar to those of individuals with benign esophageal disease, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). … CONCLUSIONS:NCCP in most patients seems to be a short-lived event requiring extensive medical evaluation and having clinical characteristics significantly different from those associated with GERD. Patients with NCCP, confirmed by the absence of angiogram-documented coronary artery disease, who are referred for diagnostic endoscopy, have an excellent long-term benign prognosis, similar to patients with GERD.”
Screening at 2 Months Identifies Most Women With Postpartum Depression “Using a well-child visit to screen for postpartum depression 2 months after delivery will catch the majority of women likely to develop the condition within the first 6 postpartum months, new research suggests.”
Radiation dose from multidetector row CT imaging for acute stroke. (Neuroradiology. 2009)
Colorectal Cancer Rates Up; Blame Obesity “Increasing Westernization is the likely culprit in dramatically increasing incidence rates of colorectal cancer around the world, a new study says. The trend is related to increased consumption of fatty foods in developing countries, and less physical activity -- resulting in obesity, the American Cancer Society’s Ahmedin Jemal, PhD, tells WebMD. Jemal, an epidemiologist and co-author of the study, says more “people are eating the wrong foods and driving to work instead of walking, just not getting enough physical movement generally.” The study found that colorectal cancer incidence rates for both men and women increased in 27 of 51 international cancer registries between 1983 and 2002. “People are eating the wrong foods,” Jemal tells WebMD. “Too much food is being consumed that is high in carbs and fats.” The rise was seen mostly in economically transitioning countries, including those of Eastern Europe, most parts of Asia and some nations in South America.”
What Causes Irritability In Menopause?
Metformin Linked to B12 Deficiency “Researchers found that 40% of type 2 diabetes patients using metformin had vitamin B12 deficiency or were in the low-normal range for the essential vitamin. And 77% of metformin users with vitamin B12 deficiency also had peripheral neuropathy, a common form of nerve damage associated with type 2 diabetes. … They say it’s not clear whether vitamin B12 deficiency may contribute to or cause peripheral neuropathy. But they recommend screening metformin users for vitamin B12 deficiency and supplementing the vitamin, when necessary, to reduce the risk of nerve damage.”
Eating Curry Every Week 'could Prevent Dementia' “…curcumin prevented the spread of amyloid plaques, found outside brain cells. … Studies looking at populations show that people who eat a curry meal two or three times a week seem to have a lower risk for dementia, he told the Annual Meeting. "Those studies seem to show that you need only consume what is part of the normal diet - but the research studies are testing higher doses to see if they can maximise the effect. It would be equivalent of going on a curry spree for a week." However, curry may be just one of the ingredients that prevent degeneration of the brain. "If you are eating fatty burgers and smoking then don't expect an occasional curry to counterbalance a poor lifestyle. However, if you have a good diet and take plenty of exercise, eating curry regularly could help prevent dementia," he said. Turmeric is also found in mustard and Professor Doraiswamy predicted a day when - for those unable, or unwilling, to consume curries regularly - the public might be advised to take a 'curry' pill every day if the findings are confirmed in human studies.”
Bipolar Disorder 'misdiagnosed In A Quarter Of Cases' “They found that over 25% of the patients with bipolar disorder had initially had their condition misdiagnosed as unipolar depression. Misdiagnosis often occurs because the symptoms of bipolar disorder overlap with depression and other psychiatric disorders. However, misdiagnosis can cause serious problems. For example, if people are wrongly prescribed antidepressants this can make their bipolar illness worse.”
Too Early To Say If Screening Cuts Colon Cancer Deaths, Say Researchers
Cornflakes, White Bread Could Boost Heart Risk “Eating a diet rich in carbohydrates that boost blood sugar levels -- foods such as cornflakes or white bread -- may hamper the functioning of your blood vessels and raise your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, a new study suggests. And another study, released Thursday at the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in Washington, D.C., found that people might actually feel fuller -- and might therefore eat less -- if they cut back a bit on carbohydrates in their diet. … "The main take-home message is that high-glycemic index carbs are dangerous since they reduce or inhibit endothelial function, which is the 'risk of the risk factors,' leading to atherosclerosis and potentially leading to heart disease," Shechter said. Previous research has found that high blood sugar levels after meals is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, not only in patients with diabetes but in the general population. Declining endothelial function is considered a key variable in the development of hardening of the arteries and heart disease.”
Health and well-being in school-age children following persistent crying in infancy. (J Paediatr Child Health. 2009) “CONCLUSION: At school-age, children with a history of hospitalisation for persistent crying in infancy had a significantly higher prevalence of mental health problems and mental disorders, as compared with community samples.”
Major Depression Is a Risk Factor for Low Bone Mineral Density: A Meta-Analysis. (Biol Psychiatry. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: The present findings portray depression as a significant risk factor for low BMD. Premenopausal women who are psychiatrically diagnosed with major depression are particularly at high-risk for depression-associated low BMD. Hence, periodic BMD measurements and antiosteoporotic prophylactic and curative measures are strongly advocated for these patients.”
Contaminants lurk in many ‘natural’ products
Early Bedtime May Help Stave Off Teen Depression “Teens whose parents pack them off to bed at 10 p.m. are less apt to become depressed or have suicidal thoughts than their peers who stay up much later, recent research shows. "This study bolsters the argument that a lack of sleep can cause depression," said study author James Gangwisch, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. "Teens with earlier parental-mandated bedtimes were less likely to suffer from depression and suicidal thoughts." “
Alzheimer's and Even Mild Dementia Hasten Death “Those with Alzheimer's disease had a three-fold greater risk of dying compared to those not experiencing cognitive function problems. Those with mild cognitive impairment were 50 percent more likely to die. The risk of death increased as cognitive impairment became more severe.”
Better Behavior for Children Who Nap “A recent study found children between the ages of four and five who don't take daytime naps, have higher levels of hyperactivity, anxiety and depression, compared to those children who took naps.”
Flu During Pregnancy May Increase Risk Of Schizophrenia In Certain Offspring ““The good news is that most fetuses exposed to influenza virus while in the womb will not go on to develop schizophrenia. The bad news is that the prior association between influenza infection and later development of psychotic disorders was supported,” comments John Krystal, M.D., the editor of Biological Psychiatry. This finding has the potential to influence efforts to develop prevention, early intervention and treatment strategies, such as taking steps to maintain careful hygiene and, if clinically appropriate, administration of the influenza vaccination to reduce infection among women prior to pregnancy. Dr. Krystal notes, “It also raises an important unanswered question: How does influenza virus affect the vulnerable developing brain and how can we prevent or reverse the consequence of fetal influenza infection in vulnerable individuals before they develop schizophrenia?” “
High Daily Consumption of Cola Soft Drinks Can Cause Hypokalemic Myopathy “The authors suggest that one component with the potential to alter potassium metabolism is high-fructose corn syrup, which can cause chronic osmotic diarrhea and potassium depletion. Glucose -- by inducing osmotic diuresis and hyperinsulinemia - or caffeine - by causing potassium redistribution into cells and/or increased renal potassium excretion - may also be responsible. Dr. Elisaf's team cautions that "the cola-induced chronic hypokalemia clearly predisposes to the development of potentially fatal complications such as cardiac arrhythmias." In his editorial, Dr. Clifford D. Packer at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio, comments that "with aggressive mass marketing, super-sizing of soft drinks, and the effects of caffeine tolerance and dependence, there is very little doubt that tens of millions of people in industrialized countries drink at least 2-3 L of cola per day." “
Use of antidepressants and the risk of Parkinson's disease: a prospective study. (J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2009)
Association Between Sleep and Blood Pressure in Midlife (Arch Intern Med. 2009) “Short sleep duration also predicted significantly increased odds of incident hypertension …”
The Clinicians' and Nurses' Guide to Parkinson's Disease “Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second-most common neurodegenerative disorder, after Alzheimer's disease. While classically considered a movement disorder, there is a growing recognition that PD produces a wide variety of nonmotor symptoms as well. Early diagnosis of PD is important for treatment planning and maintaining the highest quality of life for the longest period of time, yet at its earliest stages, PD may often be difficult to distinguish from other causes of parkinsonism. No definitive neuroprotective treatment is yet available, but symptomatic treatments may provide significant benefit for many years for the patient with PD. The wide range of treatment options and strategies, combined with the differing needs and comorbidities of different patients, means the physician must have detailed knowledge of multiple drugs from different classes, and how each is likely to impact the individual PD patient. In addition, nonpharmacologic treatments, from physical and recreational therapy to surgery to attention to the caregiver, are also central to the optimal management of PD.”
YouTube videos weigh threat of CT radiation exposure “The IAEA video published online June 4 acknowledges diagnostic imaging's superlative contributions to medical science. However, it also warns that overutilization of high-tech procedures such as CT scanning may be unnecessarily exposing patients to increased doses of ionizing radiation. The agency's video compares the average CT scan dose with that of approximately 500 chest x-rays. It goes further by stating that such dosage could increase patients' lifetime risk of developing cancer, especially if they are repeatedly exposed to further exams. A brief interview with a practicing radiologist underscores concern among imagers about unprecedented growth in the volume of procedures involving increasingly younger patients. The agency's goal is not to scare people off about medical imaging but to cut down on unnecessary radiation exposure, said IAEA radiation safety specialist Dr. Madan Rehani. New studies suggest that radiation dose reductions of up to 50% could be achieved.”
Managing lower back pain: You may be doing too much
Intakes of Fruit, Vegetables, and Carotenoids and Renal Cell Cancer Risk: A Pooled Analysis of 13 Prospective Studies (Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 2009) “In conclusion, increasing fruit and vegetable consumption is associated with decreasing risk of renal cell cancer; carotenoids present in fruit and vegetables may partly contribute to this protection.”
Pesticide Use Linked to Higher Risk of Pre-Cancerous Multiple Myeloma
Women Who Run May Benefit From Extra Folic Acid
Monday June 1 - June 7, 2009
Parkinson's Disease Associated With Pesticide Exposure In French Farm Workers “The cause of Parkinson’s disease (PD), the second most frequent neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease, is unknown, but in most cases it is believed to involve a combination of environmental risk factors and genetic susceptibility. Laboratory studies in rats have shown that injecting the insecticide rotenone leads to an animal model of PD and several epidemiological studies have shown an association between pesticides and PD, but most have not identified specific pesticides or studied the amount of exposure relating to the association. A new epidemiological study involving the exposure of French farm workers to pesticides found that professional exposure is associated with PD, especially for organochlorine insecticides. … Among the three main classes of pesticides (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides), researchers found the largest difference for insecticides: men who had used insecticides had a two-fold increase in the risk of PD. “Our findings support the hypothesis that environmental risk factors such as professional pesticide exposure may lead to neurodegeneration,” notes Dr. Elbaz.”
Soap-sniffing Technology Encourages Hand Washing To Reduce Hospital-acquired Infections, Save Money
Diet May Reduce Risk Of Prostate Cancer “The researchers found that a diet low in fat, high in vegetables and fruit, and avoiding high energy intake, excessive meat, and excessive dairy products and calcium intake may be helpful in preventing prostate cancer, and for patients diagnosed with prostate cancer. Specifically, consumption of tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, green tea, and vitamins including Vitamin E and selenium seemed to propose a decreased risk of prostate cancer. Consumption of highly processed or charcoaled meats, dairy products, and fats seemed to be correlated with prostate cancer.”
Exercise More, Not Less, To Ease Aching Back, Study Suggests “A University of Alberta study of 240 men and women with chronic lower-back pain showed that those who exercised four days a week had a better quality of life, 28 per cent less pain and 36 per cent less disability, while those who hit the gym only two or three days a week did not show the same level of change. "While it could be assumed that someone with back pain should not be exercising frequently, our findings show that working with weights four days a week provides the greatest amount of pain relief and quality of life," said Robert Kell, lead author of the study and an assistant professor of exercise physiology at the University of Alberta, Augustana Campus. About 80 per cent of North Americans suffer from lower back pain.”
Benefit Of Aspirin For Healthy People Is Uncertain “The authors conclude: ‘Aspirin is of clear benefit for people who already have cardiovascular disease, but the latest research does not seem to justify general guidelines advocating the routine use of aspirin in all healthy individuals above a moderate level of risk for coronary heart disease.’ When prescribing aspirin to healthy individuals, it is important to consider the potential of such a policy to cause harm. Professor Baigent adds: ‘Drug safety really matters when making recommendations for tens of millions of healthy people. We don’t have good evidence that, for healthy people, the benefits of long-term aspirin exceed the risks by an appropriate margin.’ “
People With Parents Who Fight Are More Likely To Have Mental Health Problems In Later Life
Cumulative Exposure to Lead in Relation to Cognitive Function in Older Women (Environ Health Perspect. 2009) “These findings suggest that cumulative exposure to lead, even at low levels experienced in community settings, may have adverse consequences for women’s cognition in older age.”
Overweight Male Teens With Normal Blood Pressures Showing Signs Of Heart Damage “Even while their blood pressures are still normal, overweight male teens may have elevated levels of a hormone known to increase pressures as well as early signs of heart damage, researchers say.”
Body mass index, urinary incontinence, and female sexual dysfunction: how they affect female postmenopausal health. (Menopause. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS:: Increased BMI early in menopause represents a risk both for UI and for sexual dysfunction. Weight control has an essential role in postmenopause and should be considered early in perimenopause to safeguard female quality of life as well as to prevent or improve UI and female sexual dysfunction symptoms.”
Timing and Tempo of First-Year Rapid Growth in Relation to Cardiovascular and Metabolic Risk Profile in Early Adulthood (JAMA. 2009) “Conclusion Rapid weight gain in the first 3 months of life is associated with several determinants of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in early adulthood. “
One In Four Nursing Home Residents Carry MRSA, UK Study Suggests “Twenty-four per cent of residents and 7 per cent of staff were found to be colonised with MRSA, meaning they were carrying the bacteria but not necessarily showing signs of infection or illness.”
Breastfeeding duration and exclusivity associated with infants' health and growth: data from a prospective cohort study in Bavaria, Germany. (Acta Paediatr. 2009) “CONCLUSION: Differences in child growth depending on breastfeeding duration should be investigated further. Concerning health outcomes our findings support the recommendation for > or =6 months of exclusive breastfeeding.”
Bone lead levels are associated with measures of memory impairment in older adults. (Neurotoxicology. 2009)
Inner Ear Balance Disorder May Put a Third of Adults at Risk for Falls “More than a third of older adults may unknowingly have an inner ear balance disorder that puts them at high risk of potentially disabling falls. A new study shows that 35% of American adults 40 and older have vestibular dysfunction of the inner ear, which hampers their sense of balance control. People with symptoms of vestibular dysfunction were eight times more likely to experience a fall. Researchers say falls in the elderly are among the most deadly, disabling, and costly health problems in the U.S.”
ACSM 2009: Exercise May Lower Prostate Cancer Risk in Black Men
Association between Plasma 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Breast Cancer Risk (Cancer Prevention Research 2009) “In summary, these results add to a growing body of evidence that adequate vitamin D stores may prevent breast cancer development. Whereas circulating 25-OHD levels of >32 ng/mL are associated with normal bone mineral metabolism, our data suggest that the optimal level for breast cancer prevention is 40 ng/mL.”
The course of panic attacks in individuals with panic disorder and subthreshold panic disorder: A population-based study. (J Affect Disord. 2009) “RESULTS: Thirty-nine percent of those with panic disorder and 17% of those with subthreshold panic disorder reported panic episodes during more than 75% of the observed time periods in the Life Chart Interview. Forty-three percent of those with panic disorder and 14% of those with subthreshold panic disorder reported over 24 attacks per 3-month period. Male gender, severity of panic and agoraphobia predicted a high proportion of time spent in panic episodes. Low self-esteem, limited positive life events and severity of panic predicted highly frequent attacks.”
Fetal exposure to phthalates - a pilot study. (Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2009) “Our results suggest that several phthalates or their metabolites, respectively, reach the human fetus, which might be able to affect fetal health.”
Diet High in Red Meat Tied to Early Age-Related Macular Degeneration
ACSM 2009: Multiple Concussions Linked to Postheading Deficits in Soccer Players “Athletes with a history of multiple concussions are significantly more likely to suffer from impaired balance after repeated purposeful heading of a soccer ball, according to a study presented here at the annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine. The findings underscore the need for clinicians to exercise caution before authorizing athletes to return to soccer after a concussion, despite a number of previous studies suggesting that purposeful heading is not a risk factor in athletes who have not had previous head injuries.”
Exercise after age 30 may curb breast cancer risk “"Preliminarily," Sprod said, "the take home message is that accumulating greater physical activity after the age of 30 may play a role in reducing the risk of developing breast cancer." “
Belly fat tied to liver cancer recurrence “Meanwhile, the team concludes, "it remains to be seen" whether reducing levels of visceral fat decreases the odds of liver cancer returning.”
Nonvertebral Fracture Prevention With Vitamin D May Be Dose-Dependent “Use of vitamin D is associated with reduced risk for nonvertebral and hip fractures in older adults independent of calcium supplementation. • The dose of vitamin D for fracture prevention should be higher than 400 U daily; this dose is effective in both community-dwelling and institutionalized older adults. “
Which City Is America's Fittest?
Population-based study of risk and predictors of stroke in the first few hours after a TIA (NEUROLOGY 2009) “Conclusion: That about half of all recurrent strokes during the 7 days after a TIA occur in the first 24 hours highlights the need for emergency assessment. That the ABCD score is reliable in the hyperacute phase shows that appropriately triaged emergency assessment and treatment are feasible.”
Relation of Vigorous Exercise to Risk of Atrial Fibrillation (The American Journal of Cardiology 2009) “In conclusion, frequency of vigorous exercise was associated with an increased risk of developing AF in young men and joggers. This risk decreased as the population aged and was offset by known beneficial effects of vigorous exercise on other AF risk factors.”
Gain in Adiposity Across 15 Years is Associated With Reduced Gray Matter Volume in Healthy Women. (Psychosom Med. 2009) “Conclusions: An increase in BMI during the menopausal transition and beyond is associated with reduced GMV among otherwise healthy women.”
Risk Of Heart Failure Doubled By Obesity And Diabetes -- Patients With Both Conditions 'Very Difficult' To Treat “The pathways by which obesity plays such a role in heart failure are not yet fully understood, but have been shown to have an indirect effect via hypertension, or heart attack, or diabetes - and a direct effect on the heart muscle itself. "We know that the underlying changes in the structure and function of the heart may be different in obese and non-obese patients with heart failure," says Professor McMurray. An even more "intriguing" suggestion, he added, is that adipose cells might act as an endocrine tissue, secreting substances which may have a harmful effect on heart tissue and blood vessels. The relationship between diabetes and heart failure is also a subject of investigation, with the risk of heart failure doubled in diabetics. Heart failure patients with diabetes also have worse symptoms, a higher risk of hospitalisation and a greater risk of death than those without diabetes - suggesting that the underlying pathophysiology of heart failure may be different in diabetics and non-diabetics.”
More talking, more problems: 'Cell phone elbow' damages nerves “Orthopedic specialists are reporting cases of "cell phone elbow," in which patients damage an essential nerve in their arm by bending their elbows too tightly for too long. When cell phone users hold the phone to their ears, they stretch a nerve that extends underneath the funny bone and controls the smallest fingers. When talkers chat for a long time in that position, it "chokes the blood supply to the nerves. It makes the nerves short-circuit. The next thing you know, there's tingling in the ring and small finger," said Dr. Peter J. Evans, the director of the Hand and Upper Extremity Center at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. When that happens, the advice is simple: Switch hands -- before it gets worse. People who have this condition, called cubital tunnel syndrome, can feel weakness in their hands and have difficulty opening jars or playing musical instruments. “
Recognizing signs and symptoms of acute HF “These symptoms include: • shortness of breath (dyspnea), found to be evident in 92% of acute heart failure patients • peripheral oedema (in 35%) • cough (in 33%) • breathing difficulty when lying flat (orthopnea, in 30%) • chest pain (in 29%) • nocturnal dyspnea (in 28%) • fatigue (in 17%) • palpitations (in 7%) Shortness of breath, said Professor Follath, is by far the most common presenting symptom, and families should recognise that it can be described in various ways – from "suffocation" to "tight chest" to "heavy breathing". At the same time, he warned that many elderly patients with heart failure may have co-existing conditions with non-cardiac symptoms, and these may be misleading. Careful instruction, therefore, in a simple understandable way is essential to ensure early warning and speedy treatment.”
Monday May 25 - May 31, 2009
Elderly Women With 'Dowager's Hump' May Be At Higher Risk Of Earlier Death “Hyperkyphosis, or "dowager's hump" — the exaggerated forward curvature of the upper spine seen commonly in elderly women — may predict earlier death in women whether or not they have vertebral osteoporosis, UCLA researchers have found.”
Strategy Being Devised To Protect Use of BPA: Groups Hope to Block Ban of Chemical “Manufacturers of cans for beverages and foods and some of their biggest customers, including Coca-Cola, are trying to devise a public relations and lobbying strategy to block government bans of a controversial chemical used in the linings of metal cans and lids. According to internal notes of a private meeting, obtained by The Washington Post, frustrated industry executives huddled for hours Thursday trying to figure out how to tamp down public concerns over the chemical bisphenol A, or BPA. The notes said the executives are particularly concerned about the views of young mothers, who often make purchasing decisions for households and who are most likely to be focused on health concerns. “
Treating Gum Disease Helps Rheumatoid Arthritis Sufferers
High Blood Pressure Could Be Caused By A Common Virus, Study Suggests “A member of the herpes virus family, CMV affects all age groups and is the source of congenital infection, mononucleosis, and severe infection in transplant patients. By the age of 40, most adults will have contracted the virus, though many will never exhibit symptoms. Once it has entered the body, CMV is usually there to stay, remaining latent until the immune system is compromised, when it then reemerges. Previous epidemiological studies had determined that the CMV virus was linked to restenosis in cardiac transplant patients, a situation in which the heart's arteries "reblock." The virus had also been linked to the development of atherosclerosis, the hardening of the heart's arteries. … "Viruses have the ability to turn on human genes and, in this case, the CMV virus is enhancing expression of renin, an enzyme directly involved in causing high blood pressure," says Crumpacker. When the scientists inactivated the virus through the use of ultraviolet light, renin expression did not increase, suggesting that actively replicating virus was causing the increase in renin.”
Turmeric Extract Suppresses Fat Tissue Growth In Rodent Models “Curcumin, the major polyphenol found in turmeric, appears to reduce weight gain in mice and suppress the growth of fat tissue in mice and cell models. Researchers at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University (USDA HNRCA) studied mice fed high fat diets supplemented with curcumin and cell cultures incubated with curcumin.”
DASH Diet Reduces Risk of Heart Failure
Use of Polycarbonate Bottles and Urinary Bisphenol A Concentrations EHP 2009 (EHP 2009) “Conclusions One week of polycarbonate bottle use increased urinary BPA concentrations by two thirds. Regular consumption of cold beverages from polycarbonate bottles is associated with a substantial increase in urinary BPA concentrations irrespective of exposure to BPA from other sources.”
BPA, chemical used to make plastics, found to leach from polycarbonate drinking bottles into humans
Modestly Overweight Women Have Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction. (Clin Cardiol. 2009)
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Treatment & Medication
Total daily sleep duration and the risk of dementia: a prospective population-based study (European Journal of Neurology 2009) “Conclusions: Prolonged sleep duration (night-time sleep and daytime napping) may be associated with an increased risk of dementia.“
Urinary Incontinence and Overactive Bladder in Patients With Heart Failure. (J Urol. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: Urinary incontinence and overactive bladder are prevalent in patients with heart failure. Evidence of late stage heart failure, higher fatigue-depression composite and higher body mass index were associated with overactive bladder. Sex, age and diuretic use were not associated with urinary incontinence and overactive bladder.”
Cumulative incidence of vitamin B12 deficiency in patients with Alzheimer disease. (J Neurol Sci. 2009) “CONCLUSION: Our pilot data indicate that vitamin B12 levels decreased in this cohort of AD patients putting a substantial percentage at risk of deficiency and reaching deficiency state in a meaningful number of patients. Repeat screening for B12 deficiency after approximately 2 years of follow-up seems warranted in order to prevent hematological and neurological manifestations that may significantly alter their quality of life.”
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D Levels and Rate of Hip Bone Loss in Older Men. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2009) “Conclusions: In this cohort of community-dwelling older men, men with 25(OH)D levels <20 ng/mL had greater subsequent rates of hip bone loss, but rates of loss were similar among men with higher levels. These results lend support to the view that low 25(OH)D levels are detrimental to BMD in older men.”
Can Bacon Be Part of a Healthy Diet?
What Your Skin Says About Your Health Slideshow
Well Water Should be Tested Annually to Reduce Health Risks to Children ”"With few exceptions, well owners are responsible for their own wells," said Rogan. Private wells are not subject to federal regulations and are only minimally regulated by states. With proper care, well water is safe; however, wells can become contaminated by chemicals or pathogenic organisms. Nitrate, which comes from sewage or fertilizer, is the most common contaminant in wells. The presence of nitrates can be a problem particularly for infants under three months who can not metabolize nitrate. Water with a nitrate concentration of more than 1.0 milligrams per liter should not be used to prepare infant formula or given to a child younger than one year. The policy statement suggests using bottled water for infants when nitrate contamination is detected, or when the source of drinking water is not known. “
Acid-Suppressive Medication Use and the Risk for Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia (JAMA 2009) “Conclusions In this large, hospital-based pharmacoepidemiologic cohort, acid-suppressive medication use was associated with 30% increased odds of hospital-acquired pneumonia. In subset analyses, statistically significant risk was demonstrated only for proton-pump inhibitor use.”
Attention Problems in Kindergarten Could Spell Long-Term Academic Trouble “Compared with other childhood psychiatric problems, including depression, anxiety and disruptive behavior, Breslau and his team found that attention problems -- including symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) -- had the strongest impact on a child's future academic success. Signs of ADHD often begin showing up in kindergarten, a child's first school experience that demands a higher level of learning and cognitive skills. "Ultimately, students who do poorly may lose motivation to invest in academic work, become more open to competing interests, including substance abuse, and more likely to drop out of school," the study authors wrote in the article, published in the June issue of Pediatrics. As a child progresses through school, the level of failure from ADHD can snowball and lead to emotional problems, substance abuse and academic decline in later grades and difficulties after graduation, said Dr. David W. Goodman, an assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and director of the Adult Attention-Deficit Disorder Center of Maryland. "For kids, it's about academic achievement. But later in life, it's about ADHD's impact on family, occupation and social life," he said. The study stopped short of making specific recommendations, but suggested that school officials need to focus more resources on identifying and helping young children who are struggling with attention problems.”
New Risk Index Predicts Dementia in Elderly “The index items include older age, poor cognitive test performance, body-mass index, 1 or more apolipoprotein E4 alleles, white-matter disease on cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ventricular enlargement on cerebral MRI, internal carotid artery thickening on ultrasound, history of bypass surgery, slow physical performance, and lack of alcohol consumption.”
Among Obese Diabetics, Sleep Apnea May Be Common “Most of those who were undiagnosed also had a larger waist circumference, which the researchers found to be significantly associated with sleep apnea, as is higher body-mass index (BMI).”
Memory Takes a Hit During Menopause “"The good news is that when women are finished with the menopause transition and in steady postmenopause, cognitive performance, memory, learning, all that comes back to premenopause levels," said Dr. Arun S. Karlamangla, an associate professor of medicine at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine and the study's senior author.”
Mom and Baby Alike May Benefit From Exercise “"We know that women who exercise during pregnancy have less chance of developing certain conditions like gestational diabetes," said Dr. Raul Artal, chairman of obstetrics, gynecology and women's health for the Saint Louis University School of Medicine. "Not only that, exercise maintains musculoskeletal fitness. Women can cope with the anatomical and physiological changes of pregnancy better when they're in good shape. They also tolerate labor better and recover more quickly from delivery." The baby also benefits. One study found that when an expectant mother works out, her fetus reaps cardiac benefits in the form of lower fetal heart rates. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant women do at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day most days of the week. First, though, all women should consult a doctor to make sure it's OK. “
WHO chief says world should prepare for severe flu “Countries should be ready for more serious H1N1 flu infections and more deaths from the newly discovered virus, World Health Organization chief Margaret Chan said on Friday. The highly contagious strain must be closely monitored in parts of Asia, Africa and South America where the winter season is beginning in case it mixes with seasonal flu and mutates in "unpredictable ways," Chan told the closing session of her United Nations agency's annual congress. "In cases where the H1N1 virus is widespread and circulating within the general community, countries must expect to see more cases of severe and fatal infections," she said. "We do not at present expect this to be a sudden and dramatic jump in severe illness and deaths." “
Irregular Heartbeat Tied to Alzheimer's Disease “The abnormal heartbeat called atrial fibrillation is associated with later development of Alzheimer's disease, a large-scale study finds.”
Best, Worst Countries for Life Expectancy “The report shows that 14 countries had life expectancies of at least 81 years. Here are those countries, along with their life expectancy for babies born in 2007: • Japan: 83 • Australia, Iceland, Italy, San Marino: 82 • Andorra, France, Israel, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden: 81 At the other end of the life expectancy spectrum, 15 countries had life expectancy below age 50. Here are those countries and their life expectancy for babies born in 2007: • Sierra Leone: 41 • Afghanistan: 42 • Lesotho, Zimbabwe: 45 • Chad, Zambia: 46 • Central African Republic, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Swaziland, Uganda: 48 • Burkina Faso, Burundi, Mali: Nigeria 49”
Monday May 18 - May 24, 2009
Cranberry juice for the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections: A randomized controlled trial in children. (Scand J Urol Nephrol. 2009) “Conclusion. These data suggest that daily consumption of concentrated cranberry juice can significantly prevent the recurrence of symptomatic UTIs in children.”
Deadly Medical Errors Still Plague U.S. “The new report is "right on," says Lucian Leape, MD, adjunct professor of health policy at Harvard School of Public Health and longtime patient safety advocate. The lack of progress in implementing the IOM recommendations, he says, ''is an immense public policy failure." "It's hard to argue with the fact that we're not where we need to be,'' agrees Diane Pinakiewicz, president of the National Patient Safety Foundation. Even so, some progress is evident, Leape tells WebMD. "There have been improvements on the hospital level with very little help from the government," he says. He is referring to the common hospital protocols to be sure the right patient is operated on, the right side or limb is operated on, and it's the right operation.”
Fructose overconsumption causes dyslipidemia and ectopic lipid deposition in healthy subjects with and without a family history of type 2 diabetes (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2009)
Multiple Sclerosis: Understanding the Differences in MS
Faster BMI Drop in Old Age May Indicate Underlying Dementia
Pregnant Women With Mildly Abnormal Blood Sugar Levels At Higher Risk Of Developing Type 2 Diabetes “"These results show that even a mild abnormality in glucose testing during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of diabetes later in life. Although we already know that women who've had gestational diabetes need to be monitored, the study suggests that even women with mild glucose abnormalities might benefit from diabetes prevention and detection strategies," says Baiju Shah, ICES researcher.”
Arsenic In Irrigation Water Is Transferred To Crops
Sprained Ankle Rehab Complicated By Delayed Muscle Response, Study Finds “Whether on the trail, at the gym, or even on the front-porch steps, what happens inside your ankle in the milliseconds following a single misstep could sentence you to a lifetime of ankle trouble. And it’s not just the ligaments left with lasting damage, finds Brigham Young University researcher Ty Hopkins and collaborators from the University of Michigan. Their new study points to a leg muscle whose speed and quality of protective response is permanently compromised after a sprain.”
Swine Flu Data 'Very Consistent' With Early Stages Of A Pandemic
6 Daily Habits That May Make You Sick
Link Between Vitamin D Insufficiency And Bacterial Vaginosis In Pregnant Women “Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection in US women of childbearing age, and is common in pregnant women. BV occurs when the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina is disrupted and replaced by an overgrowth of certain bacteria. Because having BV puts a woman at increased risk for a variety of complications, such as preterm delivery, there is great interest in understanding how it can be prevented. Vitamin D may play a role in BV because it exerts influence over a number of aspects of the immune system. This hypothesis is circumstantially supported by the fact that BV is far more common in black than white women, and vitamin D status is substantially lower in black than white women. This relation, however, has not been rigorously studied.”
DNA Damage From Environmental Exposures May Occur In As Little As Three Days
Excessive Cola Consumption Can Lead To Super-sized Muscle Problems, Warn Doctors ““We are consuming more soft drinks than ever before and a number of health issues have already been identified including tooth problems, bone demineralisation and the development of metabolic syndrome and diabetes” says Dr Moses Elisaf from the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Ioannina, Greece. “Evidence is increasing to suggest that excessive cola consumption can also lead to hypokalaemia, in which the blood potassium levels fall, causing an adverse effect on vital muscle functions.” A research review carried out by Dr Elisaf and his colleagues has shown that symptoms can range from mild weakness to profound paralysis. Luckily all the patients studied made a rapid and full recovery after they stopped drinking cola and took oral or intravenous potassium. … It appears that hypokalaemia can be caused by excessive consumption of three of the most common ingredients in cola drinks – glucose, fructose and caffeine. “The individual role of each of these ingredients in the pathophysiology of cola-induced hypokalaemia has not been determined and may vary in different patients” says Dr Elisaf. “However in most of the cases we looked at for our review, caffeine intoxication was thought to play the most important role. This has been borne out by case studies that focus on other products that contain high levels of caffeine but no glucose or fructose. “Despite this, caffeine free cola products can also cause hypokalaemia because the fructose they contain can cause diarrhoea.” The authors argue that in an era when portion sizes are becoming bigger and bigger, the excessive consumption of cola products has real public health implications. “Although most patients recover when they stop drinking cola and take potassium supplements, cola-induced chronic hypokalaemia can make them more susceptible to potentially fatal complications, such as an irregular heartbeat” says Dr Elisaf. “In addition, excessive consumption of any kind of cola can lead to a range of health problems including fatigue, loss of productivity and muscular symptoms that vary from mild weakness to profound paralysis.”
Vitamin D useful in fighting a cold: Study “Vitamin D levels vary widely in the population. Fair-skinned people in sunny regions tend to have the most; dark-skinned people who don't get much sun exposure have the least. Study participants with the lowest vitamin D blood levels — under 10 nanograms per millilitre of blood — were about 40 per cent more likely to report recent colds or flu than those with vitamin D levels above 30 nanograms. That's not proof of cause and effect, but the study authors say it's a strong "association," or scientific connection. This association showed up all seasons of the year. It was strongest among study volunteers with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema. Asthma patients with the lowest vitamin D levels were five times more likely to have had a recent respiratory infection, while COPD patients had twice as many respiratory infections when they had a vitamin D deficiency.”
Multivitamins Might Prolong Life “Multivitamins may help women live longer by preventing parts of their DNA from shortening, a new study has found. Telomeres, or the end portion of chromosomes, protect chromosomes from damage. Because telomeres shorten slightly when cells divide, researchers speculated that preventing this shortening could protect new cells and thus reduce the effects of aging. "This study provides the first epidemiological evidence that multivitamin use is associated with longer leukocyte telomeres among women," said lead researcher Dr. Honglei Chen, head of the Aging & Neuroepidemiology Group at the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. "It is not yet clear if this association is causal." “
Tests Show More Swine Flu Immunity in Older Folks “Scientists think it's because older people have been exposed to other viruses in the past that are more similar to swine flu than more recent seasonal flus. But the results come from complicated lab work and calculations, and it's not yet clear how safe older people actually are from the new infection, federal officials said. "We can't say," said Dr. Anne Schuchat of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. So older people are advised to take the same precautions as their children and grandchildren. “
Major Depressive Episode and Treatment Among Adults
Smoking Appears Linked With Risk for Poor Memory in Middle Age “Compared with study participants who had never smoked, after adjustment for other confounding factors, smokers had a 37% increased risk of having scores in the lowest quintile on a memory test (they were more likely to recall less than 5 of 20 words), Ms. Sabia told Medscape Psychiatry.”
Vegetarian Diets May Protect Against Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes
Serum levels of vitamin D, sunlight exposure, and knee cartilage loss in older adults: The Tasmanian older adult cohort study. (Arthritis Rheum. 2009) “CONCLUSION: Sunlight exposure and serum 25(OH)D levels are both associated with decreased knee cartilage loss (assessed by radiograph or MRI). This is best observed using the whole range of 25(OH)D levels rather than predefined cut points and implies that achieving vitamin D sufficiency may prevent and/or retard cartilage loss in knee OA.”
Mom’s Obesity Linked to Asthma in Kids “How would having a mother who was obese during pregnancy influence asthma risk in youngsters? The researchers explain excess fat produces pro-inflammatory cytokines and suppresses anti-inflammatory cytokines. Cytokines are known to play a role in asthma. “Therefore, when you have an obese person, you are not just looking at a problem of excess fat, but a problem of systemic inflammation,” study author Jet Smit, Ph.D., was quoted as saying. “This may affect the immunological and pulmonary development in the fetus and possibly result in a higher risk of asthma symptoms after birth.” “
Cumulative Incidence of False-Positive Results in Repeated, Multimodal Cancer Screening (Annals of Family Medicine 2009) “CONCLUSIONS For an individual in a multimodal cancer screening trial, the risk of a false-positive finding is about 50% or greater by the 14th test. Physicians should educate patients about the likelihood of false positives and resulting diagnostic interventions when counseling about cancer screening.”
Chewable Aspirin Is Best for the Heart “Measurements of blood showed clearly that aspirin was absorbed fastest when administered in chewable form and swallowed. "This supports the recommendation to use chewable [aspirin] formulation in the treatment of ACS," the researchers say. ACS refers to "acute coronary syndrome," the general medical term meaning heart attack or sudden onset of angina. Current guidelines call for giving heart attack patients one aspirin tablet and for them to chew it to speed up its anti-blood-clotting properties. Aspirin works within 15 minutes to prevent the formation of blood clots in people with known coronary artery disease. One adult-strength aspirin contains 325 milligrams. The current study suggests that 325 milligrams of chewable aspirin would be preferred in the setting of a heart attack or sudden onset of angina (chest pain). However, aspirin should still be taken under these circumstances if the chewable form is unavailable. Aspirin use in patients with heart disease is common. People with known coronary disease often are told to take a "baby" aspirin (81 milligrams) daily to reduce their risk of heart attack of stroke.”
World Health Organization Issues Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Healthcare
Keep working 'to avoid dementia'
Frequent Feedings May Be Making Babies Fat “Mothers who fail to notice signs that their babies are full tend to overfeed them, resulting in excess weight gain when the infants are between 6 months and a year old, a new study has found. The finding comes from a study by Rutgers University researchers of 96 low-income black and Hispanic mothers who formula-fed their babies. The mothers recorded information about their babies' feedings, and researchers visited the mothers when the babies were 3, 6 and 12 months old to observe feedings and to weigh the babies. The study looked at a number of possible variables linked to infant weight gain and found that the number of feedings a day at 6 months approached significance in predicting weight gain from 6 to 12 months. It also found that mothers who were less sensitive to signals that their babies were full had infants who gained more weight.“
Women With Hard To Diagnose Chest Pain Symptoms At Higher Risk For Cardiovascular Events “Many physicians are presented with the following scenario: a woman comes into the office complaining of chest pain, undergoes a stress test to evaluate the chest pain, and the stress test results suggest coronary artery disease, a condition in which plaque builds up inside the coronary arteries. She is then referred for an angiogram to look at the coronary arteries and despite her symptoms and the abnormal stress test, she is told that the tests didn't find anything of clinical significance and is sent home without treatment. … The physicians hypothesize that this difficult to diagnose chest pain could be caused by microvascular angina and endothelial dysfunction, affecting blood vessels in which the layers of the cells are not functioning properly and may be undetectable by standard testing. Researchers believe endothelial dysfunction to be the earliest stage of coronary artery disease. The study authors recommend that women with chest pain symptoms undergo initial testing for coronary artery disease. If there is no evidence of coronary artery disease, patients should undergo further assessment for endothelial dysfunction. If detected, patients should then undergo treatment to improve the dysfunction. Women with symptoms, but no presence of endothelial dysfunction, should work with physicians to aggressively modify certain risk factors for heart disease, such as smoking, weight control and cholesterol.”
Monday May 11 - May 17, 2009
Exercise moderates age-related atrophy of the medial temporal lobe. (Neurobiol Aging. 2009) “Higher levels of exercise engagement were related to larger superior frontal volumes. Most critically, exercise engagement selectively moderated age-related medial temporal lobe atrophy. Specifically, significant age-related atrophy was observed for older adults who engaged in low levels of exercise, but not for those who engaged in high levels of exercise. This novel finding extends support for the efficacy of exercise to the potential maintenance of medial temporal lobe integrity in older adults.”
25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels Inversely Associate with Risk for Developing Coronary Artery Calcification. (J Am Soc Nephrol. 2009) “In conclusion, lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations associate with increased risk for incident CAC. Accelerated development of atherosclerosis may underlie, in part, the increased cardiovascular risk associated with vitamin D deficiency.”
Early Warning Signs: When to Call the Doctor about Alzheimer's
Hot flashes linked to lower bone density “The study, published in the journal Menopause, found postmenopausal women with vasomotor symptoms -- which include hot flashes and night sweats -- had lower bone mineral density.”
Age of Flu Victims Has Big Implications “The swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus that burst into public consciousness a month ago is starting to behave like a mixture of its infamous, pandemic-causing predecessors. It seems to have a predilection for young adults, as did its notorious ancestor, the 1918 Spanish influenza. Many of the young victims who have become deathly ill turned out to have other medical problems -- a phenomenon first clearly seen with the 1957 Asian flu. H1N1 is spreading easily in North America but sputtering in Europe, just as Hong Kong flu did in 1968. And as in the mini-pandemic of Russian flu in 1977, some people appear to have a degree of immunity. Exactly how swine flu fits into the pantheon of flu pandemics will not be known for a while. It will take months -- and many more victims -- for its full personality and behavior to emerge. But one thing is clear: This is a lot more than just seasonal flu out of season.”
From Rats To Humans: Around Thirty Europeans Infected With Cowpox Virus By Their Pet Rats “This is the first time that transmission of this type of virus, cowpox, from pet rats to humans has been described. This new disease underlines the risks of zoonoses (animal diseases that can be transmitted to humans) linked to the adoption of new types of pet.”
Pet Therapy Dogs May Carry MRSA And Clostridium Difficile Between Patients “University of Guelph in Canada researchers investigated whether MRSA and C.difficile could be passed between pet therapy dogs and patients. The findings suggested that MRSA and C. difficile may have been transferred to the fur and paws of these canine visitors through patients handling or kissing the dogs, or through exposure to a contaminated healthcare environment.”
Up To One In Six Older People Living At Home Face Malnutrition Risk “They found that women faced a higher overall risk and that men were more likely to be at risk if they were depressed.”
Study Demonstrates Link Between Appetite And Elderly Mortality “A new study by a Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) researcher reveals a linkage between elderly people's appetite and mortality rates, with those who report impaired appetite more likely to die sooner.”
Sustained Effect of Early Physical Activity on Body Fat Mass in Older Children. (Am J Prev Med. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: Some effects of early-childhood MVPA on fatness appear to persist throughout childhood. Results indicate the potential importance of increasing MVPA in young children as a strategy to reduce later fat gains.”
Green tea: nature's defense against malignancies. (Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2009)
How Healthy is Your Home? The Bathroom.
Low back pain: Exercises to reduce pain
What Is The Atkins Diet? What Are The Benefits Of The Atkins Diet? “The thrust of the Atkins Nutritional Approach is to significantly reduce one's carbohydrate (carbs) intake. The craze for low carbs comes mainly from the popularity of the Atkins' books. The Atkins diet is a four-phase eating program, combined with vitamin and mineral supplements, as well as regular exercise. Dr. Atkins said there are crucial unrecognized factors in our eating habits which make us fat. The main factor that causes us to put on weight is our consumption of refined carbs, especially sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, and flour. When on the Atkins Diet, the dieter's body's metabolism switches from burning glucose as fuel to burning its own stored body fat - this switching is called ketosis. When our glucose levels are low our insulin levels are low. Ketosis kicks in when our insulin levels are low. In other words, when our glucose levels are low our bodies switch to using our own stores of fat as a source of energy. Our insulin levels, because of our low glucose levels, are low just before we eat. As soon as we eat our glucose levels rise, which triggers our insulin levels to rise. Refined carbohydrates are full of glucose which enters our blood rapidly. Other types of carbs, what we call "good carbs" do not have such a strong impact on blood glucose levels, compared to refined carbs. During ketosis, some of the fat (lipid) stores in fat cells are transferred to the blood (lipolysis). According to Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution, a diet which is low in carbs triggers a metabolic advantage - the body burns more calories than it would on other diets. During this metabolic advantage the body also gets rid of some unused calories. According to a study published in The Lancet such a metabolic advantage does not happen - saying that lower calorie consumption is the cause of the weight loss.”
What Is The Mediterranean Diet? What Are The Benefits Of The Mediterranean Diet? “What does the Mediterranean Diet include? • Lots of plant foods • Fresh fruit as dessert • High consumption of beans, nuts, cereals and seeds • Olive oil as the main source of dietary fat • Cheese and yogurt as the main dairy foods • Moderate amounts of fish and poultry • No more than about four eggs each week • Small amounts of red meat each week (compared to northern Europe) • Low to moderate amounts of wine • 25% to 35% of calorie intake consists of fat • Saturated fat makes up no more than 8% of calorie intake The Mediterranean diet is known to be low in saturated fat, high in monounsaturated fat, and high in dietary fiber.”
What Is The Zone Diet? What Are The Benefits Of The Zone Diet? “For the last few hundreds of thousands of years we have spent most of our time eating two food groups: • Lean protein • Natural carbohydrates, such as fruits and fiber rich vegetables Our genes are still those of the hunter-gatherer, rather than the farmer. Farming is a relatively new phenomenon, as far as our genes are concerned. In other words, our genes have not yet adapted to consuming farmed products. Although our genes are programmed to gather fruit and vegetables and catch the occasional prey, we are consuming huge quantities of very dense, highly processed carbohydrates, such as grains and products made from grains. Pasta, bread, corn flakes, bagels, etc. are generally made from highly processed carbohydrates. As we are not programmed to consume large amounts of processed carbohydrates, and we experience unpleasant biochemical reactions to that consumption. The consequences include weight gain, insulin fluctuations, diabetes, heart disease, and generally bad health. The Zone Diet takes into account our genetic makeup. With the Zone Diet, Dr. Sears says, we consume the fuel our bodies really need for optimum health.”
Walk Long, Slow and Often to Help the Heart “For people in cardiac rehabilitation who are overweight, longer but slower walks are better for losing weight and improving heart health than shorter, brisker walks, a new study has found. Frequent long, slow walks -- 45 minutes to 60 minutes a day at a moderate pace, five to six days a week -- were found to burn more calories, improve cardiac function, reduce weight and body fat. The standard regimen for cardiac rehabilitation involves walking, biking or rowing for 25 minutes to 40 minutes at brisk pace three times a week. "The benefits of weight loss in cardiac patients have not been all that clear," said Dr. Philip A. Ades, a professor of medicine and director of cardiac rehabilitation and prevention at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and the study's lead researcher. "And docs are usually pessimistic that their patients can accomplish weight loss." In fact, most cardiac rehabilitation programs have not been effective in weight loss, Ades said. "The reason people don't lose weight in cardiac rehab is they don't burn enough calories with their exercise," he said. “
Sporadic Play Activity As Beneficial To Child Health As Continuous Bouts Of Exercise, Study Suggests “In other words, a child who accumulated short bursts of moderate or vigorous exercise throughout the day was just as healthy as a child who did a similar amount of activity over longer sessions.”
Research says older people need more sun “He said: "Vitamin D deficiency is becoming a condition that is causing a large burden of disease across the globe with particular deleterious impact among the elderly. Our results are consistent with those found in British and American populations. We found that low vitamin D levels were associated with an increased risk of having metabolic syndrome, and was also significantly associated with increased insulin resistance." Dr Franco said there were many factors which could explain why older people had less vitamin D in their blood, including changes in lifestyle factors such as clothing and outdoor activity. He added: "As we get older our skin is less efficient at forming vitamin D and our diet may also become less varied, with a lower natural vitamin D content. Most importantly, however, the dermal production of vitamin D following a standard exposure to UVB light decreases with age because of atrophic skin changes. When we are older we may need to spend more time outdoors to stimulate the same levels of vitamin D we had when we were younger." Vitamin D deficiency exists when the concentration of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25-OH-D) in the blood serum occurs at 12ng/ml (nanograms/millilitre) or less. The normal concentration of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D in the blood serum is 25-50ng/ml. “
Abnormal cells in cervix raise cancer risk: study “A woman's age and the type of treatment she gets may play a big role in the risk that abnormal cells on the cervix will return or develop into cervical cancer, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday. The said older women and women treated with a freezing procedure known as cryotherapy have the highest risks of having the abnormal cells come back or progress to cervical cancer. How severe the abnormal changes in cells were in the first place also plays a role. "We now have a much more clear idea of the risks of recurrent abnormal cells and invasive cervical cancer over time after treatment of these cells," said Joy Melnikow of the University of California Davis, whose study appears in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The condition, known as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), can progress to cancer. The main cause is the human papillomavirus or HPV, a common sexually transmitted disease. Pap smears, which women in most developed countries undergo regularly, sample the cervix for these abnormal cells. CIN is grouped into three stages, ranging from mild or grade 1, with just a few abnormal cells, to severe or grade 3, in which there are precancerous cells on the top layer of the cervix. … The researchers found the risk of cervical cancer and recurrence of grade 2 or grade 3 abnormal cells was highest for women who were over 40, who were previously treated for grade 3 or for those who whose cells were frozen using cryotherapy. Women treated with cone biopsy, a way of surgically removing the cells, were the least likely to have CIN again later. In general, they found most recurrences of CIN happened in the first six years after treatment, Melnikow said in an e-mail. She said women who have had treatment for the condition in the past have "a low, but higher-than-average risk of invasive cancer, so they need regular screening over an extended period of time." Melnikow said women treated surgically have higher risks of bleeding and preterm labor if they become pregnant after treatment. "Younger women planning later pregnancies may prefer cryotherapy; their risk of recurrence is lower and a recurrence can be treated again," she said.”
Body Mass Index Above Ideal Range Linked to Large Increase in Mortality Rate “"In adult life, it may be easier to avoid substantial weight gain than to lose that weight once it has been gained," the study authors conclude. "By avoiding a further increase from 28 kg/m² to 32 kg/m², a typical person in early middle age would gain about 2 years of life expectancy. Alternatively, by avoiding an increase from 24 kg/m² to 32 kg/m² (ie, to a third above the apparent optimum), a young adult would on average gain about 3 extra years of life." “
Marine fish food in the United States and methylmercury risk. (Int J Environ Health Res. 2009) “Confined to this seafood source, trends of landings indicating high concentration species (above 0.7 ppm, tilefish, shark, king mackerel and swordfish) were significantly decreased. People bought stable amount of medium MeHg level species (0.3-0.7 ppm, grouper, Spanish mackerel) but less amount of low concentration level species (below 0.3 ppm, catfish, tuna and southern flounder).”
Household Chemicals May Show Up in Blood “"In everyone we found fire retardants, Teflon chemicals, fragrances, bisphenol A or BPA, and perchlorate," she tells WebMD. Flame retardants are found in foam furniture, televisions, and computers. Teflon is used in nonstick coatings and grease-resistant food packaging. BPA is a plastics chemical; perchlorate, a rocket fuel ingredient, can contaminate tap water and food. Fragrances have been associated with hormone disruption in animal studies. Every woman tested positive for up to 60% of the 75 chemicals evaluated, the report found.”
AGS 2009: Advancing Age Increases Risk for Nonremitting Depression
Consistency With the DASH Diet and Incidence of Heart Failure (Arch Intern Med. 2009) “Conclusion In this population, diets consistent with the DASH diet are associated with lower rates of HF. “
Syncope and Its Consequences in Patients With Dementia Receiving Cholinesterase Inhibitors (Arch Intern Med. 2009) “Conclusions Use of cholinesterase inhibitors is associated with increased rates of syncope, bradycardia, pacemaker insertion, and hip fracture in older adults with dementia. The risk of these previously underrecognized serious adverse events must be weighed carefully against the drugs' generally modest benefits.”
Precancerous Skin Lesions and Skin Cancer Slideshow
CDC: H1N1 Flu Numbers Represent a "Very Great Underestimate" “"The virus is continuing to spread.... Fortunately, the severity of illness that we are seeing at this point doesn't look as terrible as a category 5 pandemic...but influenza virus is unpredictable," she said. "It can change over time."”
Monday May 4 - May 10, 2009
H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) – CDC May 10, 2009
Influenza A(H1N1) – WHO update 24 May 10, 2009
Health effects of trans-fatty acids: experimental and observational evidence (European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2009)) “Conclusions: Controlled trials and observational studies provide concordant evidence that consumption of TFA from partially hydrogenated oils adversely affects multiple cardiovascular risk factors and contributes significantly to increased risk of CHD events.”
Cardiovascular Benefits Of Daily Exercise In School Children Are Evident Even After One Year “School children as young as 11 can benefit from a daily exercise programme in reducing their levels of several known risk factors for cardiovascular disease. An ongoing study, which began four years ago in the German city of Leipzig, shows already that children assigned to daily exercise lessons reduced their overall prevalence of obesity, improved their exercise capacity, increased their levels of HDL-cholesterol, and reduced their systolic blood pressure.”
Autism Diagnosis Often Made Years After It Was Possible “Shattuck says that parents need to trust their instincts. "If there is something about your child's development that concerns you, or if your child is exhibiting some symptoms of autism such as a failure to make eye contact, not speaking one word by 16 months, or not responding to their name, talk to your child's pediatrician," he says. "If the doctor ignores your concerns, seek a second opinion."”
Massage After Exercise Myth Busted “Kinesiology MSc candidate Vicky Wiltshire and Dr. Tschakovsky set out to discover if this untested hypothesis was true, and their results show that massage actually impairs blood flow to the muscle after exercise, and that it therefore also impairs the removal of lactic acid from muscle after exercise.”
Benefit Of Grapes May Be More Than Skin Deep: Lower Blood Pressure, Reduced Heart Damage “Heart cells, like other cells in the body, make an antioxidant protein called glutathione, which is one of our first defenders against damaging oxidative stress. High blood pressure causes oxidative stress in the heart and lowers the amount of protective glutathione. However, intake of grapes actually turned on glutathione-regulating genes in the heart and significantly elevated glutathione levels. This may explain why the hearts of grape-fed animals functioned better and had less damage.”
More compressions, fewer interruptions lead to higher cardiac arrest survival “Study highlights: • Survival rates for sudden cardiac arrest patients increased when professional rescuers focused on minimizing interruptions to chest compressions during CPR. • Compression rate was increased to 50 compressions followed by two breaths. • Rescuers delayed other interventions, such as intubation and IVs, until enough compressions had been given."
Surgical Errors Increase Deaths and Readmissions (Med Care. 2009)
Association between chronic dental infection and acute myocardial infarction. (J Endod. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: This study presents evidence that patients who have experienced myocardial infarction also exhibit an unfavorable dental state of health in comparison to healthy patients and suggests an association between chronic oral infections and myocardial infarction.”
What Is Neuropathy? What Causes Neuropathy? “Neuropathy usually causes pain and numbness in the hands and feet. It can result from traumatic injuries, infections, metabolic disorders, and exposure to toxins. One of the most common causes of neuropathy is diabetes. … About 30% of neuropathy cases are considered idiopathic, which means they are of unknown cause. Another 30% of neuropathies are due to diabetes. In fact, about 50% of people with diabetes develop some type of neuropathy. The remaining cases of neuropathy, called acquired neuropathies, have several possible causes, including: …”
'Too early' to say flu virus mild “It is too early to assume the swine flu outbreak is a mild infection just because no-one in the UK has died, England's chief medical officer says. Sir Liam Donaldson warned against complacency because flu viruses could change character "very rapidly". “
Urinary Incontinence Pictures Slideshow: Foods and Drinks That Make You Gotta Go
Bullying may make kids psychotic “People who are bullied as children have twice the risk of having delusions, hallucinations or other psychotic symptoms as pre-teens as those who have not been bullied, British researchers said on Monday. They said bullying -- especially when it is severe or chronic -- can have serious consequences for some children, and may even act as a trigger for people who are genetically predisposed to schizophrenia. "Chronic or severe peer victimization has nontrivial, adverse, long-term consequences," Andrea Schreier of the University of Warwick in Coventry, England, and colleagues wrote in the Archives of General Psychiatry. Several studies have shown that traumatic events in childhood such as physical or sexual abuse are linked with the development of psychosis in adulthood. And people who display psychotic symptoms in childhood are more prone to develop schizophrenia as adults.”
Monday April 27 - May 3, 2009
Low Vitamin D Causes Problems For Acutely Ill Patients “"Recently, Vitamin D has been recognised for its many roles beyond the musculoskeletal system. It has been implicated in diabetes, in the immune system, in cancers, in heart disease and in metabolic syndrome." "Vitamin D appears to have roles in controlling sugar, calcium, heart function, gut integrity, immunity and defence against infection. Patients in ICU suffer from different degrees of inflammation, infection, heart dysfunction, diarrhoea and metabolic dysregulation – so vitamin D deficiency may play a role in each of these common ICU conditions." “
Angina and gastroesophageal reflux diseases linked “It is well known that non-cardiac chest pain is closely related to gastro-oesophageal reflux diseases (GORD). Chest pain of oesophageal origin can be difficult to distinguish from that caused by cardiac ischaemia because the distal oesophagus and the heart share a common afferent vagal supply, and GORD can cause episodes of non-cardiac chest pain that resemble ischaemic cardiac pain. … The study results suggest that an extra-oesophageal condition causes GORD symptoms and that angina may be misclassified as GORD. Since patients with GORD have an increased risk of angina pectoris in the year after GORD diagnosis, physicians have to be concerned about missing clinically important CAD while evaluating patients for GORD symptoms.”
Inadequate Sleep Leads to Misbehaved Kids “They found children who slept less than 7.7 hours had a higher hyperactivity and impulsivity score and a higher ADHD total score but a similar inattention score than those children who slept longer. Children who had trouble sleeping displayed behaviors such as hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention.”
Early Fetal Exposure to Hong Kong Flu Linked to Low Adult IQ “Maternal infection with Hong Kong influenza during the first trimester in the 1969-1970 season is associated with reduced intelligence in adult offspring, according to a Norwegian study published online by the Annals of Neurology on April 15. Previous research has tied prenatal influenza exposure to mental retardation, explain Dr. Willy Eriksen and co-authors at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health in Oslo. However, the effect of prenatal exposure to epidemic influenza on mean intelligence in the general population has yet to be explored. The Honk Kong flu, which had antigenic properties from both an avian virus and a human virus, emerged worldwide in the late 1960s. Norway was affected primarily between November 1969 and January 1970, with an estimated attack rate of 15% to 40%.”
Oily Fish Eaten Once a Week Associated With Lower Rates of HF, but No Benefits of More Frequent Intake “A new observational study in Sweden has found that eating oily fish once a week seems to protect middle-aged and older men against developing heart failure [1]. But eating it more often than that did not give a greater benefit; in fact, it returned the risk to the same level seen in those who never ate oily fish. Dr Emily B Levitan (Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA) and colleagues report their findings online April 21, 2009 in the European Heart Journal. Levitan told heartwire the apparent U-shaped relationship of oily fish with heart failure found "was unexpected. We showed you get the most bang for your buck at the beginning part of the curve," she noted. However, she said that although they did not see a benefit of eating oily fish twice a week in this particular study, "I think the totality of the evidence is better captured by the official recommendations." The AHA recommends eating fish, preferably oily fish, twice a week, she notes, and the Swedish National Food Administration advises consuming fish two to three times per week. … Levitan adds that the type of fish eaten is key. In Sweden, where her study was conducted, "the bulk of the population was eating herring, mackerel, or tuna once a week," she said. "In the US, we do eat salmon, but there's very little consumption of herring or mackerel, which are better sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Also, we eat a lot of tuna [in the US], and that is one of the less oily of the oily fish. "The bottom line is this study is another indication that a moderate intake of oily fish is probably helpful for cardiovascular health," she concluded.“
What Every Woman Should Know about Alcohol and Pregnancy
H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) (CDC – USA) April 30, 2009
60 Percent Of Americans Live In Areas Where Air Is Dirty Enough To Endanger Lives “The report finds that air pollution hovers at unhealthy levels in almost every major city, threatening people’s ability to breathe and placing lives at risk. Some of the biggest sources of air pollution, including dirty power plants, dirty diesel engines and ocean-going vessels, also worsen global warming. “The more we learn, the more urgent it becomes for us to take decisive action to make our air healthier,” added Nolan.”
Influenza pandemic alert raised from phase 4 to 5 (WHO) April 30, 2009
Prolonged, Exclusive Breast-Feeding Linked to Improved Cognitive Development
Obesity Associated With Higher Risk For Urinary Tract Infections “ "Patients with elevated body mass index should be vigilant about urologic health because even the most simple of urinary tract infections can be deadly if left untreated." “
Women who keep ovaries live longer “Each year, hundreds of thousands of women who undergo hysterectomies have their ovaries removed along with their uterus, a practice meant to protect them from ovarian cancer. But a new study has found that women who keep their ovaries live longer. While women who had their ovaries removed developed fewer breast cancers and almost entirely eliminated their risk of ovarian cancer over 24 years of follow-up, they were more likely to develop heart disease than women who kept their ovaries, and they were more likely to die. The new findings — from an analysis of data in the famous Nurses' Health Study, published in the May issue of the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology — raises questions about a widespread practice. Some 300,000 American women a year, about half of those who have hysterectomies, have their ovaries removed. “
PET bottles potential health hazard “Water bottles made from PET plastic leach compounds that mimic the hormone oestrogen raising questions about their safety, say German researchers. Previous research has focused on plastics containing the chemical bisphenol-a (BPA). During that time regular PET plastic water bottles have maintained a reputation as safe, at least as far as human health is concerned. But new evidence suggests that PET, or polyethylene terephthalate, may not be so benign after all. Scientists at Goethe University in Frankfurt found that estrogenic compounds leach from the plastic into the water. “
Swine Flu One Step Closer to Pandemic “Swine flu has pushed the World Health Organization to raise its pandemic alert level to phase 5, which means that a pandemic is imminent. It's the second time in a week that the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised its pandemic alert level, which ranges from phase 1 (low risk of a pandemic) to phase 6 (a full-blown pandemic is under way). “
Swine flu: How serious is the global threat? “Swine flu is one of the many type A influenza viruses. It's unusual for humans to catch swine flu, but occasional cases occur, usually in people who have contact with infected pigs. Like other flu viruses, the swine flu virus changes its DNA as it spreads, giving rise to a number of subtypes. Health officials around the world are concerned about the current swine flu outbreak because: • It's caused by a new strain of swine flu virus, which means humans haven't had a chance to develop antibodies that could be used to make a vaccine. The new strain is a variant of a recognized swine flu virus — swine influenza virus H1N1. The new form contains DNA sequences from human and avian influenza viruses, as well as from other strains of swine influenza. …”
Experts: Chances Low of Swine Flu Outbreak Becoming a Pandemic “"We have a lot more tools to combat a pandemic of flu viruses today than we have ever had before," said Dr. Tomas Aragon, who heads the UC Berkeley center for infectious diseases and emergency readiness. Besides the relatively new influenza anti-viral drug called Tamiflu, which is known to be effective against this version of swine flu, Aragon noted, scientists are now able to determine the specific genetic subtype of a flu virus involved in an outbreak, which helps them develop highly specific vaccines. There are also many new antiviral drugs available to fight the virus, as well as antibiotics to combat secondary infections. Tamiflu and another anti-viral drug called Relenza are now stockpiled by the government and are being released as needed, Aragon said. By raising the pandemic alert level on swine flu from phase 3 to 4 Monday, the World Health Organization confirmed that the disease was now spreading through human-to-human contact and that community-level outbreaks outside of Mexico had been found. “
Family History of Asthma Boosts Odds Almost 6 Times “Adults with a family history of asthma are up to six times more likely to develop the disease than an average person, say U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers.”
Radiation Exposure Linked to Aggressive Thyroid Cancers “Thyroid cancer patients who've previously been exposed to radiation have more aggressive disease and worse outcomes than other patients, a new study finds. Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto studied 125 thyroid cancer patients who'd been exposed to radiation -- for example, in the workplace, through environmental exposure, or for treatment of acne or other benign conditions -- at least three years before they had surgery for their thyroid cancer. “
Pregnant and Older May Mean More Complications “Although the rate of complications during pregnancy has remained unchanged since 1993, the percentage of pregnant women with preexisting conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, has increased, a new study finds. The scientists speculated that the increase was driven by more obese women and more older women having babies. Both obesity and the mother's age have been linked to increased complications during pregnancy and delivery, according to researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "There's the good news and the bad news," said study co-author Dr. William Callaghan, a senior scientist in the CDC's Maternal and Infant Health Branch in the Division of Reproductive Health. "The good news is that we are seeing some improvements. The bad news is that some of the traditional complications of pregnancy -- hemorrhage and hypertension -- are increasing." “
U.S. Steps Up Alert as More Swine Flu Is Found “The United States declared a "public health emergency" yesterday as countries from New Zealand to Scotland investigated suspected cases of illness that they feared might be a strain of swine flu that has been identified in Mexico, the United States and Canada.”
WHO raises swine flu alert level “The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised its alert level over swine flu from three to four - two steps short of declaring a full pandemic. WHO Assistant Director General Dr Keiji Fukuda said it signalled a "significant step towards pandemic influenza", but added "we are not there yet". Mexico earlier said it believed 149 people had now died from the swine flu outbreak - only 20 cases are confirmed. Other, milder, cases are confirmed in the US, Canada, Spain and Britain. The WHO's decision to raise the alert level to four came after an emergency meeting of experts, brought forward by a day because of concerns over the outbreak. “
Monday April 20 - April 26, 2009
World 'well prepared' for virus “As the UN warned the outbreak might become a pandemic, Dr Keiji Fukuda said years of preparing for bird flu had boosted world stocks of anti-virals. Canada is the latest country to confirm cases after as many as 81 deaths in Mexico and 20 cases in the US. Washington has warned the flu may yet claim American lives. "I do fear that we will have deaths," Dr Anne Schuchat of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told reporters. Eight cases have been confirmed among New York students, seven in California, two in Texas, two in Kansas and one in Ohio. Several countries in Asia and Latin America have begun screening airport passengers for symptoms. There is currently no vaccine for the new strain of flu but severe cases can be treated with antiviral medication. “
Atherosclerosis and Disc Degeneration/Low-Back Pain - A Systematic Review. (Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2009) “CONCLUSION: Aortic atherosclerosis and stenosis of the feeding arteries of the lumbar spine were associated with DD and LBP. Cardiovascular risk factors had weaker associations, being clearly apparent only in cohorts on elderly people or in large study samples. More prospective clinical studies are needed to further clarify the association of atherosclerosis and low-back disorders.”
Human Swine Influenza Investigation
Pesticide Exposure Found To Increase Risk Of Parkinson's Disease “In a new epidemiological study of Central Valley residents who have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, researchers found that years of exposure to the combination of these two pesticides increased the risk of Parkinson's by 75 percent. Further, for people 60 years old or younger diagnosed with Parkinson's, earlier exposure had increased their risk for the disease by as much as four- to six-fold.”
Outcomes of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator for acute ischemic stroke in patients aged 90 years or older. (Mayo Clin Proc. 2009) “By the 30-day follow-up, 2 patients (9%) had a favorable outcome (mRS score, 0-2) and 2 (9%) had moderate disability (mRS score, 3). Most patients died (n=10) or experienced severe disability, defined as an mRS score of 4 or 5 (n=5). Asymptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage occurred in 3 patients (14%) and was nonfatal. Most patients aged 90 years or older who received intravenous tPA for acute ischemic stroke had poor 30-day functional outcomes or died. Intravenous tPA treatment in this age group does not improve the outcome of ischemic stroke.”
Consumption of sweet foods and breast cancer risk: a case-control study of women on Long Island, New York. (Cancer Causes Control. 2009) “These results are consistent with other studies that implicate insulin-related factors in breast carcinogenesis.”
Snacking On High GI Foods During Late Pregnancy May Lead To The Birth Of A Heavier Baby With An Increased Risk Of Childhood Obesity “Mothers who snack on high GI (Glycaemic Index) foods like chocolate and white bread during later pregnancy may give birth to heavier babies with a greater risk of childhood obesity, according to new research published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.”
Tourette Syndrome And ADHD Frequently Occur Together “The most disabling aspect of Tourette syndrome is that in 90% of cases, it exists in conjunction with another disorder. The most frequent co-occurring condition in people with Tourette is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), though the cause of this association is uncertain. Having one disorder can be disabling enough, but having two means coping with more than twice the disability. … Tourette syndrome has a great spectrum of severity. People with Tourette have motor and vocal tics -- rapid, repetitive, meaningless movements and sounds. Common motor tics include forceful blinking, opening the eyes wide, head shaking and grimacing, while the most common vocal tics are sniffing, throat clearing and grunting. Some people are very mildly affected, while others have more severe symptoms which make the disorder more noticeable and disabling. It is believed that Tourette syndrome affects about 1 in 100 people; however, many people do not seek medical attention for the disorder because the symptoms are so mild. "There are a lot of misconceptions out there about people who suffer from Tourette. The images we see on TV and movies are completely false. I have some patients who have severe tics, but less than 10% of patients with Tourette syndrome swear. It's uncommon," says Pringsheim.”
Health officials prepare for swine flu 'pandemic' “A new swine flu strain that has killed as many as 68 people and sickened more than 1,000 across Mexico has “pandemic potential,” the World Health Organization chief said Saturday, and it may be too late to contain the sudden outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stepped up surveillance across the United States. "We are worried," said the CDC's Dr. Anne Schuchat.”
Heavy Drinking Doubles Risk for Essential Tremor Later in Life “Drinking 3 units of alcohol a day increases the risk of developing essential tremor, a new study shows. Investigators reporting in the April issue of the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry warn of the potential cerebellar neurotoxicity of alcohol — particularly important information for those who use alcohol to relieve symptoms of essential tremor. Essential tremor affects an estimated 5 million American adults older than 60 years. The cause is unknown, but it is thought to be the result of damage to the Purkinje cells and disrupted signaling between synapses.”
Vitamin D Levels in Elders “Comment: Average vitamin D levels were similar in both of these studies in older people. The factors that predisposed elders to vitamin D deficiency in the U.S. study have been recognized previously in younger populations. The Dutch results suggest that bone metabolism is affected adversely when 25(OH)D levels drop below a threshold of about 20 ng/mL. This finding supports 20 ng/mL as a reasonable cutoff for a designation of vitamin D deficiency.”
Fish Oil Protects Against Diseases Like Parkinson's “ … findings showing that an omega three fatty acid in the diet protects brain cells by preventing the misfolding of a protein resulting from a gene mutation in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Huntington's.”
Mexico Swine Flu Epidemic Worries World “Mexico's deadly swine flu outbreak is caused by the same virus identified in the U.S., says CDC Acting Director Richard Besser, MD. The CDC is analyzing 14 virus samples sent from Mexico. Seven of them, the CDC learned today, are very similar to the unusual swine flu strain isolated from U.S. patients. … Alarmingly, the flu outbreak in Mexico is striking healthy young people -- a pattern that would be expected if a flu virus new to humans emerged. "Because these cases are not happening in the very old or the very young, which happens with seasonal influenza, this is an unusual event and a cause for heightened concern," Hartl said in a CBC interview.“
Killing Flu Germs: What Works? “But before you douse all your possessions with bleach, there’s one thing you should know: Experts say that you really don’t need to bother. “Honestly, if you’re trying to prevent the flu, there’s just not evidence that spraying everything with disinfectant is going to make any difference,” says Christine Hay, MD, assistant professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Why is that? “Outside of the body, the flu is a really wimpy virus,” Hays says. Other flu experts agree. “There may be some transmission of flu through things like tabletops and doorknobs, but it plays a very minimal role,” says William Schaffner, MD, chairman of the department of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University’s School of Medicine in Nashville. … There have been studies of how long significant amounts of flu germs can survive on surfaces. Estimates range from a few minutes up to 24 hours, depending on the type of surface. (It lives longest on hard surfaces.) While 24 hours seems like a long time, experts downplay the significance. “I’ve looked at the data, and there just isn’t good evidence that environmental surfaces have a significant role in the transmission of the virus,” says Trish M. Perl, MD, assistant professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins Medical School in Baltimore. Instead, the flu seems to depend more on direct transmission from an infected person. … If you’ve got the urge to clean away flu germs, the best place to start is with your hands. “Covering your mouth and washing your hands are the two most important ways to stop the spread of the flu,” Perl tells WebMD. What should you wash with? You might assume that antibacterial soap would be preferable, but that’s the not the case. First of all, flu is caused by a virus, not bacteria. Second, any type of soap will do. “Time and thoroughness are what matters when it comes to washing your hands,” says Schaffner. “Not the type of soap.” It’s the scrubbing that counts. You’re not killing the virus with soap so much as dislodging it from your skin and sending it down the sink drain. The CDC recommends that you wash your hands for the length of time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice, about 15 to 20 seconds. Schaffner says that while 30 seconds would be ideal, he admits that this isn’t always possible. … the three most important things you can do to keep flu germs out of your life. • Regularly wash your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer. • Cover your mouth when you cough, preferably with something other than your hand. • Get the flu vaccine every year. “
Charred Meat May Increase Risk Of Pancreatic Cancer “Over the course of nine years, researchers identified 208 cases of pancreatic cancer. Preferences for high temperature cooked meat were generally linked with an increased risk; subjects who preferred very well done steak were almost 60 percent as likely to get pancreatic cancer as compared to those who ate steak less well done or did not eat steak. When overall consumption and doneness preferences were used to estimate the meat-derived carcinogen intake for subjects, those with highest intake had 70 percent higher risk than those with the lowest intake.”
Breast Is Best: New WHI Data Extend CV Benefits of Breast-Feeding to Mom “Women who breast-fed for a year or more were less likely to develop hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular disease when postmenopausal than women who were pregnant but never breast-fed, a new analysis of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) has found [1]. … “ … A woman who becomes pregnant and does not breast-feed is actually putting herself at risk. So we can talk about the benefits of breast-feeding but perhaps it is better framed as the risks of not breast--feeding."”
AACR 2009: Oncologists Should Recommend Exercise, But Not Supplements “Oncologists should recommend exercise to cancer patients; there is accumulating evidence to show that it can improve both prognosis and quality of life, according to Melinda Irwin, PhD, MPH, associate professor of epidemiology and public health at the Yale School of Medicine, in New Haven, Connecticut. However, the evidence for supplements, such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, is insufficient to make any science-based recommendations on their use in cancer patients, according to Cornelia Ulrich, MS, PhD, from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, University of Washington, in Seattle.“
Why Andorrans live longer than everyone else
Battle of the Sugars: Fructose vs. Glucose “Results show individuals who drank fructose-sweetened beverages gained the same amount of weight as those who drank glucose, but fructose clearly reduced the body's sensitivity to insulin. Fructose drinkers also showed a rise in intra-abdominal fat and demonstrated signs of dyslipidemia, which is marked by increased levels of fat-soluble molecules known for making lipids in the body. These are all traits of metabolic syndrome, which increases a person's risk of heart attack.”
Fresh fruit allergies on the rise “It used to be an apple a day kept the doctor away but it seems the reverse can sometimes happen. Immunologists in the UK say fruit and vegetables are replacing the peanut as a major cause of allergies in children. Doctors in Australia agree that more and more people are reacting to fresh produce, particularly bananas.”
Genes Hike Melanoma Risk Even in Those Who Tan Well “If you have dark eyes, dark hair and tan easily, you might think you don't have to worry much about melanoma. But new research shows that variations of a particular gene can raise the risk of this deadly skin cancer, even in people whose ability to tan may make them appear to be at low risk. Having a variant of the melanocortin-1 receptor gene (MCIR) puts people who have dark hair, dark eyes and who tan easily at more than twice the risk of getting melanoma as those with similar complexions who don't have the variant. "Traditionally, a clinician might look at a person with dark hair who did not sunburn easily and classify them as lower risk for melanoma, but that may not be true for all people in the population," said Peter Kanetsky, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and a co-author of research on the topic. "Just because you tolerate sun exposure fairly well doesn't mean that you're not at increased risk for melanoma." “
Managing lower back pain: You may be doing too much (APCToday 2009)
What Is Salt? How Much Salt Should I Eat?
Forcing Cleaner Manufacturers to Come Clean “There's a lot at stake: studies show links between chemicals in common household cleaners and respiratory irritation, asthma, and allergies. Independent research has also documented troubling hormone-disrupting qualities of alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) -- commonly found in detergents, disinfectants, stain removers, and floor cleaners. And because many cleaning chemicals survive the sewage system and are released into streams, there is growing concern that such chemicals pose a threat to fish and other aquatic wildlife, causing, among other things, the "feminization" of male fish and throwing ecosystems out of balance.”
Outgoing Nature Could Get You to 100 “They found that the offspring of centenarians were more extraverted than the published norms. That means "they are quite social, establish important friendships and view these friendships as 'safety nets,' " important sources of help when needed, Perls said. The offspring of centenarians scored lower than the norms on neuroticism, the study found. Perls said that translates into an ability to manage stress very well. Women in the study also scored high in agreeableness, a trait that might pave the way for friendships, Perls said. The men in the study were no higher in agreeableness than normal, and men and women scored average levels for openness and conscientiousness. As for the exact relationship between personality and longevity, "we are relying on scientific literature to understand exactly what it means," Perls said. For instance, he said, it makes sense that scoring lower in neuroticism -- and handling stress well -- would contribute to a longer life, because stress has been shown in scientific studies to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Other research has found social ties to be important to an older person's health. "We really found that the offspring of centenarians, in their 70s and early 80s, are very much following in the footsteps of their parents," Perls said. "They have 60 percent reduced rates of heart disease, stroke and diabetes." “
Exercise Reduces Leakage through the Blood Brain Barrier “Results show how regular exercise may have yet another benefit -- delaying the formation of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Both diseases are connected with leakage through the blood-brain barrier.”
Too much or too little sleep increases risk of diabetes “Researchers at Université Laval's Faculty of Medicine have found that people who sleep too much or not enough are at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance. The risk is 2½ times higher for people who sleep less than 7 hours or more than 8 hours a night.”
Ask Me If I've Washed My Hands “What shocked me most that day was observing this physician go from room to room, examining pregnant women, without washing his hands. It was only too ironic that the screen-savers on the computers where he entered his notes blinked insistently at him to wash his hands to protect patient health. Having spent only one afternoon there, I thought I must have missed it and convinced myself that I didn't have enough evidence to be sure. In my third year, however, I find I am having a similar experience, this time working with physicians in a clinic where they don't accept Medicaid, and most patients are Caucasian and well-insured. In the course of an afternoon, I followed my preceptor from room to room without seeing her touch either a faucet or a soap dispenser. She didn't change the ear tips on the otoscope, either. Just think of that waxy residue from the last patient making it into your ears, or worse, the combined earwax of every patient seen that day. Eww!”
Lifetime exercise may cut breast cancer death risk “Women who participate in recreational exercise and sports over their lifetime may be lowering their risk of death from breast cancer and breast cancer recurrence. Among 1,231 women with breast cancer who were followed for a minimum of 8.3 years, those who obtained about 4 hours or more of weekly moderate-intensity recreational activity over their lifetime had a 44 percent lower risk of death from breast cancer, report Dr. Christine Friedenreich and colleagues. “
[Air Pollution and Recent Symptoms of Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis, and Atopic Eczema in Schoolchildren Aged Between 6 and 7 Years.] (Arch Bronconeumol. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that air pollutants such as SO(2) and CO increase the risk of recent symptoms of asthma and allergic rhinitis in schoolchildren aged between 6 and 7 years in Spain.”
Surgery for obesity. (Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: Surgery is more effective than conventional management. Certain procedures produce greater weight loss, but data are limited. The evidence on safety is even less clear. Due to limited evidence and poor quality of the trials, caution is required when interpreting comparative safety and effectiveness.”
Maternal positions and mobility during first stage labour (Cochrane Reviews 2009) “There is evidence that walking and upright positions in the first stage of labour reduce the length of labour and do not seem to be associated with increased intervention or negative effects on mothers' and babies' wellbeing. Women should be encouraged to take up whatever position they find most comfortable in the first stage of labour.”
Position in the second stage of labour for women without epidural anaesthesia (Cochrane Reviews 2009) “The tentative findings of this review suggest several possible benefits for upright posture, with the possibility of increased risk of blood loss greater than 500 ml. Women should be encouraged to give birth in the position they find most comfortable. Until such time as the benefits and risks of various delivery positions are estimated with greater certainty, when methodologically stringent trials' data are available, women should be allowed to make informed choices about the birth positions in which they might wish to assume for delivery of their babies.”
New Sleep Environment Risk Factors for SIDS Identified “Factors associated with an increased risk for SIDS were bed sharing, particularly for infants younger than 13 weeks; use of duvets; sleeping prone on a sheepskin; sleeping in the house of a friend or a relative vs sleeping in the parental home; and sleeping in the living room vs in the parental bedroom. Pacifier use during the last sleep was associated with a significantly decreased risk for SIDS.“
Kids Can Make a Beautiful Marriage Ugly “The birth of children has an immediate negative impact on even blissfully happy couples, raising stress and reducing satisfaction levels of husbands and wives, new research says. Reasons for the negative toll kids take on marriage vary between men and women, but researchers say satisfaction levels start dropping as soon as children are born. … There was a significant decrease in marital satisfaction for both men and women after the birth of a child. Sudden increases in problem intensity and poor conflict management, and decreases in relationship confidence, were seen in mothers after birth; a sudden decrease in relationship dedication was seen in fathers. In the couples without children, declines in marital satisfaction occurred gradually over time. Men had decreased relationship dedication, as well, over time. Mothers with daughters had greater decreases in marital satisfaction compared to mothers who had boys. The authors write that their findings are "consistent with previous studies that have shown that male children are associated with lower rates of divorce and higher marital satisfaction, possibly because fathers of girls are less active in childcare than fathers of boys."
Early Conduct and Emotional Problems Predict Suicidal Behavior in Males “Impulsive or aggressive behavior combined with emotional problems in young boys is a strong predictor of later suicidal behavior, according to a new study. The study found that 1 in 20 boys with comorbid conduct and emotional problems at the age of 8 years killed themselves or seriously attempted to, whereas only 1 in 250 males who did not exhibit these early psychiatric problems did. As well, the study showed that almost 80% of males demonstrating suicidal behavior exhibited signs of psychiatric illness early in life.”
Monday April 13 - April 19, 2009
The low prevalence of allergic disease in Eastern Europe. (Clin Exp Allergy. 2009) “Results Significantly increased risks of wheezing and hayfever symptoms in the past 12 months, and of recurrent itchy rash were observed in boys, children with a positive first-degree family atopic history, and those who had received probiotics (especially as prophylaxis with antibiotic use). Pet ownership, contact with farm animals, the presence and number of younger and (especially) older siblings, and residency in rural areas of Western Belarus were associated with reduced risks. Maternal postnatal smoking was associated with wheezing and hayfever symptoms, while the duration of exclusive breastfeeding was not protective against any of the studied outcomes. The risk factors for allergic symptoms were similar in children with positive skin-prick tests to those in the overall cohort. Conclusion Many of the risk and protective factors we identified are consistent with those reported in Western countries and with the hygiene hypothesis. Further research on dietary and other environmental and genetic factors is necessary to understand the low prevalence of allergic disease in Belarus and other Eastern European countries.”
Low home ventilation rate in combination with moldy odor from the building structure increase the risk for allergic symptoms in children. (Indoor Air. 2009) “Furthermore, low ventilation rate in combination with moldy odor along the skirting board further increased the risk for three out of four studied outcomes, indicating that the ventilation rate is an effect modifier for indoor pollutants. Practical Implications This study showed that mold odor at the skirting board level is strongly associated with allergic symptoms among children. Such odor at that specific place can be seen as a proxy for some kind of hidden moisture or mold problem in the building structure, such as the foundation or wooden ground beam. In houses with odor along the skirting board, dismantling of the structure is required for an investigation of possible moisture damage, measurements, and choice of actions. In homes with low ventilation in combination with mold odor along the skirting board, there was even a higher risk of health effects. This emphasizes the need for the appropriate remediation as this is an ever increasing problem in poorly ventilated houses that are damp.”
Doctor – Hospital – Nursing Homes Rankings
A prospective study of meat, cooking methods, meat mutagens, heme iron, and lung cancer risks. (Am J Clin Nutr. 2009) “CONCLUSION: We observed a moderate association between meat consumption and lung carcinoma, which might be explained by heme iron intake, high-temperature cooking, and associated mutagens.”
‘Silent’ heart attacks more deadly than thought “For a heart attack that might have occurred in the past, doctors look for changes on an electrocardiogram called a Q-wave, a marker for damaged tissue. But not all silent heart attacks result in Q-waves. "Those are the ones we haven't been able to count because we've never had a good way to document them," Kim said. To spot these, Kim and colleagues used a new type of magnetic resonance imaging technology called delayed enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance, which is especially adept at finding damaged heart tissue. … They found that 35 percent of the patients had evidence of a prior heart attack. And they found that these so-called non-Q-wave heart attacks were three times more common than silent heart attacks with Q-waves.”
High fructose corn syrup: How dangerous is it?
Meta-Analysis Supports Heart-Health Benefits From a Mediterranean Diet “Strong evidence supports the protective effect of a Mediterranean diet on risk of CHD, and overall diet pattern appears more important than individual foods [1]. These findings, from a review of close to 200 studies, are published in the April 13, 2009 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. "We found strong evidence that a 'Western' diet--which is high in processed meats, red meats, butter, eggs, refined grains, and high-fat dairy products--is associated with an increased risk of CAD, so we could say [to patients]: 'You should consume less of those types of foods and gravitate more toward a "prudent" diet or a Mediterranean diet, which are both high in fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and fish,' " senior author Dr Sonia Anand (McMaster University, Hamilton, ON) told heartwire. Although this message is not really new, what is new is the way that this review assessed the strength of the evidence, she noted. The study also found strong evidence of increased CHD risk from consuming trans-fatty acids and foods with a high glycemic index such as white potatoes, sugar, white rice, and white bread. … Concurring with the study authors, he noted: "Overall, the dietary pattern is what needs to be emphasized. It's not a matter of good foods and bad foods. It's what the overall quality of the diet is. The Western pattern is high in saturated fat, trans-fat, and cholesterol, whereas a Mediterranean diet and 'prudent' diet include more monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats, and there is more fish consumption."”
Guidelines Needed for Optimal Vitamin D Supplementation in Cancer Patients “A growing amount of research suggests that vitamin D may be beneficial to cancer patients. In addition, laboratory, ecologic, and epidemiologic studies have shown some evidence that higher levels of vitamin D might lower the risk for colon, breast, endometrial, and prostate cancers.”
The effect of acute treadmill walking on cognitive control and academic achievement in preadolescent children. (Neuroscience. 2009) “Collectively, these findings indicate that single, acute bouts of moderately-intense aerobic exercise (i.e. walking) may improve the cognitive control of attention in preadolescent children, and further support the use of moderate acute exercise as a contributing factor for increasing attention and academic performance. These data suggest that single bouts of exercise affect specific underlying processes that support cognitive health and may be necessary for effective functioning across the lifespan.”
Acute Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Cognitive Function in Older Adults. (J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2009) “These findings suggest that light and moderate exercises improve cognitive function across the adult lifespan, although the mechanisms underlying the effects of observed acute aerobic exercise on cognitive function may be age dependent.”
Aspirin Linked to Brain Microbleeds “And then, "it is not clear at this point what significance we can attach to seeing microbleeds," Greenberg said. Some studies have shown an association between microbleeds and an increased risk of major bleeding events in the brain, but those studies have included only small numbers of people, he added. There also is some data indicating that microbleeds are associated with reduced brain function, but their role is unclear, because "they tend to travel together with other kinds of small-vessel brain disease," Greenberg said. "It's not clear at this point whether microbleeds are doing any substantial harm to the brain, but we do know that antiplatelet drugs help prevent heart attacks and strokes," Greenberg said. The most that can be said is that the study "is a little bit of a warning for us to think about antiplatelet drug therapy as a risk for hemorrhagic damage to the brain," he said. Therefore, there is no message to physicians yet about who should or should not be prescribed antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin, Greenberg said. "It's important not to overreact until we are sure of what gives people the best combination of benefit without much risk," he said.“
Serum Antioxidants and Skin Cancer Risk: An 8-Year Community-Based Follow-up Study (Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 2009) “Conclusion: Relatively high serum selenium concentrations are associated with an 60% decrease in subsequent tumor incidence of both BCC and SCC, whereas serum concentrations of carotenoids or -tocopherol are not associated with later skin cancer incidence. A possible U-shaped association between serum selenium concentrations and SCC of the skin needs confirmation.”
Greater vegetable and fruit intake is associated with a lower risk of breast cancer among Chinese women. (Int J Cancer. 2009)
Extreme BMI predicts higher asthma prevalence and is associated with lung function impairment in school-aged children. (Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009)
Your Garage May Be a Danger Zone
Marathoners Go the Distance on Heart Health: Even walking half an hour a day can boost longevity, study finds “They found that men who ran two or more marathons per year were 41 percent less likely to suffer from high blood pressure, 32 percent less likely to have high cholesterol, and 87 percent less likely to have diabetes than non-marathoners. … Study author Paul Williams found that the benefits of running marathons were largely independent of total number of miles run per year by participants. This indicates that isolated distance running bouts in preparation for marathons may have helped decrease the risk of disease. Even runners who didn't enter marathons, but did include longer runs as part of their usual exercise routines, were less likely to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes.”
Maltreatment in Childhood Linked to Depression and Inflammation Later in Life “The study found that depressed people with a history of maternal rejection, or physical, sexual or other abuse were twice as likely to have elevated inflammation levels compared with controls. In contrast, depressed people without a history of maltreatment had similar inflammation levels as controls.”
Monday April 6 - April 12, 2009
Persistent chest pain and no obstructive coronary artery disease. (JAMA. 2009) “Two underdiagnosed cardiac causes for persistent chest pain include microvascular coronary disease and abnormal cardiac nociception. Microvascular coronary disease is associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and sudden cardiac death, and treatment directed at improving endothelial function can improve outcomes. Abnormal cardiac nociception is also a cause for persistent chest pain caused by heightened coronary pain perception. Coronary reactivity testing allows for direct measurement of blood flow characteristics in response to vasoactive agents for the diagnoses of microvascular coronary disease and can be a useful tool to differentiate causes of chest pain.”
Lifestyle Changes Could Prevent More Colorectal Cancer Than Screening “Researchers from the United Kingdom predict that "realistic" lifestyle modifications involving diet and exercise would lead to a 26% reduction in the number of cases of colorectal cancer in the British population. This would be expected to produce at least an equivalent decrease in the number of deaths, they add. "This is considerably greater than what is likely to be achieved by the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program," they note. They previously estimated that this project, which involves 2 yearly screenings with fecal occult blood testing, would reduce colorectal cancer mortality in those screened by 13% to 15% over the next 20 years (J Med Screen. 2008:15:163-174). An added bonus from the lifestyle-modification approach is that it would also prevent deaths from other causes, including cancers of the breast and upper gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes, the researchers add.”
Waist Size Found To Be Predictor Of Heart Failure In Both Men And Women “A life-threatening condition that develops when the heart can no longer pump enough blood to meet the body's needs, heart failure (also known as congestive heart failure) is usually caused by existing cardiac conditions, including high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. Heart failure is the leading cause of hospitalization among patients 65 and older, and is characterized by such symptoms as fatigue and weakness, difficulty walking, rapid or irregular heartbeat, and persistent cough or wheezing. … "By any measure – BMI, waist circumference, waist to hip ratio or waist to height ratio –our findings showed that excess body weight was associated with higher rates of heart failure," explains Levitan.”
Do minor head impacts in soccer cause concussive injury? A prospective case-control study. (Neurosurgery. 2009) “CONCLUSION: A reduced neuropsychological performance was found after minor head impacts in soccer, even in allegedly asymptomatic players.”
Weight Gain Early In Life Can Lead To Physical Disabilities In Older Adults “"In both men and women, being overweight or obese put them at greater risk of developing mobility limitations in old age, and the longer they had been overweight or obese, the greater the risk," said lead investigator Denise Houston, Ph.D., R.D., an assistant professor of gerontology at the School of Medicine and an expert on aging and nutrition. "We also found that, if you were of normal weight in old age but had previously been overweight or obese, you were at greater risk for mobility limitations."”
Serum Antioxidants and Skin Cancer Risk: An 8-Year Community-Based Follow-up Study. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2009) “CONCLUSION: Relatively high serum selenium concentrations are associated with an approximately 60% decrease in subsequent tumor incidence of both BCC and SCC, whereas serum concentrations of carotenoids or alpha-tocopherol are not associated with later skin cancer incidence. A possible U-shaped association between serum selenium concentrations and SCC of the skin needs confirmation.”
Teaching Autistic Teens To Make Friends “"The class is very structured, and the skills are broken into small steps that give the teens specific actions they can take in response to a social situation," Laugeson said. "This method of instruction is very appealing to teens with autism because they tend to think concretely and often learn by rote. So if they are teased, for example, we teach them to give a short comeback — like saying 'whatever' or 'so what?' They learn not to take the bait." “
Visceral adipose tissue and atherosclerosis. (Curr Vasc Pharmacol. 2009) “Visceral fat has been demonstrated to express more inflammatory cytokines than subcutaneous fat in obese states. The adipose tissue secretory profile may reflect the influx of macrophages that has been shown to occur with expansion of fat stores. This macrophage infiltration may lead to a chronic low grade, systemic, inflammatory state. Since circulating markers of inflammation are associated with cardiovascular events, the inflammation triggered by adipose tissue may contribute to increased vascular disease. While the vasculopathic effects of visceral obesity may be best treated by weight loss, long term weight loss is difficult to achieve, even with currently available pharmacotherapies.”
New Tests Provide New Insight Into Why Patients Are In Heart Failure “Heart failure is becoming increasingly common as people survive heart attacks but live with heart muscles that are too weak to contract and/or relax properly. Blood comes into the right side of the heart from the body then to the lungs then back to the left side of the heart which pumps it out to the body. In heart failure, fluid backs up in the lungs and the rest of the body, causing swelling and making it hard to breathe. Patients often require frequent hospitalization and five-year survival rates are about 50 percent. Treatment includes lifestyle changes such as losing weight, restricting sodium and drug therapy such as diuretics, to help kidneys eliminate excess fluid and sodium.“
Oral Sexual Behaviors Associated with Prevalent Oral Human Papillomavirus Infection (The Journal of Infectious Diseases 2009) “Oral sex and open-mouthed kissing are associated with the development of oral HPV infection.”
Mental Health Problems In Childhood May Predict Later Suicide Attempts In Males “Most males who commit suicide or need hospital care for suicide attempts during their teen or early adult years appear to have high levels of psychiatric problems at age 8, according to a new report. However, later suicide attempts in females are not predicted by mental health issues at this age.”
Air Pollution Exposure May Slow Fetal Growth “The study found that the risk of a small birth-weight baby increased significantly with each increase in particulate matter of 4 micrograms per cubic meter during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy. Each 10 parts per billion increase in nitrogen oxide exposure was also associated with a large increase in the risk of a small birth-weight baby. The findings suggest that traffic pollution or living close to a major road could be linked to restricted fetal growth, said David Rich and colleagues from the department of epidemiology at the School of Public Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, in Piscataway, N.J. They also found that exposure to particulate matter in later pregnancy was associated with a two- to fivefold increased risk of restricted fetal growth among mothers with separation of the placenta before birth and premature rupture of the membrane, compared with mothers who did not have these complications.“
Three Drinks a Day Doubles Risk of Tremor “Having more than a couple of drinks a day can double the risk of developing involuntary (essential) tremor, a neurological disorder that affects about 5 million people over the age of 60 in the United States. … The researchers noted that alcohol is a known brain toxin, especially in the cerebellum, which is the part of the brain involved in involuntary tremor. Alcohol is often used to relieve symptoms of essential tremor, but this study suggests alcohol may actually speed progression of the condition and worsen symptoms.”
Effects of Exercise Training on Health Status in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure (JAMA. 2009) “Conclusions Exercise training conferred modest but statistically significant improvements in self-reported health status compared with usual care without training. Improvements occurred early and persisted over time. “
Efficacy and Safety of Exercise Training in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure (JAMA. 2009) “After adjustment for highly prognostic predictors of the primary end point, exercise training was associated with modest significant reductions for both all-cause mortality or hospitalization and cardiovascular mortality or heart failure hospitalization.”
Parkinson's Disease Medication Can Trigger Destructive Behaviors, Study Finds “A new study conducted at Mayo Clinic reports that one in six patients receiving therapeutic doses of certain drugs for Parkinson's disease develops new-onset, potentially destructive behaviors, notably compulsive gambling or hypersexuality. … Dopamine agonists are a class of drugs that include pramipexole and ropinirole. They are commonly used to treat Parkinson's disease, but low doses also are used for restless legs syndrome. They uniquely stimulate brain limbic circuits, which are thought to be fundamental substrates for emotional, reward and hedonistic behaviors.”
[Reliability of food labels from products marketed in the city of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil.] (Rev Saude Publica. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: High indices of non-compliance of nutritional data were found on labels of foods aimed at children and adolescents, indicating the urgent need for surveillance practices and other nutritional labeling measures.”
Your Bathroom May Be a Danger Zone
Do You Know Which Symptoms Signal a Heart Attack in Women? ““It’s very typical for people to make a fist when they’re describing their symptoms,” she says. “Some people describe it as feeling like a vise encasing their whole chest area.” But in women, symptoms are more likely to be atypical: Although most women experience chest pain or discomfort, many don’t. In a 2003 Circulation study of female heart attack patients, scientists found that during an attack, 43% of the 515 women studied had no “acute chest pain, a ‘hallmark symptom in men.’” The study noted some common female heart attack symptoms: • shortness of breath (57.9%) • weakness (54.8%) • unusual fatigue (42.9%) Women had other atypical heart attack symptoms, too: nausea, dizziness, lower chest discomfort, upper abdominal pressure or discomfort that feels like indigestion, and upper back pain. Often, women are unfamiliar with these atypical symptoms and blame them on heartburn or indigestion, arthritis, or stress, experts say. If they become short of breath with little exertion, they tell themselves they are out of shape, overworked, or fatigued. Pay attention to heart attack symptoms But experts urge women to learn the various heart attack symptoms and to call 911 promptly at the appearance of these signs. While every woman feels indigestion once in a while, experiencing a cluster of unusual symptoms or a sensation in the chest or stomach never felt before is reason to seek emergency care. Park has seen too many patients wait too long. Because women have lots of competing demands -- jobs, families, and sometimes caregiving duties -- “taking care of themselves, even if they don’t feel well, usually doesn’t make it to the top of the list,” she says. “
Study Finds 1 in 5 Obese Among 4-Year-Olds “A striking new study says almost 1 in 5 American 4-year-olds is obese, and the rate is alarmingly higher among American Indian children, with nearly a third of them obese. Researchers were surprised to see differences by race at so early an age. Overall, more than half a million 4-year-olds are obese, the study suggests. Obesity is more common in Hispanic and black youngsters, too, but the disparity is most startling in American Indians, whose rate is almost double that of whites. The lead author said that rate is worrisome among children so young, even in a population at higher risk for obesity because of other health problems and economic disadvantages. “
A Case of Ascending Paralysis: the Signs and Symptoms of Tick Paralysis (American Academy of Emergency Medicine. 2009)
Severe Adverse Effects of Smoking May Be Reversible if Mothers Quit Early in Pregnancy
Numerous CT Scans Over Lifetime May Increase Cancer Risk “"CT is an excellent diagnostic tool of tremendous clinical value in many situations," Dr. Sodickson said. "Individual decisions about its use should balance the expected clinical benefits against the potential cumulative risks of recurrent imaging." Dr. Sodickson points out that for patients who have not undergone a large number of CT scans, the benefits of appropriate CT exams typically outweigh the potential risks. "However, we feel that a higher clinical threshold is warranted in patients undergoing a large amount of recurrent CT imaging," Dr. Sodickson said, "particularly if many of their prior CT scans have been negative. This scenario may result in a combination of high cumulative risk with low clinical benefit."“
Blood pressure and the risk for dementia—A double edged sword (Ageing Research Reviews 2009)
Monday March 30 - April 5, 2009
Babies Born To Women With Anxiety Or Depression Are More Likely To Sleep Poorly “Results indicate that preconceptional psychological distress – anxiety or depression - was a strong predictor of infant night waking, independent of the effects of postnatal depression, bedroom sharing and other confounding factors. Significant psychological distress prior to conception was associated with a 23-percent increased risk of infant night wakings at 6 months of age and a 22-percent increased risk at 12 months of age.”
Packing on Pounds Impacts the Gums “Results showed a waist circumference of more than 40 inches upped the risk for gum disease by 19 percent. Waist circumference and obesity remained significant risk factors even after the investigators accounted for diabetes and smoking. The authors say this is the first evidence linking obesity with periodontal disease.“
Asperger Syndrome Tied to Low Cortisol Levels “Low levels of a stress hormone may be responsible for the obsession with routine and dislike for new experiences common in children with a certain type of autism. U.K. researchers found that children with Asperger syndrome (AS) do not experience the normal twofold increase of cortisol upon waking up. Levels of the hormone in their bodies do continue to decrease throughout the day, though, just as they do in those without the syndrome. The body produces cortisol, among other hormones, in stressful situations. Cortisol increases blood pressure and blood sugar levels, among other duties, to signal the body's need to adapt to changes occurring around it. It's thought that the increase shortly after waking helps jump-start the brain for the day ahead, the researchers said. “
Study finds new evidence of periodontal disease leading to gestational diabetes “A new study by NYU dental researchers has uncovered evidence that pregnant women with periodontal (gum) disease face an increased risk of developing gestational diabetes even if they don't smoke or drink, a finding that underscores how important it is for all expectant mothers – even those without other risk factors – to maintain good oral health.”
How eating fish fingers can prevent your baby's eczema
Post-Epidural Headache: How Late Can It Occur? (The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine 2009)
Cerebral infarct presenting with thunderclap headache (The Journal of Headache and Pain 2009)
Brain function decline in healthy retired athletes who sustained their last sports concussion in early adulthood (Brain 2009) “Relative to controls, former athletes with a history of concussion had: (i) lower performance on neuropsychological tests of episodic memory and response inhibition; (ii) significantly delayed and attenuated P3a/P3b components; (iii) significantly prolonged CSP and (iv) significantly reduced movement velocity (bradykinesia). The finding that the P3, the CSP as well as neuropsychological and motor indices were altered more than three decades post-concussion provides evidence for the chronicity of cognitive and motor system changes consecutive to sports concussion.”
The Dopamine Hypothesis of Schizophrenia: Version III--The Final Common Pathway. (Schizophr Bull. 2009)
Meat consumption is associated with obesity and central obesity among US adults. (Int J Obes (Lond). 2009) “Conclusions:These US national cross-sectional data show positive associations between MC and risk for obesity and central obesity.”
Rocket fuel chemical found in baby formula “Traces of a chemical used in rocket fuel were found in samples of powdered baby formula, and could exceed what’s considered a safe dose for adults if mixed with water also contaminated with the ingredient, a government study has found. … No tests have ever shown the chemical caused health problems, but scientists have said significant amounts of perchlorate can affect thyroid function. The thyroid helps set the body’s metabolism. Thyroid problems can impact fetal and infant brain development.”
Beverage Consumption A Bigger Factor In Weight, Study Shows “Researchers recommend limited liquid calorie intake among adults and to reduce sugar-sweetened beverage consumption as a means to accomplish weight loss or avoid excess weight gain.”
Vitamin D Supplements Associated With Reduced Fracture Risk In Older Adults “Oral vitamin D supplements at a dose of at least 400 international units per day are associated with a reduced risk of bone fractures in older adults, according to results of a meta-analysis.”
Vertigo Linked To Osteoporosis “"These findings suggest a problem with calcium metabolism in people with vertigo," said study author Ji Soo Kim, MD, PhD, of Seoul National University College of Medicine in Korea. "Women most often have their first case of vertigo in their 50s, when they are also having a drop in bone mass due to loss of estrogen. Estrogen is one of the main hormones that influence calcium and bone metabolism." Kim said researchers haven't determined the role of estrogen in vertigo. Kim noted that the link between osteoporosis and vertigo was also found in men, so other factors must also play a role.“
Source Of Major Health Benefits In Olive Oil Revealed “Heart disease is caused partly by reactive oxygen, including free radicals, acting on LDL or "bad" cholesterol and resulting in hardening of the arteries. Red blood cells are particularly susceptible to oxidative damage because they are the body's oxygen carriers. … DHPEA-EDA was the most effective and protected red blood cells even at low concentrations. The researchers say the study provides the first evidence that this compound is the major source of the health benefit associated with virgin olive oils, which contain increased levels of DHPEA-EDA compared to other oils. In virgin olive oils, DHPEA-EDA may make up as much as half the total antioxidant component of the oil.”
Lead In The Blood Increases Women's Mortality “This study shows that environmental toxicants, such as lead, may account for some of the burden of cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. It kills nearly half a million women in the United States every year, more than the next five causes of death combined and nearly twice as many as all forms of cancer, including breast cancer. The authors conclude, "While the damage may already have been done for some older people, it is important that we recognize the harm that environmental exposure to lead can cause. We must remain vigilant and ensure that lead pollution is minimized for the sake of future generations' health".”
Pregnant Women Who Smoke, Urged To Give Up Before 15 Week 'Deadline'
Diabetics On High-fiber Diets Might Need Extra Calcium
Over-45s ignore sex disease risks “Sexually transmitted infections have doubled in under a decade in people over 45 and have been rising at a faster rate than in the young, recent figures from the Health Protection Agency show.”
Drinking Water Contaminated With Potent Estrogen, According To Study “They detected estrogen contamination in 60% of the samples (12 of the 20 brands) analyzed. Mineral waters in glass bottles were less estrogenic than waters in plastic bottles. Specifically, 33% of all mineral waters bottled in glass compared with 78% of waters in plastic bottles and both waters bottled in composite packaging showed significant hormonal activity. By breeding the New Zealand mud snail in both plastic and glass water bottles, the researchers found more than double the number of embryos in plastic bottles compared with glass bottles. Taken together, these results demonstrate widespread contamination of mineral water with potent man-made estrogens that partly originate from compounds leaching out of the plastic packaging material. The authors conclude: "We must have identified just the tip of the iceberg in that plastic packaging may be a major source of xenohormone* contamination of many other edibles. Our findings provide an insight into the potential exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals due to unexpected sources of contamination." “
FDA Says To Avoid Pistachios Amid Salmonella Scare “The Food and Drug Administration said central California-based Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc., the nation's second-largest pistachio processor, was voluntarily recalling more than 2 million pounds of its roasted nuts shipped since last fall.”
Polypill 'could become a reality' “Critics say the problems of high blood pressure and cholesterol should be tackled with diet and exercise rather than by popping a pill. The polypill used in the latest study combines five active pharmacological ingredients widely available separately - aspirin, a statin to lower cholesterol and three blood pressure-lowering drugs - as well as folic acid. “
Too Much Salt Hurting Majority of Americans “Americans already eat way more than the recommended amount of salt, and now the CDC finds that even lower recommendations apply to 70% of us. New data show that the average U.S. adult consumes one-and-a-half teaspoons of salt every day. That's a half teaspoon more than the basic daily recommendation of one teaspoon (about 2,300 milligrams of sodium). But the recommendation is much lower for people with high blood pressure, people over 40, and all African-American adults. These groups should be eating no more than two-thirds of a teaspoon of salt (about 1,500 milligrams of sodium) per day. “
Monday March 23 - March 29, 2009
Association Between Body Mass Index and Colorectal Neoplasia at Follow-Up Colonoscopy: A Pooling Study (American Journal of Epidemiology 2009) “Our results provide further support for the association between BMI and metachronous colorectal adenomas, particularly among men, thereby indicating that body size may affect colorectal carcinogenesis at comparatively early stages.”
Cell phones and brain tumors: a review including the long-term epidemiologic data (Surgical Neurology 2009) “The authors conclude that there is adequate epidemiologic evidence to suggest a link between prolonged cell phone usage and the development of an ipsilateral brain tumor.”
Omega-3 Fatty Acids Reduce Risk Of Advanced Prostate Cancer
Daily Drinking Rather Than Binge Drinking Is Biggest Risk Factor In Serious Liver Disease, New Study Finds “The study, published in the journal Addiction this week, concludes that increases in UK liver deaths are a result of daily or near daily heavy drinking, not episodic or binge drinking, and this regular drinking pattern is often discernable at an early age. It also recommends that several alcohol-free days a week is a healthier drinking pattern.”
Fish in U.S. Rivers Tainted With Common Medications “The common antihistamine diphenhydramine (Benadryl), an anticonvulsant and two types of antidepressants were among the seven types of pharmaceuticals found in the tissue and livers of fish from waterways in or near Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Orlando, Fla. Each river is considered "effluent-dominated," because they receive large amounts of wastewater discharge from nearby sewage treatment plants.”
Mayo Clinic Study Suggests Those Who Have Chronic Pain May Need To Assess Vitamin D Status “This study found that patients who required narcotic pain medication, and who also had inadequate levels of vitamin D, were taking much higher doses of pain medication -- nearly twice as much -- as those who had adequate levels. Similarly, these patients self-reported worse physical functioning and worse overall health perception. In addition, a correlation was noted between increasing body mass index (a measure of obesity) and decreasing levels of vitamin D. Study results were published in a recent edition of Pain Medicine.”
Steaming hot tea linked to cancer “Drinking steaming hot tea has been linked with an increased risk of oesophageal (food tube) cancer, Iranian scientists have found. The British Medical Journal study found that drinking black tea at temperatures of 70C or higher increased the risk. Experts said the finding could explain the increased oesophageal cancer risk in some non-Western populations. … Oliver Childs, a spokesman for Cancer Research UK, said: "Tea drinking is part of many cultures, and these results certainly don't point to tea itself being the problem. "But they do provide more evidence that a regular habit of eating and drinking very hot foods and drinks could increase your risk of developing cancer of the oesophagus." He added: "People in this region of northern Iran often drink very hot tea as part of their daily routine. We're a nation of tea lovers in the UK, but we don't tend to drink tea at such high temperatures and we usually add milk, which cools it down." “
CDC: Fido and Fluffy Behind 86,000 Falls a Year “The rate was nearly twice as high for people 75 and older. And women were two times more likely to be injured than men. Most were quickly treated and released, but nearly 10 percent involved broken bones, internal injuries or other conditions that required hospitalization, the researchers found. Cats mainly caused injuries by tripping people -- a phenomenon well understood by cat owners who have affectionate felines that rub against their shins and ankles during the morning walk to the coffee pot. Dogs were blamed in most of the pet-caused injuries. They tripped people, startled them and pushed or pulled them off balance during a walk. Or they ran away and their owners toppled chasing after them. Their dog toys also caused tumbles. “
Rhinitis Associated with Pesticide Exposure among Commercial Pesticide Applicators in the Agricultural Health Study. (Occup Environ Med. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to pesticides may increase the risk of rhinitis.”
Pots, Pans, and Plastics: A Shopper's Guide to Food Safety
Hypertriglyceridemia and Its Pharmacologic Treatment Among US Adults (Arch Intern Med. 2009) “Conclusions Among US adults, hypertriglyceridemia is common. Until the benefits of treating hypertriglyceridemia that is not characterized by extreme elevations of TG concentration with medications are incontrovertible, therapeutic lifestyle change remains the preferred treatment.”
Use of a Fan May Reduce SIDS Risk (Medscape Pediatrics. 2009)
Study: Lots of red meat increases mortality risk “Over 10 years, eating the equivalent of a quarter-pound hamburger daily gave men in the study a 22 percent higher risk of dying of cancer and a 27 percent higher risk of dying of heart disease. That's compared to those who ate the least red meat, just 5 ounces per week. Women who ate large amounts of red meat had a 20 percent higher risk of dying of cancer and a 50 percent higher risk of dying of heart disease than women who ate less. For processed meats, the increased risks for large quantities were slightly lower overall than for red meat. The researchers compared deaths in the people with the highest intakes to deaths in people with the lowest to calculate the increased risk. People whose diets contained more white meat like chicken and fish had lower risks of death.”
Meat Intake and Mortality (Arch Intern Med. 2009) “Red and processed meat intakes, as well as a high-risk meat diet, were associated with a modest increase in risk of total mortality, cancer, and CVD mortality in both men and women. In contrast, high white meat intake and a low-risk meat diet was associated with a small decrease in total and cancer mortality. These results complement the recommendations by the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund to reduce red and processed meat intake to decrease cancer incidence.31 Future research should investigate the relation between subtypes of meat and specific causes of mortality.”
Risk of incident Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism in essential tremor: a population based study. (J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ET were four times more likely than controls to develop incident PD during prospective follow-up. These data confirm and begin to quantify the link between these two diseases.”
Urban air pollution: Influences on olfactory function and pathology in exposed children and young adults. (Exp Toxicol Pathol. 2009)
Risk Factors for Falls Identified in Older Adults With Diabetes “An HbA1c level of 6% or lower vs 8% or higher is associated with falls in older patients with diabetes who use insulin but not in those who use oral hypoglycemic agents. • Predictors of falls in older patients with diabetes are reduced peripheral nerve function, poor vision, weight loss, and poor renal function.”
Monday March 16 - March 22, 2009
Wipe out the 10 worst germ hot spots “That metal aeration screen at the end of your kitchen faucet reduces water flow, which is good for the environment, but not so much for your health: Running water keeps the screen moist, an ideal condition for bacteria growth. Because tap water is far from sterile, if you accidentally touch the screen with dirty fingers or food, bacteria can grow on the faucet, explains microbiologist Kelly Reynolds, PhD, an associate professor of community environment and policy at the University of Arizona College of Public Health. Over time, bacteria build up and form a wall of pathogens called biofilm that sticks to the screen. "Eventually, that biofilm may even be big enough to break off and get onto your food or dishes," she notes. … The garbage disposal That raw chicken or spinach you're rinsing for dinner is often loaded with harmful bacteria, which can make the young, the elderly, or anyone with a compromised immune system seriously ill. In fact, there are often more than 500,000 bacteria in the kitchen sink — about 1,000 times more than the average toilet has. Although the metal part of the disposal produces ions that can help kill germs, they still love to grow on the crevices in and around the slimy rubber stopper. That means your disposal can become party central for bacteria, contaminating whatever touches it — dishes, utensils, even your hands. … In tests of 100 vehicles from across the United States, the dashboard was found to be the second-most-common spot for bacteria and mold. (Food spills were number one.) The researchers' rationale: When air — which carries mold spores and bacteria — gets sucked in through the vents, it's often drawn to the dashboard, where it can deposit the spores and germs. Because the dashboard receives the most sun and tends to stay warm, it's prime for growth. … Soap that harbors bacteria may sound ironic, but one recent study found that about 25 percent of liquid soap dispensers in public restrooms were contaminated by fecal bacteria. "Most of these containers are never cleaned, so bacteria grows as the soap scum builds up," says Gerba. "And the bottoms are touched by dirty hands, so there's a continuous culture going on feeding millions of bacteria. … It's the rare eatery that regularly bleaches down condiment containers. And the reality is that many people don't wash their hands before eating, says Reynolds. So while you may be diligent, the guy who poured the ketchup before you may not have been, which means his germs are now on your fries. …”
MRI of the breast: does the internet accurately report its beneficial uses and limitations? (Breast J. 2009) “The reading level was close to high school graduate. Internet sites describing breast MRI were mostly commercially sponsored, more often described the potential beneficial uses of the procedure than its limitations, and were of variable quality and high reading level. With the lack of enforceable standards for display of medical information on the Internet, providers should encourage patients to direct their searches to the most credible sites.”
Cognitive Decline Begins In Late 20s, Study Suggests “A new study indicates that some aspects of peoples' cognitive skills — such as the ability to make rapid comparisons, remember unrelated information and detect relationships — peak at about the age of 22, and then begin a slow decline starting around age 27. … Salthouse found that average memory declines can be detected by about age 37. However, accumulated knowledge skills, such as improvement of vocabulary and general knowledge, actually increase at least until the age of 60. "These patterns suggest that some types of mental flexibility decrease relatively early in adulthood, but that how much knowledge one has, and the effectiveness of integrating it with one's abilities, may increase throughout all of adulthood if there are no pathological diseases," Salthouse said. However, Salthouse points out that there is a great deal of variance from person to person, and, he added, most people function at a highly effective level well into their final years, even when living a long life. “
Shrinking In Hippocampus Area Of Brain Precedes Alzheimer's Disease “For the people who did not have dementia at the beginning of the study, those with smaller hippocampal volumes and higher rates of shrinkage were two to four times as likely to develop dementia as those with larger volumes and a slower rate of atrophy. "This finding seems to reflect that at the stage of mild cognitive impairment, considerable atrophy has already occurred in the hippocampus," said study author Wouter Henneman, MD, of VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. "In people who already have Alzheimer's disease, the loss of nerve cells is more widespread throughout the brain."”
How Cranberry Products Prevent Urinary Tract Infections “Chemicals present in cranberries—and not the acidity of cranberry juice, as previously thought—prevent infection-causing bacteria from attaching to the cells that line the urinary tract, as documented in a report published in Journal of Medicinal Food. … Adhesion of E. coli bacteria to cells lining the urinary tract is the first step in the development of a UTI. Chemicals found in cranberry products called proanthocyanidins (PACs) prevent E. coli, which is the cause of about 85% of UTIs and 90% of cases of acute pyelonephritis, from adhering to these urinary tract epithelial cells by affecting the surface properties of the bacteria. … "Cranberries, one of only three species of fruits native to North America, has a long history of medicinal food use. Native Americans used the fruit for the treatment of bladder and kidney ailments hundreds of years ago. … “ “
Facemasks Help Prevent Adverse Cardiovascular Effects Caused By Pollution “Diesel exhaust causes arteries to lose their flexibility. Researchers found that exposure to engine pollution resulted in arterial stiffness in a group of healthy volunteers. … There is, however, something that cyclists and pedestrians in smog shrouded cities can do to limit the vascular effects caused by diesel exhaust. In a separate article also published in Particle and Fibre Toxicology, researchers report how wearing a facemask reduces exposure to airborne pollution particles and leads to a reduction blood pressure and improved heart rate control during exercise in a city centre environment. Jeremy Langrish from the University of Edinburgh said, "We tested a range of facemasks that differed widely in their efficiency as particle filters. In general, those masks designed to reduce occupational exposure to dusts in the workplace were more efficient than those marketed to cyclists and pedestrians." The authors say, "This simple intervention has the potential to protect susceptible individuals and reduce cardiovascular events in cities with high concentrations of ambient air pollution."“
Aspirin: More Evidence That Low Dose is All That is Needed “The new USPSTF recommendations on the use of aspirin for primary prevention of heart disease are also published in the March 17, 2009, issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine. They also favor low-dose aspirin, pointing out that a dose of 75 mg/day seems as effective as higher dosages, but that the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding may increase with dose. In his editorial, Mehta notes that these guidelines were last published in 2002 and were based on trials with limited data on women, whereas the new recommendations incorporate the results of the landmark Women's Health Study (WHS), which showed no reduction in MI and death with aspirin but a significant reduction in stroke. The new recommendations thus advise use of aspirin in men to reduce MI and in women to reduce stroke. Mehta points out that a valuable feature of the new USPSTF recommendations is the emphasis on shared decision making: discussing the benefits and risks of initiating aspirin and individualizing decision making to the specific patient or situation. But he adds that there is one group of patients who should absolutely avoid aspirin--those who are at relatively high risk for intracranial bleeding.“
First Sister Study Results Reinforce the Importance of Healthy Living “Women who maintain a healthy weight and who have lower perceived stress may be less likely to have chromosome changes associated with aging than obese and stressed women, according to a pilot study that was part of the Sister Study. The long-term Sister Study is looking at the environmental and genetic characteristics of women whose sister had breast cancer to identify factors associated with developing breast cancer. This early pilot used baseline questionnaires and samples provided by participants when they joined the Sister Study.”
Richardson Died From Clot That Compressed Brain
'Make hospitals admit error' call “The system for hospitals to report errors in the care of patients should be mandatory, a patients' group says. The Patients Association said that in the wake of the highly-critical report on Stafford Hospital, the time had come for the end to the voluntary system. The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) reporting system depends on NHS trusts owning up to mistakes. Regulators have already said the health service is not doing enough in reporting patient safety incidents. The NPSA has been collecting data since 2003 in a bid to help the heath service learn from its mistakes.”
U.S. Cancer Screening Trial Shows No Early Mortality Benefit from Annual Prostate Cancer Screening
Mortality Results from a Randomized Prostate-Cancer Screening Trial (NEJM 2009) “However, we now know that prostate-cancer screening provided no reduction in death rates at 7 years and that no indication of a benefit appeared with 67% of the subjects having completed 10 years of follow-up. Thus, our results support the validity of the recent recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, especially against screening all men over the age of 75 years.”
Screening and Prostate-Cancer Mortality in a Randomized European Study (NEJM 2009) “Conclusions PSA-based screening reduced the rate of death from prostate cancer by 20% but was associated with a high risk of overdiagnosis. “
Screening for Prostate Cancer — The Controversy That Refuses to Die
Some Doctors Dropping Patients, Turning to 'Boutique' Care “They're fed up cramming enough patients into a day to make money through insurance reimbursements. They're sick of rushing through appointments, not having time to give annual physicals or coordinate patient care with specialists. The average face time a patient gets at a doctor's appointment is seven minutes, according to national studies. "You can't get out of Starbucks in seven minutes and we're trying to treat life-threatening conditions in seven minutes," said Dr. Kevin Lutz, a Denver physician switching to concierge practice next month. "I don't think it's ethical to try and care for somebody in seven minutes." “
Prostate Specific Antigen Testing Among the Elderly-When To Stop? (J Urol. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: Men 75 to 80 years old with a prostate specific antigen less than 3 ng/ml are unlikely to die of or experience aggressive prostate cancer during their remaining life, suggesting that prostate specific antigen testing might be safely discontinued for these men.”
Any Exercise Good After a Heart Attack “Any exercise program can improve blood flow after a heart attack, but the benefit vanishes just four weeks after exercise is stopped, a new Swiss study finds. … One is about the type of exercise that should be done, Lee said. "Most of the time, we tell patients about aerobic exercises -- running, jogging and swimming," he said. "We haven't thought that resistance exercise, lifting weights and the like, can have an equal benefit. This shows that it does. That there was benefit from aerobic exercise was no surprise. What was a surprise was that resistance exercise gave equal benefit." Second, the loss of benefit after exercising stopped that was seen in the study participants, who by definition are in the highest cardiac risk group because they have had heart attacks, carries a message for lower-risk people, Lee said.”
The Ponzi Scheme That Is Health Insurance “"Commercial, for-profit health insurance is one of the greatest Ponzi schemes ever foisted on the public," says a family medicine physician. "The executives are the ones that benefit to the detriment of everyone else. How else does the president of one of the largest insurance companies get to be a billionaire? By being at the top of the pyramid of companies' and individuals' premium payments." "The single most important factor in the atrociously high cost of healthcare in the United States is the rapacious, money-hungry insurance companies and their fat cat CEOs," comments an MPC contributor. "The damage that the insurance companies do is not limited to the salaries of the CEOs," says another contributor. "They waste the time and resources of healthcare workers, institutions, and patients. They are clearly a negative, wasteful element in healthcare today that needs to be heavily regulated, changed, or eliminated." Physicians point to a number of supposedly routine practices of the health insurance companies that cry out for oversight. One MPC participant remarks that health insurance companies increase their premiums even as they decrease coverage. Another discussant notes that insurers typically burden physicians and patients with filing requirements as part of a strategy to delay or deny legitimate claims. According to one contributor, some companies frequently change their coding schemas to avoid paying legitimate claims. "The insurance companies make billions of dollars in profit each year," says one MPC commentator, "and they do it by limiting care, denying claims, limiting contracts, and limiting reimbursements."“
Management of Common Childhood Poisonings Reviewed
What is Dementia? What Causes Dementia? Symptoms of Dementia
Warning: Alzheimer's risk and Anesthetics “ … for Alzheimer's patients, a cool head may make the disease worse. In the research report, scientists show that a protein associated with Alzheimer's (called "tau") builds up in brain cells at an increased rate when temperatures fall, such as when a patient is anesthetized or experiences hypothermia. This finding should be of immediate concern to surgeons, dentists, and any other health care professionals who anesthetize patients with Alzheimer's or patients at an elevated risk for the disease.”
Dyslexic Children Should Be Diagnosed Early, UK “Some of the signs in a young child which might indicate dyslexia include difficulties with: - sound discrimination - appreciation of rhyme - short term memory for spoken information - letter naming - number naming - shape copying - postural stability - fine motor coordination There are specific tests for identifying weaknesses in these areas in young children. "Too many parents," says Dr. Gardner, "are encouraged to wait until the child is older before seeking help. In general, the earlier the parent takes action the better."
Moderate Obesity Takes Years Off Life Expectancy “The Oxford University research found that moderate obesity, which is now common, reduces life expectancy by about 3 years, and that severe obesity, which is still uncommon, can shorten a person’s life by 10 years. This 10 year loss is equal to the effects of lifelong smoking. “
Heavy? You may live three to 10 years less
Chinese-made drywall ruining homes, owners say “Homeowners' lawsuits contend the drywall has caused them to suffer health problems such as headaches and sore throats and face huge repair expenses. The drywall is alleged to have high levels of sulfur and, according to homeowners' complaints, the sulfur-based gases smell of rotten eggs and corrode piping and wiring, causing electronics and appliances to fail. "It's economically devastating, and it's emotionally devastating," said Florida attorney Ervin A. Gonzalez, who filed one of the lawsuits. It would cost a third of an affected home's value to fix the dwelling, Gonzalez said. "The interior has to be gutted, the homeowners have to continue paying mortgages, and they have to pay for a [temporary] place to live," Gonzalez said.”
Breast-Feeding May Reduce Risk for SIDS by Half Throughout Infancy “Breast-feeding reduces the risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by approximately 50% at all ages throughout infancy, according to the results of a case-control study reported in the March issue of Pediatrics.”
Mold exposure during infancy as a predictor of potential asthma development. (Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: The presence of high visible mold and mother's smoking during infancy were the strongest risk factors for a positive API at the age of 3 years, suggesting an increased risk of asthma. High (1-3)-beta-D-glucan exposure seems to have an opposite effect on API than does visible mold.”
Aspirin for the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events: An Update of the Evidence for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (Annals 2009) “Limitations: New evidence on aspirin for the primary prevention of CVD is limited. The dose of aspirin used in the RCTs varied, which prevented the estimation of the most appropriate dose for primary prevention. Several of the RCTs were conducted within populations of health professionals, which potentially limits generalizability. Conclusion: Aspirin reduces the risk for myocardial infarction in men and strokes in women. Aspirin use increases the risk for serious bleeding events.”
Aspirin for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement (Annals 2009) “Recommendations: Encourage men age 45 to 79 years to use aspirin when the potential benefit of a reduction in myocardial infarctions outweighs the potential harm of an increase in gastrointestinal hemorrhage. (A recommendation) Encourage women age 55 to 79 years to use aspirin when the potential benefit of a reduction in ischemic strokes outweighs the potential harm of an increase in gastrointestinal hemorrhage. (A recommendation) Evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of aspirin for cardiovascular disease prevention in men and women 80 years or older. (I statement) Do not encourage aspirin use for cardiovascular disease prevention in women younger than 55 years and in men younger than 45 years. (D recommendation).”
Cause often not serious when babies cry a lot “The most common serious diagnosis was urinary tract infection, with infants less than 1 month old having the highest rates of infection.“
'Watchful Waiting' Safe With Low-Risk Prostate Cancers “Refusing immediate treatment can be safe for men with low-risk prostate cancer if they're closely monitored, new research finds. The multi-center study of American and Canadian patients was conducted between 1991 and 2007. "When or if to treat men with low-risk prostate cancer has always been a challenging question that faces patients and urologists," study author Dr. Scott Eggener, an assistant professor of surgery at the University of Chicago Medial Center, said in a news release from the university. "Some men may be rushing into treatment that won't necessarily benefit them, prevent problems or prolong life. Close observation in certain patients may provide and maintain quality of life without increasing the chances of the cancer spreading." Between 20 percent and 50 percent of American men diagnosed with prostate cancer will eventually die from a cause other than their prostate cancer, he noted. This shows that a large number of patients don't benefit from treatment for their prostate cancer. … "Active surveillance is not a total disregard for patients with prostate cancer. Instead, it identifies men unlikely to be affected by their cancer and encourages frequent monitoring, and then starting therapy at a later appropriate time if needed. Cure rates appear to be identical when these men choose immediate treatment or delayed treatment when prompted by new information about their condition," Eggener said.”
Possible Therapy Takes Bite Out of Peanut Allergy
Physical activity and mortality in men and women with diagnosed cardiovascular disease. (Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil. 2009) “CONCLUSION: Men and women with existing CVD who participate in moderate-to-vigorous activity for at least 20 min/week showed the lowest risks of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. These findings support emerging data from controlled exercise training studies.”
In-home particle concentrations and childhood asthma morbidity. (Environ Health Perspect. 2009) “Among preschool asthmatic children in Baltimore, increases in in-home PM2.5–10 and PM2.5 were associated with respiratory symptoms and rescue medication use. Increases in in-home and ambient PM2.5 were associated with exercise-related symptoms. Although reducing PM outdoors may decrease asthma morbidity, reducing PM indoors, especially in homes of inner-city children, may lead to improved asthma health.”
Kids Who Live Near Green Spaces Seem to Walk More “Living close to parks and other play areas may keep children more active and help combat the continued increase in childhood obesity, Canadian researchers report.”
School near fast-food joint? Expect fatter kids “The study, released by the American Association of Wine Economists, showed that "the presence of a fast-food restaurant within a tenth of a mile of a school is associated with at least a 5.2 percent increase in the obesity rate in that school." It also found that pregnant women who lived within a tenth of a mile of a fast-food restaurant had "a 4.4 percent increase in the probability of gaining over 20 kilos (44 pounds)."“
Carpenters 'face asbestos death' “One in 17 UK carpenters born in the 1940s will die of the asbestos-related lung cancer mesothelioma, researchers predict. They also calculated the deadly disease would strike one in 50 plumbers, electricians and decorators and one in 125 other construction workers. The UK mesothelioma death rate is now the highest in the world, with 1,749 deaths in men in 2005. The study appears in the British Journal of Cancer. “
Monday March 9 - March 15, 2009
Calcium and bone health: position statement for the Australian and New Zealand Bone and Mineral Society, Osteoporosis Australia and the Endocrine Society of Australia (The Medical Journal of Australia 2009) “3 Key recommendation Randomised controlled trials show that, in people with a baseline calcium intake of 500–900 mg/day, increasing the intake by a further 500–1000 mg/day has a beneficial effect on bone mineral density (BMD). The effect of calcium supplementation on bone health is modest, as shown by increases in BMD and reductions in excessive bone turnover. The relative risk reduction for osteoporotic fracture is likely to be no more than 10%–20%. There is little evidence with fracture endpoint in men.2,3 Although inadequate calcium intake is likely to be deleterious to bone, calcium intake significantly above the recommended level is unlikely to achieve additional benefit for bone health. Thus, strategies to increase calcium intake should be focused on people whose calcium intake is lowest.”
Percutaneous coronary interventions for non-acute coronary artery disease: a quantitative 20-year synopsis and a network meta-analysis (The Lancet 2009) “Sequential innovations in the catheter-based treatment of non-acute coronary artery disease showed no evidence of an effect on death or myocardial infarction when compared with medical therapy. These results lend support to present recommendations to optimise medical therapy as an initial management strategy in patients with this disease.”
Uncontrolled diabetes increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease: a population-based cohort study. (Diabetologia. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Uncontrolled diabetes increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease and VaD. Our findings suggest a direct link between glucose dysregulation and neurodegeneration.”
Very Low Prenatal Exposure to Lead and Mental Development of Children in Infancy and Early Childhood. Krakow Prospective Cohort Study. (Neuroepidemiology. 2009)
Obama bans 'downer' cows from food supply “The Obama administration on Saturday permanently banned the slaughter of cows too sick or weak to stand on their own, seeking to further minimize the chance that mad cow disease could enter the food supply. The Agriculture Department proposed the ban last year after the biggest beef recall in U.S. history. The recall involved a Chino, Calif., slaughterhouse and "downer" cows. The Obama administration finalized the ban on Saturday. "As part of our commitment to public health, our Agriculture Department is closing a loophole in the system to ensure that diseased cows don't find their way into the food supply," President Barack Obama said in his weekly radio and video address. … The Humane Society's president and chief executive, Wayne Pacelle, said he was pleased that the government "is putting a stop to the inhumane and reckless practice of dragging and otherwise abusing downer cows in order to slaughter them for human consumption."”
Obama warns of US food 'hazard' “Mr Obama cited a string of recent food safety scandals including a salmonella outbreak in peanut products this year that has been linked to nine deaths. The president said recent underfunding and understaffing at the FDA had left the agency unable to conduct annual inspections of more than a fraction of America's 150,000 food processing premises.”
Injected Medication Errors a Major Problem “The most common causes of errors were: wrong time of administration (386); missed medication (259); wrong dose (118); wrong drug (61); and wrong route (37). ICU staff listed workload/stress/fatigue as a contributing factor in 32 percent of errors. Other contributing factors included: a recently changed drug name (18 percent); written communication problems (14 percent); oral communication problems (10 percent), and violation of standard protocol (9 percent). The risk of an injected medication error increased significantly with a higher level of patient illness, a higher level of care, and a higher rate of drug injections. The risk was lower when a critical incident reporting system was in place and when there was an established routine of checks at nurses' shift changes, the researchers said.“
Probable Carcinogens Found in Baby Toiletries “Some of the biggest names on the market, including Johnson & Johnson Baby Shampoo and Baby Magic lotion, tested positive for 1,4-dioxane or formaldehyde, or both, the nonprofit Campaign for Safe Cosmetics reported. The chemicals, which the Environmental Protection Agency has characterized as probable carcinogens, are not intentionally added to the products and are not listed among ingredients on labels. Instead, they appear to be byproducts of the manufacturing process. Formaldehyde is created when other chemicals in the product break down over time, while 1,4-dioxane is formed when foaming agents are combined with ethylene oxide or similar petrochemicals. … The European Union has banned 1,4-dioxane as an ingredient in personal care products, but the Food and Drug Administration has not established a safe limit for the chemical in shampoo, lotion and other toiletries. It maintains that the trace amounts found in those products are not harmful. A 1982 study by the FDA showed that 1,4-dioxane can penetrate human skin when used in lotion. Health advocates argue, however, that federal regulators have not considered the cumulative effect of chemicals in personal care products.”
Baby bottle chemical is removed “The makers of babies' bottles in the US are to remove a controversial chemical from their products, amid growing concern over its possible effects. The six manufacturers say they are reacting to consumer demand by removing Bisphenol A (BPA) from their bottles. But they will continue selling bottles containing BPA in the UK, a decision which has angered campaigners. The Food Standards Agency insists BPA in UK plastic products is "well below the levels considered harmful". The chemical is widely used in plastic manufacture and is commonly found in food and drink containers. “
Warning over narcissistic pupils “The growing expectation placed on schools and parents to boost pupils' self-esteem is breeding a generation of narcissists, an expert has warned. Dr Carol Craig said children were being over-praised and were developing an "all about me" mentality. She said teachers increasingly faced complaints from parents if their child failed a spelling test or did not get a good part in the school pantomime. Schools needed to reclaim their role as educators, not psychologists, she said. … "Schools have to hold out that they are educational establishments," she said. "They are not surrogate psychologists or mental health professionals." “
Over Half Of Kids Born Very Early Need Extra Help At Mainstream Schools
High IQ Linked To Reduced Risk Of Death “"People with higher IQ test scores tend to be less likely to smoke or drink alcohol heavily, they eat better diets, and they are more physically active. So they have a range of better behaviours that may partly explain their lower mortality risk," says Dr Batty.”
Students Benefit From Depth, Rather Than Breadth, In High School Science Courses “"As a former high school teacher, I always worried about whether it was better to teach less in greater depth or more with no real depth. This study offers evidence that teaching fewer topics in greater depth is a better way to prepare students for success in college science," Tai said. "These results are based on the performance of thousands of college science students from across the United States." “
One in seven US teens is vitamin D deficient “Of the specific findings, the authors were particularly concerned about the role of weight in deficiency. "Because vitamin D is stored in body fat, simply increasing the dosage of vitamin D may not be effective in overweight adolescents," notes senior author Dr. Linda M. Gerber, professor of public health in the Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology and professor of epidemiology in medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. "As the prevalence of childhood obesity increases, vitamin D deficiency may increase as well. In this group, appropriate nutrition could solve both problems." Another concern is the increased risk of deficiency in girls, some of whom may become pregnant during adolescence. The authors note that a lack of vitamin D may increase maternal risk of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes and may be associated with reduced bone mineralization in the offspring.“
Fall prevention: 6 ways to reduce your falling risk
Teenage Boys Who Eat Fish At Least Once A Week Achieve Higher Intelligence Scores “Eating fish once a week was enough to increase combined, verbal and visuospatial intelligence scores by an average of six per cent, while eating fish more than once a week increased them by just under 11 per cent.”
Broccoli May Help Protect Against Respiratory Conditions Like Asthma “Here's another reason to eat your broccoli: UCLA researchers report that a naturally occurring compound found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables may help protect against respiratory inflammation that causes conditions like asthma, allergic rhinitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.”
More Evidence Prostate Tests Overdiagnose Cancer
Optic neuritis and risk of MS: Differential diagnosis and management (Cleve Clin J Med. 2009) “Optic neuritis, a cause of sudden vision loss, often heralds the onset of multiple sclerosis (MS) within the next few years. It is important to distinguish optic neuritis from other types of optic neuropathy so that treatment can be started promptly, possibly delaying the onset of MS.”
Not So Sweet: Over-consumption Of Sugar Linked To Aging
[Effects of an exercise program on frontal lobe cognitive function in elders.] (J Korean Acad Nurs. 2009)
Sick Building Syndrome: is mould the cause? (Med Mycol. 2009)
Allergy-Proof Your Home One Room at a Time
Mobile phones may be source of hospital infections “Mobile phones used by hospital healthcare workers are often contaminated with germs, including those that can causes illness in hospitalized patients, a Turkish research team reports. Dr. Fatma Ulger and others at Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, swabbed the dominant hand and the mobile phones of 200 doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff working in intensive care units and operating rooms. They found that 95 percent of telephones were contaminated, often with more than one type of microbe, and often with antibiotic-resistant bacteria. … They recommend routine decontamination of mobile phones with alcohol-containing disinfectants.”
Safety of Labor-Delaying Drugs Questioned “"After 30 years of research, we still do not know whether tocolysis benefits the fetus, so the choice of which drug to use remains a secondary question. The real dilemma is whether or not we should treat at all," they wrote. The long-held belief that "keeping the baby inside longer must be a good thing" needs to be reevaluated, they said.”
Monday March 2 - March 8, 2009
Intensity of lifetime physical activity and breast cancer risk among Polish women. (J Sports Sci. 2009) “These findings show that a risk reduction can be achieved by vigorous-intensity activities or by longer-lasting activities of moderate-intensity.”
Dietary Total Fat Intake and Ischemic Stroke Risk: The Northern Manhattan Study. (Neuroepidemiology. 2009) “Conclusions: The results suggest that increased daily total fat intake, especially above 65 g, significantly increases risk of ischemic stroke.”
High-Fat Diet Dramatically Increases Cancer Metastasis “Although the link between obesity and cancer is well established, exactly why there is a link remains unclear. Now, an animal study shows that a high-fat diet dramatically increases cancer metastasis, and offers a mechanistic explanation for what has been, up to now, anecdotal evidence. … "If the cancer cells don't have excess lipids, they stick together and form very tight junctions in tumors, but increasing lipids causes them to take on a rounded shape and separate from each other," Dr. Le explained. The team further demonstrated that linoleic acid, which is predominant in polyunsaturated fats, causes increasing membrane phase separation, whereas oleic acid, found in monounsaturated fats, does not.”
Middle age 'key for exercising' “"Being active at any age helps control your weight, reduce blood pressure and cholesterol and will provide long term benefits for your heart health and general health." “
Older Americans May Lack Adequate Nutrition “Many middle-age and older Americans aren't getting enough micronutrients such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and vitamin C, all of which play an important role in maintaining health, a new study finds. Researchers analyzed data from more than 6,200 people in four ethnic groups -- white, black, Hispanic and Chinese. More than half of the participants took supplements, and those most likely to use supplements were older, women, white and college-educated. The most common supplements were calcium and vitamin C. Dietary intake of calcium, magnesium, potassium and vitamin C was similar between those who took supplements and those who didn't, but there were differences in median dietary intake levels between the different ethnic groups. Chinese Americans tended to have the lowest dietary intakes of all micronutrients, particularly calcium. Blacks also had significantly lower dietary intakes of calcium than whites and Hispanics.”
Indoor Air Pollution? Samples From Couch Cushions And Drywall Reveal Chemicals Used In House “The EPA estimates Americans spend roughly 90 percent of their time indoors, and indoor air pollution - caused by sources ranging from paints to cleaning solvents, personal care products to furnishings - has been linked to a wide variety of adverse health effects. Children, the elderly, and those with chronic ailments like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are particularly vulnerable, perhaps in part due to their weaker immune systems and increased time spent indoors. Many people don't realize the amount of chemicals they introduce into their homes every day. For example, dry-cleaned clothes can emit perchloroethylene, a chemical that has been shown to cause cancer in animals. Studies indicate that people breathe low levels of this chemical in homes where dry-cleaned goods are stored.”
A new, precise definition of acute myocardial infarction (Cleve Clin J Med. 2009) “The cornerstone of diagnosis remains a high level of clinical suspicion, serial electrocardiograms, and troponin levels.”
Indoor Air Pollution Increases Asthma Symptoms, Study Suggests “For every 10 micrograms per cubic meter of air (ug/m3) increase in indoor coarse particle concentration, there was a 6 percent increase in the number of days of cough, wheeze, or chest tightness, after adjusting for a number of factors. For every 10 ug/m3 increase in fine particles measured indoors, there was a 7 percent increase in days of wheezing severe enough to limit speech and after adjusting for various factors, a 4 percent increase in days on which rescue medication was needed. In many cases, the level of indoor fine particle pollution measured was twice as high as the accepted standard for outdoor pollution established by the EPA.”
The role of genes in the current obesity epidemic. (Ann Acad Med Singapore. 2009)
Cardiovascular risks associated with obesity in children and adolescents. ( Ann Acad Med Singapore. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: Early development of CVS risks in obese children and the possible continuation of CVS complications into adulthood have been observed. Obstructive sleep apnoea in obese children can further contribute to such CVS risks. These findings underscore the importance of prevention of childhood obesity as a priority over management of obesity in children.”
Meal frequency, breakfast consumption and childhood obesity. (Int J Pediatr Obes. 2009) “Conclusions. High meal frequency was inversely associated with childhood obesity. This association was not explained by potential confounders or regular breakfast consumption. These findings support the hypothesis of an independent protective impact of frequent daily meals other than breakfast on childhood obesity.”
Bacterial contaminants in carbonated soft drinks sold in Bangladesh markets. (Int J Food Microbiol. 2009) “These findings suggest that carbonated soft drinks commercially available in Bangladesh pose substantial risks to public health.”
Sick Building Syndrome: is mould the cause? (Med Mycol. 2009)
As Obesity Epidemic Spreads, More Patients Feel It In Their Bones And Joints
Daily dose of TV doubles asthma risk
Missing Link Between Fructose, Insulin Resistance Found “"There has been a remarkable increase in consumption of high-fructose corn syrup," said Gerald Shulman of Yale University School of Medicine. "Fructose is much more readily metabolized to fat in the liver than glucose is and in the process can lead to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease," he continued. NAFLD in turn leads to hepatic insulin resistance and type II diabetes. Metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes have both reached epidemic proportions worldwide with the global adoption of the westernized diet along with increased consumption of fructose, stemming from the wide and increasing use of high-fructose corn syrup sweeteners, the researchers noted. High-fructose corn syrup, which is a mixture of the simple sugars fructose and glucose, came into use in the 1970s and by 2005 the average American was consuming about 60 pounds of it per year. Overall, dietary intake of fructose, which is also a component of table sugar, has increased by an estimated 20 to 40 percent in the last thirty years.”
Underlying Sleep Problem Linked To Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder In Children “A study in the March 1 issue of the journal SLEEP suggests the presence of an intrinsic sleep problem specific to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and supports the idea that children with ADHD may be chronically sleep deprived and have abnormal REM sleep.”
1 in 3 Common Cancers May Be Preventable
Daytime sleepiness provides red flag for cardiovascular disease “Clinicians should be alert to patients reporting "excessive" day time sleepiness (EDS), says the European Society of Cardiology, after a French study found healthy elderly people who regularly report feeling sleepy during the day have a significantly higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease. The Three City study, published in Stroke, by the American Heart Association (Thursday, February 26), found that elderly people who reported excessive day time sleepiness have a 49 % relative risk increase of cardiovascular death (from cerebrovascular disease, myocardial infarction and heart failure) , compared to those who do not report sleepiness.“
Married, With ADHD “Couples who have a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are nearly twice as likely to divorce or separate as couples who do not have children with the psychiatric disorder, according to a definitive new study that is the first to explicitly explore the question. The reason appears simple: Having a child who is inattentive or hyperactive can be extremely stressful for caregivers and can exacerbate conflicts, tensions and arguments between parents.”
Harvard Medical School in Ethics Quandary “In a first-year pharmacology class at Harvard Medical School, Matt Zerden grew wary as the professor promoted the benefits of cholesterol drugs and seemed to belittle a student who asked about side effects. Mr. Zerden later discovered something by searching online that he began sharing with his classmates. The professor was not only a full-time member of the Harvard Medical faculty, but a paid consultant to 10 drug companies, including five makers of cholesterol treatments. “I felt really violated,” Mr. Zerden, now a fourth-year student, recently recalled. “Here we have 160 open minds trying to learn the basics in a protected space, and the information he was giving wasn’t as pure as I think it should be.” … But no one disputes that many individual Harvard Medical faculty members receive tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars a year through industry consulting and speaking fees. Under the school’s disclosure rules, about 1,600 of 8,900 professors and lecturers have reported to the dean that they or a family member had a financial interest in a business related to their teaching, research or clinical care. The reports show 149 with financial ties to Pfizer and 130 with Merck.“
Exposure to Mold During Infancy Increases Later Risk for Asthma
Monday February 23 - March 1, 2009
Acetaminophen use: a risk for asthma? (Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2009)
Indoor environmental risk factors and seasonal variation of childhood asthma. (Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2009) “Contributing factors of asthma for children, regardless of seasonality, included younger age, parental atopy, maternal smoking during pregnancy, breast feeding, and perceived air pollution. After adjusted for salient risk factors, water damage was significantly associated with all subtypes of asthma. Presence of cockroaches was related to the summer/fall asthma (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.12-2.55). Visible mold on the walls was associated with an increased occurrence of winter and spring asthma (aOR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.26-1.85 and aOR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.10-1.62, respectively). Passive smoking was shown to be related to spring and summer/fall asthma. Water damage is a possible risk for childhood asthma year-round. Cockroaches and visible mold on the walls may play essential roles for seasonality of childhood asthma in Taiwan. Plausible mechanisms and allergic effects should be further determined. Elimination of these allergens is necessary to help prevent the development of asthma.”
Household peanut consumption as a risk factor for the development of peanut allergy. (J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: High levels of environmental exposure to peanut during infancy appear to promote sensitization, whereas low levels may be protective in atopic children. No effect of maternal peanut consumption during pregnancy or lactation is observed, supporting the hypothesis that peanut sensitization occurs as a result of environmental exposure.”
Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule --- United States, 2009 (MMWR 2009)
Systolic And Diastolic Blood Pressures Together More Useful For Predicting Cardiovascular Risk “"Systolic blood pressure as a single blood pressure component is usually superior to diastolic blood pressure in predicting cardiovascular risk in middle-aged and older individuals," Franklin said. "But a very high or very low diastolic blood pressure can add to the risks identified by systolic blood pressure alone." “
Only Exercise Effective In Preventing Low-back Problems, Review Suggests “But a systematic review of the literature for high-quality scientific trials published in the February issue of The Spine Journal finds exercise in workplace and community settings effective in preventing new episodes of low-back problems. "Strong and consistent evidence finds many popular prevention methods to fail while exercise has a significant impact, both in terms of preventing symptoms and reducing back pain-related work loss," said Dr. Stanley J. Bigos, University of Washington professor emeritus of orthopaedic surgery and environmental health. … "Passive interventions such as lumbar belts and shoe inserts do not appear to work," Bigos said. "And eight trials found ergonomic interventions, of either reducing lifting, or back or ergonomic training sessions to be ineffective in preventing back problems." The new review does not, however, discredit popular ergonomic innovations, said Dr. John Holland, a co-author and UW clinical professor of environmental and occupational health sciences. "Ergonomic interventions may increase productivity, product quality, and work comfort. There are many reasons why such research should continue," said Holland.”
Effects of long-term consumption of a high-fructose diet on conventional cardiovascular risk factors in Sprague-Dawley rats. (Mol Cell Biochem. 2009)
High-fat Diets Inflame Fat Tissue Around Blood Vessels, Contribute To Heart Disease “A study by researchers at the University of Cincinnati shows that high-fat diets, even if consumed for a short amount of time, can inflame fat tissue surrounding blood vessels, possibly contributing to cardiovascular disease.”
Periodontitis And Myocardial Infarction: A Shared Genetic Predisposition “Because it has to be assumed that there is a causal connection between periodontitis and myocardial infarction, periodontitis should be taken seriously by dentists and diagnosed and treated at an early stage. "Aggressive periodontitis has shown itself to be associated not only with the same risk factors such as smoking, but it shares, at least in parts, the same genetic predisposition with an illness that is the leading cause of death worldwide.," warned Schaefer. Knowledge of the risk of heart attacks could also induce patients with periodontitis to keep the risk factors in check and take preventive measures.”
Omega-3 Fatty Acids Prevent Medical Complications Of Obesity, Study Suggests “According to a recent study, diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids protect the liver from damage caused by obesity and the insulin resistance it provokes. This research should give doctors and nutritionists valuable information when recommending and formulating weight-loss diets and help explain why some obese patients are more likely to suffer some complications associated with obesity. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in canola oil and fish.”
Men's Stroke Risk Rises Dramatically in Mid-40s “"Silent strokes" -- which have no obvious symptoms but can cause residual damage -- are also common in this younger group of men, researchers reported Feb. 26 in the journal Stroke. "The risk factors are most of the ones we start thinking about in older people -- mostly cholesterol, but also smoking, high blood pressure and diabetes. So that's something we need to start looking at, at a younger age," said Dr. Michael Palm, assistant professor of neuroscience and experimental therapeutics and internal medicine at the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine. "If we wait till 50, many of these risk factors are already fairly well established and causing problems," he said. Since many of these risk factors are modifiable, "there is a need for developing aggressive primary prevention strategies," added Dr. Jukka Putaala, lead author of the new study. "The optimal target group for primary prevention interventions [especially among men] could perhaps be 35 to 44 years." “
Mediterranean Diet Helps Women Preserve Their Bone Mass, Study Suggests “A study from the Harokopio University of Athens (Greece) suggests that adherence to a dietary pattern close to the Mediterranean diet, with high consumption of fish and olive oil and low red meat intake, has a significant impact in women skeletal health.”
Long hours link to dementia risk “It found that those working more than 55 hours a week had poorer mental skills than those who worked a standard working week. The American Journal of Epidemiology study found hard workers had problems with short-term memory and word recall. … The effects were cumulative, the longer the working week was the worse the test results were. Employees with long working hours also had shorter sleeping hours, reported more symptoms of depression and used more alcohol than those with normal working hours. “
D Gets An A “Still, the study authors said clinical trials must confirm their results before vitamin D is recommended to prevent colds and flu. Foods that contain vitamin D include milk, salmon, sardines, shrimp and eggs. But "10 minutes in the sun would far surpass your intake of vitamin D" compared with diet choices, Ginde said. It's nearly impossible for people living north of Atlanta to get enough vitamin D through sunlight year-round because of Earth's tilt. In the winter, northern dwellers should take supplements, and in the summer, some scientists recommend 20 minutes of sun per day -- without sunscreen. “
Common household chemicals tied to infertility “The chemicals Fei and colleagues looked at belong to a group called perfluorinated chemicals, or PFCs, which appear in a variety of common products, from upholstery to pesticides. In particular, the researchers focused on perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoate, which are respectively called PFOS and PFOA. Studies have linked PFOS and PFOA to toxic effects in the livers, immune systems, and reproductive systems of animals. In people, Fei and colleagues previously found that women with many children had lower blood levels of PFOS and PFOA than did women with fewer children. “
Household Exposure to Paint and Petroleum Solvents, Chromosomal Translocations, and the Risk of Childhood Leukemia “Conclusions: The association of ALL risk with paint exposure was strong, consistent with a causal relationship, but further studies are needed to confirm the association of ALL and AML risk with solvent exposure.”
Drink a day increases cancer risk “A glass of wine each evening is enough to increase your risk of developing cancer, women are being warned. Consuming just one drink a day causes an extra 7,000 cancer cases - mostly breast cancer - in UK women each year, Cancer Research UK scientists say. The risk goes up the more you drink, whether spirits, wine or beer, the data on over a million women suggests. Overall, alcohol is to blame for about 13% of breast, liver, rectum, mouth and throat cancers, the researchers say. They estimate that about 5,000 cases of breast cancer in the UK - 11% of the 45,000 cases diagnosed each year - can be attributed to women's consumption of alcohol. The study looked specifically at women who consumed low to moderate levels of alcohol - defined as three drinks a day or fewer. “
Many Hospital Patients Can't ID Their Doctors “Most hospital patients cannot identify -- by name or role -- the doctors assigned to their care, a new case study of one urban hospital suggests. "The majority of hospitalized patients we looked at were not able to name anybody in charge of their care," said study author Dr. Vineet Arora, associate program director at the University of Chicago's internal medicine residency program. "And when they did name somebody, they got it wrong, incorrectly naming their primary care physician or some specialist. This reflects the fact that patients are seen by a lot of different doctors and teams, and they may simply not know who's in charge of their care." "Of course," Arora added, "it's hard to know how generalizable this is, as we only looked at one institution. But I suspect that the findings are probably reflective of the current situation at a lot of urban teaching hospitals."”
Report Urges Broader Effort to Stem Emotional Disorders in Youth “Mental, emotional and behavioral problems in young Americans cost the nation about $247 billion a year, says a report that urges the federal government to make preventing these disorders and promoting mental health in young people a priority. Problems such as depression, anxiety, conduct disorders and substance abuse are about as common among children and adolescents as limb fractures, according to the report released Friday by the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine. In any given year, it notes, about 14 to 20% of young people in the United States have a mental, emotional or behavioral disorder.”
Child abuse 'alters stress gene' “Abuse in early childhood permanently alters how the brain reacts to stress, a Canadian study suggests. Analysis of brain tissue from adults who had committed suicide found key genetic changes in those who had suffered abuse as a child. It affects the production of a receptor known to be involved in stress responses, the researchers said. The Nature Neuroscience study underpins the impact of stress on early brain development, experts said. Previous research has shown that abuse in childhood is associated with an increased reaction to stressful circumstances. “
Monday February 16 - February 22, 2009
Chinese Drywall a Threat to Homeowners? “The drywall, installed in homes in Florida, may be emitting sulfuric odors, potentially exposing homeowners to respiratory health problems. The emissions can also corrode air conditioning coils and wiring, posing a potential risk of electrical fire. Although a number of drywall manufacturers may be implicated, the most commonly-cited is Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin Co., Ltd. (KPT), a China-based producer. The company regularly prints its name on the back of its drywall, making it the most easily identifiable potential culprit. Florida homeowners have submitted almost 100 complaints to the Florida Department of Health about problems relating to their drywall, prompting U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) to petition the CPSC and Environmental Protection Agency to investigate. In a statement, Nelson called for the agencies to determine the number of homeowners potentially affected by the problem, and to decide whether a recall needs to be initiated. Nelson also directed the CPSC to promulgate drywall safety standards to avoid a repeat of the issue in the future. … Homeowners have complained of headaches, dry eyes, and bloody noses, among other allergy-like symptoms. The Florida Department of Health says that preliminary tests show no “immediate health threat,” but is reportedly conducting further tests to determine the extent of health risks. The problem was originally blamed on a shortage of American-manufactured drywall, ostensibly due to the housing boom and extensive construction in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Recently, however, suspicions have arisen that the problem dates back further. Some Florida experts have suggested that the defective drywall was installed as early as 2004. “
Physical activity and low back pain: A U-shaped relation? (Pain. 2009) “This study provides some evidence that the relation between physical activity and CLBP is U-shaped.”
Primary education 'too narrow' “These aims would be achieved through eight "domains", rather than a small number of subjects. The domains would be: arts and creativity; citizenship and ethics; faith and belief; language, oracy and literacy; mathematics; physical and emotional health; place and time (geography and history); science and technology. Prof Alexander said there had always been a problem in primary schools with striking the right balance between the basic skills, such as numeracy and literacy, and other areas, such as history. "All of them should be taught to the highest possible standard, raising the quality of educational experience across the board," he said. “
Science Suggests Access To Nature Is Essential To Human Health “Elderly adults tend to live longer if their homes are near a park or other green space, regardless of their social or economic status. College students do better on cognitive tests when their dorm windows view natural settings. Children with ADHD have fewer symptoms after outdoor activities in lush environments. Residents of public housing complexes report better family interactions when they live near trees.”
Anti-social Behavior In Girls Predicts Adolescent Depression Seven Years Later “"When all the risk factors were analyzed, anti-social behavior and anxiety were the most predictive of later depression. It just may be that they are more prevalent in the early elementary school years than depression." He noted that depression and anxiety share a number of symptoms. Mazza said that early adolescence is when the first episode of depression typically occurs and that's when it has been noted that gender difference occur, with more girls than boys experiencing depressive symptoms. Children can be assessed at 6 and 7 years of age, but depression is not often recognized or diagnosed until the middle school years. … "One finding from this study that is a mind-grabber is that young children can identify themselves as being anxious and depressed," said Mazza. "When they had scores that were elevated we were a bit surprised because we thought they would say, 'My life is fun and I play a lot.' But they are able to understand and report feeling depressed or anxious, and tell us so. This suggests giving health surveys in early elementary school is a good idea and we should talk to kids in the first and second grades because they can give us valuable information." “
Can Exercising Your Brain Prevent Memory Loss? “"This study is exciting because it demonstrates that aging does not need to be a passive process. By simply engaging in cognitive exercise, you can protect against future memory loss," said study author Yonas Geda, MD, MSc, a neuropsychiatrist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, and a member of the American Academy of Neurology. "Of course, the challenge with this type of research is that we are relying on past memories of the participants, therefore, we need to confirm these findings with additional research.”
Effect of dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on experimental periodontitis in the mouse. (J Periodontal Res. 2009) “Conclusion: Alveolar bone loss was inversely related to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid tissue levels. In conclusion, fish oil dietary supplementation may have potential benefits as a host modulatory agent in the prevention and/or adjunctive management of periodontitis.”
Combined effect of health behaviours and risk of first ever stroke in 20 040 men and women over 11 years’ follow-up in Norfolk cohort of European Prospective Investigation of Cancer (EPIC Norfolk): prospective population study (BMJ 2009) “Conclusion In summary, the combined impact of the four health behaviours, though relatively modest and potentially achievable across all ages, sex, and social classes, was associated with an estimated 2.3-fold difference in risk of stroke. These results provide further incentive and support for the notion that small differences in lifestyle can have a substantial potential impact on risk.”
8 Great "Whys" Seniors Should Exercise “ 1. Improve mood and relieve depression 2. Help prevent or delay many diseases and disabilities, including some types of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes 3. Improve health in the frail or those with diseases that accompany aging 4. Increase strength—carry groceries, climb stairs 5. Improve balance—prevent falls 6. Restore flexibility—speed recovery from injury 7. Build endurance—walk farther, dance longer 8. Improve quality of life “
Indoor air pollution increases asthma symptoms “"We found that substantial increases in asthma symptoms were associated both with higher indoor concentrations of fine particles and with higher indoor concentrations of coarse particles," said Meredith C. McCormack, MD, MHS, lead author of the study and an instructor with the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. For every 10 micrograms per cubic meter of air (ug/m3) increase in indoor coarse particle concentration, there was a 6 percent increase in the number of days of cough, wheeze, or chest tightness, after adjusting for a number of factors. For every 10 ug/m3 increase in fine particles measured indoors, there was a 7 percent increase in days of wheezing severe enough to limit speech and after adjusting for various factors, a 4 percent increase in days on which rescue medication was needed. In many cases, the level of indoor fine particle pollution measured was twice as high as the accepted standard for outdoor pollution established by the EPA. "Children spend nearly 80 percent of their time indoors, which makes understanding the effects of indoor air very important," said co-author, Gregory B. Diette, MD, an associate professor in the School of Medicine and co-director of the Center for Childhood Asthma in the Urban Environment.“
Alzheimer's Study Finds Parental Link “Children of parents with Alzheimer's disease can develop memory problems in their 50s or even younger -- much earlier than previously thought -- according to a large study released Wednesday by researchers at Boston University School of Medicine. The study subjects, who carried a gene strongly linked to Alzheimer's, performed worse in memory tests, on average, than other middle-aged people who had the same gene but did not have a parent diagnosed with Alzheimer's. The difference in memory between the two groups was equivalent to approximately 15 years of brain aging, researchers found.. “
Exercise Lowers Risk Of Colon Cancer “They found that people who exercised the most were 24 percent less likely to develop the disease than those who exercised the least.”
Silent Strokes More Common in Younger People Than Thought “These so-called silent strokes are "really not silent," said lead study author Dr. Jose Rafael Romero, an assistant professor of neurology at Boston University School of Medicine. "What we saw is that the [brain] damage caused by the silent stroke can be seen by the MRI." "We don't really have a way of ordinarily recognizing this sort of thing, but if it's part of the brain that's not directly involved with motion or our speech, it could impact memory or the mood of the person," added one expert, Dr. Norman Kaplan, clinical professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. "There are all sorts of parts of the brain that are not so obvious in what they reflect but nevertheless make up who a person really is." Indeed, stroke researchers point out that those who suffer from silent strokes appear more likely to experience other health problems. "By nature, the [strokes are] very small. But if they happen to occur in a specific part of the brain, then they can produce symptoms that may make somebody suspect," Kaplan said. “
Shorter Menopause May Speed Risk of Heart Disease “In a study of more than 200 middle-aged women, those who completed menopause within three years had more fatty plaque built up in their carotid arteries, putting them at risk for "preclinical atherosclerosis" narrowing of arteries caused by the thickening of their walls.”
After the fire, other health concerns “She says air quality can be hazardous close to a burning bushfire, with fine particles, such as ash and smoke combining with gases like carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. Those who are close to the fire and exposed to this smoke can suffer long-term health effects, such as cardio-respiratory problems and reduced lung function. But while fine particles can remain in the air for many days after the fires, most toxic gases will disperse or react very quickly, and are less likely to be an ongoing problem, she says. One exception is ozone produced by atmospheric reaction with toxic gases – this can affect people many kilometres downwind from the fire and can cause respiratory health problems in those vulnerable. “
Sprints may be best for diabetes prevention “A few minutes of intense exercise a week is just as good as a half-hour of moderate physical activity a day for reducing a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes -- and may actually be even more effective, new research hints. "It is possible to gain significant health benefits from only 7.5 minutes of exercise each week -- if that is all that you find the time to do," Dr. James A. Timmons of Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, one of the researchers on the study, told Reuters Health. "This is a dramatically different view from current thinking," he admitted. … Based on the findings, Timmons told Reuters Health, people should try for four to six 30-second bouts of intense exercise, such as cycling or running up stairs, twice a week. While this is appropriate for people 20 to 40 years old who are in good health but not fit, he added, people with diabetes or heart disease should gradually increase their activity under a doctor's supervision.”
The Effect of a High-Intensity Interval Training Program on High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Young Men. (J Strength Cond Res. 2009) Our findings support the recommendations of high-intensity interval training as an alternative mode of exercise to improve blood lipid profiles for individuals with acceptable physical fitness levels.”
Prevention of insulin resistance by n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. (Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2009)
Smokers Have Rapid Aging Defect “Cigarette smoke causes the same cellular defect seen in people with Werner's syndrome -- a rare genetic disease that makes people age very fast. Smoking speeds the aging process, causing smokers to die about 10 years before their time. Now researchers may have found a clue to this process, giving them unexpected new paths to treatment. The clue comes from the observation that smokers aren't the only people who age too fast. In their 20s, people with a rare genetic disorder called Werner's syndrome get gray hair, thin skin, and hoarse voices.“
Soap and Water Hand Washing Superior to Alcohol-Based Rubs in Reducing Presence of Influenza A
Weight loss may be a sign of cancer “Gradual weight loss may be a symptom of cancer, particularly in colon, kidney and lung cancer, Germany's cancer society has found. As tumours grow, they deprive the body of so much nutrition that weight loss results, said Eva Kalbheim, a spokeswoman for the cancer society. She therefore recommends regular preventative check-ups. And people who lose weight without trying or without changing their lifestyle should see a doctor quickly. "Other unspecific symptoms provide important clues: Back pain points to a kidney problem, while coughing in the morning indicates a problem in the lungs," Kalbheim said. Blood tests and ultrasound provide further insight. … "Tumours in the oesophagus or throat cause the path that food takes to become narrow," said Pirlich. Eating can cause intense pain. Tumours in the pancreas on the other hand are accompanied by a loss of appetite. In addition the tumours grow protein molecules that uncontrollably breakdown muscle tissue. Although there have been few studies to date, specialists assume that weight loss has a grave implications for therapy. "For one thing the dose of medication must match the patient's lower body weight," said Arends. That lengthens the therapy, and thus the strain on the patient. "There are indications that patients who have experienced considerable weight loss clearly suffer more side effects, are more likely to interrupt their chemotherapy and their tumours respond poorly.”
Vitamin Low in Arab Women: Study: Diet, Modest Attire Are To Blame
Monday February 9 - February 15, 2009
Outcomes of conduct problems in adolescence: 40 year follow-up of national cohort. (BMJ. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents who exhibit externalising behaviour experience multiple social and health impairments that adversely affect them, their families, and society throughout adult life.”
When Toddlers Point a Lot, More Words Will Follow “Don't just talk to your toddler -- gesture, too. Pointing, waving bye-bye and other natural gestures seem to boost a budding vocabulary. Scientists found those tots who could convey more meaning with gestures at age 14 months went on to have a richer vocabulary as they prepared to start kindergarten. And intriguingly, whether a family is poor or middle class plays a role, the researchers report Friday. “
Particulate Matter From California Wildfires Is More Toxic Than Particulate Matter In Ambient Air
Pollution link to asthma in womb “Studies have suggested asthma risk is linked to environmental pollution in early life and the incidence of asthma is higher in areas with high traffic density. "Our data support the concept that environmental exposures can interact with genes during key developmental periods to trigger disease onset later in life, and that tissues are being reprogrammed to become abnormal later," said Dr Shuk-mei Ho, study leader and director of the Center for Environmental Genetics at the University of Cincinnati. She said detecting early signs of asthma could help prevent the disease than can affect as many as 25% of children in areas with high levels of traffic pollution. “
Vigorous Exercise May Help Prevent Vision Loss “Vigorous exercise may help prevent vision loss, according to a pair of studies from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The studies tracked approximately 41,000 runners for more than seven years, and found that running reduced the risk of both cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.”
Second-hand Smoke May Cause Dementia “A possible link between active smoking and cognitive impairment has already been established and previous findings also suggest that second-hand smoke exposure could be linked to poor cognitive performance in children and adolescents. However, this is the first large-scale study to conclude that second-hand smoke exposure could lead to dementia and other neurological problems.”
Smokers Putting Their Loved Ones At Risk Of Heart Attacks “"However, we can clearly see that living with someone who smokes puts you at a heightened risk. If we are going to reduce people's exposure to tobacco smoke further then we will need to focus efforts on reducing smoking in the home." Professor Peter Weissberg, Medical Director at the BHF, said: "This research shows that a great deal of progress has been made in reducing exposure to potentially damaging environmental tobacco smoke over the past 20 years. Importantly, it also shows that people are now more at risk of exposure in their own homes than in public places. "We cannot stop people smoking in their own home, but we would urge smokers to think of the risk they're exposing their non smoking friends and relatives to when they have a cigarette in the house." “
Women Who Drink Lots Of Soda At Higher Risk For Early Kidney Disease “Women who drink two or more cans of soda pop per day are nearly twice as likely to show early signs of kidney disease, a recent study has found. … Shoham and colleagues concluded that additional studies are needed to determine whether the elevated risk of kidney disease is due to high fructose corn syrup itself, an overall excess intake of sugar, unmeasured lifestyle factors or other causes.”
Sweetened beverage consumption and risk of coronary heart disease in women. ( Am J Clin Nutr. 2009) “CONCLUSION: Regular consumption of SSBs is associated with a higher risk of CHD in women, even after other unhealthful lifestyle or dietary factors are accounted for.”
Consumption Of A High-fat Meal Increases Production Of RONS Or "free Radicals" In Young, Obese Women “A new study published in a recent issue of the journal Oxidative Medicine & Cellular Longevity, now links diets with high fat content to the release of excess free radicals in the body. Elevated free radical release in the body, also known as oxidative stress, is sometimes targeted by antioxidants and has been tied to a number of disorders such as heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. The study, which was confined to women, also demonstrated that women who were obese were more likely to have higher and prolonged release of free radicals in the body when compared to non-obese counterparts.”
Losing Weight Can Cure Obstructive Sleep Apnea In Overweight Patients “For sufferers of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a new study shows that losing weight is perhaps the single most effective way to reduce OSA symptoms and associated disorders, according to a new study in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, one of the American Thoracic Society's three peer-reviewed journals.”
Long-term association of food and nutrient intakes with cognitive and functional decline: a 13-year follow-up study of elderly French women. (Br J Nutr. 2009) “These results are consistent with a possible long-term neuroprotective effect of dietary fibre, n-3 polyunsaturated fats and B-group vitamins, and support dietary intervention to prevent cognitive decline.”
Protective Effect of Fish Consumption on Colorectal Cancer Risk. Hospital-Based Case-Control Study in Eastern Europe. (Ann Nutr Metab. 2009) “Conclusions: The study results indicate that increased fish intake may have a preventive effect on CRC and modulate the effect of meat consumption. To our knowledge, this is the first large epidemiologic study on dietary habits and CRC incidence in Eastern Europe.”
Prevention of insulin resistance by n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. (Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2009)
Higher dietary intake of long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids is inversely associated with depressive symptoms in women. (Nutrition. 2009) “CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that dietary intakes of fish and long-chain omega-3 fatty acids may be inversely associated with chronic depressive symptoms in women.”
Exercise boosts older women's quality of life “Even modest amounts of exercise can improve older women's quality of life, a new study suggests. Researchers found that among more than 400 overweight postmenopausal women, those who took up an exercise program for six months showed gains in their physical and mental well-being -- measured by factors such as daily energy levels, social life, emotional well-being and physical pain. The more the women exercised, the greater the improvements in quality of life, the researchers report in the Archives of Internal Medicine. It is often said that exercise can improve a person's energy, stress levels and overall sense of well-being, but now there is proof of that from a clinical trial, according to the researchers.”
Obese mothers 'risk spina bifida' “Mothers-to-be who are obese increase their odds of having a baby with abnormalities including spina bifida, researchers say. Their analysis of data from 39 studies found obese women were more than twice as likely to have a baby with spina bifida or another neural tube defect. The risk of heart defects and cleft lip was also raised, the Journal of the American Medical Association says. “
Hospital drug reactions 'common' “Joyce Robins, of Patient Concern, said the findings did not surprise her. "We get a lot of complaints from patients about the lack of checks and procedures regarding drugs in hospital. "Patients say they are not asked about allergies or what medication they are already on. They also say medication comes at all the wrong times. It is something that needs to be tackled." “
Cognitive decline in early Parkinson's disease. (Mov Disord. 2009) “We found that 31% of newly diagnosed idiopathic PD patients have measurable cognitive decline at an early stage of disease. Higher education is protective while depression may be predictive of cognitive decline.”
Many Kids Don't Need the Vitamins They're Taking “Many healthy U.S. children and teenagers may be popping vitamins and mineral supplements they don't need, researchers report. The experts note that vitamin and mineral supplements are not considered necessary when a person eats a varied diet. On the other hand, children who actually need these supplements -- those with poorer nutrition, less physical activity, and from low-income households -- may not be getting the dosage of vitamins and minerals they require, according to researchers reporting in the February issue of the Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine.”
Monday February 2 - February 8, 2009
Drugmakers' push boosts 'murky' ailment “Two drugmakers spent hundreds of millions of dollars last year to raise awareness of a murky illness, helping boost sales of pills recently approved as treatments and drowning out unresolved questions — including whether it's a real disease at all. … Fibromyalgia draws skepticism for several reasons. The cause is unknown. There are no tests to confirm a diagnosis. Many patients also fit the criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome and other pain ailments. Experts don't doubt the patients are in pain. They differ on what to call it and how to treat it. Many doctors and patients say the drugmakers are educating the medical establishment about a misunderstood illness, much as they did with depression in the 1980s. Those with fibromyalgia have often had to fight perceptions that they are hypochondriacs, or even faking their pain. … "The underlying purpose here is really marketing, and they do that by sponsoring symposia and hiring physicians to give lectures and prepare materials," said Wolfe, who directs the National Data Bank for Rheumatic Diseases in Wichita, Kan. Similar criticisms have dogged drugmakers' marketing of medicines for overactive bladder and restless legs syndrome. Many of the grants go to educational programs for doctors that feature seminars on the latest treatments and discoveries. … While Goldenberg continues to diagnose patients with fibromyalgia, some of his colleagues have stopped, saying the condition is a catchall covering a range of symptoms. Dr. Nortin Hadler says telling people they have fibromyalgia can actually doom them to a life of suffering by reinforcing the idea that they have an incurable disease. "It's been shown that if you are diagnosed with fibromyalgia, your chances for returning to a level of well-being that satisfies you are pretty dismal," said Hadler, a professor at the University of North Carolina, who has occasionally advised health insurers on how to deal with fibromyalgia. … "At the end of the day I don't care how you categorize this — it's a legitimate condition and these people are suffering," Clauw said.”
Hallucinations and other psychotic symptoms associated with the use of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder drugs in children. (Pediatrics. 2009) CONCLUSIONS: Patients and physicians should be aware that psychosis or mania arising during drug treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder may represent adverse drug reactions.”
Effects of zinc supplementation on parent and teacher behaviour rating scores in low socioeconomic level Turkish primary school children. ( Acta Paediatr. 2009) “Conclusion: In our study zinc supplementation decreased the prevalence of children with clinically significant scores for attention deficit and hyperactivity. The affect on behaviour was more evident in the children of low educated mothers.”
'Inoculating' Elderly Against Slip-related Falls “Training people to avoid falls by repeatedly exposing them to unstable situations in the laboratory helped them to later maintain their balance on a slippery floor, according to new research.”
Chemists Shed Light On Health Benefits Of Garlic “Researchers have widely believed that the organic compound, allicin – which gives garlic its aroma and flavour – acts as the world's most powerful antioxidant. But until now it hasn't been clear how allicin works, or how it stacks up compared to more common antioxidants such as Vitamin E and coenzyme Q10, which stop the damaging effects of radicals. "We didn't understand how garlic could contain such an efficient antioxidant, since it didn't have a substantial amount of the types of compounds usually responsible for high antioxidant activity in plants, such as the flavanoids found in green tea or grapes," says Chemistry professor Derek Pratt, who led the study. "If allicin was indeed responsible for this activity in garlic, we wanted to find out how it worked." The research team questioned the ability of allicin to trap damaging radicals so effectively, and considered the possibility that a decomposition product of allicin may instead be responsible. Through experiments with synthetically-produced allicin, they found that an acid produced when the compound decomposes rapidly reacts with radicals.”
Victim of 2007 Outbreak: 'Salmonella Ruined Me'
Stress May Hasten The Growth Of Melanoma Tumors
Residential Exposure to Urban Air Pollution, Ankle-Brachial Index, and Peripheral Arterial Disease. (Epidemiology. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS:: This study adds to the evidence that long-term residential exposure to traffic is associated with atherosclerosis.”
Vitamin B12 deficiency is associated with coronary artery disease in an Indian population. (Clin Chem Lab Med. 2009) “Conclusions: We believe that, when vitamin B12 is deficient, homocysteine is rapidly metabolized via the transsulfuration pathway leading to increased cysteine levels.”
Occasional Binge Drinking During Pregnancy Linked to Child Mental Health Problems “Any episodes of consuming 4 or more drinks per day were independently associated with greater risks for mental health problems, particularly hyperactivity and inattention, in girls at 47 months and in both girls and boys at 81 months, after adjustment for a range of prenatal and postnatal factors. Binge drinking was not associated with IQ scores at 49 months, after adjustment for confounders. In the absence of regular daily drinking, consuming 4 or more drinks in a day was still associated with a greater risk for mental health problems, particularly hyperactivity and inattention. "The consumption of = 4 drinks in a day on an occasional basis during pregnancy may increase risk for child mental health problems in the absence of moderate daily levels of drinking," the study authors write. "The main risks seem to relate to hyperactivity and inattention problems."”
Breast Cancer Risk Declines Quickly After Stopping Hormone Therapy: WHI Data in NEJM
Imaging strategies for low-back pain: systematic review and meta-analysis (The Lancet 2009) “Lumbar imaging for low-back pain without indications of serious underlying conditions does not improve clinical outcomes. Therefore, clinicians should refrain from routine, immediate lumbar imaging in patients with acute or subacute low-back pain and without features suggesting a serious underlying condition.”
Omega-6 Fatty Acids Can Be Good for You “The major component of omega-6 fatty acids is linoleic acid, accounting for 85 percent to 90 percent of the total. Both linoleic acid and arachidonic acid give rise to pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory molecules, the journal report noted. The advisory says that people should aim at getting at least 5 percent to 10 percent of their calories from omega-6 fatty acids which, like the omega-3 fatty acids found in some fish, are polyunsaturated. These PUFAs -- polyunsaturated fatty acids -- play crucial roles in growth and development and have a protective value if they replace saturated fats that can collect in arteries to form plaques that limit blood flow. “
Vitamin D, a key milk nutrient, linked to better muscle power “Yet despite a potential upside of boosting vitamin D levels, Americans of all ages still fall short of their vitamin D needs. Even in this study with demonstrated muscle benefits, overall, the girls’ vitamin D levels were far less than ideal – a finding consistent with numerous studies indicating a resurgence in vitamin D deficiencies in adolescence. In fact, current deficiency levels prompted the American Academy of Pediatrics to double the vitamin D recommendations for children and teens to 400 IU daily. The Academy estimates that up to half of adolescents have low vitamin D levels.”
Spanish scientists confirm extra virgin olive oil helps to combat breast cancer “Therefore, this study confirms the potentiality of polyphenols to inhibit HER2 activity and to promote its degradation. Such results, together with the fact that humans have consumed secoiridoids and lignans safely for a long time through oil and olive oil consumption, endorse the fact that such phytochemicals could be an excellent and safe basis for the design of new antiHER2 compounds.”
Smoking in pregnancy cuts blood flow to the fetus “Smoking during pregnancy reduces blood flow to the developing fetus and, in turn, retards growth, new research suggests.”
Education Doesn't Slow Alzheimer's Decline “Education does not slow the rate of cognitive decline among the elderly, new research shows. The finding contradicts several earlier studies that suggested more education lowered the risk for Alzheimer's disease and dementia. "Your rate of cognitive decline really doesn't depend on the number of years of schooling you've had," said study author Robert S. Wilson, a professor of neuropsychology at Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. However, more education "does give you the advantage of having a higher level of cognitive functioning in old age. You have to decline for somewhat longer to reach the effect where you're no longer able to be independent and engage in self-care," he noted.”
Feds Open Criminal Probe of Peanut Producer “Federal officials have launched a criminal investigation into the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) -- the company at the heart of the salmonella outbreak -- for allegedly shipping peanut products it knew had tested positive for that bacteria.”
China birth defects 'up sharply' “A 2007 commission report said the rate of defects had risen 40% since 2001, from 104.9 per 10,000 births to 145.5 in 2006. Officials blame emissions from Shanxi's large coal and chemical industry for the problems there. "The problem of birth defects is related to environmental pollution, especially in eight main coal zones," …”
Home Repair Raises Lead Levels in Kids “Repair, renovation, and painting of older homes can raise lead in the blood of children living in such environments to dangerous levels, the CDC says. In a study in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, construction and renovation activities were identified as probable sources of lead exposure in 14% of children in New York (outside New York City) with highly elevated lead levels. In the cases of the affected children, renovations often included sanding and scraping, removal of painted materials or structures, and other activities known to release particles of lead-based paint.”
Mom's obesity tied to higher infant mortality “Research shows that babies born to obese mothers are at increased risk for dying, particularly in the first weeks of life, compared to babies born to normal-weight mothers. Given high infant mortality rates in the US as compared to other developed nations, the researchers say, if the results are confirmed, "obesity prevention should be explored as a measure to reduce infant mortality."”
Monday January 26 - February 1, 2009
Aspirin and acetaminophen: should they be available over the counter? (Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2009) “Traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs block cyclooxygenase (COX). They are the most widely used drugs for pain relief. They are indispensable for their effects but are condemned for their adverse drug reactions. Two COX inhibitors, acetaminophen and aspirin, are the most widely used over-the-counter drugs. They have low (but useful) therapeutic activity, but they are endowed with specific risks that are not seen with most other COX inhibitors. Both are lethal if taken in overdose. Each is stigmatized by severe adverse effects. Aspirin results in prolonged inhibition of blood coagulation, and acetaminophen can result in liver toxicity at normal dose and liver failure at higher dose. Both drugs cause many deaths every year.”
A survey of drug-dose calculation skills of Australian tertiary hospital doctors (Med J Aust 2009) “Medication errors are a source of significant morbidity and mortality among hospital patients worldwide. A United States study found that drug complications were the most common type of adverse hospital event, accounting for 19% of all these events.1 An adverse drug event is defined as any injury related to the use of a drug.2 The risk of a medication error causing an adverse drug event is increased by difficult and time-critical circumstances. A recent qualitative study highlighted a myriad of factors that may lead to a prescribing error — drug choice, route or dose, or drug omission.3 Each drug administration is a complex process, involving up to 40 individual steps.4 The risk of an adverse event is increased when the patient’s condition is unstable, or the drug is administered intravenously.1 Studies in the United Kingdom5,6 and the US7 have investigated hospital doctors’ ability to calculate and prescribe drug doses accurately, and the effect of education programs on this skill. Junior doctors were identified as being at particular risk of making medication errors and highlighted as a target for education.7,8 Studies have also tested calculation and prescribing skills of nurses9,10 and paramedics.11 A study of intensive care physicians found that most medication errors were in dosing, which is consistent with the finding that doctors have difficulty converting between ratios, mass concentration and percentages.5 To our knowledge, no similar research has been conducted in Australia. … This study showed that the doctors surveyed expected a higher level of skill in calculating drug doses from their colleagues than they achieved or expected of themselves. In addition, junior doctors and those in non-critical care specialties performed more poorly, clearly confirming the need for improved teaching of drug-dose calculations to medical students and junior staff.”
Childhood obesity in Australia remains a widespread health concern that warrants population-wide prevention programs (Med J Aust 2009) “Some commentators downplay the health implications of childhood and adolescent obesity,8,11 but there is considerable evidence that obesity results in immediate and longer-term health consequences in children, and especially adolescents. These range from orthopaedic complications, sleep apnoea and hepatic steatosis to more common manifestations of cardiovascular disease risk factors, type 2 diabetes and psychosocial problems, including low self-esteem and depression.12 There are also the problems associated with the common pattern of obesity progressing into adulthood, leading to earlier development of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes.13 More recent data have indicated clearly that many of these ill-health consequences of excessive weight are present in children and adolescents who are defined as overweight.14 As a consequence, early intervention in overweight children and adolescents appears justified, and highlighting the extent of the problem of overweight should not be dismissed as an attempt to exaggerate the level of weight problems in children and adolescents.”
Physically Fit Kids Do Better In School ““For families and schools, these results suggest investments of time and resources in physical activity and fitness training may not detract from academic achievement in core subjects, and, may even be beneficial,” the authors conclude.”
Overtreating Chronic Back Pain: Time to Back Off? (The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine 2009)
Systematic review on the effectiveness of caffeine abstinence on the quality of sleep. (J Clin Nurs. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that caffeine abstinence for a whole day could improve sleep quality. Thus, health practitioners were recommended to include caffeine abstinence in the instructions for sleep hygiene. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: This study demonstrates the effectiveness of caffeine abstinence in improving sleep quality. It provides evidence for the practice of including caffeine abstinence in sleep hygiene advice.”
Fake Internet Drugs Risk Lives And Fund Terrorism, Warns Journal Editor “"Harmful ingredients found in counterfeit medicines include arsenic, boric acid, leaded road paint, floor and shoe polish, talcum powder, chalk and brick dust and nickel" he points out. "In one scheme, Americans buying fake Viagra on the internet were actually helping to fund Middle East terrorism, unknowingly jeopardising the lives of men and women serving in their own armed forces." The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency estimates that nearly 62 per cent of the prescription only medicines offered on the internet, without the need for a prescription, are fakes.”
Prolonged Loop Diuretic Use Linked to Higher Fracture Risk in Postmenopausal Women “Loop diuretics promote increased urinary calcium excretion and may promote reduced BMD. However, their effects on BMD measured in clinical trials have been mixed. In addition, some, but not all, research has suggested that loop diuretics may increase the risk for falls. … Loop diuretics may promote an increased risk for fracture through their potential effects on increasing renal calcium excretion and increasing the risk for falls. In the current study of postmenopausal women, the use of loop diuretics did not independently increase the overall risk for fracture or fall. Loop diuretics also did not promote faster loss of BMD. However, the use of loop diuretics for more than 3 years was associated with a modest increase in the risk for fracture.”
Sick House, Suffering Family “But over the next year, they noticed a pattern: The more they were out of the house, the better they felt. After doing some detective work, they discovered that the source of their pain was the place they called home. Shoddy construction and unmended leaks had let moisture in, allowing toxin-producing mold to grow and spread through the three-story house, the Mengs said. A Loudoun jury recently awarded the family $4.75 million, among the largest awards in a mold case in Virginia. “
Smoking as an independent risk factor for hypertension: a 14-year longitudinal study in male Japanese workers. (Tohoku J Exp Med. 2009)
Want to get healthy? Exercise 7 minutes a week “Rigorous workouts lasting as little as three minutes may help prevent diabetes by helping control blood sugar, British researchers said on Wednesday. The findings published in the journal BioMed Central Endocrine Disorders suggest that people unable to meet government guidelines calling for moderate to vigorous exercise several hours per week can still benefit from exercise. "This is such a brief amount of exercise you can do it without breaking a sweat," said James Timmons, an exercise biologist at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, who led the study. "You can make just as big as an effect doing this as you can by doing hours and hours of endurance training each week."”
Air Pollution and Childhood Respiratory Allergies in the United States. (Environ Health Perspect. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence of adverse health for children living in areas with chronic exposure to higher levels of O(3) and PM(2.5) compared with children with lower exposures.”
Salt May Restrict Blood Flow to Heart “Reducing the salt in your diet can help lower your blood pressure, but it may also lower your risk for having a heart attack or stroke in another important way. Results from a new study suggest that eating a low-sodium diet can also help keep blood vessels working properly. The study measured the impact of salt restriction on the endothelium, the thin layer of cells that line the interior of the blood vessels and help regulate blood flow. Overweight and obese study participants with normal blood pressure who restricted the sodium in their diets showed evidence of improved endothelial function compared to participants who did not restrict salt. “
World's Highest Drug Levels Entering India Stream “Last year, The Associated Press reported that trace concentrations of pharmaceuticals had been found in drinking water provided to at least 46 million Americans. But the wastewater downstream from the Indian plants contained 150 times the highest levels detected in the U.S. … At first, Joakim Larsson, an environmental scientist at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, questioned whether 100 pounds a day of ciprofloxacin could really be running into the stream. The researcher was so baffled by the unprecedented results he sent the samples to a second lab for independent analysis. When those reports came back with similarly record-high levels, Larsson knew he was looking at a potentially serious situation. After all, some villagers fish in the stream's tributaries, while others drink from wells nearby. Livestock also depend on these watering holes.”
Strength, aerobic best exercise combo for elderly “Older, obese adults who do a combination of strength and resistance exercises have less insulin resistance -- a warning sign of type 2 diabetes -- and are better able to do simple tasks, researchers said on Monday. The findings might be useful to help motivate elderly people, who often fear that exercise is bad for them, another expert said.”
Cell Phones, Traffic a Deadly Combo for Kids “"The change has to be with the parent," Dr. Judy Schaechter, director of the Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Miami, said at the time of the April presentation. "Parents need to consider the risk before they buy the young child a cell phone, and parents need to lay down rules and clear consequences for cell phone use, which includes not using it when crossing the street or not on sidewalks. The research provides an opportunity to teach children responsible behavior before they get behind the wheel of a car." “
Dead athletes' brains show damage from concussions “Until recently, the best medical definition for concussion was a jarring blow to the head that temporarily stunned the senses, occasionally leading to unconsciousness. It has been considered an invisible injury, impossible to test -- no MRI, no CT scan can detect it. But today, using tissue from retired NFL athletes culled posthumously, the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy (CSTE), at the Boston University School of Medicine, is shedding light on what concussions look like in the brain. The findings are stunning. Far from innocuous, invisible injuries, concussions confer tremendous brain damage. That damage has a name: chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).”
Much High Fructose Corn Syrup Contaminated With Mercury, New Study Finds “Mercury was found in nearly 50 percent of tested samples of commercial high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), according to a new article published today in the scientific journal, Environmental Health. A separate study by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) detected mercury in nearly one-third of 55 popular brandname food and beverage products where HFCS is the first or second highest labeled ingredient-including products by Quaker, Hershey's, Kraft and Smucker's. HFCS use has skyrocketed in recent decades as the sweetener has replaced sugar in many processed foods. HFCS is found in sweetened beverages, breads, cereals, breakfast bars, lunch meats, yogurts, soups and condiments. On average, Americans consume about 12 teaspoons per day of HFCS. Consumption by teenagers and other high consumers can be up to 80 percent above average levels. "Mercury is toxic in all its forms," said IATP's David Wallinga, M.D., and a co-author in both studies. "Given how much high fructose corn syrup is consumed by children, it could be a significant additional source of mercury never before considered. We are calling for immediate changes by industry and the FDA to help stop this avoidable mercury contamination of the food supply.”
Twin study: Diabetes significantly increases risk for Alzheimer's disease and other dementia “Diabetics have a significantly greater risk of dementia, both Alzheimer's disease — the most common form of dementia — and other dementia, reveals important new data from an ongoing study of twins. The risk of dementia is especially strong if the onset of diabetes occurs in middle age, according to the study. "Our results . . . highlighted the need to maintain a healthy lifestyle during adulthood in order to reduce the risk of dementia late in life," explained Dr. Margaret Gatz, who directs the Study of Dementia in Swedish Twins. “
Time spent sitting linked to sleep apnea severity “The more time a man spends seated during the day, Dr. Stefania Redolfi of the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute and her colleagues found, the greater is the volume of fluid that shifts from his legs to his neck overnight; and the greater the fluid shift, the worse the OSA.”
Mammograms may harm young BRCA mutation carriers “Due to the risk of radiation-induced breast cancer, mammographic screening in young BRCA mutation carriers may have a net harmful effect, according to a report in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.”
Monday January 19 - January 25, 2009
Lifestyle, genes, and cancer. (Methods Mol Biol. 2009) “It is estimated that almost 1.5 million people in the USA are diagnosed with cancer every year. However, due to the substantial effect of modifiable lifestyle factors on the most prevalent cancers, it has been estimated that 50% of cancer is preventable. Physical activity, weight loss, and a reduction in alcohol use can strongly be recommended for the reduction of breast cancer risk. Similarly, weight loss, physical activity, and cessation of tobacco use are important behavior changes to reduce colorectal cancer risk, along with the potential benefit for the reduction of red meat consumption and the increase in folic acid intake. Smoking cessation is still the most important prevention intervention for reducing lung cancer risk, but recent evidence indicates that increasing physical activity may also be an important prevention intervention for this disease. The potential benefit of lifestyle change to reduce prostate cancer risk is growing, with recent evidence indicating the importance of a diet rich in tomato-based foods and weight loss. Also, in the cancers for which there are established lifestyle risk factors, such as physical inactivity for breast cancer and obesity for colorectal cancer, there is emerging information on the role that genetics plays in interacting with these factors, as well as the interaction of combinations of lifestyle factors.”
Mediterranean Diet Reduces Long-term Risk Of Subsequent Weight Gain And Obesity Among Adults “In conclusion, the researchers found that increased fruit and vegetable intake was associated with significantly lower risk of a medium WG (3,41 kg) over 10 years among adults of a Spanish Mediterranean population. Dietary strategies to increase fruit and vegetable intake to prevent and control overweight and obesity should be promoted more vigorously. The researchers concluded that dietary patterns associated with a high intake of fruits and vegetables in Mediterranean populations may reduce long-term risk of subsequent WG and obesity among adults.”
Apple Juice Can Delay Onset Of Alzheimer's Disease, Study Suggests “In the most recent study Shea and his team demonstrated that mice receiving the human equivalent of 2 glasses of apple juice per day for 1 month produced less of a small protein fragment, called "beta-amyloid" that is responsible for forming the "senile plaques" that are commonly found in brains of individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Shea commented that "These findings provide further evidence linking nutritional and genetic risk factors for age-related neurodegeneration and suggest that regular consumption of apple juice can not only help to keep one's mind functioning at its best, but may also be able to delay key aspects of Alzheimer's disease and augment therapeutic approaches."”
Metabolic syndrome linked to vascular dementia “Individuals with metabolic syndrome -- a cluster of risk factors for heart disease and diabetes -- may also have an increased risk of developing "vascular" dementia, but not Alzheimer's disease. Vascular dementia, the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease, is a step-wise deterioration in intellectual powers that becomes apparent as different areas of the brain are damaged by a loss of blood supply. Vascular dementia is often associated stroke; high blood pressure and smoking are well known risk factors. Metabolic syndrome is typically diagnosed when a person has three or more of the following conditions: abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, low levels of "good" HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides (another type of blood fat). “
Are Bioidentical Hormones Better? (Dr. Weil)
Bioidentical hormones: Are they safer?
Oprah and Bioidentical Hormones: FAQ
Steer Clear of "Bioidentical" Hormone Therapy
Most successful dieters lose weight on their own “To shed excess pounds, forget expensive commercial diets or diet pills; most successful dieters lose weight on their own, largely by eating right and exercising regularly, according to a survey by Consumer Reports. Their specific successful do-it-yourself weight loss tactics are unveiled at www.ConsumerReportsHealth.org.”
Vitamin D 'is mental health aid' “They found that compared to those with the highest vitamin D levels, those with the lowest were more than twice as likely to have impaired understanding. Alzheimer's charities said the research was interesting, but more work was needed to understand vitamin D's role. … Dr Iain Lang from the Peninsula Medical School, who worked on the study, said: "For those of us who live in countries where there are dark winters without much sunlight, like the UK, getting enough vitamin D can be a real problem - particularly for older people, who absorb less vitamin D from sunlight. "One way to address this might be to provide older adults with vitamin D supplements. "This has been proposed in the past as a way of improving bone health in older people, but our results suggest it might also have other benefits. “
Search for Peanut Butter Product Recalls “Note: This list includes food products subject to recall in the United States since January 2009 related to peanut butter and peanut paste recalled by Peanut Corporation of America. This list will be updated as new information is received. This information is current as of the date indicated. Once included, all food recalls will remain listed. If we learn that any information is not accurate, we will revise the list as soon as possible.”
Assisted living residents face more bone risks “Men and women residing in assisted living facilities are more likely than their peers who are still living independently to have three key risk factors for brittle bones and fractures. But the good news is that all three of these risk factors -- low bone density, low levels of vitamin D, and worse physical function -- can be reversed, Dr. Anne M. Kenny of the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington told Reuters Health. And people in assisted living, she added, have special advantages when it comes to tackling these problems.”
Evaluating the Effects of Ambient Air Pollution on Life Expectancy
Fine-Particulate Air Pollution and Life Expectancy in the United States (NEJM 2009) “Conclusions A reduction in exposure to ambient fine-particulate air pollution contributed to significant and measurable improvements in life expectancy in the United States.”
CDC Issues Annual Report on Sexually Transmitted Diseases “The new annual report of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) for 2007 shows a high burden of STDs, especially among women and racial minorities. In the United States, reported cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea exceeded 1.4 million in 2007. These illnesses continued to be the most frequently reported infectious diseases nationwide. These STDs may be complicated by loss or impairment of fertility. For example, pelvic inflammatory disease may result from nearly 40% of all untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea infections, causing infertility in up to 50,000 women annually. Ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, and other complications may also result from untreated chlamydia or gonorrhea. These complications may be preventable if the disease is diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. Diagnosis and treatment are not difficult, but asymptomatic cases often go undetected, and estimates suggest that more than half of all new infections with chlamydia and gonorrhea remain undiagnosed. The CDC therefore recommends that all sexually active women younger than 26 years be screened annually for chlamydia, and the agency supports the recommendations of the US Preventive Services Task Force for gonorrhea screening in high-risk, sexually active women. “
Some Sexually Transmitted Infections Increasing In South Dakota; Lack Of Education, Health Services On American Indian Reservations Partly To Blame “The number of gonorrhea and chlamydia cases in South Dakota peaked at record levels last year, and HIV/AIDS cases also are on the rise, according to the state Department of Health's 2008 infectious disease report, the Sioux Falls Argus Leader reports. The number of chlamydia infections reached an all-time high of 2,948 in 2008, up by 328 since 2007, according to provisional data in the report. Gonorrhea infections increased by 29.4% to 370. There were 34 HIV/AIDS infections reported in 2008, compared with 25 in 2007.”
Heart Disease: The World's Number One Killer “Heart disease is the number one killer in the world. By 2010, India's population is expected to account for 60 percent of the world's heart disease cases. One percent of the world's population has a genetic mutation that makes them almost guaranteed to have heart trouble, but in South Asia, the frequency of the mutation reaches four percent. The mutation on the heart protein gene MYBPC3 was discovered five years ago in two Indian families with cardiomyopathy, but its significance was not realized until a broader study including almost 1,500 people across India was done. "The mutation leads to the formation of an abnormal protein," Kumarasamy Thangaraj, study leader of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology in Hyderabad, India, was quoted as saying. "Young people can degrade the abnormal protein and remain healthy, but as they get older it builds up and eventually results in the symptoms we see."”
Autistic traits 'spread widely' “Seeing autism as a "distinct illness" was probably wrong, they said. Even at this mild level, however, these characteristics - particularly problems communicating with peers and teachers - can be a disadvantage. The findings confirmed that IQ was not an issue - the traits could be present regardless of levels of intelligence. However, it cast some light on the differential in the numbers of boys and girls diagnosed with autism. Girls with autistic traits appeared to be able to compensate for social communication problems if they had sufficient "verbal IQ" - a natural ability to use language well. However, even boys with high "verbal IQ" seemed less able to overcome their communication problems.”
Chinese Experts Confirm Melamine-Kidney Stone Link “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says melamine-tainted food was not imported into the U.S., though anecdotal — meaning real-life — evidence suggests some products containing the chemical did in fact make it to U.S. shores. In 2007 thousands of U.S. pets were killed or sickened because of melamine contained in pet food that imported from China. Unexplained animal deaths and illnesses continue to this day, without noticeable action or concern by agencies responsible for protecting the public. In the kidney stone study, Chinese researchers analyzed urine sample of 15 Chinese children with kidney stones. The samples were compared to those from other children who consumed the tainted milk but did not develop kidney stones. They concluded that melamine alone can lead to the creation of kidney stones, whose size are directly related with the amount of melamine that is consumed. Not everyone who comes in contact with melamine develops kidney stones, however. The researchers say there is a "safe level," above which the risk escalates.”
FDA confirms salmonella in Kellogg's crackers
Doctors report 'alarming' rise of MRSA in kids “Researchers say they found an "alarming" increase in children's ear, nose and throat infections nationwide caused by dangerous drug-resistant staph germs. Other studies have shown rising numbers of skin infections in adults and children caused by these germs, nicknamed MRSA, but this is the first nationwide report on how common they are in deeper tissue infections in the head and neck, the study authors said. These include certain ear and sinus infections, and abscesses that can form in the tonsils and throat. … Sobol said MRSA head and neck infections most likely develop in MRSA carriers, who become susceptible because of ear, nose or throat infections caused by some other bug. Symptoms that it could be MRSA include ear infections that drain pus, or swollen neck lymph nodes caused by pus draining from a throat or nose abcess. Unlike cold and flu bugs, MRSA germs aren't airborne and don't spread through sneezing. … MRSA does not respond to penicillin-based antibiotics and doctors are concerned that it is becoming resistant to others.”
Monday January 12 - January 18, 2009
Peripheral arterial disease: Lack of awareness in Canada. (Can J Cardiol. 2009) “BACKGROUND: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis and is associated with a high risk of stroke, myocardial infarction and cardiovascular death. PAD also fosters major morbidity by causing claudication, functional impairment, disability and amputation. PAD is largely unrecognized and under-treated compared with other cardiovascular diseases. The public health impact of PAD, as a contributor to Canadian national rates of heart attack, stroke, amputation, death and disability, will be challenging to address if the public is unaware of this common cardiovascular disease.”
Exercise as a mean to control low-grade systemic inflammation. (Mediators Inflamm. 2008 (Epub 2009)) “Chronic noncommunicable diseases (CNCDs), which include cardiovascular disease, some cancers, for example, colon cancer, breast cancer, and type 2 diabetes, are reaching epidemic proportions worldwide. It has now become clear that low-grade chronic inflammation is a key player in the pathogenesis of most CNCDs. Given that regular exercise offers protection against all causes of mortality, primarily by protection against atherosclerosis and insulin resistance, we suggest that exercise may exert some of its beneficial health effects by inducing anti-inflammatory actions. Recently, IL-6 was introduced as the first myokine, defined as a cytokine, which is produced and released by contracting skeletal muscle fibres, exerting its effects in other organs of the body. We suggest that skeletal muscle is an endocrine organ and that myokines may be involved in mediating the beneficial effects against CNCDs associated with low-grade inflammation.”
Patients expect transparency in doctors’ relationships with the pharmaceutical industry (Med J Aust 2009) “Conclusions: Patients are currently not aware of their doctors’ competing interests but do want to know of doctors’ interactions with the pharmaceutical industry, indicating that disclosure of competing interests would improve their confidence in doctors’ decisions.”
A Good Night's Sleep Protects Against Parasites “By comparing reported information about mammalian sleep, immune system parameters, and parasitism the authors show that evolutionary increases in mammalian sleep durations are strongly associated with the number of circulating immune cells. Mammalian species that sleep for longer periods also have substantially reduced levels of parasitic infection. According to Preston, "We suggest that sleep fuels the immune system. While awake, animals must be ready to meet multiple demands on a limited energy supply, including the need to search for food, acquire mates, and provide parental care. When asleep, animals largely avoid these costly activities, and can thus allocate resources to the body's natural defenses." This research may yet have implications for human health. Preston warns, "Given the declines in human sleep durations that have occurred over the past few decades, there is a clear need for studies that further clarify the immunological significance of sleep."”
The brain in the age of old: the hippocampal formation is targeted differentially by diseases of late life. (Ann Neurol. 2008) “RESULTS: Although both diabetes and brain infarcts were associated with hippocampal dysfunction, each was linked to separate hippocampal subregions, suggesting distinct underlying mechanisms. The hippocampal subregion linked to diabetes implicated blood glucose as a pathogenic mechanism, a hypothesis confirmed by imaging aging rhesus monkeys and a mouse model of diabetes. The hippocampal subregion linked to infarcts suggested transient hypoperfusion as a pathogenic mechanism, a hypothesis provisionally confirmed by comparing anatomical patterns across subjects with infarcts in different vascular territories. INTERPRETATION: Taken together with previous findings, these results clarify how diseases of late life differentially target the hippocampal formation, identify elevations in blood glucose as a contributing cause of age-related memory decline, and suggest specific interventions that can preserve cognitive health.”
Cause Of Cartilage Degeneration In Osteoarthritis Discovered “Osteoarthritis typically begins with a disruption of the surface layer of cartilage. The cartilage surface layer, called the superficial zone, is the most important functionally of the four layers of cartilage present in joints. In normal joints the cartilage surface is perfectly smooth, enabling joints to slide across one another without friction. Once the cartilage of the superficial zone starts to deteriorate, though, osteoarthritis sets in, triggering an irreversible process that eventually leads to the loss of underlying layers of cartilage until bone begins to grind painfully against bone. Osteoarthritis most commonly affects the spine, temporomandibular joints, shoulders, hands, hips and knees.”
FDA urges people to avoid peanut butter products “Federal health authorities on Saturday urged consumers to avoid eating cookies, cakes, ice cream and other foods that contain peanut butter until authorities can learn more about a deadly outbreak of salmonella contamination. Most peanut butter sold in jars at supermarkets appears to be safe, said Stephen Sundlof, head of the Food and Drug Administration's food safety center. "As of now, there is no indication that the major national name-brand jars of peanut butter sold in retails stores are linked to the recall," Sundlof told reporters in a conference call. “
Delusions Associated With Consistent Pattern Of Brain Injury “Often bizarre in content and held with absolute certainty, delusions are pathologic beliefs that remain fixed despite clear evidence that they are incorrect. "Delusions are common problems in a variety of psychiatric and neurological disorders," said Dr. Devinsky. "Psychiatric disorders with delusions, for example- schizophrenia, have been proven to have functional and structural brain pathology. But now improved diagnostic techniques are allowing us to have increased identification of neurologic disorders among other patient populations with delusions." In the study, the author finds that most neurologic patients with delusions usually have lesions in the right hemisphere and/or bifrontal areas. For example, the neurological disorders of Confabulation (incorrect or distorted statements made without conscious effort to deceive), Capgras (the ability to consciously recognize familiar faces but not emotionally connect with them) and Prosopagnosia (patients who may fail to recognize spouses or their own face but generate an unconscious response to familiar faces) result from right sided lesions.”
Girls Twice As Likely As Boys To Remain Victims Of Bullying, Study Finds “Girls targeted by bullies at primary school are two and a half times more likely to remain victims than boys, according to research from the University of Warwick and University of Hertfordshire. Researchers found girls being directly victimised by bullies (being beaten and suffering physical or verbal threats) at six years old were significantly more likely to still be a direct victim at age ten. … Professor Wolke said: “These findings indicate that even at an early age some victims of bullying remain victims over a long period of time. The development and implementation of intervention programmes that help victims to escape further victimization in primary school are called for.” He added that the findings suggested school professionals, health practitioners and parents should be aware of children showing signs of both physical and emotional health problems, as these appeared to be important risk factors for becoming and remaining a victim.”
The Utility of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Cardiovascular Disease. ( Am J Ther. 2008) “The beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids might be the result of their ability to reduce triglyceride levels, blood pressure, platelet aggregation, arrhythmia, and atherogenesis. Currently, the general public is recommended to consume two fatty fish meals per week (0.3-0.5 grams per day eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid). Pregnant mothers and children should refrain from eating fish high in methylmercury levels while limiting their consumption of other fish varieties to 12 ounces per week. Patients with coronary heart disease should have 1 g per day of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, whereas patients with hypertriglyceridemia should take 3 to 5 g per day of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid under a physician's supervision.”
Workers Exposed To Lead Show More Cognitive Problems Later In Life “Both the developing brain and the aging brain can suffer from lead exposure. For older people, a buildup of lead from earlier exposure may be enough to result in greater cognitive problems after age 55, according to a follow-up study of adults exposed to lead at work. … Among the lead-exposed workers, men with higher cumulative lead had significantly lower cognitive scores. The clearest inverse relationships – when one went up, the other went down – emerged between cumulative lead and spatial ability, learning and memory, and overall cognitive score. This linkage was more significant in the older lead-exposed men, of at least age 55. Their cognitive scores were significantly different from those of younger lead-exposed men even when the researchers controlled for current blood levels of lead. In other words, even when men no longer worked at the battery plants, their earlier prolonged exposure was enough to matter.”
Salmonella Typhimurium Outbreak “January 17, 2009: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is conducting a very active and dynamic investigation into the source of the Salmonella Typhimurium outbreak. At this time, the FDA has traced one likely source of Salmonella Typhimurium contamination to a plant owned by Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), which manufactures both peanut butter that is institutionally served in such settings as long-term care facilities and cafeterias, and peanut paste—a concentrated product consisting of ground, roasted peanuts—that is distributed to food manufacturers to be used as an ingredient in many products including cakes, cookies, crackers, candies, cereal and ice cream. The FDA has notified PCA that product samples originating from its Blakely, Ga., processing plant have been tested and found positive for Salmonella by laboratories in the states of Minnesota, Georgia and Connecticut. The state of Minnesota reported to FDA that its samples of King Nut peanut butter are a genetic match to the strain of Salmonellathat has caused illnesses in the state and around the country. King Nut is a distributor of PCA product.”
Hy-Vee Inc. Recalls Bakery Products With Peanut Butter Distributed in Seven States Due to Possible Health Risk “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- WEST DES MOINES, IA -- January 17, 2009 -- Hy-Vee Inc. is voluntarily recalling the following products made in its bakery departments because they contain peanut butter that has the potential to be contaminated with salmonella: Peanut Butter Cookies, Monster Cookies, Peanut Butter Reese's Pieces Cookies, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, Lunchbox Reese's Pieces Cookies, Lunchbox Peanut Butter Cookies, People Chow Party Mix and Assorted Truffle Fudge. All sell-by dates are included in this recall. The products are sold in various packaging and quantities and have a Hy-Vee price label attached. All items should be destroyed or returned to Hy-Vee for a full refund. The action was taken immediately after Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), the company that supplies bulk peanut butter to Hy-Vee, issued a recall of the peanut butter ingredient used to make the Hy-Vee bakery products. The recall is a precautionary step because of an unresolved nationwide outbreak of salmonella. Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare cases, infection with salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses, such as arterial infections (i.e. infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis. The identified items, sold in all Hy-Vee stores in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Minnesota, have not been directly linked to the salmonella outbreak and there have been no reported cases of the illness.”
Peanut Corporation of America Expands Nationwide Recall of Peanut Butter “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Lynchburg, Va. (January 16, 2009) -- Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), a peanut processing company and maker of peanut butter for bulk distribution to institutions, food service industries, and private label food companies, today announced an expanded recall of peanut butter produced in its Blakely, Georgia processing facility as well as the voluntary recall of peanut paste produced in the same plant because these products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The company on January 13, 2009 previously announced the recall of 21 lots of peanut butter produced on or after July 1, 2008. Today's announcement and voluntary recall affect all peanut butter produced on or after August 8, 2008 and peanut paste produced on or after September 26, 2008 at the Georgia facility. The peanut butter being recalled is sold by PCA in bulk packaging in containers ranging in size from five to 1,700 pounds. The peanut paste is sold in sizes ranging from 35 pound containers to tanker containers. PCA is notifying customers who received the recalled product by telephone or in writing, as well as through the news media and a toll-free 24/7 hotline number. None of the peanut butter or peanut paste being recalled is sold directly by PCA to consumers through retail stores. "Today, the FDA informed PCA that new product samples in unopened containers tested positive for Salmonella," said Stewart Parnell, President of Peanut Corporation of America. The FDA has not yet confirmed the DNA fingerprints of these positive samples to match the strains causing the outbreaks of food borne illness in several states. PCA is immediately stopping all production at the Blakely, Georgia facility and notifying its customers to recall and retain all affected product produced during these dates at this plant.”
Effect of dietary n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on brain lipid fatty acid composition, learning ability, and memory of senescence-accelerated mouse. (J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2008) “This study demonstrates that, in mature animals, DHA is incorporated into brain phospholipids and that dietary n-3 PUFA is associated with delay in cognitive decline.”
Survival after 100 years of age: a multivariate model of exceptional survival in Swedish centenarians. ( J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2008) “Hereditary factors, social relationships, marital status, and personality did not contribute to survival prediction in this exceptional age group.”
Fewer Clogged Arteries May Need Stent Treatment “A new study gives fresh evidence that many people with clogged heart arteries are being overtreated with stents, and that a simple blood-flow test might help prevent unnecessary care. Fewer deaths, heart attacks and repeat procedures occurred when doctors implanted fewer of these tiny artery props, using the blood-flow test to decide when they were truly needed, the study found. Results were published in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine. Several reports in recent years have suggested that stents and artery-opening angioplasty procedures were being overused in non-emergency cases, often without giving medicine alone a chance to work. Concern about stent complications also has made doctors more cautious about elective angioplasty. “
Exercise Decreases the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in Elderly Females. (Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009) “CONCLUSION:: Our multipurpose exercise program significantly affects most parameters of the MetS in elderly women.”
Get With the Guidelines-Stroke Linked to Improved Care for Stroke and TIA Patients “Adherence to evidence-based guidelines implemented through the Get With the Guidelines-Stroke (GWTG-Stroke) program resulted in significant improvements in hospital performance measures related to the care of stroke or transient-ischemic-attack (TIA) patients, including thrombolysis, smoking cessation, and early antithrombotics, the researchers report. Get With the Guidelines is a quality-improvement program first developed and implemented in coronary heart disease care. The program, a voluntary-participation project involving hospitals across the United States, has been adapted to improve adherence to guidelines in the area of stroke and TIA.”
Plasma vitamin B12 status and cerebral white matter lesions (J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2009) “Background and objective: Elevated homocysteine has been associated with higher prevalence of cerebral white matter lesions and infarcts, and worse cognitive performance. This raises the question whether factors involved in homocysteine metabolism, such as vitamin B12, are also related to these outcomes. We examined the association of several markers of vitamin B12 status with cerebral white matter lesions, infarcts, and cognition. … Results: Poorer vitamin B12 status was significantly associated with greater severity of white matter lesions, in particular periventricular white matter lesions, in a concentration-related manner. Adjustment for common vascular risk factors (including blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and intima media thickness) did not alter the associations.”
Vitamin E intake, -tocopherol status, and pancreatic cancer in a cohort of male smokers (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2009) “Conclusion: Our results support the hypothesis that higher -tocopherol concentrations may play a protective role in pancreatic carcinogenesis in male smokers. “
Vitamin C consumption is associated with less progression in carotid intima media thickness in elderly men: A 3-year intervention study (Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases 2009) “Vitamin C containing foods may protect against the progression of carotid atherosclerosis in elderly men.”
Warning Signs and Symptoms of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (Southern Medical Journal 2009) “Results: Overall, 28 cases of spontaneous SAH were identified during the study period. A history of headache as the most frequent warning symptom was present in 64.3% of the cases. Transient loss of consciousness (42.8%), difficulty in walking (21.4%), hemiparesis (14.2%), ocular signs (14.2%) and seizure (3.6%) were the next most frequent symptoms. Hypertension and smoking, the most frequent risk factors for SAH, were found in 39.3 and 32.1% of the cases, respectively. … An atypical headache of abrupt onset should be recognized as an important warning symptom for spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage.”
Simple checklist cuts surgical deaths in half “Scrawl on the patient with a permanent marker to show where the surgeon should cut. Ask the person's name to make sure you have the right patient. Count sponges to make sure you didn't leave any inside the body. Doctors worldwide who followed a checklist of steps like these cut the death rate from surgery almost in half and complications by more than a third in a large international study of how to avoid blatant operating room mistakes.”
Food, Cosmetic Labels to Note Dye Derived From Bug “Foods and cosmetics containing the color additives carmine and cochineal extract, which are made from an insect, must list those ingredients on their labels starting on Jan. 5, 2011. The FDA published that new rule in yesterday's edition of the Federal Register, citing reports of "severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis" in a "small subset" of people with allergies.”
High Blood Pressure Climbs in Winter “Falling temperatures in winter may cause an unhealthy rise in high blood pressure in elderly people, according to a new study linking cooler temperatures with higher blood pressure. Seasonal variations in blood pressure have been noted for years, but few studies have looked at these temperature-related effects in one of the most at-risk populations: the elderly. Now a large study from France has shown that blood pressure in elderly people varies significantly with the seasons, with rates of high blood pressure readings rising from 23.8% in summer to 33.4% in winter. Blood pressure increases were seen in both the systolic (top) and diastolic (bottom) numbers. "Elderly persons may be particularly susceptible to temperature-related variations in blood pressure," … Researchers say the findings may help may explain the well known seasonal variations in illness and death from stroke, blood vessel rupture, or aneurysm. “
Aerobic fitness is associated with hippocampal volume in elderly humans. (Hippocampus. 2009) “Our results clearly indicate that higher levels of aerobic fitness are associated with increased hippocampal volume in older humans, which translates to better memory function.”
To Protect Yourself, Wash Those Germs Away
Alzheimer's risk upped in senior smokers “Smoking may contribute to dementia in the same way that it affects cardiovascular health -- by damaging the blood vessels and impairing blood flow. As people age, this may accelerate damage to the brain tissue. On an encouraging note, Peters and her colleagues found that while current smokers had a higher Alzheimer's risk across the studies, former smokers did not. It's not clear what this means, according to Peters, but it is possible that the excess risk of Alzheimer's declines once smokers quit.“
Lack of sleep 'raises cold risk' “The less an individual slept, the more likely they were to develop a cold. The quality of sleep also appeared to be important. Volunteers who spent less than 92% of their time in bed asleep were five-and-a-half times more likely to become ill than those who were asleep for at least 98% of their time in bed. The researchers believe that lack of quality sleep disturbs regulation of key chemicals produced by the immune system to fight infection. Professor Ron Eccles, director of the Common Cold Centre at the University of Cardiff, said sleep and the immune system were closely linked. He said: "The immune system may control the sleep-wake pattern and lack of sleep or sleep disturbance may depress the immune response to infection. “
Monday January 5 - January 11, 2009
Women Need 400 Micrograms of Folic Acid Every Day “CDC and the US Public Health Service urge every woman who could become pregnant to get 400 micrograms (400 mcg) of synthetic folic acid every day.”
CDC Study: Failures to Follow Infection Practices Have Placed More than 60,000 Patients at Risk for Hepatitis B and C “Patients were exposed to these potentially deadly diseases because health care personnel failed to follow basic infection control procedures and aseptic technique in injection safety. Reuse of syringes and blood-contamination of medications, equipment and devices were identified as common factors in these outbreaks. “More and more patients in the United States receive their health care in outpatient settings,” said Dr. Denise Cardo, director of CDC's Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion. “To protect patients, infection control training, professional oversight, licensing, innovative engineering controls and public awareness are needed in these health care settings.” … CDC officials say the report shows the need for ongoing professional education for health care providers, as well as consistent state oversight in detecting and preventing the transmission of bloodborne pathogens in health care settings.”
Misbehaving teens may be at risk for major adulthood problems “People who displayed behavioral problems as teenagers were likely to develop mental or personal problems in adulthood, according to a new study published in the British Medical Journal.But the period from age 14 to 26 is when people are at the greatest risk for psychiatric disease, he said. On the whole, the results of the study are not surprising, he said. …"Certainly there is a relationship between how you behave in adolescence, and as it's left uncorrected and unchecked by your environment, you're going to continue to engage in those behaviors because those behaviors get reinforced," he said. “
Dangers may be lurking in home’s cabinets
Few girls with childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder show positive adjustment during adolescence. (J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol. 2009) “Most girls did not "grow out of" the symptoms and impairments related to their ADHD.”
Prevalence of enuresis and its association with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder among U.S. children: results from a nationally representative study. (J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2009) “CONCLUSIONS: Enuresis is a common condition among children in the United States. Few families seek treatment for enuresis despite the potential for adverse effects on emotional health. Child health care professionals should routinely screen for enuresis and its effects on the emotional health of the child and the family. Assessment of ADHD should routinely include evaluation for enuresis and vice versa. Research on the explanations for the association between enuresis and ADHD is indicated.”
Exercise Decreases the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in Elderly Females. (Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2009)
Virginia Child's Kidney Problems May Be Due to Melamine-Tainted Candy
What Your Doctor Doesn't Know “However, the notion that your doctor knows the cause of your condition is often a medical myth. In fact, the amount of uncertainty present in most medical care is probably underestimated and underappreciated. The best health care providers recognize they are dealing with possibilities and probabilities and learn to accept uncertainty — certain fields of medicine have more uncertainty than others. … If you are one of the millions of back-pain sufferers, one doctor may diagnose "back strain." However, another doctor may tell you arthritis is causing your pain, while yet another diagnoses you with disk disease. They may all be exceptional physicians. But the scary thing is they may all be wrong. The fact is, most back pain cannot be definitively diagnosed. Despite all the fancy tests we could order, doctors are much better at telling people with back pain what they don't have (such as a fracture or tumor) than what they do have. … Perhaps the most important point to make here is that expectations of certainty from your health care professional may be unrealistic. If you have back pain, gout or shoulder pain and there's no clear answer about your condition, a second-opinion is a reasonable option to consider. But don't be surprised if the additional evaluation simply confirms the uncertainty of the situation.”
FDA Scientists Complain to Obama of “Corruption” "The purpose of this letter is to inform you that the scientific review process for medical devices at the FDA has been corrupted and distorted by current FDA managers, thereby placing the American people at risk," said the letter, dated Wednesday and written on the agency's Center for Devices and Radiological Health letterhead. … In their letter the FDA dissidents alleged that agency managers use intimidation to squelch scientific debate, leading to the approval of medical devices whose effectiveness is questionable and which may not be entirely safe. "Managers with incompatible, discordant and irrelevant scientific and clinical expertise in devices...have ignored serious safety and effectiveness concerns of FDA experts," the letter said. "Managers have ordered, intimidated and coerced FDA experts to modify scientific evaluations, conclusions and recommendations in violation of the laws, rules and regulations, and to accept clinical and technical data that is not scientifically valid." … In the letter the group singled out mammography computer-aided detection devices as an example of a technology that should not have gone forward. The devices were supposed to improve breast cancer detection, but instead studies showed they were associated with false alarms that led to unnecessary breast biopsies. Since 2006, FDA experts have recommended five times against approving the devices without better clinical evidence, the letter said. In March of last year, a panel of outside advisers supported some of the concerns of the FDA's in-house scientists. Nonetheless, FDA managers overruled the objections and ordered approval. Top FDA managers "committed the most outrageous misconduct by ordering, coercing and intimidating FDA physicians and scientists to recommend approval, and then retaliating when the physicians and scientists refused to go along," the letter said.”
Childhood Trauma Linked to Increased Risk for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome “Investigators also found that adults with CFS who report abuse have decreased levels of the stress hormone cortisol, a finding that suggests a potential biological mechanism for the disease.. … The researchers found that individuals with CFS had significantly higher overall childhood trauma scores than controls in each trauma category. Any type of childhood trauma was associated with a 5.6-fold increased risk for CFS. However, sexual abuse and emotional abuse and neglect were the most predictive of CFS. In addition CFS cases who had comorbid PTSD had a 9-fold increased risk, which Dr. Heim described as a "huge odds ratio for this type of research." “
More Americans obese than merely overweight “The number of obese American adults outweighs the number of those who are merely overweight, according to the latest statistics from the federal government. Numbers posted by the National Center for Health Statistics show that more than 34 percent of Americans are obese, compared to 32.7 percent who are overweight. It said just under 6 percent are "extremely" obese.”
Older Women Who Are More Physically Fit Have Better Cognitive Function “"Being sedentary is now considered a risk factor for stroke and dementia," says Poulin, a scientist in the Faculties of Medicine and Kinesiology at the University of Calgary. "This study proves for the first time that people who are fit have better blood flow to their brain. Our findings also show that better blood flow translates into improved cognition."”
Smoking During Pregnancy Fosters Aggression In Children
The dementia antipsychotic withdrawal trial (DART-AD): long-term follow-up of a randomised placebo-controlled trial (The Lancet Neurology 2009) “There is an increased long-term risk of mortality in patients with AD who are prescribed antipsychotic medication; these results further highlight the need to seek less harmful alternatives for the long-term treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms in these patients.”
Reducing Indoor Radon's Contribution to Deaths From Lung Cancer
Melanoma Rates on the Rise in U.S. “"I believe, since I treat patients with melanoma, that the incidence is increasing not because of increased surveillance and picking up of pre-lesions or over-reading of borderline lesions," Ashinoff said. The public, especially fair-skinned people who are at higher risk for all skin cancers, need to be taught to monitor themselves and seek medical care if they have any questions, she said. "Older patients may lack mobility or are just tired of seeing so many doctors, and may oftentimes come in with thicker, more advanced lesions," Ashinoff said. "I have seen an increase in melanoma in younger patients, especially women, and tanning may play a significant role in this." It is "ominous" that the study showed that incidence of thicker lesions is increasing, Ashinoff said.”
Perceptions and Competence in Evidence-Based Medicine: A Survey of the American Urological Association Membership. (J Urol. 2008) “Of the participants 44% were unaware of the PubMed(R) search engine and only 14% used it regularly, while 76% were unaware of the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and only 8% had ever used it. The mean evidence-based medicine competence score for all respondents was 67.2% +/- 17.0%. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this survey confirm that urologists have a favorable attitude toward evidence-based medicine. However, understanding of evidence-based medicine terminology, concepts and use of related resources among American Urological Association members leaves room for improvement. Increased efforts to promote an understanding of evidence-based medicine through workshops, publications and web based resources specifically for a urological audience appear indicated.”
Impact of diet on breast cancer risk. (Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2009) “SUMMARY: Numerous epidemiological studies on diet and breast cancer have been published during our review period. Still, only alcohol intake, being overweight and weight gain have shown consistent and strong positive associations with breast cancer risk.”
Bathroom Germs You Really Can Catch
Healthcare-Associated Pneumonia Is More Severe Than Community-Acquired Pneumonia
HHS Action Plan to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections: Prevention – Prioritized Recommendations Among the recommendations: "• Leave catheters in place only as long as necessary. • Only trained personnel should insert catheters. • Use a cap, mask, sterile gown and gloves, and a large sterile drape for inserting central venous catheters. • Do not remove hair prior to surgery unless it will interfere with the operation. Then, use electric clippers. • Drain and discard condensate that collects in mechanical ventilator tubing.”
Brain Starvation As We Age Appears To Trigger Alzheimer's - Improving Blood Flow To Brain Is A Preventive Strategy “A new study from Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine has found when the brain doesn't get enough sugar glucose -- as might occur when cardiovascular disease restricts blood flow in arteries to the brain -- a process is launched that ultimately produces the sticky clumps of protein that appear to be a cause of Alzheimer's. … "This finding is significant because it suggests that improving blood flow to the brain might be an effective therapeutic approach to prevent or treat Alzheimer's," said Vassar, a professor of cell and molecular biology at the Feinberg School. A simple preventive strategy people can follow to improve blood flow to the brain is getting exercise, reducing cholesterol and managing hypertension. "If people start early enough, maybe they can dodge the bullet," Vassar said. For people who already have symptoms, vasodilators, which increase blood flow, may help the delivery of oxygen and glucose to the brain, he added.”
Best Approach to Episiotomy Unclear “There were no striking outcome differences between the routine or restrictive groups. Anal sphincter tears were seen in 8.1% of the routine group and 10.9% of the restrictive group. Corresponding figures for primary and postpartum hemorrhage were 36.4% and 26.7%. For neonatal trauma, the rates were 45.5% and 43.6%. The incidence of prolonged catheterization, urinary and fecal incontinence, perineal infection and a prolonged hospital stay were also similar.”
Genes Predict Chances of Breast Cancer's Spread “Scientists from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), building upon earlier research, found in both mice and human breast tumor samples that a certain gene signature predicted the chance of metastasis. Many experts have believed that metastasis is primarily the result of non-inherited mutations in cancerous tissue.”
Fifteen-year longitudinal trends in walking patterns and their impact on weight change1,2,3 (Am J Clin Nutr 2009) “Conclusion: Walking throughout adulthood may attenuate the long-term weight gain that occurs in most adults. “
Household Exposure to Paint and Petroleum Solvents, Chromosomal Translocations, and the Risk of Childhood Leukemia (Environmental Health Perspectives 2008) “Conclusions: The association of ALL risk with paint exposure was strong, consistent with a causal relationship, but further studies are needed to confirm the association of ALL and AML risk with solvent exposure.”
Effect of Calcium Supplementation on Blood Lead Levels in Pregnancy: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial (Environmental Health Perspectives 2008) “Conclusion: Calcium supplementation was associated with modest reductions in blood lead when administered during pregnancy and may constitute an important secondary prevention effort to reduce circulating maternal lead and, consequently, fetal exposure.”
Aluminum and Silica in Drinking Water and the Risk of Alzheimer's Disease or Cognitive Decline: Findings From 15-Year Follow-up of the PAQUID Cohort (American Journal of Epidemiology 2008)
Radon gas action needed across UK “He said: "One of the problems is that the radon level can vary widely from house to house - one can be greatly above the 'action level', while next door the levels are significantly below. "What we need to do is to get the right health messages out there about measuring radon and remedying the problem where it exists." “
Alternative Vaccine Schedule Stirs Debate “A popular book that presents an alternative vaccine schedule for infants and toddlers is flawed, misguided, and puts children at significant risk of preventable diseases, the journal Pediatrics reports in a harshly-worded article. The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child, by the widely-followed Robert Sears, MD, of Capistrano Beach, Calif., contains recommendations for vaccines that are at odds with those of the American Academy of Pediatrics and is dangerous, Paul Offit, MD, of the University of Pennsylvania's School of Medicine, tells WebMD. The book also undermines recommendations by the CDC and the American Academy of Family Physicians, Offit says. His analysis of the book is published in the latest edition of Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Sears' book, which has become a best seller and is popular among parents leery of vaccines, has induced many to change vaccine schedules or avoid recommended vaccinations for their children, Offit tells WebMD. … Any delay of vaccines increases the likelihood that children will develop controllable diseases such as pneumococcus, pertussis, and chickenpox, Offit says, and the evidence that vaccines work is overwhelming. "If you withhold or separate or delay vaccines, those children suffer the consequences, and children suffer." … He writes that "recent outbreaks of measles in 15 states" were caused by groups of concerned parents who fell prey to unjustified fears. Offit writes that many parents are wary of accepted recommendations in part because they harbor "a suspicion of profit motive driven by pharmaceutical companies" as well as "misinformation on the Internet." "It's very easy to scare people," Offit says. "It's very hard to unscare them."
Tea Consumption and Risk of Breast Cancer (Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 2008) “Conclusion: We observed evidence to support a potential beneficial influence for breast cancer associated with moderate levels of tea consumption (three or more cups per day) among younger women. Further research is needed to confirm this association.”
Cruciferous Vegetable Consumption and Lung Cancer Risk: A Systematic Review (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009) “Conclusions: Epidemiologic evidence suggests that cruciferous vegetable intake may be weakly and inversely associated with lung cancer risk. Because of a gene-diet interaction, the strongest inverse association was among those with homozygous deletion for GSTM1 and GSTT1.”
Physical Activity and Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Risk in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009) “Conclusions: Physical activity was associated with reduced postmenopausal breast cancer risk, particular to ER-negative tumors. These results, along with heterogeneity in the physical activity-breast cancer relation for subgroups of menopausal hormone therapy use and adiposity, indicate that physical activity likely influences breast cancer risk via both estrogenic and estrogen-independent mechanisms.”
Top Medical Stories of 2008 (as chosen by the editors of Journal Watch.)
Go green for your health and the planet’s “We live in a chemical stew. The average woman uses 12 different personal care products containing 168 different chemicals, according to a 2004 survey of more than 2,300 people by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) — and very few of the items have been tested for safety. When you hang a new shower curtain, you may inhale 108 chemicals over the course of a month, depending on the type of curtain you choose — and many are known to be risky. And if you take a swig of water, you could be sipping chemicals that leach from your plastic grab-and-go bottle, some of which are believed to mimic or interfere with your hormones. “
Virginity Pledge Doesn't Stop Teen Sex “The results showed that five years after taking the virginity pledge: • 82% of pledgers denied ever having taken the pledge. • Pledgers and matched non-pledgers did not differ in rates of premarital sex, sexually transmitted disease, and oral and anal sex behaviors. • Pledgers had 0.1 fewer sexual partners in the past year but did not differ from non-pledgers in the number of lifetime sexual partners and the age of first sex. The biggest difference between the two groups came in the area of condom and birth control use. The study showed that fewer pledgers used birth control or condoms in the past year or any form of birth control the last time they had sex. Researcher Janet Elise Rosenbaum, PHD, of Harvard University, says the findings suggest that health care providers should provide birth control information to all teenagers, especially virginity pledgers. “
Monday December 29, 2008 - January 4, 2009
Kids' lungs benefit from longer breast feeding “Children who are breast fed for at least 4 months may have better lung function than children who are breast fed for shorter periods of time and children who are bottle fed, a new study suggests. Among 10-year old children, researchers found greater lung function and capacity in those who were breast fed for 4 months or longer during infancy. "The physical exercise caused by suckling at the breast - about six times daily on average for more than 4 months -- may result in increased lung capacity and increased airflow in breast-fed children compared with bottle-fed children," Dr. Ikechukwu U. Ogbuanu told Reuters Health.“
Osteoporosis Drugs Work, but How? “Millions of people with osteoporosis take bisphosphonates like the drug Fosamax to make their bones stronger. The drugs work well, but a new study shows that they probably don't work in the way experts have thought. It has been widely believed that bisphosphonates work by targeting and impairing the action of cells known as osteoclasts -- and reducing their number. These cells break down bone in a process known as bone resorption. But in the new study, many postmenopausal women who took Fosamax showed increases in osteoclast numbers compared to women who took a placebo. The longer the women were on the drug, the more osteoclasts they tended to have. “
Common Oral Osteoporosis Drugs Linked To Serious Jaw Necrosis “Researchers at the University Of Southern California, School Of Dentistry release results of clinical data that links oral bisphosphonates to increased jaw necrosis. The study is among the first to acknowledge that even short-term use of common oral osteoporosis drugs may leave the jaw vulnerable to devastating necrosis, according to a new report.”
Putting Cardiac Arrest on Ice (Video)
Trying To Eat Less Becomes More Important To Fend Off Middle-Age Weight Gain ““Because the body's energy requirements progressively decline with age, energy intake must mirror that decrease or weight gain occurs,” said Davidson, a research fellow at Columbia’s Obesity Research Center. “Dr. Tucker's observation that women who practice eating restraint avoid the significant weight gain commonly observed in middle age is an important health message.” Tucker says watching what you eat is not about physical appearance – it’s a direct investment in your health. “Weight gain and obesity bring a greater risk of diabetes and a number of other chronic diseases,” Tucker said. “Eating properly is a skill that needs to be practiced.”“
Third-hand Smoke: Another Reason To Quit Smoking “"When you smoke – anyplace – toxic particulate matter from tobacco smoke gets into your hair and clothing," says lead study author, Jonathan Winickoff, MD, MPH, assistant director of the MGHfC Center for Child and Adolescent Health Policy. "When you come into contact with your baby, even if you're not smoking at the time, she comes in contact with those toxins. And if you breastfeed, the toxins will transfer to your baby in your breastmilk." “
Common Food Additive Found To Increase Risk And Speed Spread Of Lung Cancer “New research in an animal model suggests that a diet high in inorganic phosphates, which are found in a variety of processed foods including meats, cheeses, beverages, and bakery products, might speed growth of lung cancer tumors and may even contribute to the development of those tumors in individuals predisposed to the disease. … "Our results clearly demonstrated that the diet higher in inorganic phosphates caused an increase in the size of the tumors and stimulated growth of the tumors," Dr. Cho said. Dr. Cho noted that while a moderate level of phosphate plays an essential role in living organisms, the rapidly increasing use of phosphates as a food additive has resulted in significantly higher levels in average daily diets. Phosphates are added to many food products to increase water retention and improve food texture. "In the 1990s, phosphorous-containing food additives contributed an estimated 470 mg per day to the average daily adult diet," he said. "However, phosphates are currently being added much more frequently to a large number of processed foods, including meats, cheeses, beverages, and bakery products. As a result, depending on individual food choices, phosphorous intake could be increased by as much as 1000 mg per day."“
2009 Child & Adolescent Immunization Schedules
Even a Little Overweight, Inactivity Hurts the Heart “Even a few extra pounds and just a little inactivity increased the risk of heart failure in a major study of American doctors. "What this study shows is that even overweight men who are not obese have an increase in heart failure risk," said Dr. Satish Kenchaiah, lead author of a report on the finding in the Dec. 23 issue of Circulation. As for exercise, "even a little amount of physical activity appears to decrease the risk of heart failure," said Kenchaiah, who did the research as a epidemiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and is now at the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.“
The food and drug administration agrees to classify mercury fillings. (J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol. 2008) “The FDA no longer claims that no science exists about the safety of mercury amalgam or that other countries have acted for environmental reasons only. On its website, the FDA now states the following: "Dental amalgams contain mercury, which may have neurotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing children and fetus." The FDA also states that "Pregnant women and persons who may have a health condition that makes them more sensitive to mercury exposure, including individuals with existing high levels of mercury bioburden, should not avoid seeking dental care, but should discuss options with their health practitioner." The FDA decision to classify mercury fillings is a reflection of the legislations enacted in Europe and Canada that highlight the neurotoxic effects of mercury fillings.”
Physical Activity During Daily Life and Functional Decline in Peripheral Arterial Disease (Circulation 2008) “Conclusions—Higher physical activity levels during daily life are associated with less functional decline among people with peripheral arterial disease. These findings may be particularly important for the large number of peripheral arterial disease persons without access to supervised walking exercise programs.”
In Several States, A Push to Stem Cyber-Bullying “Willard said it is a mistake for school officials not to pay attention to cyber-bullying outside of school because escalating harassment often spills onto campus. Research also shows that such bullying leads to students failing in school, avoiding class and contemplating suicide, she said. As it is, schools may discipline students for actions outside of class if they disrupt the educational process, said Kim Croyle, a West Virginia lawyer who represents several school boards and lectures nationally on cyber-bullying. If, for instance, a student calls in a bomb threat from outside school or threatens another student so badly that they avoid school, the school could take action. “
Smoking ban leads to big drop in heart attacks “A smoking ban in one Colorado city led to a dramatic drop in heart attack hospitalizations within three years, a sign of just how serious a health threat secondhand smoke is, government researchers said Wednesday. The study, the longest-running of its kind, showed the rate of hospitalized cases dropped 41 percent in the three years after the ban of workplace smoking in Pueblo, Colo., took effect. There was no such drop in two neighboring areas, and researchers believe it’s a clear sign the ban was responsible. The study suggests that secondhand smoke may be a terrible and under-recognized cause of heart attack deaths in this country, said one of its authors, Terry Pechacek of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.“
Many elderly can improve their walking ability “They conclude: "Interventions to reduce smoking and to increase physical ability may improve walking in older Americans." “
Canada Sets New Limits on Cold Medicine for Children “Canadian health officials urged parents on Thursday not to give over-the-counter cold medicines to children under the age of six, citing concern over misuse and overdoses. The federal health agency, Health Canada, which had earlier this year recommended the medicines not be given to children less than two years old, said there is limited evidence that the medications have any effectiveness for young children.”
Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center link blood sugar to normal cognitive aging “Maintaining blood sugar levels, even in the absence of disease, may be an important strategy for preserving cognitive health, suggests a study published by researchers at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC). The study appeared in the December issue of Annals of Neurology. Senior moments, also dubbed by New York Times Op-Ed columnist David Brooks as being "hippocampically challenged," are a normal part of aging. Such lapses in memory, according to this new research, could be blamed, at least in part, on rising blood glucose levels as we age. The findings suggest that exercising to improve blood sugar levels could be a way for some people to stave off the normal cognitive decline that comes with age. "This is news even for people without diabetes since blood glucose levels tend to rise as we grow older. Whether through physical exercise, diet or drugs, our research suggests that improving glucose metabolism could help some of us avert the cognitive slide that occurs in many of us as we age," reported lead investigator Scott A. Small, M.D., associate professor of neurology in the Sergievsky Center and in the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain at Columbia University Medical Center. … The new findings also suggest that one way in which physical exercise could improve memory is via lowering glucose levels. Dr. Small's previous imaging studies in humans and in mice have documented that among all hippocampal subregions, physical exercise causes an improvement in dentate gyrus function. "By improving glucose metabolism, physical exercise also reduces blood glucose. It is therefore possible that the cognitive enhancing effects of physical exercise are mediated, at least in part, by the beneficial effect of lower glucose on the dentate gyrus. Whether with physical exercise, diet or through the development of potential pharmacological interventions, our research suggests that improving glucose metabolism could be a clinically viable approach for improving the cognitive slide that occurs in many of us as we age," concluded Dr. Small.”
Moms-to-Be Who Drink May Damage Fetus' White Matter “Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can damage white matter in a fetus' frontal and occipital lobes, which play a major role in executive function and visual processing. The finding may help explain problems seen in infants whose mothers drink during pregnancy, a new study says. "The brain's white matter is made up of nerve bundles that transfer information between brain regions," study corresponding author Susanna L. Fryer, a researcher at San Diego State University's Center for Behavioral Teratology, said in a news release. "Optimal white-matter integrity is thought to support efficient cognition. …” “
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