Tick and 'Virus-Bearing Mosquito Season

The state health department will be distributing two-thousand cans of tick and mosquito repellant to local health departments to fight a couple of pests that can be dangerous.

Ticks are at their most active at this time of year and West Nile Virus cases are likely to show up among humans sometime next month. The virus is carried by mosquitoes. The health department's Alyce Turner says we're at the height of tick season. One person , a seven-year old child, has died of a tick-borne disease.

One-thousand cans of repellant containing DEET already have been distributed in the St.Louis area, where one-third of the West Nile cases showed up last year. The department confirmed the first virus-carrying mosquito in that area last week. She says the disease will built up in the bird and mosquito population before it spreads to humans. She expects human cases to start appearing in late July. Although the disease peaks during that period, it can still appear until the first significant frost.

She says the threat of ticks will lessen when the weather gets hotter, but they'll come back when things are cooler in the fall. They won't go away entirely. They just are more active when it's cooler. She says people and animals can pick up ticks in any green space.

source:www.missourinet.com

"I'm pregnant and I have breast cancer"

I'm pregnant" is a phrase most women share with their partners and family with great joy, anticipation, and exuberance. "I have breast cancer" is a phrase all women dread. A small number of women experience both sets of emotions in quick succession after being diagnosed with breast cancer in early pregnancy. It is currently estimated that 1 in 3000 pregnancies is complicated by breast cancer [1] and this number is expected to rise with the tendency of women to delay child bearing in developed countries [2,3].

In an article published in BMC Cancer, Dr. Epstein addresses many of the uncertainties that confront a patient and care team faced with this situation [4]. Here, we attempt to provide some guidance regarding currently accepted approaches to this complex situation.

The diagnosis of breast cancer during pregnancy presents a unique clinical challenge. The management of breast cancer involves a number of important decisions of high complexity, often requiring the collaboration of patient, family, and interdisciplinary care team. Add an early pregnancy into the equation and the complexity increases dramatically. This is in no small part due to the probabilistic nature of many of the decisions made in the treatment of breast cancer. The data we use to make decisions in the treatment of breast cancer is incomplete and evolving. In the setting of pregnancy, this is even more difficult, as the existing data is even less complete, and the additional issues concerning the safety of the unborn child need to be considered.

The goals of treating breast cancer in pregnancy are the same as in any other setting, preserving the life and health of the woman affected with breast cancer. In woman with local or regional disease, this means local and systemic control of her disease. If the pregnancy is to be continued, the treatment of the breast cancer may need to be modified minimize potential fetal toxicity. There is some consensus that both surgery and chemotherapy can be utilized during pregnancy, with some caveats [5]. The role of radiation during pregnancy is more controversial [6], but if required therapeutic radiation can often be delayed until after delivery without disrupting the usual treatment algorithm for the treatment of breast cancer. Hormone therapy, if indicated, must wait until the completion of the pregnancy.

A woman diagnosed with breast cancer in early pregnancy has three basic options; terminate the pregnancy, delay all treatment until after completion of pregnancy, continue the pregnancy and proceed with a modified treatment plan for her breast cancer based upon best available evidence. While terminating the pregnancy is an option, there is not data that this improves the probability of a good cancer outcome [7].

Delaying treatment until after delivery is a reasonable option for women diagnosed late in the third trimester. However for women diagnosed earlier in pregnancy, a prolonged delay in therapy potentially diminishes the probability of cancer survival. Women diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy tend to have high grade cancer, with many having lymphovascular space invasion [8]. The testing of hormone receptors during pregnancy is controversial, but similar to age matched controls, many pregnant women are reported to be receptor negative [9]. In addition, women diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy tend to have more advanced disease compared to non-pregnant women [10]. Biologic factors leading to more rapid tumor growth may account for this observation [9,10]. These characteristics make the decision to delay therapy worrisome, as the probability of upstaging occurring during a delay may be higher than in non-pregnant patients.

Proceeding with a modified treatment plan during pregnancy represents the third and most frequently applied option. Breast cancer surgery during pregnancy is considered relatively safe based upon available case series [11,12]. Surgery is often delayed until after the first trimester due to the high rate of spontaneous abortion in the first trimester. The experience with chemotherapy during pregnancy is certainly limited. Based upon the available literature, which is restricted to case reports, case series, and one cohort study [13,14] the safety of chemotherapy for mother and fetus is reasonable in the second and third trimester. For instance, the rate of major congenital malformations for chemotherapy during pregnancy has been reported to be 3%, while that for the general population is reported as 2–3% [15]. The regimens for which the most information is available are the anthracycline containing regimens, such as FAC and AC. While contemporary chemotherapy might include a taxane, anthracycline containing regimens are of proven efficacy, and based upon the treatment schedule, a taxane could likely be given in sequence after delivery.

Treatment recommendations are available based upon a meeting of international experts as well as from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network®; giving some guidelines based upon the best available evidence [5,16]. It is incumbent upon us to continue to improve the limited knowledge we have regarding this complex issue. Randomized trials will not be able to address this situation, and continued observation and reassessment of outcomes of the women who encounter this situation through national or international registry studies should be encouraged.

source:www.scientistlive.com

Rudy Giuliani, Hillary Clinton on Abortion, Missouri, Ohio

Rudy Giuliani Says He Will Not Have an Abortion Litmus Test for Judges
Council Bluffs, IA (LifeNews.com) -- GOP presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani, the only abortion advocate left in the race for the Republican nomination, said on Wednesday that he will not have an abortion litmus test for judicial positions. Campaigning in Iowa he said the issue of abortion or where a potential nominee stands on the controversial Roe v. Wade Supreme Court case will have no bearing on whether he appoints the person to the nation's highest court. "Abortion is not a litmus test. Roe v. Wade is not a litmus test. No particular case is a litmus test. That's not the way to appoint Supreme Court justices or any judge," Giuliani said, according to an AP report. Speaking with reporters after the event he said any candidate for a federal judicial position wouldn't be able to speak their mind on Roe beforehand anyway to pledge to rule one way or the other. "Judges interpret the Constitution; they should not be allowed to make it up. Otherwise, why have legal arguments if you're not going to give judges a chance to change their mind," Giuliani said. At the same time, Giuliani also pledged to only appoint judges who strictly interpret the Constitution -- a pledge that is normally interpreted as one to appoint judges who tend to oppose Roe v. Wade as wrongly decided. Such comments are meant to assure Republican voters, most of women are pro-life and, as polls show, likely to vote for someone else in the primary because of his pro-abortion position. The former New York City mayor also told reporters that abortion isn't the top issue to consider when appointing judges. "I think Roe against Wade is an issue. It is not the only issue," he said. Giuliani concluded that he would appoint judges like Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito who both enjoyed support from the pro-life community and ruled this year in favor of the federal ban on partial-birth abortions. Also hoping to draw support from conservatives, Giuliani mentioned former President Ronald Reagan numerous times and said he would appoint judges in the mold of Reagan’s. "He did a very, very good job of, much more often than not, selecting really good judges who would interpret the Constitution in a way that will protect your rights and my rights," he said. "They're there to interpret things, not to change things. You have legislators to change things."

Hillary Clinton Tells Planned Parenthood Conference She Wants Tax-Funded Abortions
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Hillary Clinton was one of three candidates to appear at a Planned Parenthood conference yesterday where she told the abortion advocates she would promote abortion as president. In addition, Clinton also said that her first action as president would be to reverse President Bush’s policy on international abortions. When Bush first took office, he put the Mexico City policy back in place that has been the international policy under Presidents Reagan and Bush and revoked by President Clinton. The Mexico City policy ensures that taxpayer funds are not directed to groups that promote or perform abortions in other countries. Clinton said she would do away with the policy on her first day in office. Meanwhile, during a question and answer period, the New York senator did not say specifically that she would only appoint pro-abortion judges to the Supreme Court -- a litmus test some of her fellow Democratic presidential candidates have pledged. Clinton also criticized President Bush for promoting abstinence education instead of comprehensive sex-ed and said she would promote the morning after pill as president and force hospitals and military base clinics to dispense it.

Washington Post Bashes Hillary Clinton Over Planned Parenthood Abortion Speech
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- It's not every day that a newspaper with a pro-abortion editorial board criticizes one of the most pro-abortion politicians around. But that's what the Washington Post did on Wednesday when it took Clinton to task for her speech Tuesday at the national Planned Parenthood conference. The newspaper criticized her more for what she didn't say than what she did. While Clinton talked about how she would promote abortion, the Post said she failed to discuss any substantive plan for improving health care -- something rivals Barack Obama and John Edwards’ wife did. “Yet she left out any mention of universal health care -- a system she has promised to establish if elected,” the Post wrote in an editorial. The newspaper said Clinton’s failure to promote a health care plan before the Planned Parenthood crowd was odd considering comments Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards made in June saying universal health care coverage is the “number one domestic issue” facing the nation. “Last night, Clinton acted as if that were not a priority on her agenda,” the newspaper said contrasting that with how Obama “offered just the dose of universal health care rhetoric Planned Parenthood supporters may yearn for, vowing to provide universal health care for all Americans by the end of his first term.” It added: “Clinton may have scored some points with the activist crowd as she chided Republicans for standing ‘against family planning’ … Yet she steered clear of criticism that came her way just a few days ago” from Edwards’ wife about how he represents women better. In their health care plans, both Edwards and Obama say they would include coverage for abortion, meaning taxpayers would be forced to directly pay for abortions in most or all cases for the first time since Congress adopted the Hyde Amendment in 1977.

Hundreds of New Orleans Residents Protest Doctor's Hurricane Katrina Death Probe
New Orleans, LA (LifeNews.com) -- Hundreds of New Orleans residents protested against an investigation of a doctor who is under investigation for allegedly euthanizing patients in the dreadful aftermath following Hurricane Katrina. The citizens gathered Tuesday at City Park to rally against the investigation of Dr. Anna Maria Pou, who has spent one year awaiting a decision by District Attorney Eddie Jordan's office whether to charge her in the case. Four patients were alleged to have been killed via euthanasia in the wake of the storm and two nurses, Cheri Landry and Lori Budo, saw their charges dismissed when they agreed to testify before a grand jury. "Anna has never given up on any of her patients, or on any of us," said Michael Pou, one of the doctor's 10 brothers and sisters. "The time is now to start the healing. The district attorney can help pave the way for that process to begin by dropping these outrageous proceedings against my sister." According to the New Orleans Times Picayune newspaper, other speakers and attendees applauded the doctors and staff who stayed at Memorial hospital saying they literally weathered the storm and took care of patients even though the conditions inside the hospital deteriorated rapidly. They also said she stayed behind while doctors with small children and family to care for fled the oncoming hurricane. Others said the investigation is preventing the city of New Orleans from moving past the disaster. "This investigation has only festered our deep wounds, and we cannot begin the healing process until Dr. Pou is fully exonerated," said Karen Sanford, who said staff at the hospital had to care for 2,000 people during the hurricane. "It was unbearable to witness the suffering and the agony these patients had to endure while we waited many days for rescue," Sanford added. "It was our goal to save every patient at that hospital." Meanwhile, Dr. Joe Ann Clark read a statement on behalf of the Louisiana State Nurses Association and the American Medical Association that backs Pou and questions law enforcement for targeting the medical community during harsh conditions. "During any disaster, health care providers, doctors and nurses and others, must work together to make the very best decisions that they can with their given available resources," the statement read. Pou was not at the rally, but Budo and Landry were in the crowd. Prosecutors continue to meet with a special grand jury and no decision has been made to bring forth charges in the case that Louisiana Attorney General Charles Foti began in July 2006. Pou has filed a lawsuit against the state of Louisiana and Foti for putting her under investigation for so long but bringing no charges in the case. But Foti’s office says e is not named in the lawsuit.

Researchers Able to Turn Adult Stem Cells of Mice Into Embryonic Stem Cells
Tokyo, Japan (LifeNews.com) -- Japanese scientists have made progress in the field of stem cell research with a new process that is able to turn adult stem cells in mice back into their embryonic state. If the process can be duplicated in humans it could go a long way to helping resolve some of the ethical issues that surround stem cell research. Pro-life groups support stem cell research but oppose the embryonic kind because it involves the destruction of days-old unborn children. According to the London Times newspaper, Professor Shinya Yamanaka talked about the progress the scientists made and said he thinks he can replicate the study in humans. "It is hard to predict how the science will develop," he said, "but I think we could produce a basic prototype-induced stem cell made from a human adult cell within six months to a year." It also said he thinks it's possible to create a stem cell that is "indistinguishable from one taken from an embryo” in the next two to three years. Reacting to the report, Dawn Vargo of Focus on the Family told CitizenLink that Yamanaka’s research shows stem cell research can move forward without sacrificing morals. "This new 'holy grail' of stem-cell research – embryonic-like stem cells – is further evidence that pro-life voices are being heard and have changed the course of the stem-cell debate," Vargo said. "While embryonic stem cells were once the gold standard of research, we now have research being conducted that does not require the destruction of embryonic life."

Black Pro-Life Leader Says Barack Obama Misses Violence of Abortion
Chicago, IL (LifeNews.com) -- Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama was in Chicago recently to talk about the indecent of violence. He spoke to a local congregation about the urgent need to end the "epidemic of violence" devastating urban communities and killing children. He noted that 36 children had been killed just this year. But Day Gardner, the director of the National Black Pro-Life Union says the Illinois senator is missing the violence of abortion. “I found it interesting that Mr. Obama neglected to include the 20,000 children who were gruesomely -- violently killed last year in Chicago by abortion--many of them just days before being ‘welcomed’ into the world,” she told LifeNews.com. Gardner also criticized Obama over a recent speech he gave at the national Planned Parenthood convention. He complained that a decision by the Supreme Court to uphold the national ban on partial-birth abortions was "part of a concerted effort to roll back women's rights." Gardner responded: “No, Mr. Obama…it was a concerted effort to ensure rights for all Americans no matter how small they may be.” She said Obama has embraced a “culture of death” that neglects to speak up for the smallest people who can't speak up for themselves. Gardner also said that when Obama talked about young men who engage in violence not getting enough love he forgot about the pattern of violence established by legalized abortion and how people are following that by engaging in other forms of violence. “We are teaching our young people that life is worthless--if he gets in your way--take him out! If an unborn child gets in your way--take him out,” she told LifeNews.com. Instead, she said Obama should be worried how abortion is the leading cause of death for African Americans -- killing more black people than crime and all other sorts of deaths combined. Since 1973, more than 15 million black Americans have been killed via abortion and countless millions of women injured physically, emotionally or spiritually.

Planned Parenthood Abortion Business Expands in New York, Consolidates in Ohio
Saratoga, NY (LifeNews.com) -- Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion business is expanding in Florida and consolidating in Ohio. In Saratoga Planned Parenthood will soon be opening an educational center on the second floor of a new office building it recently opened. The center will be the home of new education room, gathering place and a library named for one of Planned Parenthood in Schenectady's founding members. The building is also named after A.C. Riley, the former city mayor who is a longtime abortion advocate. Planned Parenthood CEO Paul Drisgula told the Sarasota newspaper that the center will be a “jumping off point” for new community outreach programs in an attempt to expand the abortion business and legitimate services Planned Parenthood uses for public relations. Meanwhile, the new Planned Parenthood of Northeast Ohio has consolidated five of its organizations this month in an effort to strengthen them by merging them into one larger group. Board members of the five independent affiliates decided to create the regional abortion business. "We knew we could achieve more together than we could separately," Tara Broderick, chief executive officer of the organization told the Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper. "This is a great example of regional cooperation." The merger makes this the largest Planned Parenthood operation in the country with 17 facilities in 21 counties and another Planned Parenthood center set to open in Lorain in the fall. Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America came to the area July 1 to announce the merger and said it would help cut costs in the face of a state cut of $1.7 million in taxpayer funds in 2004. "It's just great news," Richards said. "I think it means Planned Parenthood is going to be stronger. It's a new day in Ohio."

Missouri Abortions Down Five Percent as More Residents Get Kansas Abortions
Jefferson City, MO (LifeNews.com) -- The number of abortions in Missouri dropped five percent in 2006 compared with figures from the year before as more state residents head to Kansas to have abortions. New figures from the state health department show that while abortions dropped in the state the actual number of Missouri women having abortions last year increased as 11,833 had abortions last year. That's an increase of two percent compared with 2005 numbers. The number of abortions in Missouri dropped five percent to 7,556 last year. Kansas is the top destination for abortions as the Planned Parenthood abortion facility in the Kansas City area is located in the Kansas suburb of Overland Park. Meanwhile, Peter Brownlie, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri said that more women are also going to Kansas for abortions because the abortion business in Springfield, Missouri closed down last year. "Women in Southwest Missouri have had to either go to Columbia or our Overland Park or other providers on the Kansas side,” he said. Other women in the St. Louis area also frequently go to the suburb of Granite City, Illinois to get abortions.

Ohio Arrest Warrant Issued for Teen Who Killed Girlfriend’s Unborn Baby
Cincinnati, OH (LifeNews.com) -- A warrant has been issued for an Ohio teenager who has been accused of attacking his pregnant girlfriend and killing her unborn child. Alfonso Price, a 15 year-old, allegedly attacked Kerria Anderson, 18, because she refused to have an abortion of her baby who Price fathered. Price reportedly kicked Anderson in the stomach and hit her causing her to miscarry the eight-month old unborn child. Anderson was standing at a bus stop last Wednesday when the attacked happened and Price was said to have dragged her to a building in a nearby neighborhood where he attacked her and left her. Anderson was eventually able to contact authorities from an adjacent store but her baby wasn't able to be saved. Price has been charged with aggravated murder and felonious assault. Police are also searching for two teenagers who allegedly helped Price in the attack. The case brings more attention to violence against pregnant women, especially those whose refusals to have abortions spark violent rage in their partners. Ohio is one of 35 states that have a law protecting pregnant women and their unborn children and providing them with justice when they are injured or killed in an attack. Some 25 of the states, including Ohio, allow prosecutors to bring forth two charges at any time during the pregnancy for death or injury to both mother and child and another 10 states only protect women and children in the latter stages of pregnancy. Anderson also has a 1 year-old daughter and was slated to deliver the unborn child in late August. However, after reporting the attack to authorities and going to the hospital, doctors found her baby had a fractured skull and no heartbeat, according to an AP report. Anderson's grandmother, Betty Payne, told the news service that Price was the father of the baby. "He wanted her to get an abortion because they were not together," Payne said. "He didn't want his baby raised by another man."

Portugal Legalized Abortion but Most Doctors Refuse to Do Them Survey Shows
Lisbon, Portugal (LifeNews.com) -- Portugal became the latest nation to legalize abortions when its new abortion law went into effect on Sunday. However a survey shows that 80 percent of the physicians in the overwhelmingly Catholic nation refuse to do them. According to the Fides news service, Manuel Cruz, the head of the pro-life group Life Foundation, said, "Abortion is the worst distortion of medicine because a doctor vows to cure not to kill. This explains the widespread movement of objection of conscience among Portugal's doctors." Meanwhile, Msgr. Carlos Alberto Moreira di Azevedo, a spokesman for the Catholic bishops conference, told Fides that "Catholic nurses and doctors have been encouraged to have recourse to their right to objection of conscience and many have done so." He added: "This comes as a surprise to the government, -- many hospitals will not be able to perform abortions because so many doctors are having recourse to their right to objection of conscience." The new abortion law allows tem though the 10th week of pregnancy although it faces two legal challenges at the Constitutional Court by Portugal's Pro-Life Movement and the legislative assembly of the autonomous region of Madeira. The regional government refuses to allow the law to go into effect there until the courts rule whether it's constitutional. Portugal’s parliament approved the new abortion law after voters failed to approve it on the ballot. Ore than half of the nation failed to vote and only a small percentage of the overall population actually voted to legalize abortion. Under the new law, abortions will be paid for under the nation's health insurance system and women wanting abortions must get the okay from two doctors and go through a three day waiting period beforehand.

Canada Adult Stem Cell Research Program Gets $2 Million Grant from MS Society
Ottawa, Canada (LifeNews.com) -- Because It has had positive results with adult stem cell research, the Ottawa Health Research Institute at the University of Ottawa will receive a $2.4 million grant over five years to continue the research. The funds come from the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada which announced the award yesterday that will help the institute's bone marrow stem cell transplant therapy trial it began in October 2000. The research involves using a patient's own bone marrow cells to replace a diseased immune system with a new purified one. The procedure has shown positive results in cancer patients but hasn't been tried thoroughly in patients with autoimmune diseases. More than two dozen patients were initially selected for the trials and 18 have received the transplant therapy. Although one patient died early on, the procedure was modified and now most of the patients who have had the adult bone marrow cell transplants have seen their conditions stabilize or improve. Several have had significant unexpected improvements. "The hope was that treatment would stabilize progression of the disease, but researchers have found that some patients have experienced improved vision and improved walking ability," Ottawa Health Research Institute spokeswoman Jennifer Paterson told the Ottawa Sun newspaper. "Part of this money will go to finding out what is causing that tissue repair. Additional funds will go to transplants for six more patients."

Colorado Pro-Life Advocates Want Abortion Ban on 2008 Election Ballot
Denver, CO (LifeNews.com) -- A pr-life group in Colorado is collecting signatures to get a measure that would ban all abortions in the state on the November 2008 election ballot. They would need to obtain the signatures of 76,000 residents across the state to successfully get the measure on the ballot for voters to consider. The language of the proposal would define human life as beginning at conception and would ultimately afford legal protection for unborn children starting at that point. It says "the terms 'person' or 'persons' shall include any human being from the moment of fertilization." As a result, abortions in all cases would be prohibited in the state, which legalized abortion in 1967 ahead of the 1973 Supreme Court case allowing it. Mark Meuser of Colorado Equal Rights, the group backing the constitutional amendment, talked with the Denver Post about the proposal. "If the state or the federal government ever defined when life began, then the rights of the unborn would be superior to the woman's right to have an abortion," he said. "If personhood was ever defined, then the case for Roe would collapse." The measure first requires a hearing before a title board and that has been scheduled for today. A one-week window follows for an appeal and once the language of the measure is approved the group can begin collecting signatures. Abortion advocates said they will launch a campaign against the amendment if Meuser’s organization is able to get the measure before voters. Annison, a spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, told the Post the measure is “extreme.” "The proponents of this initiative have certainly been clear that their goal in Colorado is to make abortion illegal," she added. "We believe that a woman's right to control her own fertility is a fundamental human right." Meuser said several pro-life groups in the state will support the initiative and a representative of Focus on the Family, based in Colorado Springs, said the national organization would support the amendment if it makes it to the ballot.

Ghana Woman Suffers From Blindness After Heath Damaged by Abortion
Atebubu, Ghana (LifeNews.com) -- Officials in Ghana are investigating the case of a 20 year-old woman who became blind after she had an abortion of her three-month old unborn baby. Mariama Issah, a student at Yeji Secondary School, reportedly self-aborted using a combination of herbs and pills her boyfriend provided. Now the Atebubu District Office of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice is investigating the case, according to the GNA news service. Vasco Kwadwo Nyamekye, District Director of the Commission, told the GNA that the boyfriend, Samatu Alhassan prepared the herbs and told her to insert them vaginally. Nyamekye said Alhassan also gave her drugs to take and then collapsed soon after taking them and was rushed to St. Matthias Catholic hospital. There, doctors said the drug caused damage to parts of her womb and genitals. Mariama was later taken to the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi where medical officials diagnosed blindness and said it was related to the botched abortion.

source;www.lifenews.com

New Vaccine Prevents One Type Of Herpes Infection And Disease In Mice

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences have patented a strategy for developing a human vaccine to prevent against Human Cytomegalovirus (hCMV) infection and disease.

CMV, a type of herpes virus, is the leading viral cause of birth defects and a serious problem in patients with compromised immune systems. The body's natural immunity doesn't protect against infection by the virus, estimated to be present in 50 to 75 percent of all adults.

"Until now, scientists haven't been able to develop a vaccine to protect against CMV," said Deborah H. Spector, Ph.D., UCSD Professor of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and faculty member of the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. "Using a two-pronged approach, we successfully created and tested a vaccine in a mouse model with CMV that shows enormous promise for re-directing the body's immune system, enabling it to fight the virus."

The mouse vaccine generates an immune response that protects against both infection and development of disease when the virus is present by completely disarming the virus's ability to replicate and establish a persistent infection. The work is currently online in advance of publication in the July issue of Journal of Virology.

"Our approach generates an immune response that is different from the normal response to the virus, and we hope to have found an 'Achilles' heel' in the defenses that the virus uses to evade the immune system," said Spector. "The virus has evolved to persist in the host by evading the immune responses either by hiding or by misdirecting the host's immune responses. We found a way to teach the host immune system to not be tricked by the virus." She added that the next step is to apply this strategy to create a vaccine for use in humans.

CMV is a virus that, while carried by the majority of adults in the United States, can remain dormant for years, if not the lifetime, of a healthy individual. However, two percent of all children are born with the virus passed on by the mother in utero, and 15 percent of those children will show symptoms such as hearing loss, mental retardation, motor or learning disabilities. Because the host's natural immune system can protect from the disease but can't rid the body of the virus, people remain infected and can become re-infected or infect others through saliva.

"Children in day care settings, for example, or adults who are sexually active, can pass along the virus," explained Spector. "It becomes a serious problem in developing infants during the pregnancy or in those whose immune system is compromised, such as AIDS or transplant patients."

When a persistent virus such as CMV infects an individual, it disarms the host immune system in two ways -- by hiding or masking the proteins that would normally provoke an immune response, or by fooling the immune system into mounting a response that doesn't work to eradicate the virus.

"We needed a way to make the host defense system sit up and take notice," said Christopher S. Morello, Ph.D., first author of the study.

To do this, the researchers devised a vaccine with a one-two punch that combines a DNA immunization that targets T-cells to essential genes required for CMV replication, with a killed virus that prompts the body's B-cells to generate an antibody response.

The vaccine contains the DNA of two essential genes that are essential for replication of the virus. These genes -- which are also found in other herpes viruses such as chicken pox or herpes simplex -- have the same or very similar sequence, structure and function whether in human or mouse viruses, and present a novel target for the host's T-cells to muster forces and attack the virus. Secondly, the vaccine also contains a "boost" from an inactivated virus, which generates an antibody response. Neither approach alone would give complete protection.

"In mice, the vaccine not only fought the disease, but prevented the infection from being established in the first place," Morello said.

Researchers at UCSD hope to begin pre-clinical work on development of a human vaccine. If successful, an FDA-approved, commercially licensed hCMV vaccine could be administered to specific at-risk populations, such as females prior to child-bearing years, day care providers, organ transplant recipients, or as part of regular childhood immunizations.

"This approach may also be valid for a number of diseases associated with persistent or latent infections, including all types of herpes-associated diseases, AIDS, or hepatitis," said Spector. These viruses persist because immune responses generated by the viral infection are not able to eradicate the virus.

Additional contributors to the paper include Laura A. Kelley of the UCSD Division of Biological Sciences; and Michael W. Munks and Ann B. Hill, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Oregon Health and Science University. The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the March of Dimes.

source:www.sciencedaily.com

May Assist in Preventing Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia

The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine announces that men and women 50-75 years old who took 800 mcg of folate a day for three years scored higher in cognitive tasks than subjects who were given a placebo.

The study was conducted with 818 adults ages 50-75 who had elevated homocysteine levels. Homocysteine is an amino acid suspected in the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

With the consumption of folate, the test subject's group increased their level of folate in the blood by 5 and the homocysteine concentration decreased by 25%.

"It's the first study to convincingly show that folate can slow cognitive decline," said lead author Jane Durga. The study involved healthy older people, not those with Alzheimer's symptoms, so it doesn't show if folate might ward off that disease. "That's the key question," Durga said. (American Academy of Anti-aging Medicine)

"We know Alzheimer's disease, the pathology, begins many, many years before the symptoms. We ought to be thinking about the health of our brain the same way we think about the health of our heart," she added.

Research findings provide evidence that a diet high in folate is beneficial to your health and may play a role in a variety of diseases. The scientific community has suspected folate's role in dementia for some time. Previous studies have shown that low folate levels are connected to diminished cognitive function and heart disease.

Women of child bearing age should take 400 mcg of folate, also known as folic acid, daily. It is important that women realize they should take folate not only when they are pregnant, but prior to conception, also. Folate has been shown to prevent spina bifida and other neurological disorders in newborns by up to 50%. (Dr.Spock.com)

Although folate may provide health benefits and aid in the slow down of cognitive functioning in aging adults; it is not the only thing you can do.

The American Alzheimer's Association offers one hour interactive workshops entitled "Maintain Your Brain: How to Live a Brain Healthy Lifestyle", geared toward educating the general public and teaching healthy ways to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease later in life.

Some suggestions are:

Use your brain. The more experience you have of challenging your brain power, the more new connections your brain will make. These build up the ability to adapt to age related damages in the future.

Challenge your brain with word and number puzzles, play scrabble or chess, and never stop learning. Pursue personal interests by taking a class or going to workshops.

Stay socially active. Human interaction is important in fighting declining cognitive functioning. Lack of socialization actually predicts a decline in cognitive functioning.

Exercise on a daily basis. Keep your arteries clear. Clogged arteries slow blood flow to the brain.

Try to combine mental, physical, and social activities to get three times the benefits at once.

source;www.associatedcontent.com

The long and winding road to raise vital cash

She cycled along narrow lanes and beside busy roads, through unspoiled rural countryside and into the heart of cities.

And most of the time she did it staring straight at the back of her husband's head.

It sounds enough to send the most determined cyclist and devoted wife right around the bend. But as the rear cyclist on a bicycle built for two, there's not much chance to take in the passing scenery when the person in front is urging you to pedal faster.

It had all seemed such a good idea after two bottles of wine two years ago, when Libby and cancer survivor husband Tim suddenly decided to embark on their epic challenge - cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats on a tandem in less than three weeks, covering around 70 miles every day, all to raise cash for a research charity.

But as the cycle challenge loomed, Libby - whose previous cycling experience before she met Tim involved a little light mountain biking as a child - started to realise just what it involved.

Libby was allowed only three changes of cycling gear, crammed into four panniers along with Tim's clothes and vital repair equipment - all attached to the sides of the couple's custom-built tandem.

Toiletries and grooming vitals were shoved aside for a supply of blister cream, homeopathic muscle massage oil and arnica cream for bruising in those most sensitive of saddle-sore places.

"I wasn't a cyclist at all," laughs Libby, 34. "I had a mountain bike as a kid but it was a means of transport, never for serious cycling. Whenever Tim and I went out on solo bikes, he was always disappearing into the distance."

Two years ago the couple hit on the idea of asking guests at their wedding to help them buy a tandem. But it wasn't until they sat down to read a book of British cycle routes that they hit on their fundraising scheme.

Libby admits: "Once we told everyone what we were thinking of doing, it became too difficult to back out.

"So we did a few training runs of 60 miles for a couple of days, but the reality check hit about a week before we left - suddenly the thought of doing 16 days of that in a row felt a bit much. Then a friend, who is a very keen cyclist, asked us which days were our rest days. Well, then we realised we didn't actually have any rest days at all."

Incredibly, the couple succeeded in travelling from one end of the country to the other - Tim steering up front, Libby faithfully pedalling and navigating from behind - without even exchanging a single cross word.

"I know people say a tandem bike is a marriage breaker, but that's definitely not the case for us," laughs Tim, 33, whose role up front meant he was in charge of steering, braking and avoiding potholes.

"Really, it's just the opposite. We're a very close couple any way. We do everything together and we're both really sporty."

But cycling tandem from Lands End to John O'Groats surely had its moments, didn't it? After all, who wouldn't be tempted to sit back at the rear, letting their partner do all the work?

That, insists Libby, might have been tempting, but she didn't let it happen. "People would point and shout out 'She's not pedalling!', but I honestly was.

"It was best for Tim to be at the front because he's a cyclist and he likes to be in control - imagine being on a bike and the person at the back keeps trying to steer." Arguing over the best road to take and who gets to have the first shower at the multiple bed-and-breakfast stops along the way was the last thing on their mind when both had to deal with the impact of 70 odd miles in the saddle.

"The first couple of days were the hardest, but eventually you get a bit numb to it," winces Libby.

The experience, in which the couple raised £2750 for the Lymphoma Research Trust, actually helped to bond them closer, despite one navigational hiccup, which diverted them several miles off course.

"It was the third day and we were already quite tired when we realised we'd got the mileage of the route a bit wrong, and then got slightly lost in the hills," says Libby. "So we did 89 miles when it should have been 75. I was navigating along these narrow country lanes, but there wasn't a signpost where there should have been," she insists, possibly echoing the cry of many front seat passengers this summer.

It's the type of map-reading blip that can spark matrimonial mayhem, but Libby insists the pair simply carried on pedalling until they got back on track.

After all, what's a 14-mile detour when you're trying to cycle the length of the nation? And at least her day job as a physiotherapist and his as a solicitor meant aches and pains were easily dealt with. If the worst really did come to the worst, Tim could offer up some helpful legal advice.

Now back home after their long journey - with their trusty tandem Harriet resting in the cellar of their Craigentinny home in Farrier Terrace - the couple haven't even got a blister or a muscle strain to show for their fundraising trip that Tim might never have survived to make.

He was just 18 years old when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease, a potentially fatal cancer of the lymphatic system.

Chemotherapy and steroids helped defeat the cancer, but left the sporty young man with another troublesome condition - a weakened hip that meant he could no longer run, play football or enjoy long walks.

"The upshot is that I don't have a right hip - it's dissolved away - and I have one leg shorter than the other.

"It means that any sport that involves running or weight-bearing is quite sore, so cycling was ideal, " explains Tim.

"We both play underwater hockey - Libby to a very high, national level - so we're both fit enough. I suppose, having been through the illness, I've come out with a positive attitude to life.

"So when we spoke about the trip, I didn't think there was any doubt we'd be able to do it."

Still, Libby admits that the day the couple headed over the English border and turned their tandem towards their Edinburgh home was a turning point in the journey.

"It was such a landmark. We knew then that we'd finish," she says. "We then had our shortest day, 45 miles to Edinburgh - and after so many nights in bed and breakfasts, staying over with friends and surviving in three changes of cycle clothes, it was really lovely to come home and sleep in our own bed."

So what's next? "Put it this way," laughs Libby, "the next holiday will definitely involve a beach!"

source;living.scotsman.com

It is the latest development in a long and controversial saga over the vaccine.

The charges against Dr Wakefield relate to research published in The Lancet medical journal in February 1998 suggesting there could be a link between the triple jab, bowel disease and autism.

Dr Wakefield and his former colleagues, Professors John Walker-Smith and Simon Murch, are said to have acted unethically and dishonestly towards the Lancet. They all deny the allegations in the case.

The charges against Dr Wakefield include accusations that 11 children were subjected to invasive tests such as colonoscopies and lumbar punctures that were contrary to their best clinical interests.

'Paid adviser'

Dr Wakefield is accused of not having the "requisite paediatric qualifications" or of seeking the right approval for the tests.

He is also accused of acting "dishonestly and irresponsibly" in failing to disclose how he recruited patients to the study. The hearing against him was told Dr Wakefield paid children £5 for their blood samples at his son's birthday party.

Another of the key allegations against Dr Wakefield is that he was being paid at the time for advising solicitors on legal action by parents who believed their children had been harmed by MMR.

He is also accused of abusing his position of trust and bringing the medical profession into disrepute.

Dr Wakefield and Professors Walker-Smith and Murch are appearing before the General Medical Council (GMC) Fitness to Practise Panel in central London.

They face being struck off in a case that could last into the autumn.

'No evidence'

Millions of doses of the MMR vaccine have been used since it was introduced in the UK in 1988.

The furore that followed Dr Wakefield's suggestion that the MMR vaccine was unsafe led to fewer parents immunising their children and a row over whether the then prime minister, Tony Blair, had vaccinated his son, Leo.

Mumps, measles and rubella are all serious diseases and many doctors are concerned that a drop in vaccination levels could leave many children at risk.
The UK government and the vast majority of scientists insist the three-in-one jab is safe.

The Department of Health says there is "no reliable scientific evidence" showing any link between the MMR vaccine and autism. It insists that the three-in-one jab is the safest way to protect children.

And there have been many studies examining the safety of MMR since 1998. All have concluded that the MMR jab is safe.

Last year The Lancet, which published the controversial MMR paper in the first place, publicly announced it should never have printed it.

'Witch-hunt'

But for a small group of parents who believe their children have suffered as a result of the MMR vaccine, Dr Wakefield is a hero.

Dozens travelled to London to noisily show their support for Dr Wakefield and his colleagues.

Waving banners and brandishing pictures of their children they denounced the hearing as part of a "witch-hunt" being carried out by the medical establishment.

They said the charges had been trumped up.

Around 100 campaigners, including some from campaign groups Jabs and Cry Shame, gathered in the street outside the building where the hearing was being held.


They should do more research into MMR rather than spend time persecuting these doctors
Sara Fisher

MMR doctor 'paid children'

Dozens of placards were placed on railings with cards pinned to them bearing messages of support from the families of autistic children.

As part of a "One Flower One Child" initiative hundreds of multi-coloured carnations had been placed in front of the placards in several pots.

An array of banners and posters declared support for the trio facing the panel inside. One read: "We're with Wakefield, Munch and Walker-Smith. Stop the witch hunt".

Others read: "Clear the MMR III" and "Normal before, autistic after. Why?"

Among the crowd was Celia Forest, whose 13-year-old son Adam took part in Dr Wakefield's study after falling ill three months after having the MMR jab.

She said he became withdrawn, experienced dramatic body temperature changes and had severe gut pain. He was eventually diagnosed with autism.

GPs 'scared'

"I think this witch-hunt is a disgrace. It is being conducted by the British medical establishment.

"Because of this many GPs are too scared to acknowledge the fact that a child has a serious bowel disorder and do not make proper treatment available for them.

"They are scared of being victimised like these doctors. It's all about the drug companies and the money. Vaccines are big business. There is a lot of anger here."

Also among the demonstrators were Sara and Chris Fisher, whose 18-month-old son George died last year 10 days after receiving the MMR jab.

Sara said: "There's no doubt in my mind that the jab was responsible. He was a healthy boy, big and strong.

"They should do more research into MMR rather than spend time persecuting these doctors."

source;news.bbc.co.uk

Multivitamin supplement is sufficient for most people

Teri Purvis of Hattiesburg has made a decision to maintain her good health by taking vitamins. She's enlisted the help of Doctor's Nutrition of Hattiesburg to determine if and what supplements her body may need.

"My mother-in-law came in and her cholesterol, liver and heart numbers were high," she said. "She's been on vitamins for a few weeks and she feels better already. I want to try to stay healthy and head off any problems early."

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According to 2004 data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 40 percent of the U.S. population 2 months and older took some type of dietary supplement in the third national health and nutrition examination survey.

Though there are many vitamins and supplements on the market, experts say in most cases a multivitamin is sufficient.

"Everybody needs a good multivitamin," said Stacy Macmer, owner of The Health Hut, a vitamin and health food store in Oak Grove. "Most people are not going to get all of their nutrients from their foods."

The CDC study also showed the leading supplements were multivitamins, multivitamins plus vitamin C and vitamins C and E as a single vitamins. Other prevalent vitamins included multivitamins with iron or fluoride taken by children, iron taken by adolescent and young adult females and calcium taken by middle-aged and elderly females.

Purvis said she has always taken a multivitamin but decided a $69 full-blood panel she'll receive from Doctor's Nutrition will help better identify her exact nutritional shortfalls.

Dr. William L. Hill, a consultant for Doctor's Nutrition, also recommends a multivitamin for those who don't want a full-blood panel. However, he said people should be aware of what they are buying because many vitamins contain synthetic fillers.

"Using those is just like throwing money down the drain," he said.

Macmer agrees. The vitamins in her store have no sugar additives or fillers which makes them more effective.

Experts also advise patients to consult with their doctor about vitamins - especially if they are taking prescription medication.

Some vitamins could have a negative side effect on prescription medication, which could be dangerous, said Forrest General Hospital nutritionist Brook Oubre.

She says complete daily requirements of vitamins and nutrients come from a well-balanced diet.

"Most people don't eat well-balanced meals," she said.

Having three to four servings of vegetables, dairy products, two to three meats or meat substitutes, fruit and six to 10 servings of bread, cereals or grain can give a person most of the necessary vitamins and minerals.

"Since most Americans don't get that variety, I do usually recommend a multivitamin. That contains almost all vitamins and nutrients needed," she said.

For most, Oubre said she adds a calcium supplement. For pregnant women and those of child-bearing age, a prenatal vitamin is suggested along with folic acid.

"Folic acid is vital to the development of a baby," Oubre said. "Because most pregnancies are unplanned, women of that age taking folic acid help in the development of their child."

Oubre agreed the most common natural supplement doctors recommend is a typical cholesterol-lowering agent.

"Fish oils help cholesterol by increasing the good and lowering the bad and it helps fight heart disease," she said.

To lower cholesterol, Macmer suggests red yeast rice.

source:www.hattiesburgamerican.com

Infant Mortality Level is High Enough

Accordingly to information made public in UN Population Fund report, infant mortality level in Azerbaijan is high. Our state is listed with the most backward world countries. The above document reads that 72 babies out of 1000 are being born dead or die not reaching 1 year. We should point out that average showing is 53. Accordingly to report information, in developed countries 7 babies die out of 1000, in undeveloped ones – 58, and in the least developed – 92.
Moreover, the said Fund referred to the data concerning mothers’ mortality in Azerbaijan. It is known that 94 women die out of every 1000. Report says that average age of women in Azerbaijan is 71.1, men – 63.7.
Accordingly to the head of Baku office of World Labor Organization, Kamran Garakhanov, mothers’ and infant mortality is really high in the country. But our country aims to reduce this figure by the factor of 5: “Amongst representatives of World Labor Organization, the said organization is working with on new strategy of reproductive health, UN Population Fund, UNICEF and Health Ministry can be mentioned. The main purpose of the mentioned strategy is reduction of number of women’s death during delivery, as well as number of infant’s death under 5”.
Accordingly to K. Garakhanov new strategy represents 7-year plan reflecting all issues: “The strategy reflects several components including infant mortality and set of documents of World Labor Organization concerning turning the process of women’s pregnancy to the safer period of time. Component on prevention of infections transfer by sexual intercourse including transfer of AIDS and HIV from mother to child is referred to the above strategy”.
K. Garakhanov specially underlined that the mentioned strategy envisages the process of treatment by safe methods in compliance with international standards.
Moreover K. Garakhanov informed that World Labor Organization started realization of program “Implementation of the most modern protocols on treatment of child’s disease”.
It is necessary to stress that participant of the project “Child-bearing with dignity”, Shakhla Ismailova, while presenting results of researches carried out by group of Fund “The Other Space”, informed that in accordance with UNICEF report, showing of infant mortality is 74 out on 1000, and it is 10 times more than the same showing in Europe.
As Sh. Ismailova informed, accordingly to the data of Health Ministry for the last year coefficient of mother’s mortality was 34,25 on each 100,000 born alive. However data of the institute of midwifery and gynaecology, Republican maternity hospital and Republican hospital say that only in capital coefficient of mother’s mortality is 77,21 on 100,000 born alive. Throughout the country the number is 85 on 100,000. As for information on the same showing in the region which is 16,52 on 100,000, Sh. Ismailova holds this figure is unreal, as in the regions there are unsatisfactory conditions within medical centers, and social and economic state is not well enough including quite high per cent of delivery at home.
Coordinator of the project “Child-bearing with dignity”, Shakhla abi Sattar, who told about results of monitoring held in 2005, informed that that year 1321 newly born babies died, and mortality of mothers was 41. As for the last year for 9 months 1133 newly born babies died.
At the same time as data of Ministry of Health show regarding infant mortality for the last year, amongst children of 1 year this showing was 1576 or 12 on each 1000 of newly born alive.
As for the same data of maternity hospitals of Republican belonging, this number is 71,64 on 1000 of newly born alive.
However there are positive changes. Thus, mentioned Ministry stresses that showing concerning health care of mother and child has improved. At the same time home delivery reduced 9,5 times.
It is necessary to stress that since January of current year 15 cases of mothers’ death at result of delivery have been recorded. Ministry of Health underlined that all these cases have been considered separately at result of which 12 representatives of health care were punished.
Accordingly to chairman of the league on protection of the rights of child, Yusif Bekirov, in the countries neighboring with Azerbaijan level of infant mortality is considerably lower than in our country. As Y. Bekirov said in Azerbaijan infant mortality is being increased every year: “In Azerbaijan infant mortality is not taken into account when baby dies during delivery. It is necessary to underlined that international structures consider such cases as facts of infant mortality”.
Accordingly to Y. Bekirov, today in Azerbaijan birth rate drop is observed and infant mortality is increased. As chairman of the mentioned league said, mentioned data of UN and Ministry of Health concerning infant mortality sometimes do not coincide.
“In our country availability of certain program on the rights of the child is necessary, as children are not protected by state”, Y. Bekirob said. He said that last year UN made 68 warnings respecting Azerbaijan for violation of the rights of the child.

source:www.demaz.org