- - European weblog on food, health and environment
News - week 10 - 2008
HOLLAND: WATCH OUT FOR MEDICAL
FRAUD !
The medical error: the physician, the
medical records and the insurance-company: FRAUD!
Prof Legemaate, lawyer of the Royal Dutch
Medical Association has acknowledged in his inaugural speech, Free University
Amsterdam(May 2006) that physicians in general do not inform their patients that a medical
error has occurred. On of the main reasons is fear of litigation. The physician thus
denies the medical error, covers it up and does NOT register it in the medical record.
This denial of the error and temporary or permanent damage for the patient, leads to
incorrect medical records, to fraud. Even, in case of death after incorrect medical care,
often a a natural cause of death is registered, although one might qualify the cause of
death as manslaughter or murder if the patient was deliberately denied genuine remedial
medical care and died. This has implications for the official registration of death,
namely the registration of the cause of death is either inaccurate or incomplete.
This fraud extends to the medical and
financial aspects as well as to the insurance-company. As the patient does not receive
genuine diagnostics nor genuine remedial medical care ( as this would inform the patient
about the error), the inadequate diagnostics and "treatment" are registered in
the medical records and nursing records. The physician furthermore sends his declaration
to the insurance company and gets paid for" ghost" medical care! The insurance
can not examine the correctness of the of the physicians without the information of the
patient. Thus the misleading physician and the misleading hospital receive payments for
incorrect diagnostics and treatments and hospitalisations without any inspection.
Unfortunately medical advisors(physicians) of insurances attach more value to the
importance of the professional allegiance than loyalty towards their employer.
Physicians, hospitals and
insurance-companies work hand in hand to maintain the system of denial and cover-up of
medical errors. Medical errors are not registered, nor analysed.
The medical profession chooses not to learn from their errors and there is no system of
prevention. There is international consensus that 50% of medical errors are preventable.
Why do the authorities permit that patients
become unnecessary victims of medical errors, to become disabled and even die? Why do the
authorities permit the structural medical, administrative and financial fraud by the
medical profession?
Ditta
Ps: and…how about the other EU-countries ??? It seems that free circulation of
persons in the EU is really IMPOSSIBLE ! Medical Fraud concerns doctors - banks -
assurances. And between them in NO INDEPENDENT COMMUNICATION so the victim will be ALWAYS
the EU-citizen !!! And that can be YOU !
RAPEX Weekly Report: Week 9, 2008
RAPEX is the EU rapid alert system for all
dangerous consumer products, with the exception of food, pharmaceutical and medical
devices. It allows for the rapid exchange of information between Member States and the
Commission of measures taken to prevent or restrict the marketing or use of products
posing a serious risk to the health and safety of consumers. Both measures ordered by
national authorities and measures taken voluntarily by producers and distributors are
covered by RAPEX.
The list below is an overview of the
reported products last week. Click here for the full details, which can be found in the
weekly RAPEX report. It includes detailed information on the products and risks, the
notifying Member State, and the measures adopted to deal with the risk.
This week's RAPEX report consists of 30
items- 9 Toys, 5Motor Vehicles, 3 Lighting Chains, 3 Electrical Appliances, 3 Clothing and
Fashion items, 2 Machineries, 2 Cosmetics, 1 Hobby/Sport Equipment and 1 Childcare
article.
Commission adopts proposal for
Council Directive harmonising procedures for information published in the veterinary and
zootechnical fields
On 29 February, the Commission adopted a
proposal for a Council Directive harmonising and simplifying the current procedures laid
down in 21 Council acts for listing, updating and publishing information in the veterinary
and zootechnical fields.
This simplified approach is meant to
produce benefits in terms of reduced workload and administrative burdens for the competent
authorities in the Member States, the farming industry, trade operators and the
Commission.
These lists concern for example approved
animal health establishments (assembly centres, dealers, semen collection centres etc.),
breeding organisations in Member States and third countries and certain laboratories.
The purpose of the Commission's proposal is to establish a rational method for
listing those establishments in view of facilitating the veterinary checks, improving
administrative management of such lists in Member States and third countries and providing
information to the public. The proposal can be presented as an example of the Commission's
'Better Regulation' Policy.
Blueberry and green tea containing supplement protects against stroke damage
A unique dietary supplement of blueberry, green tea, vitamin D3 and carnosine -- developed
to encourage proliferation of adult stem cells with potential to develop into most tissues
and bone cells and the capacity to migrate toward damaged areas -- has been shown to have
beneficial effects following experimental stroke in laboratory animals. Tests showed that
in animals given NutraStem, stroke-damaged brains developed significant numbers of new
neurons over those not receiving the supplement.
Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for
allergic asthma in children
Children with allergic asthma may benefit from an oral therapy designed to increase
tolerance to allergens that trigger asthma and, in turn, decrease asthma symptoms and
medication use. In a meta-analysis, researchers from the University of Genoa in Italy
reviewed the results of nine studies (441 patients, ages 3 to 18 years) involving
sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) for allergic asthma in children. SLIT involves the oral
administration of allergen exacts, either through soluble tablets or drops. Researchers
found that SLIT reduced both symptom scores and rescue medication use in children with
allergic asthma compared with placebo. Furthermore, the majority of adverse effects
associated with SLIT were mild and self-resolving. Researchers conclude that SLIT is
clinically effective in asthma in children; however, additional research should be
conducted to determine the most effective dose and regimen of administration. Although
widely used in Europe, SLIT is not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use
in the United States. This study is published in the March issue of the journal CHEST.
Video - Artificial Colors: what are
they hiding from you?
Penn scientists find a protein that
inhibits Ebola from reaching out to infect neighboring cells
Penn veterinary researchers have identified a protein, ISG15, that inhibits the Ebola
virus from budding, the process by which viruses escape from cells and spread to infect
neighboring cells
Viruses evolve to play by host
rules, according to University of Pennsylvania researchers
It appears that viruses that infect a bacterium spell their own genes in the same way the
bacterium does, obeying the rules of its host and demonstrating co-evolutionary behavior.
Restricting kids' video time
reduces obesity, randomized trial shows
Entrenched sedentary behavior such as watching television and playing computer video games
has been the bane for years of parents of overweight children and physicians trying to
help those children lose pounds. University at Buffalo researchers now have shown in a
randomized trial that by using a device that automatically restricted video-viewing time,
parents reduced their children’s video time by an average of 17.5 hours a week and
lowered their body-mass index significantly.
Media perpetuates unsubstantiated
chemical imbalance theory of depression
The theory that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance is often presented in the
media as fact even though there is little scientific evidence to support it, according to
a new study co-authored by a Florida State University visiting lecturer.
Researchers describe mechanisms by
which capon gene causes heart rhythm disturbances
A research team from the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, Johns Hopkins University and China
Medical University and Hospital in Taiwan have described for the first time the mechanisms
by which variants of a specific gene, CAPON or NOS1AP, can disrupt normal heart rhythm.
Until recently, CAPON was not even suspected of existing in heart tissue or playing a role
in heart function.
MSU research indicates testosterone
could guard against eating disorders
Testosterone appears to protect people against eating disorders, providing further
evidence that biological factors -- and not just social influences -- are linked to
anorexia and bulimia, according to new research findings at Michigan State University.
Rare syndrome provides clues on
obesity, blood pressure
Researchers have found a clue about how resistance to the hormone leptin might disrupt the
brain signals that tell the body when to stop eating. The research, which focused on the
rare genetic disorder Bardet-Biedl syndrome, also found an association between leptin
resistance and high blood pressure. The findings, which were based on mouse models, have
implications for treating BBS as well as obesity and high blood pressure in people without
BBS.
Toxins in cigarette smoke prevent
stem cells from becoming cartilage
A toxic pollutant spread by oil spills, forest fires and car exhaust is also present in
cigarette smoke, and may represent a second way in which smoking delays bone healing,
according to research presented today at the annual meeting of the Orthopaedic Research
Society in San Francisco.
The myth of runner's high revisited
with brain imaging
Researchers at the Technische Universität Muenchen and the University of Bonn succeeded
to demonstrate the existence of an 'endorphin driven runner's high.' In an imaging study
they were able to show, for the first time, increased release of endorphins in certain
areas of the athletes' brains during a two-hour jogging session. Their results are also
relevant for patients suffering from chronic pain.
Two cell proteins that relax the gut and help accommodate a big meal have been identified
by UCL scientists. The proteins could offer a future drug target against weight gain, by
preventing the stomach from expanding.
'Innocent bystanders' can be the
cause of tumor development
Tumor growth has commonly been viewed as a result of mutations in a given cell that will
therefore proliferate uncontrollably. However, a study conducted at the University of
Helsinki, Finland, has demonstrated that in certain type of gastrointestinal polyps, the
cause of tumor development are mutations in the smooth muscle cells, previously regarded
as "innocent bystanders."
Researchers identify new genetic
marker for breast cancer
An international group of investigators led by scientists at Memorial Sloan-Kettering
Cancer Center and the National Cancer Institute has identified a new genetic marker of
risk for breast cancer. Women with this DNA variation are at a 1.4 times greater risk of
developing breast cancer compared to those without the variation. The findings are to be
published online on March 3, 2008 in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences.
Link between alcohol and blood
pressure greater than previously thought
The relationship between heavy drinking and hypertension is more significant than
previously thought according to a new analysis of recent studies by researchers at Bristol
University, published today in PLoS Medicine.
Head injuries result in widespread
brain tissue loss one year later
In a rare, large-scale study of traumatic brain injury patients who span the full range of
severity from mild to moderate and severe, Canadian researchers have found that the more
severe the injury, the greater the loss of brain tissue, particularly white matter.
'Female sex hormone' protects
against hearing loss in females and males
The "female sex hormone" estradiol is present in both men and women. It plays
various roles in addition to its gender-specific ones, including having effects on the
hearing (auditory) system. In a new study, mice deficient in the estrogen
receptor–beta exhibited reduced recovery from auditory trauma, and treatment with
ER–beta-binding drugs protected mice from auditory damage, leading to the suggestion
that these data might enable the development of new treatments for hearing loss.
Researchers identify protein that
fights immunodeficiency
A Canada-US research team has solved a major genetic mystery: How a protein in some
people's DNA guards them against killer immune diseases such as HIV. In an advance online
edition of Nature Medicine, the scientists explain how the protein, FOX03a, shields
against viral attacks and how the discovery will help in the development of a HIV vaccine.
Short RNA strand helps exposed skin
cells protect body from bacteria, dehydration and even cancer
Exposed skin cells weather conditions harsh enough to mutate DNA. To keep these mutations
from spreading, evolution has found a way to keep these cells from proliferating.
Rockefeller University and HHMI researchers have now discovered evolution's solution: a
tiny strand of RNA. But the research's implications go deeper, and may also suggest how
healthy cells elsewhere in the body can turn cancerous.
Scientists uncover further steps
leading to celiac disease
Scientists who last year identified a new genetic risk factor for coeliac disease, have,
following continued research, discovered an additional seven gene regions implicated in
causing the condition.
Mother-daughter conflict, low
serotonin level may be deadly combination
The combination of negative mother-daughter relationships and low blood levels of
serotonin, an important brain chemical for mood stability, may be lethal for adolescent
girls, leaving them vulnerable to engage in self-harming behaviors such as cutting
themselves.
Go with your gut -- intuition is
more than just a hunch, says Leeds research
Most of us experience 'gut feelings' we can't explain, such as instantly loving -- or
hating -- a new property when we're househunting or the snap judgments we make on meeting
new people. Now researchers at Leeds say these feelings -- or intuitions -- are real and
we should take our hunches seriously.
Type 2 diabetes may be caused by
intestinal dysfunction
Growing evidence shows that surgery may effectively cure Type 2 diabetes -- an approach
that not only may change the way the disease is treated, but that introduces a new way of
thinking about diabetes.
Parents worldwide are doing little to protect their children from exposure to secondhand
smoke, according to a study by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public
Health. The household study, conducted in 31 countries, found that 82 percent of parents
who smoked reported smoking around their children. Measurements of nicotine levels from
household air and children's hair samples also indicated high exposure to secondhand smoke
among those living with a smoker.
Study suggests new way to screen
infants for fetal alcohol syndrome
Children who have been diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome are more likely to have
serious psychiatric and behavioral problems later in life. Studies have shown that early
intervention is a key element in minimizing the negative effects of FAS. Early diagnosis
of FAS is not always possible, especially if certain physical characteristics are not
present. A study scheduled for publication in The Journal of Pediatrics suggests a new way
to diagnose infants affected by FAS.
Carnegie Mellon study shows just
listening to cell phones significantly impairs drivers
Carnegie Mellon University scientists have shown that just listening to a cell phone while
driving is a significant distraction, and it causes drivers to commit some of the same
types of driving errors that can occur under the influence of alcohol.
Study finds bacteria may reduce
risk for kidney stones
Researchers from Boston University's Slone Epidemiology Center have found that the
bacteria Oxalobacter formigenes (O. formigenes), a naturally occurring bacterium that has
no known side effects, is associated with a 70 percent reduction in the risk of recurrent
kidney stones. These findings appear online in the March issue Journal of the American
Society of Nephrology.
Many children with autism have elevated blood levels of serotonin -- a chemical with
strong links to mood and anxiety. But what relevance this "hyperserotonemia" has
for autism has remained a mystery. New research by Vanderbilt University Medical Center
investigators provides a physical basis for this phenomenon, which may have profound
implications for the origin of some autism-associated deficits.
'Renal Assist Device' reduces risk
of death from acute kidney failure
For patients with acute kidney injury, an external device containing human kidney cells
promotes recovery of the injured kidneys and significantly reduces the risk of death,
according to a preliminary clinical study published in the May Journal of the American
Society of Nephrology.
Comprehensive diagnosis of heart
disease with a single CT scan
In the current issue of the journal Circulation, a research team from the Medical
University of South Carolina's Heart and Vascular Center report their initial experience
with a novel imaging technique that enables comprehensive diagnosis of heart disease based
on a single computerized tomographic scan.
Searching for new anti-cancer drugs, scientists at the German Cancer Research Center are
systematically analyzing the constituents of medicinal plants used in traditional Chinese
medicine.
Einstein researchers discover gene
mutations linked to longer lifespans
A gene linked to living a very long life -- to 90 and beyond -- is also associated with
short stature in women, according to new research by scientists at the Albert Einstein
College of Medicine of Yeshiva University.
Consumer organizations launch
campaign demanding right to referendums
Six non-governmental organizations (NGOs),
collectively representing consumers from all 27 European Union (EU) countries, today
announced the official launch of a campaign for citizens to have the right to vote in
referendums whenever significant changes to laws affecting them are made at either
national or European level. In particular, they are demanding that all EU citizens should
immediately be given the opportunity to vote in referendums on the Lisbon Treaty. Arguing
that the EU is increasingly favouring the interests of big business over those of its own
citizens, the six organizations say that unless this situation is reversed and European
citizens are given the right to be directly involved in political decision-making, the
European political system will rapidly degenerate into a dictatorship where democracy,
freedom of choice and the privacy rights of individuals are routinely violated.
Alliance for Natural Health
Leendert
Video - A MUST SEE for everyone who
believes that cancer is a mysterious disease!
Until 2007, I didn't know Italian cancer
specialist, Tullio Simoncini, M.D., nor did he know me. Seemingly worlds apart, we were on
identical paths; unlike millions of cancer researchers before us, we discovered the cause
of cancer. Then God placed us together and a most amazing interview ensued. Watch now as
this millennium's most important cancer discovery is told. Then please send it to loved
ones who need this information. Tell everyone you know to sign up for our free newsletter,
because the information is simply too important to be without the next time you find
yourself in a hospital or doctor's office.
The 1st European Day on Rare Diseases was
celebrated on 29 February … a very rare day. 29 February, was chosen to
celebrate the First European Awareness Day on Rare Diseases. This date was selected as an
appropriate day to recognise the rare disease community in Europe. It was organised on the
initiative of EURORDIS (the European Organisation on Rare Diseases) which brings together
more than 310 rare disease associations in 34 different countries representing millions of
patients. The Commission is currently preparing a European Action Plan in the Field of
Rare Diseases for the second semester 2008 after it will have completed its analysis of
the results of a public consultation just terminated. This consultation recorded a very
high level of participation. To mark the Day the Commission launched a new version of the
website Orphanet, the European information server on rare diseases and orphan drugs, a
major information source contributing to the clinical identification and visibility of
rare diseases. This project is a partnership with INSERM (the French national medical
research agency) and the French Ministry of Health.
On 4 March, the European Parliament will
also support the awareness raising effort in holding a public hearing on rare diseases at
its premises in Brussels.
Background:
Rare diseases (RD) are life-threatening or
chronically debilitating diseases with a low prevalence and a high level of complexity.
Most of them are genetic diseases, the others being rare cancers, auto-immune diseases,
congenital malformations, toxic and infectious diseases among other categories. They call
for a global approach based on special and combined efforts to prevent significant
morbidity or avoidable premature mortality, and to improve the quality of life or the
socio-economic potential of affected persons. A disease is defined as rare when it affects
less than 5 per 10 000 persons in the European Union. On the basis of present scientific
knowledge, between 5 000 and 8 000 distinct RD affect up to 6% of the total EU population
at one point in life. In other words, around 15 million people in the European Union (with
27 MS) are affected or will be affected by a Rare Disease.
The Orphanet website provides access to an
encyclopaedia of rare diseases and orphan drugs and to a directory of services in 35
countries, including information on expert clinics, clinical expert laboratories, research
activities and patients organisations. It is used health care professionals, researchers,
associations and patients. The new release is enriched with information on the
epidemiology of the diseases (prevalence in the European population, age at onset), on
their mode of inheritance, and on related genes when applicable. Information on clinical
laboratories has been complemented with data on the quality management of the
laboratories, to promote an increased standard of
quality across Europe. This information was collected and validated by the EuroGenTest
consortium, a network of excellence funded by the European Commission (DG Research). The
information on orphan drugs has been enriched to provide information on the stage of
development of a product from the time of its designation as orphan product by the EMEA
(European Medicines Agency) until its market authorisation in Europe. Orphan drug
designation is usually granted at the beginning of the clinical development phase. As
such, the Orphanet website provides access to the list of on-going clinical trials and to
all orphan indications of a designated molecule; a service strongly requested by patients.
New rules enhancing consumer rights must be
applicable across EU by 12 December 2007, 2½ years after their formal adoption in May
2005 ( Directive 2005/29/EC on Unfair Commercial Practices). This should boost consumer
confidence and make it easier for business (especially small and medium sized) to carry
out cross border trading. The new legislation outlines "sharp practices" which
will be prohibited throughout the EU, such as misleading and aggressive marketing. A
general ban on unfair commercial practices will ensure that the Directive will stand the
test of time even in fast evolving markets. Specific provisions prevent exploitation of
vulnerable consumers, such as children. Enforcement of the rules is the task of national
consumer protection authorities and courts.
Real-time imaging device may
improve surgery for congenital colon disease
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center are developing a spectral imaging system that
could result in shorter operating times for infants undergoing surgery for
Hirschsprung’s disease, according to a mouse study reported in the Journal of
Biophotonics.
Airborne bacteria may play large
role in precipitation
An MSU professor and his colleagues have found evidence suggesting that airborne bacteria
are globally distributed in the atmosphere and may play a large role in the cycle of
precipitation.
Genetic factors in smoking also
increase risk of chronic bronchitis
Smoking is a known risk factor for respiratory diseases like chronic bronchitis, but genes
also play a significant role in its development, according to researchers in Sweden, who
studied more than 40,000 Swedish twins to determine the extent to which behavior,
environment and genes each play a role ion the development of chronic bronchitis.
Certain vitamin supplements may
increase lung cancer risk, especially in smokers
Vitamin supplements do not protect against lung cancer, according to a study of more than
77,000 vitamin users. In fact, some supplements may even increase the risk of developing
it.
ASU researcher may have discovered
key to life before its origin on Earth
An important discovery has been made with respect to the mystery of "handedness"
in biomolecules. Researchers led by Sandra Pizzarello, a research professor at Arizona
State University, found that some of the possible abiotic precursors to the origin of life
on Earth have been shown to carry "handedness" in a larger number than
previously thought. The work is being published in this week's Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences.
Weill Cornell team identifies
potential new drug targets against hormone-dependent breast cancer
The identification of two cellular receptors that likely contribute to the genesis of
hormone-dependent breast cancer points the way to new, highly targeted therapies against
the disease, says a team led by scientists at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York
City.
Rutgers researchers unlock
mysteries of vitamin A metabolism during embryonic development
Researchers at Rutgers have unlocked some of the mysteries of how the developing embryo
reacts to fluctuations in the amount of vitamin A present in the maternal blood stream.
Their results are presented in the Feb.28 issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
U of Minn researchers discover
genetic cancer link between humans and dogs
Cancer researchers at the University of Minnesota and North Carolina State University have
found that humans and dogs share more than friendship and companionship -- they also share
the same genetic basis for certain types of cancer.
Treatment for disease that affects
estimated 1 in 2000 children gets them to eat again
Pediatric researchers from Indiana University School of Medicine and Riley Hospital report
that treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis, an inflammatory condition known as EE that
often mimics reflux and can cause refusal to eat, with oral or swallowed/sprayed steroids
results in significant patient improvement, but that if discontinued relapse is common. EE
affects one in 2,000 children.
New genetic association with
schizophrenia found by researchers
Schizophrenia emerges from an altered pattern of brain development, and researchers
continue to search for the genes that cause the brain to develop along a path that
ultimately leads to schizophrenia.
UT Southwestern surgeons complete
North Texas' first single-incision gallbladder removal
UT Southwestern Medical Center surgeons have removed a gallbladder through a unique
operation requiring only a single incision in the bellybutton rather than the traditional
four incisions in the abdomen. It is the first such operation in North Texas.
First look = Princeton researchers
peek into deepest recesses of human brain
A team of scientists from Princeton University has devised a new experimental technique
that produces some of the best functional images ever taken of the human brainstem, the
most primitive area of the brain.
Blocking protein kills prostate
cancer cells, inhibits tumor growth, Jefferson scientists find
Researchers at Jefferson's Kimmel Cancer Center in Philadelphia have shown that they can
effectively kill prostate cancer cells in both the laboratory and in experimental animal
models by blocking a signaling protein that is key to the cancer's growth. The work proves
that the protein, Stat5, is both vital to prostate cancer cell maintenance and that it is
a viable target for drug therapy.
Protein protects lung cancer cells
from efforts to fix or kill them
University of Florida findings explain how the protein enables cancer cells to circumvent
the body's own efforts to change them back into healthy cells -- or evade treatments
designed to kill them.
insulin therapy may be harmful to
the critically ill
Doubt has been cast over the current practice of administering intensive insulin therapy
to all critically ill patients, according to a study published this week in the open
access journal Critical Care. In certain groups of patients it could even be harmful.
Tobacco use, secondhand smoke
exposure during pregnancy, may threaten health of women and children
Findings from a National Institutes of Health study indicate that rates of tobacco use
during pregnancy, as well as exposure of pregnant women and their young children to
secondhand smoke, are significant threats to health in several low and middle-income
countries. In a few of the countries sampled, including some in Latin America, rates of
tobacco-related exposures may already be high enough to warrant substantial concern.
Scientists discover how cigarette
smoke causes cancer - Study points to new treatments, safer tobacco
Everyone has known for decades that that smoking can kill, but until now no one really
understood how cigarette smoke causes healthy lung cells to become cancerous. In a
research report published in the March print issue of The FASEB Journal, researchers show
that hydrogen peroxide (or similar oxidants) in cigarette smoke is the culprit. This
finding may help the tobacco industry develop "safer" cigarettes, while helping
medical researchers develop new lung cancer treatments.
Extract of broccoli sprouts may
protect against bladder cancer
A concentrated extract of freeze dried broccoli sprouts cut development of bladder tumors
in an animal model by more than half, according to a report in the March 1 issue of Cancer
Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.
New blood marker may predict
prostate cancer spread
Researchers report finding a new blood biomarker that enables close to 98 percent accuracy
in predicting the spread of prostate cancer to regional lymph nodes. Their study is
published in the March 1 issue of Clinical Cancer Research, a journal of the American
Association for Cancer Research. When cancer spreads beyond a solid tumor, it often does
so at a microscopic level that typically cannot be identified by conventional imaging
methods such as CT scans. The new blood test measures levels of endoglin, a plasma
biomarker that has been previously shown to predict the spread of colon and breast cancer.
In this study, researchers concluded for the first time that endoglin could help predict
whether a patient's prostate cancer would spread beyond the solid tumor site into their
lymph nodes. "For prostate cancer, we have hit the limit of our ability to classify
risk in these patients before initial surgery. We currently use prostate specific antigen,
Gleason grade and a rectal exam, but the predictive value of those three tests is
inadequate for predicting what cancers will spread. Conventional imaging modalities used
for clinical staging in prostate cancer are inadequate to detect small but clinically
significant lymph node metastases." said study author Shahrokh F. Shariat, MD, chief
urology resident at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
Scripps research scientists devise
approach that stops HIV at earliest stage of infection
Researchers at The Scripps Research Institute have developed a new two-punch strategy
against HIV and they have already successfully tested aspects of it in the laboratory.
St. Jude researchers find key step
in programmed cell death
Investigators at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have discovered a dance of proteins
that protects certain cells from undergoing apoptosis, also known as programmed cell
death. Understanding the fine points of apoptosis is important to researchers seeking ways
to control this process.
A traditional windmill which drives a pump: that is the simple concept behind the
combination of windmill/reverse osmosis developed by the Delft University of Technology
(TU Delft) in The Netherlands. In this case, it involves a high-pressure pump which pushes
water through a membrane using approximately 60 bar. This reverse osmosis membrane
produces fresh water from seawater directly. The windmill is suited for use by, for
instance, small villages in isolated, dry coastal areas.
Genes involved in inflammation may
hold clue to age-related macular degeneration
A University of Southampton research team, led by Professor Andrew Lotery, has identified
a new genetic risk factor for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a major cause of
untreatable blindness in elderly people in developed countries.The study is published by
the British Journal of Ophthalmology. AMD is a progressive disease affecting the retinal
pigment in the macular region at the back of the eye. Building on their previous research,
which showed that genes that control inflammation were important for developing AMD, the
researchers took DNA samples from 478 people with AMD and from 555 people with no signs of
the disease. They then looked for evidence of variations in genes controlling the
production and suppression of cytokines - powerful chemicals involved in inflammatory
processes in the body.
Certain antioxidants may reduce
acrylamide in food
The collaboration project has also involved a PhD research project which has tested the
addition of different antioxidants. The addition of rosemary to dough prior to baking a
portion of wheat buns at 225°C reduced the acrylamide content by up to 60 per cent. Even
rosemary in small quantities - in one per cent of the dough - was enough to reduce the
acrylamide content significantly. Flavonoids are another type of antioxidant found, among
other things, in vegetables, chocolate and tea. Tests also showed that the addition of the
flavonoids epicatechin and epigallocatechin from green tea considerably reduced the
acrylamide content. "Antioxidants are substances which inhibit the formation of free
radicals in the food and eliminate free radicals in the body. Our tests indicate that free
radicals are formed when cooking and potentially increasing the acrylamide content in
certain foods," explains Rikke Vingborg Hedegaard, PhD at the National Food
Institute, Technical University of Denmark, who is responsible for the PhD project.
"However, the findings do not show a general association between antioxidants and
reducing acrylamide in foods. The tests indicate that different antioxidants do not have
the same effect on the formation of acrylamide, and that it is important how antioxidants
are added to a product to have an effect on the acrylamide content," adds Rikke
Vingborg Hedegaard.
Receptor revealed that turns on
genes after consuming unsaturated fats
The most remarkable about the study is that the effects of unsaturated fatty acids are
almost entirely lost in mice that lack the PPARa receptor.From the literature it is known
that numerous receptors can supposedly bind fatty acids and turn on genes. Most of these
receptors belong to the family of the so called 'nuclear hormone receptors', which
includes receptors that bind steroid hormones and fat soluble vitamins. However, it was
unknown how important they are in an actual living animal. The new data show that PPARa is
by far the most important.Many of the genes that are turned on by unsaturated fatty acids
are involved in breaking down fatty acids to generate energy. This mechanism likely
protects the liver cell from build-up of unsaturated fatty acids, which is harmful to the
cell. It also likely accounts for the lowering of plasma triglycerides by fish oil.
Use Selenium and Zinc to Ward Off
Cancer and Boost Immunity
Selenium and zinc are vital to the production of the two most powerful anti-oxidant and
anti-aging enzymes in the body. They are Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione
peroxidase. Without sufficient supplies of Zinc and Selenium it's impossible for the body
to produce these two vital enzymes. These are also known as the "Anti-aging
enzymes" because many scientists now believe that the "Anti-aging gene" is
responsible for the production of SOD. Many scientists are also seeing that the aging
process is merely a result of declining SOD and many other anti-oxidant enzymes.Empirical
evidence and modern research has demonstrated that nature purposely shuts off the
production of SOD in the body when a person's health declines to the point where they are
no longer a viable candidate for reproduction. This is nature's way of ensuring that only
the more fit and healthy specimens survive and therefore reproduce only fit and healthy
offspring. That's why sexual dysfunction is one of the earliest signs of declining health
and vitality. This is also mirrored in the traditional Taoist view that one's sexual
vitality and vigor is a prime indicator of flourishing health. This validates the numerous
sexual longevity techniques used by the Chinese, and the Taoists in particular, who have
known for centuries that sexual vitality is a prime indicator of health and longevity and
can in fact be used to increase both when done properly.
80 Percent of Suicide Victims Took
Antidepressant Drugs
Swedish writer has accused the National Board of Health and Welfare (NBHW) of covering up
evidence suggesting a connection between psychiatric drugs and suicide. Under a recent
law, Swedish health-care providers must fill out reports on all suicides committed by
patients under their care or within four weeks of a health care visit. The reports are
then sent to the NBHW, which compiles and analyzes them.
If You Are a Wine Drinker, Here Are
Facts You Should Know
All alcoholic beverages result in the conversion of ethanol alcohol to toxic acetaldehyde
in the human body that the liver must detoxify. This can be a problem for anyone with
impaired liver function, or for people with a genetic background that is lacking in the
enzymes needed to breakdown acetaldehyde. In other words, acetaldehyde remains in the
bloodstream for longer periods which is harmful. And then we have the issue of
agricultural chemicals, and the additives used in wine-making. As you can appreciate, it
is preferential to drink wines with a minimum of chemical additives and made by
traditional wine-making techniques.
Novel Mechanism Found That May
Boost Impaired Function of Leukemia Protein
A new study led by researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center reports on a
novel mechanism that can enhance the function of a protein that is frequently impaired in
patients with acute forms of leukemia. The protein, called AML1, plays a critical role in
the development of the blood system and in the production of platelets and immune cells.
The findings are published in the March 1, 2008, issue of Genes & Development.
Increased Allergen Levels in Homes
Linked to Asthma
Results from a new national survey demonstrate that elevated allergen levels in the home
are associated with asthma symptoms in allergic individuals. The study suggests that
asthmatics that have allergies may alleviate symptoms by reducing allergen exposures
inside their homes. The work was carried out by researchers at the National Institute of
Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), the University of Iowa, Rho Inc., and the Constella
Group. The team's findings may help millions of Americans who suffer from asthma.
"Indoor allergen exposures are of great importance in relation to asthma because most
people spend a majority of their time indoors, especially at home," said Darryl
Zeldin, M.D., a Principal Investigator in the Laboratory of Respiratory Biology at NIEHS
and senior author on the paper.
Neurofeedback Helping Those with
Autistic Disorders
Research on autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) shows that neurofeedback (EEG biofeedback)
can remediate anomalies in brain activation, leading to symptom reduction and functional
improvement. This evidence raises the hopes for a behavioral, psychophysiological
intervention moderating the severity of ASD.
Pills aren't the answer to helping many people recover from depression, says a report out
this week. But there's growing evidence that gloominess could be a positive experience.
Next United States Food and Drug
Commissioner must be a Consumer Protectionist!!!!
Some recent articles in the alternative Health world have chastised Governor Bill
Richardson for supposedly accepting $10,000 in contributions from Ajinomoto, the world's
largest Aspartame and Monosodium Glutamate manufacturer, several years ago.
Young babies can be 'allergic to
milk', experts say
During the first few months after birth babies can demonstrate allergic reactions to food
proteins, particularly hen's eggs and cow's milk, even if they are breast-fed, studies
show.
This coming spring Monsanto plans to unveil its RoundUp ready (RR) sugar beet, designed to
withstand heavy doses of the herbicide, glyphosate. In preparation for this announcement,
the EPA has already increased the acceptable limit of glyphosate residue in sugar beet
roots by 5000%. “Basically, we have not run into resistance,” said David Berg,
president of American Crystal Sugar, quoted in the 11/27/07 New York Times, “We
really think that consumer attitudes have come to accept food from biotechnology.”
Use denture cleansers? The FDA wants you to watch for allergic reactions and make sure you
use those products as directed -- and never in the mouth. The FDA says it's received 73
reports of allergic reactions, including at least one death, linked to denture cleansers.
Laboratory studies indicate that wounds treated with a special type of honey known as
"Manuka Honey" are able to heal more rapidly and the bio-film is disrupted. This
suggests that Manuka Honey could be a viable solution to treating infected wounds, more so
than antibiotics. With the increase in MRSA cases and other hospital infections from
antibiotic-resistant bacteria, doctors need more effective treatments.
Study Finds Sleep Helps Protect
Small Children from Injuries
Lack of sleep can lead to increased injuries among preschool children, research from the
University of Rochester School of Nursing has found. The study, published in the
March/April issue of Public Health Nursing, shows that children who, according to their
mothers, lack an adequate amount of sleep, are twice as likely to sustain injuries as
compared to their well-rested peers.
Dried Fruit Warning - Prunes and
Pears Found to Contain High Levels of Acrylamide Chemicals
A possibly carcinogenic chemical found in starchy foods cooked at high heat is also found
in high quantities in dried fruit, according to a new study conducted by researchers at
the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and presented at a symposium on the chemical
that took place in Boston.
Researchers at ETH Zurich and the University Zurich have identified the chromosomal
location and exact molecular defect in the coding region of the gene responsible for a
childhood cataract. Until now, no human disease could be associated with this gene. The
researchers' results will be published in the 'American Journal of Human Genetics'. The
international team of researchers was able to identify the location and defect in the
coding region of the gene through analysis of genetic material (DNA) from members of a
large Swiss family, the majority of whom suffered from autosomal dominant juvenile
cataract. The corresponding protein belongs to a family of monocarboxylate transporters
which move small molecules across cell membranes. Surprisingly, this genetic defect may
also lead to the condition of renal glucosuria, a non-pathological kidney defect with
elevated levels of glucose in the urine, but not in blood.
New Jersey joins states seeking to
ban toxic chemicals in baby products
New Jersey is joining a growing number of states seeking to ban potentially toxic
chemicals found in name-brand children's baby bottles, toys, powders and lotions.
Lipitor Lowers Cognitive Ability in
Women, Doctor Says
The Lipitor patient information insert does not list cognitive issues among its side
effects; however, anecdotal reports linking statins-like Lipitor-to mental problems go
back years and some doctors are voicing concerns that in some patients, statins like
Lipitor may help hearts but hurt minds. According to the vice chairman of medicine at New
York Presbyterian Hospital, Dr. Orli Etingin, “This drug makes women stupid.”
Bamboo leaves again show
anti-acrylamide potential
Using an antioxidant-rich extracts from bamboo leaf and green tea could reduce the
formation of acrylamide in an asparagine-glucose model system heated by microwave,
according to a new study.
Top Heart Expert Urges FDA to
Retract Health Claim for Soy Protein
Internationally acclaimed heart expert Kilmer McCully, MD, father of the homocysteine
theory of heart disease, joined other scientists and consumer advocates in asking the Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) to drop the heart disease health claim for soy protein in
documents filed February 19.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that often escapes diagnosis. As many as 50 to
60% of patients have no symptoms. Patients with this condition are allergic to grains
(wheat, oats, rye, barley, triticale, spelt). When the gluten from wheat or other grains
is eaten, antibodies are made that over a period of years injure the projections on the
surface of the small intestine (villi). The surface of the small bowel becomes flat and
normal absorption fails.
