36% Of Stroke Sufferers Do Not Call 911

36% Of Stroke Sufferers Do Not Call 91130 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

Surprisingly one in three people who suffer from stroke don't go to hospital by ambulance, which is the fastest way to get there, according to a new study carried out by a team from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, and the UCLA Comprehensive Stroke Center in Los Angeles, and published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

The study involved analyzing the records of around 204,000 stroke patients who arrived at emergency rooms across 1,563 hospitals, part of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines-reg;-Stroke quality improvement program, spanning from 2003 to 2010.

63.7 percent of stroke patients were transported by emergency medical services (EMS) to a hospital, whereas the rest arrived by different means.

It is crucial that when someone suffers from stroke, quick and immediate treatment is carried out. With EMS transport 79 percent of stroke sufferers were transported to a nearby hospital within hours of their initial symptoms, which resulted in an earlier, quicker, and faster evaluation and treatment.

61 percent of people who were transported to hospital by EMS arrived within hours of their symptoms compared to 40 percent who arrived by other means.

In addition, 55 percent of patients who arrived with EMS received a brain scan within 25 minutes of arrival, versus only 35.6 percent who didn't use EMS.

Senior author, Jeffrey L. Saver, M.D., director of the UCLA Comprehensive Stroke Center in Los Angeles, Calif. said:

"EMS are able to give the hospital a heads up, and that grabs the attention of the emergency room staff to be ready to act as soon as the patient arrives. The ambulance crew also knows which hospitals in the area have qualified stroke centers. Patients don't lose time going to one hospital only to be referred to another that can provide more advanced care if needed, whether that's drugs to bust up the clot or device procedures to remove it."

They identified the people who were less likely to call for EMS at signs of stroke were minorities and those living in rural areas.

Lead author of the study and assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn, James Ekundayo, M.D., said:

"A number of factors can fuel the reluctance to call 9-1-1. People may not recognize symptoms and may delay seeking medical care or call their doctor instead.
We hear people say they just didn't want to be a bother, but many times there could have been a better outcome if EMS had been called."



Approximately 795,000 people suffer from a new or recurrent stroke annually in the U.S. Every four minutes someone in the country dies from stroke. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, and there is only one approved treatment

The researchers highlight the need to improve public awareness and improve short- and long-term outcomes.

It is important that people receive prompt treatment after a stroke, your chances of having a subsequent major stroke are massively reduced if you are assessed and treated quickly, according to two articles published in The Lancet.

The acronym F.A.S.T can be used to help recognize a stroke:

Face Drooping - Is one side of the person's face appears droopy or numb? Ask them to smile.

Arm Weakness - Are their arms numb or weak? Ask them to lift both hands.

Speech Difficulty - Is their speech slurred or are they unable to speak? Ask them to say a simple sentence.

Time to call 9-1-1 - if the person shows any of these symptoms it is time to call emergency services and ask for help.



Saver concluded: "Your life, your brain, depends on calling 9-1-1. Know the signs and act fast if you or someone you're with is having stroke symptoms."

Written by Joseph Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Everyone Aged 15 To 65 Should Receive HIV Testing, New Guidelines Say

Everyone Aged 15 To 65 Should Receive HIV Testing, New Guidelines Say30 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;


Clinicians are now recommended to screen all patients aged 15 to 65, and other teens or older adults who are at an elevated risk for HIV infection, according to new guidelines released today.

The guidelines were part of the final recommendation statement on screening for HIV by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and were published online Monday, April 30th in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Additionally, they recommend that all pregnant women, even those in labor whose HIV status is unknown, be tested for HIV.

Task Force member Douglas K. Owens, M.D., M.S., said:

"While the best way to reduce HIV-related disease and death is to avoid getting infected, screening is also extremely important. Nearly a quarter of people with HIV don't know that they have it, and they're missing out on a chance to take control of their disease. Universal screening will help identify more people with HIV, allowing them to start combined antiretroviral therapy earlier and live healthier and longer lives."

The guidelines were released following a number of publicized cases in which early treatment along with a combination of strong antiretroviral drugs has significantly improved patient survival rates.

For example, just last month, a study showed that 14 HIV-infected adults appeared to be "functionally cured" - or carrying a small, hardly detectable amount of HIV in their bodies; they do not experience symptoms, even without treatment. Those patients had received antiretroviral drugs within 10 weeks of becoming infected.

Additionally, a baby was cured of HIV after being given antiretroviral therapy 30 minutes after birth. Treating an HIV-positive newborn infant this soon after birth is highly uncommon.

HIV is a retrovirus that harms the cells that protect the body from disease - it can take years for symptoms to develop. The virus is passed through blood and semen.

High-risk groups include:

intravenous drug users
men who have sex with men
people who have unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse
those who have a partner who is HIV-positive, bisexual, an injection drug user, or exchanges sex for money or drugs

Until this point, the Task Force has only recommended HIV screening for people in these risk groups and for pregnant women. However, after an analysis of more data, evidence showed that almost 25% of people who are infected with HIV in the U.S. do not know they are infected. The task force believes that widespread early detection would "result in substantial public health benefits".

The newest recommendations suggest everyone 15 to 65 get a one-time screening. Women should also be tested during every pregnancy.

Task Force chair Virginia Moyer, M.D., M.P.H., explained:
"HIV is a critical public health problem and, despite recent medical advances, still a devastating diagnosis for the 50,000 people in the United States who contract HIV each year. In order to help reduce the suffering of those with HIV and their loved ones, we must continue finding better ways to prevent and treat this disease."

The Task Force also suggests, in accordance with the CDC's recommendations, that the testing be voluntary and patients should be informed orally or in writing that the HIV testing has been conducted, unless they opt-out of screening.

Written by Kelly Fitzgerald
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Schizophrenia May Be Diagnosed By Testing Nerve Cells From The Nose

Schizophrenia May Be Diagnosed By Testing Nerve Cells From The Nose30 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;








Collecting neurons from the nose could be a fast way to test for schizophrenia, a debilitating mental illness that is often difficult to

diagnose. This was the finding of a new study led by researchers from Tel Aviv University (TAU) in Israel.

A report on the study is due to be published in the July 2013 print issue of Neurobiology of Disease, a version of which is already available

to view online.

At present, schizophrenia can only be confirmed physiologically through sampling the brain during an autopsy. So diagnosis relies on psychiatrists

giving patients batteries of psychological tests, and interviewing patients, their families and their friends.

In their study paper, Noam Shomron of TAU's Sackler Faculty of Medicine, and colleagues, describe how they developed a potential way of diagnosing

schizophrenia by testing microRNA molecules in neurons removed from the nose via a simple biopsy.

Shomron says in a statement released this week that he and his colleagues anticipate this could lead to a "more sure-fire" of diagnosing

schizophrenia than ever before. It could also lead to earlier detection of the disease, which could vastly improve treatment.

Before this study, the only way to test for biomarkers for schizophrenia was to sample cells taken from the brain, which could only be done after

death.

But then Shomron and colleagues had a hunch that perhaps olfactory neurons located in the upper part of the inner nose might also offer some

biomarkers.

For their study, they collected olfactory neurons from patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and a control group of individuals without the disease,

and ran them through high-throughput sequencers that can scan the microRNA molecules in the cells. MicroRNA molecules don't code for proteins

but they help to regulate gene expression.

The results showed that nose neurons from the schizophrenia patients had much higher levels of one particular microRNA (called miR-382) than those taken from the unaffected controls, as Shomron explains:

"We were able to narrow down the microRNA to a differentially expressed set, and from there down to a specific microRNA which is elevated in

individuals with the disease compared to healthy individuals."

After some more research, the team found that this particular microRNA molecule regulates the expression of genes that are involved in the

creation of neurons.

A clinical test based on this method would involve taking a small biopsy using a local anesthetic. This could easily be done as an outpatient

procedure, says Shomron.

And with today's microRNA sequencers, the profiling could be ready in hours.

The researchers say their method could lead to a simple, quick and accurate test for a complicated illness.

Although Shomron has high hopes, he says there are still some questions to answer with further studies before we can be sure such a test is

viable.

For instance, it is not clear whether the changes to microRNA expression begin before schizophrenic symptoms show, or after. If it happens

before, or near the beginning of the timeline of the disease, then the test would be an invaluable diagnostic tool because it would help early

detection, which would mean earlier treatment.

It could even, perhaps, increase the chances of delaying symptoms. For instance, in people with a family history of schizophrenia, such a test

could show whether they also have it.

And while such early warning doesn't mean a cure is imminent, it does help patient and doctor prepare for what may lie in store.

The study also shows there could be potential for using nose neurons as surrogates for brain neurons in other types of research.

In another recently published study, researchers from Columbia University Medical Center suggest that an excess of the brain neurotransmitter glutamate may trigger psychosis in people

who are at risk for schizophrenia.




Written by Catharine Paddock PhD











Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Women Smokers Have Higher Colon Cancer Risk Than Men

Women Smokers Have Higher Colon Cancer Risk Than Men30 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

Smoking increases the risk of developing colon cancer in both males and females, however, the risk is higher among women smokers, according to a new study.

The research was conducted by a team of experts from the University of Tromsø in Norway and was published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers - Prevention.

The experts also found that the more and longer a woman smoked, the greater her risk for colon cancer.

Inger Torhild Gram, M.D., Ph.D., professor in the Department of Community Medicine at the University of Tromsø in Norway, said:

"Globally, during the last 50 years, the number of new colon cancer cases per year has exploded for both men and women. Our study is the first that shows women who smoke less than men still get more colon cancer."

The study involved a large Norweigan cohort of over 600,000 males and females. Gram and her colleagues looked at the link between cigarette smoking and colon cancer, by examining the tumor location.

The volunteers from four surveys established by the National Health Screening Service of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health underwent a short health exam and filled out questionnaires regarding smoking habits, exercise, and other lifestyle factors.

The subjects were followed by linkage to the Central Population Register and the Cancer Registry of Norway. About 4,000 new colon cancer cases were diagnosed during an average 14 years of follow-up.

Women smokers had a 19% elevated risk compared with those who never smoked, while men smokers had an 8% higher risk compared to non-smokers.

The results also showed that women who began smoking when they were 16 years or younger and women who had smoked for 40 years or longer had a considerably elevated likelihood - of about 50%.

Additionally, the dose-response link between the number of cigarettes smoked each day, number of years smoked, and the number of pack-years smoked and colon cancer risk was stronger for females than it was for males, the authors pointed out.

Gram concluded:

"The finding that women who smoke even a moderate number of cigarettes daily have an increased risk for colon cancer will account for a substantial number of new cases because colon cancer is such a common disease.

A causal relationship between smoking and colorectal cancer has recently been established by the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization, but unfortunately, this is not yet common knowledge, neither among health personnel nor the public."

A previous report showed that not smoking, exercising more, and cutting down on red meat and alcohol can reduce a person's risk of colon cancer.

Written by Sarah Glynn

Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

St. Jude Medical Announces CE Mark And Launch Of First Quadripolar CRT Pacemaker

P-amp;G Increases ROI With KAM - Value Based Key Account Management Conference, 11 June 2013, London

Women Smokers Have Higher Colon Cancer Risk Than Men

Women Smokers Have Higher Colon Cancer Risk Than Men30 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

Smoking increases the risk of developing colon cancer in both males and females, however, the risk is higher among women smokers, according to a new study.

The research was conducted by a team of experts from the University of Tromsø in Norway and was published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers - Prevention.

The experts also found that the more and longer a woman smoked, the greater her risk for colon cancer.

Inger Torhild Gram, M.D., Ph.D., professor in the Department of Community Medicine at the University of Tromsø in Norway, said:

"Globally, during the last 50 years, the number of new colon cancer cases per year has exploded for both men and women. Our study is the first that shows women who smoke less than men still get more colon cancer."

The study involved a large Norweigan cohort of over 600,000 males and females. Gram and her colleagues looked at the link between cigarette smoking and colon cancer, by examining the tumor location.

The volunteers from four surveys established by the National Health Screening Service of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health underwent a short health exam and filled out questionnaires regarding smoking habits, exercise, and other lifestyle factors.

The subjects were followed by linkage to the Central Population Register and the Cancer Registry of Norway. About 4,000 new colon cancer cases were diagnosed during an average 14 years of follow-up.

Women smokers had a 19% elevated risk compared with those who never smoked, while men smokers had an 8% higher risk compared to non-smokers.

The results also showed that women who began smoking when they were 16 years or younger and women who had smoked for 40 years or longer had a considerably elevated likelihood - of about 50%.

Additionally, the dose-response link between the number of cigarettes smoked each day, number of years smoked, and the number of pack-years smoked and colon cancer risk was stronger for females than it was for males, the authors pointed out.

Gram concluded:

"The finding that women who smoke even a moderate number of cigarettes daily have an increased risk for colon cancer will account for a substantial number of new cases because colon cancer is such a common disease.

A causal relationship between smoking and colorectal cancer has recently been established by the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization, but unfortunately, this is not yet common knowledge, neither among health personnel nor the public."

A previous report showed that not smoking, exercising more, and cutting down on red meat and alcohol can reduce a person's risk of colon cancer.

Written by Sarah Glynn

Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

St. Jude Medical Announces CE Mark And Launch Of First Quadripolar CRT Pacemaker

P-amp;G Increases ROI With KAM - Value Based Key Account Management Conference, 11 June 2013, London

36% Of Stroke Sufferers Do Not Call 911

36% Of Stroke Sufferers Do Not Call 91130 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

Surprisingly one in three people who suffer from stroke don't go to hospital by ambulance, which is the fastest way to get there, according to a new study carried out by a team from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, and the UCLA Comprehensive Stroke Center in Los Angeles, and published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

The study involved analyzing the records of around 204,000 stroke patients who arrived at emergency rooms across 1,563 hospitals, part of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines-reg;-Stroke quality improvement program, spanning from 2003 to 2010.

63.7 percent of stroke patients were transported by emergency medical services (EMS) to a hospital, whereas the rest arrived by different means.

It is crucial that when someone suffers from stroke, quick and immediate treatment is carried out. With EMS transport 79 percent of stroke sufferers were transported to a nearby hospital within hours of their initial symptoms, which resulted in an earlier, quicker, and faster evaluation and treatment.

61 percent of people who were transported to hospital by EMS arrived within hours of their symptoms compared to 40 percent who arrived by other means.

In addition, 55 percent of patients who arrived with EMS received a brain scan within 25 minutes of arrival, versus only 35.6 percent who didn't use EMS.

Senior author, Jeffrey L. Saver, M.D., director of the UCLA Comprehensive Stroke Center in Los Angeles, Calif. said:

"EMS are able to give the hospital a heads up, and that grabs the attention of the emergency room staff to be ready to act as soon as the patient arrives. The ambulance crew also knows which hospitals in the area have qualified stroke centers. Patients don't lose time going to one hospital only to be referred to another that can provide more advanced care if needed, whether that's drugs to bust up the clot or device procedures to remove it."

They identified the people who were less likely to call for EMS at signs of stroke were minorities and those living in rural areas.

Lead author of the study and assistant professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn, James Ekundayo, M.D., said:

"A number of factors can fuel the reluctance to call 9-1-1. People may not recognize symptoms and may delay seeking medical care or call their doctor instead.
We hear people say they just didn't want to be a bother, but many times there could have been a better outcome if EMS had been called."



Approximately 795,000 people suffer from a new or recurrent stroke annually in the U.S. Every four minutes someone in the country dies from stroke. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, and there is only one approved treatment

The researchers highlight the need to improve public awareness and improve short- and long-term outcomes.

It is important that people receive prompt treatment after a stroke, your chances of having a subsequent major stroke are massively reduced if you are assessed and treated quickly, according to two articles published in The Lancet.

The acronym F.A.S.T can be used to help recognize a stroke:

Face Drooping - Is one side of the person's face appears droopy or numb? Ask them to smile.

Arm Weakness - Are their arms numb or weak? Ask them to lift both hands.

Speech Difficulty - Is their speech slurred or are they unable to speak? Ask them to say a simple sentence.

Time to call 9-1-1 - if the person shows any of these symptoms it is time to call emergency services and ask for help.



Saver concluded: "Your life, your brain, depends on calling 9-1-1. Know the signs and act fast if you or someone you're with is having stroke symptoms."

Written by Joseph Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Everyone Aged 15 To 65 Should Receive HIV Testing, New Guidelines Say

Everyone Aged 15 To 65 Should Receive HIV Testing, New Guidelines Say30 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;


Clinicians are now recommended to screen all patients aged 15 to 65, and other teens or older adults who are at an elevated risk for HIV infection, according to new guidelines released today.

The guidelines were part of the final recommendation statement on screening for HIV by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and were published online Monday, April 30th in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Additionally, they recommend that all pregnant women, even those in labor whose HIV status is unknown, be tested for HIV.

Task Force member Douglas K. Owens, M.D., M.S., said:

"While the best way to reduce HIV-related disease and death is to avoid getting infected, screening is also extremely important. Nearly a quarter of people with HIV don't know that they have it, and they're missing out on a chance to take control of their disease. Universal screening will help identify more people with HIV, allowing them to start combined antiretroviral therapy earlier and live healthier and longer lives."

The guidelines were released following a number of publicized cases in which early treatment along with a combination of strong antiretroviral drugs has significantly improved patient survival rates.

For example, just last month, a study showed that 14 HIV-infected adults appeared to be "functionally cured" - or carrying a small, hardly detectable amount of HIV in their bodies; they do not experience symptoms, even without treatment. Those patients had received antiretroviral drugs within 10 weeks of becoming infected.

Additionally, a baby was cured of HIV after being given antiretroviral therapy 30 minutes after birth. Treating an HIV-positive newborn infant this soon after birth is highly uncommon.

HIV is a retrovirus that harms the cells that protect the body from disease - it can take years for symptoms to develop. The virus is passed through blood and semen.

High-risk groups include:

intravenous drug users
men who have sex with men
people who have unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse
those who have a partner who is HIV-positive, bisexual, an injection drug user, or exchanges sex for money or drugs

Until this point, the Task Force has only recommended HIV screening for people in these risk groups and for pregnant women. However, after an analysis of more data, evidence showed that almost 25% of people who are infected with HIV in the U.S. do not know they are infected. The task force believes that widespread early detection would "result in substantial public health benefits".

The newest recommendations suggest everyone 15 to 65 get a one-time screening. Women should also be tested during every pregnancy.

Task Force chair Virginia Moyer, M.D., M.P.H., explained:
"HIV is a critical public health problem and, despite recent medical advances, still a devastating diagnosis for the 50,000 people in the United States who contract HIV each year. In order to help reduce the suffering of those with HIV and their loved ones, we must continue finding better ways to prevent and treat this disease."

The Task Force also suggests, in accordance with the CDC's recommendations, that the testing be voluntary and patients should be informed orally or in writing that the HIV testing has been conducted, unless they opt-out of screening.

Written by Kelly Fitzgerald
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Schizophrenia May Be Diagnosed By Testing Nerve Cells From The Nose

Schizophrenia May Be Diagnosed By Testing Nerve Cells From The Nose30 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;








Collecting neurons from the nose could be a fast way to test for schizophrenia, a debilitating mental illness that is often difficult to

diagnose. This was the finding of a new study led by researchers from Tel Aviv University (TAU) in Israel.

A report on the study is due to be published in the July 2013 print issue of Neurobiology of Disease, a version of which is already available

to view online.

At present, schizophrenia can only be confirmed physiologically through sampling the brain during an autopsy. So diagnosis relies on psychiatrists

giving patients batteries of psychological tests, and interviewing patients, their families and their friends.

In their study paper, Noam Shomron of TAU's Sackler Faculty of Medicine, and colleagues, describe how they developed a potential way of diagnosing

schizophrenia by testing microRNA molecules in neurons removed from the nose via a simple biopsy.

Shomron says in a statement released this week that he and his colleagues anticipate this could lead to a "more sure-fire" of diagnosing

schizophrenia than ever before. It could also lead to earlier detection of the disease, which could vastly improve treatment.

Before this study, the only way to test for biomarkers for schizophrenia was to sample cells taken from the brain, which could only be done after

death.

But then Shomron and colleagues had a hunch that perhaps olfactory neurons located in the upper part of the inner nose might also offer some

biomarkers.

For their study, they collected olfactory neurons from patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and a control group of individuals without the disease,

and ran them through high-throughput sequencers that can scan the microRNA molecules in the cells. MicroRNA molecules don't code for proteins

but they help to regulate gene expression.

The results showed that nose neurons from the schizophrenia patients had much higher levels of one particular microRNA (called miR-382) than those taken from the unaffected controls, as Shomron explains:

"We were able to narrow down the microRNA to a differentially expressed set, and from there down to a specific microRNA which is elevated in

individuals with the disease compared to healthy individuals."

After some more research, the team found that this particular microRNA molecule regulates the expression of genes that are involved in the

creation of neurons.

A clinical test based on this method would involve taking a small biopsy using a local anesthetic. This could easily be done as an outpatient

procedure, says Shomron.

And with today's microRNA sequencers, the profiling could be ready in hours.

The researchers say their method could lead to a simple, quick and accurate test for a complicated illness.

Although Shomron has high hopes, he says there are still some questions to answer with further studies before we can be sure such a test is

viable.

For instance, it is not clear whether the changes to microRNA expression begin before schizophrenic symptoms show, or after. If it happens

before, or near the beginning of the timeline of the disease, then the test would be an invaluable diagnostic tool because it would help early

detection, which would mean earlier treatment.

It could even, perhaps, increase the chances of delaying symptoms. For instance, in people with a family history of schizophrenia, such a test

could show whether they also have it.

And while such early warning doesn't mean a cure is imminent, it does help patient and doctor prepare for what may lie in store.

The study also shows there could be potential for using nose neurons as surrogates for brain neurons in other types of research.

In another recently published study, researchers from Columbia University Medical Center suggest that an excess of the brain neurotransmitter glutamate may trigger psychosis in people

who are at risk for schizophrenia.




Written by Catharine Paddock PhD











Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Women Smokers Have Higher Colon Cancer Risk Than Men

Women Smokers Have Higher Colon Cancer Risk Than Men30 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

Smoking increases the risk of developing colon cancer in both males and females, however, the risk is higher among women smokers, according to a new study.

The research was conducted by a team of experts from the University of Tromsø in Norway and was published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers - Prevention.

The experts also found that the more and longer a woman smoked, the greater her risk for colon cancer.

Inger Torhild Gram, M.D., Ph.D., professor in the Department of Community Medicine at the University of Tromsø in Norway, said:

"Globally, during the last 50 years, the number of new colon cancer cases per year has exploded for both men and women. Our study is the first that shows women who smoke less than men still get more colon cancer."

The study involved a large Norweigan cohort of over 600,000 males and females. Gram and her colleagues looked at the link between cigarette smoking and colon cancer, by examining the tumor location.

The volunteers from four surveys established by the National Health Screening Service of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health underwent a short health exam and filled out questionnaires regarding smoking habits, exercise, and other lifestyle factors.

The subjects were followed by linkage to the Central Population Register and the Cancer Registry of Norway. About 4,000 new colon cancer cases were diagnosed during an average 14 years of follow-up.

Women smokers had a 19% elevated risk compared with those who never smoked, while men smokers had an 8% higher risk compared to non-smokers.

The results also showed that women who began smoking when they were 16 years or younger and women who had smoked for 40 years or longer had a considerably elevated likelihood - of about 50%.

Additionally, the dose-response link between the number of cigarettes smoked each day, number of years smoked, and the number of pack-years smoked and colon cancer risk was stronger for females than it was for males, the authors pointed out.

Gram concluded:

"The finding that women who smoke even a moderate number of cigarettes daily have an increased risk for colon cancer will account for a substantial number of new cases because colon cancer is such a common disease.

A causal relationship between smoking and colorectal cancer has recently been established by the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization, but unfortunately, this is not yet common knowledge, neither among health personnel nor the public."

A previous report showed that not smoking, exercising more, and cutting down on red meat and alcohol can reduce a person's risk of colon cancer.

Written by Sarah Glynn

Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

St. Jude Medical Announces CE Mark And Launch Of First Quadripolar CRT Pacemaker

P-amp;G Increases ROI With KAM - Value Based Key Account Management Conference, 11 June 2013, London

Allergies Less Common Among Foreign Born Children, USA

Allergies Less Common Among Foreign Born Children, USA30 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

Researchers have found that foreign born children who reside in the U.S. have a lower risk of allergic diseases, however, their risk increases in time the longer they live in the country, according to a study published Online First in the journal JAMA.

The study, which was led by Jonathan I. Silverberg, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., of St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, and colleagues, involved analyzing data gathered from a questionnaire in the 2007-2008 National Survey of Children's Health, which included a total of 91,642 children 0 to 17 years old.

They were able to calculate the number of children who suffered from some form of allergic disease such as asthma according to their origin of birth.

Allergies are particularly common in the U.S., research published in the journal Pediatrics revealed that food allergies affect 8 percent of children under 18 years of age, or about 5.9 million kids in the US.

The results of the study revealed that kids who were born outside the U.S. were at a lower risk of atopic disorders (such as ever-asthma, current-asthma, eczema, hay fever, and food allergies) compared to U.S. born children.

Children whose parents were foreign born were also at a lower risk of atopic disorders compared to U.S. born parents.

Factors associated with living in the U.S. may increase allergy risk


Interestingly, foreign born children who had been living in the U.S. for less than two years were at a significantly lower risk of developing allergic disorders compared to those who had been living in the country for at least a decade.

This suggests that there are factors associated with living in the United States that can increase the risk of developing allergies. In fact, previous research published in the American Thoracic Society's American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that children with allergic sensitizations in economically developed countries are much more likely to develop asthma than similarly sensitized children in poorer countries.

Allergic diseases are becoming more and more common in the richer countries.

The authors of the study concluded:

"In conclusion, foreign-born Americans have significantly lower risk of allergic disease than US-born Americans. However, foreign-born Americans develop increased risk for allergic disease with prolonged residence in the United States."

Written by Joseph Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Dust In Air Of Underground Railways May Harm Health

Dust In Air Of Underground Railways May Harm Health30 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;




A new UK study suggests that microscopic dust particles in the air of underground railways may pose a risk to health for people who

spend sustained periods of time in that environment, such as railway workers and city commuters.

Matt Loxham, a doctoral student at the University of Southampton, and colleagues, report the results of their investigation of a European

underground station in Environmental Science and Technology.

They studied the ultrafine dust or particulate matter in the air of the underground station and found it was quite different to that which most people

breathe in every day: it was more like the that found in steel mills and welding plants, where there is a much higher proportion of airborne

metals.

Loxham tells the press in a recent statement:

"Typically, ultrafine dust is composed of inert matter that does not pose much of a risk in terms of its chemical composition."

But, in the underground station they studied, he says, "the ultrafine dust was at least as rich in metals as the larger dust particles".

And because these particles are much smaller than the larger dust particles, when you add them all up, for the same amount of metal contained,

they present a much larger surface area for contact compared to their volume than the larger particles, one reason that makes them potentially

more damaging to health. Another reason is, because they are smaller, they can penetrate further into the lungs and body.

Coarse, Fine and Ultrafine Particulate Matter

The dust in the air comprises differently sized particles or particulate matter. For studies these tend to be graded as coarse, fine, and

ultrafine.

Coarse particulate matter contains the biggest particles with a size between 2.5 and 10 micrometers, or about 25 to 100 times thinner than a

human hair. This grade of dust is called PM10 (short for Particulate Matter up to 10 micrometers in size).

Fine particulate matter comprises particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5), and ultrafine particles are smaller than 0.1 micrometers

(PM0.1).

The authors write in their background information that:

"Compared to coarse (PM10) and fine (PM2.5) particulate fractions of underground railway airborne PM, little is known about the chemistry of the

ultrafine (PM0.1) fraction that may contribute significantly to particulate number and surface area concentrations."

We know that coarse particles (PM10) generally don't get further into the body that the nasal passages and the bronchi, while fine dust (PM2.5)

reaches the smaller airways (the bronchioles).


Ultrafine Dust Reaches Deep Into Body

But ultrafine dust (PM0.1) reaches the deepest areas of the lungs, and get right into the alveoli, the little sacs where oxygen transfers to the

bloodstream, and waste gases pass the other way for breathing out.

There is also a suggestion that ultrafine dust can penetrate the protective epithelial barrier that lines the airways and get into underlying tissue and

the bloodstream. If this is the case, then the harm that any toxins in the ultrafine dust pose is not limited just to airways but may also cause

damage to the cardiovascular system, liver, brain and kidneys.

Previous studies have already shown that working in heavy industries like steel mills and welding plants potentially exposes unprotected workers to

airborne metals like iron, copper and nickel, which can harm health.

The large amount of mechanical activity in an underground railway combined with a high ambient temperature creates a lot of metal-rich

airborne dust.

But there is little understanding of what harmful agents might be in the air of an underground railway, never mind the health risks it might pose.

The few studies that have been published tend to be inconclusive.

Dust in the Air of a Mainline Underground Station In Europe Found to Be Rich in Metals

For the study, geochemists, toxicologists and environmental scientists collected and analyzed airborne dust from a mainline underground station

located underneath an airport in Europe.

They compiled detailed profiles of the metal content of the dust they collected. They then compared these profiles to other profiles collected at the

same time from different environments, such as samples from wood-burning stoves and a road tunnel containing heavy traffic.

The comparisons revealed that the underground particles were very rich in metals, especially iron and copper.

The researchers also looked at the shapes of the particles, to discover clues about how they are generated.

Plus, they found that the particles were capable of producing reactive molecules that play a key role in their toxicity. This depended on the type

and amount of metal they contained, but toxicity tended to increase as particle size got smaller.

They are now doing further tests to look at the effect of the dust on airway cells, and what mechanisms cells might use to guard against any

potential damage.

"Underground rail travel is used by great numbers of people in large cities all over the world, for example, almost 1.2 billion journeys are made per

year on the London Underground," says Loxham, who calls for further studies to find out more about the airborne particulate matter in

underground railways and how varying degrees of exposure to it affects health.

Funds from the Integrative Toxicology Training Partnership studentship provided by the Medical Research Council UK financed the study.


In another recent study, researchers found that PM2.5 air pollution is linked to

faster thickening of the carotid artery lining, a reliable marker for atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, a major cause of heart

disease.






Written by Catharine Paddock PhD











Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

New Studies Prove Lethal Link Between Alcohol, Weight And Liver Disease In Women

Dark Field Imaging Of Rattle-Type Silica Nanorattles Coated Gold Nanoparticles In Vitro And In Vivo

National Expenditures On Emergency Care Are Likely Significantly Higher Than Previously Thought

Immune Cells Taught By Thymus To Ignore Vital Gut Bacteria

Dust In Air Of Underground Railways May Harm Health

Dust In Air Of Underground Railways May Harm Health30 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;




A new UK study suggests that microscopic dust particles in the air of underground railways may pose a risk to health for people who

spend sustained periods of time in that environment, such as railway workers and city commuters.

Matt Loxham, a doctoral student at the University of Southampton, and colleagues, report the results of their investigation of a European

underground station in Environmental Science and Technology.

They studied the ultrafine dust or particulate matter in the air of the underground station and found it was quite different to that which most people

breathe in every day: it was more like the that found in steel mills and welding plants, where there is a much higher proportion of airborne

metals.

Loxham tells the press in a recent statement:

"Typically, ultrafine dust is composed of inert matter that does not pose much of a risk in terms of its chemical composition."

But, in the underground station they studied, he says, "the ultrafine dust was at least as rich in metals as the larger dust particles".

And because these particles are much smaller than the larger dust particles, when you add them all up, for the same amount of metal contained,

they present a much larger surface area for contact compared to their volume than the larger particles, one reason that makes them potentially

more damaging to health. Another reason is, because they are smaller, they can penetrate further into the lungs and body.

Coarse, Fine and Ultrafine Particulate Matter

The dust in the air comprises differently sized particles or particulate matter. For studies these tend to be graded as coarse, fine, and

ultrafine.

Coarse particulate matter contains the biggest particles with a size between 2.5 and 10 micrometers, or about 25 to 100 times thinner than a

human hair. This grade of dust is called PM10 (short for Particulate Matter up to 10 micrometers in size).

Fine particulate matter comprises particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5), and ultrafine particles are smaller than 0.1 micrometers

(PM0.1).

The authors write in their background information that:

"Compared to coarse (PM10) and fine (PM2.5) particulate fractions of underground railway airborne PM, little is known about the chemistry of the

ultrafine (PM0.1) fraction that may contribute significantly to particulate number and surface area concentrations."

We know that coarse particles (PM10) generally don't get further into the body that the nasal passages and the bronchi, while fine dust (PM2.5)

reaches the smaller airways (the bronchioles).


Ultrafine Dust Reaches Deep Into Body

But ultrafine dust (PM0.1) reaches the deepest areas of the lungs, and get right into the alveoli, the little sacs where oxygen transfers to the

bloodstream, and waste gases pass the other way for breathing out.

There is also a suggestion that ultrafine dust can penetrate the protective epithelial barrier that lines the airways and get into underlying tissue and

the bloodstream. If this is the case, then the harm that any toxins in the ultrafine dust pose is not limited just to airways but may also cause

damage to the cardiovascular system, liver, brain and kidneys.

Previous studies have already shown that working in heavy industries like steel mills and welding plants potentially exposes unprotected workers to

airborne metals like iron, copper and nickel, which can harm health.

The large amount of mechanical activity in an underground railway combined with a high ambient temperature creates a lot of metal-rich

airborne dust.

But there is little understanding of what harmful agents might be in the air of an underground railway, never mind the health risks it might pose.

The few studies that have been published tend to be inconclusive.

Dust in the Air of a Mainline Underground Station In Europe Found to Be Rich in Metals

For the study, geochemists, toxicologists and environmental scientists collected and analyzed airborne dust from a mainline underground station

located underneath an airport in Europe.

They compiled detailed profiles of the metal content of the dust they collected. They then compared these profiles to other profiles collected at the

same time from different environments, such as samples from wood-burning stoves and a road tunnel containing heavy traffic.

The comparisons revealed that the underground particles were very rich in metals, especially iron and copper.

The researchers also looked at the shapes of the particles, to discover clues about how they are generated.

Plus, they found that the particles were capable of producing reactive molecules that play a key role in their toxicity. This depended on the type

and amount of metal they contained, but toxicity tended to increase as particle size got smaller.

They are now doing further tests to look at the effect of the dust on airway cells, and what mechanisms cells might use to guard against any

potential damage.

"Underground rail travel is used by great numbers of people in large cities all over the world, for example, almost 1.2 billion journeys are made per

year on the London Underground," says Loxham, who calls for further studies to find out more about the airborne particulate matter in

underground railways and how varying degrees of exposure to it affects health.

Funds from the Integrative Toxicology Training Partnership studentship provided by the Medical Research Council UK financed the study.


In another recent study, researchers found that PM2.5 air pollution is linked to

faster thickening of the carotid artery lining, a reliable marker for atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, a major cause of heart

disease.






Written by Catharine Paddock PhD











Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

New Studies Prove Lethal Link Between Alcohol, Weight And Liver Disease In Women

Dark Field Imaging Of Rattle-Type Silica Nanorattles Coated Gold Nanoparticles In Vitro And In Vivo

National Expenditures On Emergency Care Are Likely Significantly Higher Than Previously Thought

Immune Cells Taught By Thymus To Ignore Vital Gut Bacteria

Warning System Predicts Outbreaks Of Dengue Fever

New Scoring System Defines Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Who Achieve Most Benefit From TACE

New Oral Anticoagulant Drugs: A Guide From European Society Of Cardiology

Early Differentiation Of Higher Brain Structures Affected By Competing Pathways

New Study Reports Successful Weight Loss Maintenance Using Second Life

Simulator Training For Older Drivers

Preparation And Service Method Affects Resistant Starch Content Of Potatoes

Upper Arm Lifts Via Plastic Surgery On The Rise

Upper Arm Lifts Via Plastic Surgery On The Rise29 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;


A plastic surgery procedure that was documented to be on the rise between the years of 2000 and 2012 was the upper arm lift, a new report suggests.

In 2012, over 15,000 upper arm lights were performed across the U.S., an increase from just 300 in 2000, according to the report released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

An upper arm lift, commonly known as brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure that changes the shape of the under part of the upper arm - from the underarm region to the elbow.

Weight gain and loss, growing older, and even heredity can result in the upper arm sagging or drooping in appearance. Exercise can strengthen and improve the muscle tone of the upper arm, however, it cannot treat excess skin that has lost elasticity or weakened tissues and fat deposits in the arm.

ASPS President Gregory Evans, MD, explained:

"Women are paying more attention to their arms in general and are becoming more aware of options to treat this area. For some women, the arms have always been a troublesome area and, along with proper diet and exercise, liposuction can help refine them. Others may opt for a brachioplasty when there is a fair amount of loose skin present with minimal elasticity."

Doctors point out that there is not one reason for the recent the rise, except that women are now paying attention to the arms of female celebrities more. According to a recent poll, women desired the arms of first lady Michelle Obama, followed by actress Jennifer Aniston.

An upper arm lift generally costs between $6,000 and $8,000. One drawback to the procedure is that it leaves a scar on the upper arm.

ASPS Public Education Committee Chair David Reath, MD, based in Knoxville, Tenn. explained, "It's a trade off. We get rid of the skin, but we leave a scar. So, as long as there's enough improvement to be made in the shape of the arm to justify the scar, then it's a great procedure."

The procedure that documented the greatest reduction between 2011 and 2012 was butt lifts. Buttock implant procedures fell 25%, while buttock lifts decreased 36%.

The report also revealed that among men, chest reduction procedures became more popular. The increase was just 4%, but the rise was seen across all age groups - a surprising find, according to the authors.

The most prevalent surgical procedure performed in 2012 was breast augmentation, however, the total number of breast augmentation procedures fell by 7%. Liposuction also documented a decline in 2012.

The ASPS' report from last year suggested that plastic surgeries were still on the rise despite a slow growing economy. The report documented 13.8 million plastic surgery procedures performed in 2011, an increase of 5% from 2010.



Written by Kelly Fitzgerald
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

New York State Proposes To Raise The Smoking Age to 21

New York State Proposes To Raise The Smoking Age to 2129 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

A bill has been proposed by the state of New York that would raise the minimum legal age for buying cigarettes from 18 to 21.

The proposal was introduced on Friday, and announced on Sunday by State Senator Diane Savino and Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal at a news conference. "If I could prevent one kid, one kid from ever developing that habit, this legislation is worth it." Savino said.

The proposed bill follows a proposal introduced by the New York City Council last week. The effort to raise the age to 21 was launched by City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who is supporting the statewide bill.

According to CBS New York, Quinn said to WCBS 880:
"When we introduced our bill last Monday and began talking about it, I knew New York was a leader in public health and I knew that what we do gets watched by the state and the nation. But I no idea that in less than a week's time we would already see legislation introduced in Albany.

Our effort to raise the age to buy tobacco in New York City to 21 has spurred the state legislature to take the same steps. And Sen. Savino and Assembly member Rosenthal have introduced legislation to make the age to purchase tobacco in the entire state 21 years of age."

Smoking between 18 and 20-year-olds could be lowered by 55% if the minimum age is raised to 21, Quinn explained.

Convenience stores that sell tobacco products to people under the age of 21 will be issued fines under the Council bill. Under the state bill, fines would also be issued and the store would lose its license to sell tobacco.

The oldest minimum legal age for buying cigarettes in the country would be New York if the bill is passed. Additionally, New York would become the first state to increase the minimum age to buy cigarettes to 21.

The age has been raised to 19 in four states and in some communities, and at least two towns have agreed to raise the age to 21, The Garden Island reported.


Savino said "anything we can do to stop young people from starting is a step in the right direction."

A hearing on the city's proposal to increase the age from 18 to 21 is set to occur on May 2nd.

Quinn also said to WCBS 880:
"We know that 80 percent of life-long smokers start smoking before they are 20 years of age. We also know that most young people who get cigarettes get them from friends, relatives, cousins, etc. who are 18, 19 years of age. We can affect both of those things by raising this age and make sure we cut off a lifelong addiction."


Smoking is the biggest cause of preventable death in the world

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), about 3,800 young people under 18 years of age in the United States smoke their first cigarette, and approximately 1,000 youths in that age group become daily cigarette smokers.

A recent study in the Journal of Adolescent Health showed that walking for 20 minutes a day can help teens quit smoking.

Smoking is responsible for several diseases, including heart disease, long-term respiratory disease, cancer, as well as premature death.

Smokers have a significantly increased risk of developing the following cancers:

Lung cancer
Bladder cancer
Esophagus cancer
Kidney cancer
Cancers of the pharynx and larynx (throat cancer)
Mouth cancer
Cancer of the pancreas
Stomach cancer
Some types of leukemia
Cancer of the nose and sinuses
Cervical cancer
Bowel cancer
In some cases, breast cancer


A previous report demonstrated that smoking just a few cigarettes each day can more than double a woman's risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Written by Sarah Glynn

Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Treatment By Naturopathic Doctors Shows Reduction In Cardiovascular Risk Factors Randomized Controlled Trial

Analytical Challenges In E-amp;L To Be Discussed At Extractables And Leachables USA Conference, 7-9 May 2013, Providence, RI

Visiting The Doctor Boosts Colon Cancer Screening Rates

Home Births - AAP Issues Guidelines

Home Births - AAP Issues Guidelines29 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

As the rate of home births continues to rise in the U.S., the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a new policy statement published in the journal Pediatrics, titled "Planned Home Birth", which includes a number of new recommendations for the care of children born at home. In particular, it stated that there should be at least one person assigned to always be present to care for the newborn.

Only one percent of all births in the United States are carried out at home, However, over recent years the rate has been climbing. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 2004 and 2008 there was a 20 percent increase in the number of home births.

Women often want to give birth at home because it provides a family setting, as well as being cheaper and involves fewer medical interventions.

Home births are not encouraged by medical experts, who are concerned that home is not the ideal setting in case of an emergency, especially if travel times for medical care to arrive are long.

According to research published in the American Journal of Obstetrics - Gynecology, a home-birth-similar experience in the hospital proves to be more financially feasible, safer, and more satisfying than an actual at-home birth.

Newborns, no matter the circumstance of their birth, should always receive health care standards that adhere to the AAP. The AAP has already stated that the safest environment for a baby to be born in is either a hospital or birthing center. However, the academy understands that some women may wish for their child to be born at home.

In fact, a previous editorial in the medical journal The Lancet stated that while a woman has the right to choose where and how to give birth, she does not have the right to put her baby at risk.

In contrast, another study by researchers in Canada at McMaster University revealed that low-risk women giving birth with the assistance of midwives have positive outcomes regardless of where the delivery takes place.

Lead author of the statement, Dr. Kristi Watterberg, said: "Babies deserve the best care they can get. And we need to support women wherever they choose to give birth."

The AAP recommends parents who want to go through with a home birth carefully choose midwives who have been certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board.

In addition, there should be at least one person present during and after delivery who specializes in caring for the newborn infant. They should have the necessary training and equipment to perform full resuscitation if required.

Before delivery, it's crucial that all medical equipment is tested as well as making sure that there is a way to call in case of an emergency.

The AAC recommends that pregnant women considering home birth should:

Have no preexisting medical conditions
Be pregnant for at least 37 weeks and no more than 41 weeks
Have access to consultation with a healthcare professional
Make sure that a trained professional cares for the newborn and attends to any medical emergencies if necessary
Ensure that there is available transport to a nearby hospital


Watterberg added:

"It's important to remember that this is an area of strong emotion. You'll see babies in home births have terrible things happen, but you also have terrible things happen in the hospital sometimes. Women have the right to make an informed decision."

The authors concluded:

"The goal of providing high-quality care to all newborn infants can best be achieved through continuing efforts by all participating health care providers and institutions to develop and sustain communications and understanding on the basis of professional interaction and mutual respect throughout the health care system."

Written by Joseph Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Upper Arm Lifts Via Plastic Surgery On The Rise

Upper Arm Lifts Via Plastic Surgery On The Rise29 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;


A plastic surgery procedure that was documented to be on the rise between the years of 2000 and 2012 was the upper arm lift, a new report suggests.

In 2012, over 15,000 upper arm lights were performed across the U.S., an increase from just 300 in 2000, according to the report released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

An upper arm lift, commonly known as brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure that changes the shape of the under part of the upper arm - from the underarm region to the elbow.

Weight gain and loss, growing older, and even heredity can result in the upper arm sagging or drooping in appearance. Exercise can strengthen and improve the muscle tone of the upper arm, however, it cannot treat excess skin that has lost elasticity or weakened tissues and fat deposits in the arm.

ASPS President Gregory Evans, MD, explained:

"Women are paying more attention to their arms in general and are becoming more aware of options to treat this area. For some women, the arms have always been a troublesome area and, along with proper diet and exercise, liposuction can help refine them. Others may opt for a brachioplasty when there is a fair amount of loose skin present with minimal elasticity."

Doctors point out that there is not one reason for the recent the rise, except that women are now paying attention to the arms of female celebrities more. According to a recent poll, women desired the arms of first lady Michelle Obama, followed by actress Jennifer Aniston.

An upper arm lift generally costs between $6,000 and $8,000. One drawback to the procedure is that it leaves a scar on the upper arm.

ASPS Public Education Committee Chair David Reath, MD, based in Knoxville, Tenn. explained, "It's a trade off. We get rid of the skin, but we leave a scar. So, as long as there's enough improvement to be made in the shape of the arm to justify the scar, then it's a great procedure."

The procedure that documented the greatest reduction between 2011 and 2012 was butt lifts. Buttock implant procedures fell 25%, while buttock lifts decreased 36%.

The report also revealed that among men, chest reduction procedures became more popular. The increase was just 4%, but the rise was seen across all age groups - a surprising find, according to the authors.

The most prevalent surgical procedure performed in 2012 was breast augmentation, however, the total number of breast augmentation procedures fell by 7%. Liposuction also documented a decline in 2012.

The ASPS' report from last year suggested that plastic surgeries were still on the rise despite a slow growing economy. The report documented 13.8 million plastic surgery procedures performed in 2011, an increase of 5% from 2010.



Written by Kelly Fitzgerald
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

New York State Proposes To Raise The Smoking Age to 21

New York State Proposes To Raise The Smoking Age to 2129 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

A bill has been proposed by the state of New York that would raise the minimum legal age for buying cigarettes from 18 to 21.

The proposal was introduced on Friday, and announced on Sunday by State Senator Diane Savino and Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal at a news conference. "If I could prevent one kid, one kid from ever developing that habit, this legislation is worth it." Savino said.

The proposed bill follows a proposal introduced by the New York City Council last week. The effort to raise the age to 21 was launched by City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who is supporting the statewide bill.

According to CBS New York, Quinn said to WCBS 880:
"When we introduced our bill last Monday and began talking about it, I knew New York was a leader in public health and I knew that what we do gets watched by the state and the nation. But I no idea that in less than a week's time we would already see legislation introduced in Albany.

Our effort to raise the age to buy tobacco in New York City to 21 has spurred the state legislature to take the same steps. And Sen. Savino and Assembly member Rosenthal have introduced legislation to make the age to purchase tobacco in the entire state 21 years of age."

Smoking between 18 and 20-year-olds could be lowered by 55% if the minimum age is raised to 21, Quinn explained.

Convenience stores that sell tobacco products to people under the age of 21 will be issued fines under the Council bill. Under the state bill, fines would also be issued and the store would lose its license to sell tobacco.

The oldest minimum legal age for buying cigarettes in the country would be New York if the bill is passed. Additionally, New York would become the first state to increase the minimum age to buy cigarettes to 21.

The age has been raised to 19 in four states and in some communities, and at least two towns have agreed to raise the age to 21, The Garden Island reported.


Savino said "anything we can do to stop young people from starting is a step in the right direction."

A hearing on the city's proposal to increase the age from 18 to 21 is set to occur on May 2nd.

Quinn also said to WCBS 880:
"We know that 80 percent of life-long smokers start smoking before they are 20 years of age. We also know that most young people who get cigarettes get them from friends, relatives, cousins, etc. who are 18, 19 years of age. We can affect both of those things by raising this age and make sure we cut off a lifelong addiction."


Smoking is the biggest cause of preventable death in the world

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), about 3,800 young people under 18 years of age in the United States smoke their first cigarette, and approximately 1,000 youths in that age group become daily cigarette smokers.

A recent study in the Journal of Adolescent Health showed that walking for 20 minutes a day can help teens quit smoking.

Smoking is responsible for several diseases, including heart disease, long-term respiratory disease, cancer, as well as premature death.

Smokers have a significantly increased risk of developing the following cancers:

Lung cancer
Bladder cancer
Esophagus cancer
Kidney cancer
Cancers of the pharynx and larynx (throat cancer)
Mouth cancer
Cancer of the pancreas
Stomach cancer
Some types of leukemia
Cancer of the nose and sinuses
Cervical cancer
Bowel cancer
In some cases, breast cancer


A previous report demonstrated that smoking just a few cigarettes each day can more than double a woman's risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Written by Sarah Glynn

Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Treatment By Naturopathic Doctors Shows Reduction In Cardiovascular Risk Factors Randomized Controlled Trial

Analytical Challenges In E-amp;L To Be Discussed At Extractables And Leachables USA Conference, 7-9 May 2013, Providence, RI

Visiting The Doctor Boosts Colon Cancer Screening Rates

Home Births - AAP Issues Guidelines

Home Births - AAP Issues Guidelines29 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

As the rate of home births continues to rise in the U.S., the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a new policy statement published in the journal Pediatrics, titled "Planned Home Birth", which includes a number of new recommendations for the care of children born at home. In particular, it stated that there should be at least one person assigned to always be present to care for the newborn.

Only one percent of all births in the United States are carried out at home, However, over recent years the rate has been climbing. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 2004 and 2008 there was a 20 percent increase in the number of home births.

Women often want to give birth at home because it provides a family setting, as well as being cheaper and involves fewer medical interventions.

Home births are not encouraged by medical experts, who are concerned that home is not the ideal setting in case of an emergency, especially if travel times for medical care to arrive are long.

According to research published in the American Journal of Obstetrics - Gynecology, a home-birth-similar experience in the hospital proves to be more financially feasible, safer, and more satisfying than an actual at-home birth.

Newborns, no matter the circumstance of their birth, should always receive health care standards that adhere to the AAP. The AAP has already stated that the safest environment for a baby to be born in is either a hospital or birthing center. However, the academy understands that some women may wish for their child to be born at home.

In fact, a previous editorial in the medical journal The Lancet stated that while a woman has the right to choose where and how to give birth, she does not have the right to put her baby at risk.

In contrast, another study by researchers in Canada at McMaster University revealed that low-risk women giving birth with the assistance of midwives have positive outcomes regardless of where the delivery takes place.

Lead author of the statement, Dr. Kristi Watterberg, said: "Babies deserve the best care they can get. And we need to support women wherever they choose to give birth."

The AAP recommends parents who want to go through with a home birth carefully choose midwives who have been certified by the American Midwifery Certification Board.

In addition, there should be at least one person present during and after delivery who specializes in caring for the newborn infant. They should have the necessary training and equipment to perform full resuscitation if required.

Before delivery, it's crucial that all medical equipment is tested as well as making sure that there is a way to call in case of an emergency.

The AAC recommends that pregnant women considering home birth should:

Have no preexisting medical conditions
Be pregnant for at least 37 weeks and no more than 41 weeks
Have access to consultation with a healthcare professional
Make sure that a trained professional cares for the newborn and attends to any medical emergencies if necessary
Ensure that there is available transport to a nearby hospital


Watterberg added:

"It's important to remember that this is an area of strong emotion. You'll see babies in home births have terrible things happen, but you also have terrible things happen in the hospital sometimes. Women have the right to make an informed decision."

The authors concluded:

"The goal of providing high-quality care to all newborn infants can best be achieved through continuing efforts by all participating health care providers and institutions to develop and sustain communications and understanding on the basis of professional interaction and mutual respect throughout the health care system."

Written by Joseph Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Upper Arm Lifts Via Plastic Surgery On The Rise

Upper Arm Lifts Via Plastic Surgery On The Rise29 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;


A plastic surgery procedure that was documented to be on the rise between the years of 2000 and 2012 was the upper arm lift, a new report suggests.

In 2012, over 15,000 upper arm lights were performed across the U.S., an increase from just 300 in 2000, according to the report released by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

An upper arm lift, commonly known as brachioplasty, is a surgical procedure that changes the shape of the under part of the upper arm - from the underarm region to the elbow.

Weight gain and loss, growing older, and even heredity can result in the upper arm sagging or drooping in appearance. Exercise can strengthen and improve the muscle tone of the upper arm, however, it cannot treat excess skin that has lost elasticity or weakened tissues and fat deposits in the arm.

ASPS President Gregory Evans, MD, explained:

"Women are paying more attention to their arms in general and are becoming more aware of options to treat this area. For some women, the arms have always been a troublesome area and, along with proper diet and exercise, liposuction can help refine them. Others may opt for a brachioplasty when there is a fair amount of loose skin present with minimal elasticity."

Doctors point out that there is not one reason for the recent the rise, except that women are now paying attention to the arms of female celebrities more. According to a recent poll, women desired the arms of first lady Michelle Obama, followed by actress Jennifer Aniston.

An upper arm lift generally costs between $6,000 and $8,000. One drawback to the procedure is that it leaves a scar on the upper arm.

ASPS Public Education Committee Chair David Reath, MD, based in Knoxville, Tenn. explained, "It's a trade off. We get rid of the skin, but we leave a scar. So, as long as there's enough improvement to be made in the shape of the arm to justify the scar, then it's a great procedure."

The procedure that documented the greatest reduction between 2011 and 2012 was butt lifts. Buttock implant procedures fell 25%, while buttock lifts decreased 36%.

The report also revealed that among men, chest reduction procedures became more popular. The increase was just 4%, but the rise was seen across all age groups - a surprising find, according to the authors.

The most prevalent surgical procedure performed in 2012 was breast augmentation, however, the total number of breast augmentation procedures fell by 7%. Liposuction also documented a decline in 2012.

The ASPS' report from last year suggested that plastic surgeries were still on the rise despite a slow growing economy. The report documented 13.8 million plastic surgery procedures performed in 2011, an increase of 5% from 2010.



Written by Kelly Fitzgerald
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

New York State Proposes To Raise The Smoking Age to 21

New York State Proposes To Raise The Smoking Age to 2129 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;

A bill has been proposed by the state of New York that would raise the minimum legal age for buying cigarettes from 18 to 21.

The proposal was introduced on Friday, and announced on Sunday by State Senator Diane Savino and Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal at a news conference. "If I could prevent one kid, one kid from ever developing that habit, this legislation is worth it." Savino said.

The proposed bill follows a proposal introduced by the New York City Council last week. The effort to raise the age to 21 was launched by City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who is supporting the statewide bill.

According to CBS New York, Quinn said to WCBS 880:
"When we introduced our bill last Monday and began talking about it, I knew New York was a leader in public health and I knew that what we do gets watched by the state and the nation. But I no idea that in less than a week's time we would already see legislation introduced in Albany.

Our effort to raise the age to buy tobacco in New York City to 21 has spurred the state legislature to take the same steps. And Sen. Savino and Assembly member Rosenthal have introduced legislation to make the age to purchase tobacco in the entire state 21 years of age."

Smoking between 18 and 20-year-olds could be lowered by 55% if the minimum age is raised to 21, Quinn explained.

Convenience stores that sell tobacco products to people under the age of 21 will be issued fines under the Council bill. Under the state bill, fines would also be issued and the store would lose its license to sell tobacco.

The oldest minimum legal age for buying cigarettes in the country would be New York if the bill is passed. Additionally, New York would become the first state to increase the minimum age to buy cigarettes to 21.

The age has been raised to 19 in four states and in some communities, and at least two towns have agreed to raise the age to 21, The Garden Island reported.


Savino said "anything we can do to stop young people from starting is a step in the right direction."

A hearing on the city's proposal to increase the age from 18 to 21 is set to occur on May 2nd.

Quinn also said to WCBS 880:
"We know that 80 percent of life-long smokers start smoking before they are 20 years of age. We also know that most young people who get cigarettes get them from friends, relatives, cousins, etc. who are 18, 19 years of age. We can affect both of those things by raising this age and make sure we cut off a lifelong addiction."


Smoking is the biggest cause of preventable death in the world

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), about 3,800 young people under 18 years of age in the United States smoke their first cigarette, and approximately 1,000 youths in that age group become daily cigarette smokers.

A recent study in the Journal of Adolescent Health showed that walking for 20 minutes a day can help teens quit smoking.

Smoking is responsible for several diseases, including heart disease, long-term respiratory disease, cancer, as well as premature death.

Smokers have a significantly increased risk of developing the following cancers:

Lung cancer
Bladder cancer
Esophagus cancer
Kidney cancer
Cancers of the pharynx and larynx (throat cancer)
Mouth cancer
Cancer of the pancreas
Stomach cancer
Some types of leukemia
Cancer of the nose and sinuses
Cervical cancer
Bowel cancer
In some cases, breast cancer


A previous report demonstrated that smoking just a few cigarettes each day can more than double a woman's risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Written by Sarah Glynn

Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Treatment By Naturopathic Doctors Shows Reduction In Cardiovascular Risk Factors Randomized Controlled Trial

Analytical Challenges In E-amp;L To Be Discussed At Extractables And Leachables USA Conference, 7-9 May 2013, Providence, RI

Visiting The Doctor Boosts Colon Cancer Screening Rates

Treatment By Naturopathic Doctors Shows Reduction In Cardiovascular Risk Factors Randomized Controlled Trial

Analytical Challenges In E-amp;L To Be Discussed At Extractables And Leachables USA Conference, 7-9 May 2013, Providence, RI

Visiting The Doctor Boosts Colon Cancer Screening Rates

Genetic Fingerprints Track Drug-Resistant Malaria Parasites

Genetic Fingerprints Track Drug-Resistant Malaria Parasites29 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;




New artemisinin-resistant strains of the malaria-causing parasite Plasmodium falciparum are spreading rapidly in Cambodia, an

international group of scientists says in a research paper that also reveals how the drug-resistant strains can be identified from their genetic

fingerprints.

Senior author Dominic Kwiatkowski, from the University of Oxford and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute near Cambridge, and colleagues,

discovered the new artemisinin-resistant strains in western Cambodia, a known hotspot for drug-resistance. They write about this, and how they

were able to identify distinct genetic patterns for each of the strains, in the 28 April online issue of Nature Genetics.

Artemisinin is the key drug against malaria, which is caused when the parasite P. falciparum gets into the bloodstream through a mosquito

bite. However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the emergence of drug-resistant strains of the parasite is weakening the

impact of artemisinin, putting hundreds of thousands of lives at risk.

Co-author Nicholas White, a professor from the Centre for Tropical Medicine at the University of Oxford, says in a statement:

"Artemisinin resistance is an emergency which could derail all the good work of global malaria control in recent years. We desperately need

methods to track it in order to contain it, and molecular fingerprinting provides this."

Using new genome sequencing technologies, the international group sequenced the entire DNA of 825 P. falciparum samples from South

East Asia and Africa and found an "unusual pattern of parasite population structure at the epicenter of artemisinin resistance in western

Cambodia".

The technologies enabled them to pick out genetic patterns or "fingerprints" for each of the artemisinin-resistant strains.

Kwiatkowski tells the press:

"Our survey of genetic variation showed that western Cambodian malaria parasites had a population structure that was strikingly different to those

of the other countries we analysed."

"Different not just from countries in Africa, but also different from malaria parasite populations in neighbouring Thailand, Vietnam, and even

Eastern Cambodia," he adds.

The findings also give some important clues about how resistance emerges and persists in certain parasite populations.

The researchers suggest their approach offers a useful new way to detect and track the global emergence of drug resistance. One important benefit, for

instance, is that you don't have to know the genetic causes of drug resistance to identify resistant strains.

This counts as an important step toward surveillance and efforts to eliminate malaria worldwide. Health authorities need fast and efficient tools

for genetically detecting drug-resistant parasites in order to track their emergence and spread.

In their paper, the authors show that applying their techniques would allow the authorities to monitor the spread and evolution of drug-resistant parasites in real time.

At first the group thought they were just finding anomalies. But further investigations revealed three distinct artemisinin-resistant parasite

populations that differed not just from the other populations that were still susceptible to the drug, but also from each other.

"It is as if there are different ethnic groups of artemisinin-resistant parasites inhabiting the same region," Kwiatkowski explains.

The findings also offer some new clues as to why western Cambodia is such a hotspot for the emergence of drug-resistant malaria parasites,

something that has been puzzling researchers for some time. Resistance to other malaria drugs, chloroquine and sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine, first

began in Southeast Asia and spread to Africa.

As well providing what the researchers describe as "a population-level genetic framework for investigating the biological origins of artemisinin

resistance", they believe their findings also provide a way of "defining molecular markers to assist in its elimination".

White, who is also based at the Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit at Mahidol University, in Bangkok, Thailand, says:

"Whilst we have not yet identified the precise mechanism of action or resistance to artemisinin, this research represents substantial progress in

that direction."

In its World Malaria Report 2012, the WHO suggests that the massive

progress in the fight against malaria achieved over the last decade could stall because of lack of money.




Written by Catharine Paddock PhD













Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Cancer Cells Are Nimbler Than Non-Malignant Cells

Cancer Cells Are Nimbler Than Non-Malignant Cells29 Apr 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;





Clues about how cells become cancerous are revealed in a new catalogue of their physical and chemical features. The catalogue shows,

among other things, how malignant cells that break out of tumors and invade other organs are nimbler and more aggressive than non-malignant

ones: they are able to pass more easily through small spaces, and they exert a greater force on their environment.

To compile the catalogue, 100 researchers from 20 different centers across the US teamed up to explore the physics and chemistry that shapes the

development of cancer cells, a process that is somewhat unclear from a physical science perspective.

The researchers, who belong to the Physical Sciences-Oncology Centers (PS-OC) sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, hope their catalogue

will aid the earlier detection of cancerous cells, and even someday help prevent or treat metastatic cancer, that is cancer that has spread and

started new tumor sites in other parts of the body, and which is responsible for the vast majority of all cancer deaths.

In a paper published online on 26 April in the journal Scientific Reports, they describe how they carried out a systematic molecular and

biophysical comparison between two cell lines, one of metastatic breast cancer cells and the other of non-malignant breast cells, and listed major

differences that offer new insights into how cells change from being non-malignant to metastatic.

Robert Austin, professor of physics and leader of the Princeton University PS-OC in New Jersey, says in a statement:

"By bringing together different types of experimental expertise to systematically compare metastatic and nonmetastatic cells, we have advanced

our knowledge of how metastasis occurs."

Metastatic Cells Are Essentially "Jailbreakers"

For instance, they found the two kinds of cell showed differences in in mechanical properties, how they stick to surfaces, how they migrate,

respond to oxygen, and produce protein.

Austin and the team in the Princeton PS-OC discovered that even though they travel more slowly than non-malignant cells, metastatic

cells travel further and go in a straighter line.

They created an environment made of silicon that simulates the structure of tissue inside the body and observed what happened as the cells made

their way through tiny cell-sized chambers and channels etched in the silicon.

Austin says metastatic cells "are essentially jailbreakers", because they can break through the extracellular matrix, the tough

membrane wall that the body creates in an attempt to seal the tumor off from healthy tissue.

Princeton's physicists and engineers have expertise in microfabrication technology, which is used to make integrated circuits and solar cells. They

called on this expertise to make the tiny silicon chambers used in the study.

The Princeton PS-OC also includes teams from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and the

University of California-Santa Cruz.

Metastatic Cells More Resilient to Low Oxygen and Make Proteins that Make them More Mobile

In their paper the researchers also describe how they found metastatic cells recover more quickly from the stress of a low-oxygen

environment than do non-malignant cells, confirming results of previous studies.

Many metastatic cells do perish when oxygen supply is low, but those that survive rebound with great vigour, confirming the view that individual

cells play an important role in the spread of cancer.

The Princeton PS-OC also discovered malignant cells make proteins that make them more mobile and able to invade the extracellular

matrix and escape the tumor. They discovered this by comparing total protein production with that produced in metastatic cells.

Measuring How Cells Push on Surrounding Cells to Expression of Genes and Proteins

Across all the PS-OC network, the researchers use the same two breast epithelial cell lines: non-tumorigenic MCF-10A and metastatic MDA-MB-

231, commonly used models of cancer metastasis. They also use the same reagents and protocols so that results can be compared.

Their lab methods ranged from taking physical measures of how the cells push on surrounding cells to measuring their gene and protein

expression.

Nastaran Zahir Kuhn, program manager for the PS-OC at the National Cancer Institute, says in a statement:

"Roughly 20 techniques were used to study the cell lines, enabling identification of a number of unique relationships between observations."

Metastatic Cells Are Softer and Exert More Force On their Surroundings

For instance, using a technique called atomic force microscopy, the researchers found that metastatic cells seem to be softer than nonmalignant cells, while

another approach, called traction force microscopy, indicated they exert more force on their surroundings.

These two properties give important clues about how metastatic cells escape their walled-in tumor prison. These could help them for instance,

stick to, migrate on, and remodel the tough extracellular matrix that the body has surrounded the tumor with. But at the same time, being softer,

metastatic cells can also squeeze through the small spaces in the membrane.

Kuhn says the aim of the nationwide PS-OC program is to pool the expertise of physicists, engineers, computer scientists, chemists and biologists

in helping us better understand cancer, and:

"The results of this study demonstrate the utility of such an approach, particularly when studies are conducted in a standardized manner from the

beginning."

In another intriguing study published in January 2013, researchers exploring the interaction between cells and the extracellular matrix suggest knowing how cells know they aren't upside down may also help fight

cancer.





Written by Catharine Paddock PhD













Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today