Nowadays, student have problems in deciding which universities they want to apply to. University is an institution for higher learning with teaching and research facilities constituting a graduate school and professional school that award's master's,degrees and doctorates and an undergraduate division that awards bachelor's degrees. When they are in the process of selecting a u niversity and before entrusting any money to an educational institution,it is important to figure whether the institution is awarded accreditation or not. Parents and respective students should ensure that the particular institution is accreditated by a recognized agency.
Due to large number of courses available to students, there are few issues that need to be reviewed when deciding which course to choose.In addition,the teaching style for course is also important as a student may find that one course consist more module assignment and group work rather than examinations. Considering these factors will have ensure that the course that they have chosen is right for student, both in terms of content as well as teaching style. Type of courses which includes all the factors mentioned above are Diploma In Nursing, Diploma In Education, and so on.
Besides that, a proper facilities need to be provide in addition to make students feel comfortable as though they are staying at in their own home. Once they feel at home ,they will be able to put their heart and soul into studying.the facilities which have to be taken in consideration is accommodation , university halls, computer lab, food and so on.
Moreover, planning to study abroad,student’s should consider on education loan as well choosing a trustable education loan can make the student be in secured position throughout the course. One are eligible for the education loan if they fulfill their particular universities requirement . Most of the loan will be in the foam of package which will cover entire fees,hostel ,library fees and other fees.
As a conclusion ,based on the factors above,its important to realize that they should consider many things when deciding on their university,there’s no point making a decision based on one or two characteristics,as they are likely to find it doesn’t meet all their needs. This is because everyone looks for something different from university and every university something unique.
Monday 16 August 2010
CATARACT
A senile cataract, occurring in the elderly, is characterized by an initial opacity in the lens, subsequent swelling of the lens and final shrinkage with complete loss of transparency. Moreover, with time the cataract cortex liquefies to form a milky white fluid in a Morgagnian cataract, which can cause severe inflammation if the lens capsule ruptures and leaks. Untreated, the cataract can cause phacomorphic glaucoma. Very advanced cataracts with weak zonules are liable to dislocation anteriorly or posteriorly. Such spontaneous posterior dislocations (akin to the historical surgical procedure of couching) in ancient times were regarded as a blessing from the heavens, because some perception of light was restored in the cataractous patients.
Cataract derives from the Latin cataracta meaning "waterfall" and the Greek kataraktes and katarrhaktes, from katarassein meaning "to dash down" (kata-, "down"; arassein, "to strike, dash").As rapidly running water turns white, the term may later have been used metaphorically to describe the similar appearance of mature ocular opacities. In Latin, cataracta had the alternate meaning "portcullis", so it is also possible that the name came about through the sense of "obstruction". Early Persian physicians called the term nazul-i-ah, or "descent of the water"—vulgarised into waterfall disease or cataract—believing such blindness to be caused by an outpouring of corrupt humour into the eye. In dialect English a cataract is called a pearl, as in "pearl eye" and "pearl-eyed".
ABORTION
Worldwide 42 million abortions are estimated to take place annually with 22 million of these occurring safely and 20 million unsafely. While maternal mortality seldom results from safe abortions, unsafe abortions result in 70,000 deaths and 5 million disabilities per year.One of the main determinants of the availability of safe abortions is the legality of the procedure. Forty percent of the world's women are able to access therapeutic and elective abortions within gestational limits.The frequency of abortions is, however, similar whether or not access is restricted.
Abortion has a long history and has been induced by various methods including herbal abortifacients, the use of sharpened tools, physical trauma, and other traditional methods. Contemporary medicine utilizes medications and surgical procedures to induce abortion. The legality, prevalence, and cultural views on abortion vary substantially around the world. In many parts of the world there is prominent and divisive public controversy over the ethical and legal issues of abortion. Abortion and abortion-related issues feature prominently in the national politics in many nations, often involving the opposing pro-life and pro-choice worldwide social movements (both self-named). Incidence of abortion has declined worldwide, as access to family planning education and contraceptive services has increased.[5]
Obese Teens With Type 2 Diabetes Have Brain Abnormalities
"This is the first study that shows that children with type 2 diabetes have more cognitive dysfunction and brain abnormalities than equally obese children who did not yet have marked metabolic dysregulation from their obesity, " says Antonio Convit, MD, professor of Psychiatry and Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and the Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research.
"The findings are significant because they indicate that insulin resistance from obesity is lowering children's cognitive performance, which may be affecting their ability to perform well in school."
Researchers studied 18 obese adolescents with type 2 diabetes and compared them to equally obese adolescents from the same socio-economic and ethnic background but without evidence of marked insulin resistance or pre-diabetes.
Investigators found that adolescents with type 2 diabetes not only had significant reductions in performance on tests that measure overall intellectual functioning, memory, and spelling, which could affect their school performance, but also had clear abnormalities in the integrity of the white matter in their brains.
"Now we see that subtle changes in white matter of the brain in adolescents may be a result of the abnormal physiology that accompanies type 2 diabetes. If we can improve insulin sensitivity and help children through exercise and weight loss, perhaps we can reverse these deficits."
About Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis is a lifelong disease of the immune system that causes red, scaly patches to appear on the skin. There are five types of psoriasis: plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular and erythrodermic. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of psoriasis. Approximately 1.5 million Americans suffer from moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
Plaque psoriasis is a disease of the immune system
While plaque psoriasis may look like just a skin condition, it is in fact a disease of the immune system. The immune system protects the body from infections and diseases. In patients with plaque psoriasis, certain immune cells are activated and produce too much of a protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF). This protein can cause skin cells to grow too quickly. The skin cells build up and form raised, red patches often with a silvery scale, known as plaques.
Symptoms of plaque psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis causes raised red patches with a silvery scale to appear on the skin. They can appear anywhere on the body, but are most commonly found on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back. People with plaque psoriasis may notice that there are times when their skin worsens, then gets better. Factors that cause these "flare-ups" can include:
• emotional stress
• injury to the skin
• some types of infections
• reactions to certain drugs
How plaque psoriasis can be treated
There is no cure for plaque psoriasis, but there are a variety of treatments that can help clear the skin. Some therapies work on the surface of the skin. Biologics work inside your body to treat psoriasis at the source. ENBREL is a prescription medicine that is self-injected. ENBREL, a biologic, blocks the activity of excess TNF that is associated with plaque psoriasis. This helps slow the growth of skin cells before they cause plaques to appear on the skin
Gene Mutation Increases Women's Risk Of Breast Cancer Via Pill And HRT Use
A Europe-wide study supports the argument that women with a gene linked to breast cancer should consider having their ovaries removed, for the gene may greatly increase their chances of contracting the disease through long-term use of the pill and hormone replacement therapy.
Studies conducted in the past have shown that an increased cancer risk in women can be linked to the extra amounts of the female hormone oestrogen they receive through long-term use of the pill or HRT.
However, thus far, medical experts have assumed that women with high-risk genes suffer from a type of breast cancer, which is caused by their genetic make-up rather than their exposure to oestrogen.
The new study, involving over 3,000 women with breast cancer across Europe, has now shown that women with the breast cancer gene are 70 per cent more likely to have been long-term users of the pill or HRT than those without the gene.
"It was clear that those with the BRCA gene mutation had greater risk if there had been long-term use of the contraceptive pill," the Scotsman quoted Professor Michael Steel, of St Andrews University's Bute Medical School and one of the report's authors, as saying.
"That risk was even more if they had the gene mutation. For the first time, we produced evidence that they are more sensitive to the effect of contraceptives and HRT than other women," he added.
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection (called cold sores and genital herpes depending on the site of infection) is a common infection which results from contact with persons or hosts who have the infection.
Whilst HSV infections generally have good prognosis, important complications may occur, particularly with immunocompromised patients or neonates.
Causes:
While genital herpes is considered to be a sexually transmitted infection, any form of contact is a possible route of infection. For example direct contact, and even through shared items. Unfortunately, due to the high prevalence of both cold sores and genital herpes in the community, avoiding exposure may be difficult. Some recommendations have been made. People with cold sores (particularly in active disease) should avoid:
#Sharing personal items (i.e. toothbrushes, towels etc.);
#Sharing drinking glasses/bottles or cutlery;
#Close contact (such as kissing/hugging), particularly with newborns, young children, and people with
weakened immune systems.
Genital herpes is generally passed through sexual contact. The lifetime number of sexual partners increases the risk of transmitting the infection. Consistent use of condoms has been suggested to minimize transmission.
A pregnant mother with genital herpes may spread the virus to her newborn during labour. Post-partum infections may also occur when the baby is in contact with not just the mother, immediate family, and health workers, but also extended family and friends. Any individual who may be shedding the virus at the time (whether symptomatic or asymptomatic) may infect the baby.
Immunesuppression is a common cause of reactivation and progression of the disease. Immune suppression may result from infections, haematological malignancies, or immune-suppressing drugs (such as chemotherapy in cancer patients, drugs in transplant patients, or high dose corticosteroids). Corticosteroids are commonly used in various rheumatological conditions and asthma.
Symptoms
Commonly, the herpes virus results in fluid-filled blisters on and around the site of infection. The blister will eventually ulcerate and heal over time. However, infection may occur at virtually any area of skin, with increasing risks when skin integrity is compromised.
These lesions usually resolve over one to two weeks. The lesions may be accompanied by other symptoms such as pain and tenderness, and a burning sensation. Systemic manifestations such as fevers, myalgias, and arthralgias may also occur.
The blisters occur usually in either the oral or genital region. This may or may not be preceded by known contact with someone with HSV. Asymptomatic infections may also occur; in these cases, only serological studies can indicate the exposure.
Prevention
Preventing infection
Avoiding contact with individuals with HSV may be difficult due to the high prevalence rate in the community. Some practical suggestions have been made. People with cold sores (particularly in active disease) should avoid:
#Sharing personal items (i.e. toothbrushes, towels etc.)
#Sharing drinking glasses/bottles or cutlery
#Close contact (such as kissing/hugging), particularly with newborns, young children, and people with a weakened immune system.
Preventing recurrences/complications
In general, patients are advised to avoid breaking the vesicles as this may result in scar formation and secondary infections.
Regular medications (acyclovir) may be an option. Recurrences are still likely to occur but with reduced severity.
Pregnant women with genital HSV infection are advised to deliver via Caesarean section to reduce the risk of neonatal HSV infection.
"This is the first study that shows that children with type 2 diabetes have more cognitive dysfunction and brain abnormalities than equally obese children who did not yet have marked metabolic dysregulation from their obesity, " says Antonio Convit, MD, professor of Psychiatry and Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and the Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research.
"The findings are significant because they indicate that insulin resistance from obesity is lowering children's cognitive performance, which may be affecting their ability to perform well in school."
Researchers studied 18 obese adolescents with type 2 diabetes and compared them to equally obese adolescents from the same socio-economic and ethnic background but without evidence of marked insulin resistance or pre-diabetes.
Investigators found that adolescents with type 2 diabetes not only had significant reductions in performance on tests that measure overall intellectual functioning, memory, and spelling, which could affect their school performance, but also had clear abnormalities in the integrity of the white matter in their brains.
"Now we see that subtle changes in white matter of the brain in adolescents may be a result of the abnormal physiology that accompanies type 2 diabetes. If we can improve insulin sensitivity and help children through exercise and weight loss, perhaps we can reverse these deficits."
About Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis is a lifelong disease of the immune system that causes red, scaly patches to appear on the skin. There are five types of psoriasis: plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular and erythrodermic. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of psoriasis. Approximately 1.5 million Americans suffer from moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.
Plaque psoriasis is a disease of the immune system
While plaque psoriasis may look like just a skin condition, it is in fact a disease of the immune system. The immune system protects the body from infections and diseases. In patients with plaque psoriasis, certain immune cells are activated and produce too much of a protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF). This protein can cause skin cells to grow too quickly. The skin cells build up and form raised, red patches often with a silvery scale, known as plaques.
Symptoms of plaque psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis causes raised red patches with a silvery scale to appear on the skin. They can appear anywhere on the body, but are most commonly found on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back. People with plaque psoriasis may notice that there are times when their skin worsens, then gets better. Factors that cause these "flare-ups" can include:
• emotional stress
• injury to the skin
• some types of infections
• reactions to certain drugs
How plaque psoriasis can be treated
There is no cure for plaque psoriasis, but there are a variety of treatments that can help clear the skin. Some therapies work on the surface of the skin. Biologics work inside your body to treat psoriasis at the source. ENBREL is a prescription medicine that is self-injected. ENBREL, a biologic, blocks the activity of excess TNF that is associated with plaque psoriasis. This helps slow the growth of skin cells before they cause plaques to appear on the skin
Gene Mutation Increases Women's Risk Of Breast Cancer Via Pill And HRT Use
A Europe-wide study supports the argument that women with a gene linked to breast cancer should consider having their ovaries removed, for the gene may greatly increase their chances of contracting the disease through long-term use of the pill and hormone replacement therapy.
Studies conducted in the past have shown that an increased cancer risk in women can be linked to the extra amounts of the female hormone oestrogen they receive through long-term use of the pill or HRT.
However, thus far, medical experts have assumed that women with high-risk genes suffer from a type of breast cancer, which is caused by their genetic make-up rather than their exposure to oestrogen.
The new study, involving over 3,000 women with breast cancer across Europe, has now shown that women with the breast cancer gene are 70 per cent more likely to have been long-term users of the pill or HRT than those without the gene.
"It was clear that those with the BRCA gene mutation had greater risk if there had been long-term use of the contraceptive pill," the Scotsman quoted Professor Michael Steel, of St Andrews University's Bute Medical School and one of the report's authors, as saying.
"That risk was even more if they had the gene mutation. For the first time, we produced evidence that they are more sensitive to the effect of contraceptives and HRT than other women," he added.
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection (called cold sores and genital herpes depending on the site of infection) is a common infection which results from contact with persons or hosts who have the infection.
Whilst HSV infections generally have good prognosis, important complications may occur, particularly with immunocompromised patients or neonates.
Causes:
While genital herpes is considered to be a sexually transmitted infection, any form of contact is a possible route of infection. For example direct contact, and even through shared items. Unfortunately, due to the high prevalence of both cold sores and genital herpes in the community, avoiding exposure may be difficult. Some recommendations have been made. People with cold sores (particularly in active disease) should avoid:
#Sharing personal items (i.e. toothbrushes, towels etc.);
#Sharing drinking glasses/bottles or cutlery;
#Close contact (such as kissing/hugging), particularly with newborns, young children, and people with
weakened immune systems.
Genital herpes is generally passed through sexual contact. The lifetime number of sexual partners increases the risk of transmitting the infection. Consistent use of condoms has been suggested to minimize transmission.
A pregnant mother with genital herpes may spread the virus to her newborn during labour. Post-partum infections may also occur when the baby is in contact with not just the mother, immediate family, and health workers, but also extended family and friends. Any individual who may be shedding the virus at the time (whether symptomatic or asymptomatic) may infect the baby.
Immunesuppression is a common cause of reactivation and progression of the disease. Immune suppression may result from infections, haematological malignancies, or immune-suppressing drugs (such as chemotherapy in cancer patients, drugs in transplant patients, or high dose corticosteroids). Corticosteroids are commonly used in various rheumatological conditions and asthma.
Symptoms
Commonly, the herpes virus results in fluid-filled blisters on and around the site of infection. The blister will eventually ulcerate and heal over time. However, infection may occur at virtually any area of skin, with increasing risks when skin integrity is compromised.
These lesions usually resolve over one to two weeks. The lesions may be accompanied by other symptoms such as pain and tenderness, and a burning sensation. Systemic manifestations such as fevers, myalgias, and arthralgias may also occur.
The blisters occur usually in either the oral or genital region. This may or may not be preceded by known contact with someone with HSV. Asymptomatic infections may also occur; in these cases, only serological studies can indicate the exposure.
Prevention
Preventing infection
Avoiding contact with individuals with HSV may be difficult due to the high prevalence rate in the community. Some practical suggestions have been made. People with cold sores (particularly in active disease) should avoid:
#Sharing personal items (i.e. toothbrushes, towels etc.)
#Sharing drinking glasses/bottles or cutlery
#Close contact (such as kissing/hugging), particularly with newborns, young children, and people with a weakened immune system.
Preventing recurrences/complications
In general, patients are advised to avoid breaking the vesicles as this may result in scar formation and secondary infections.
Regular medications (acyclovir) may be an option. Recurrences are still likely to occur but with reduced severity.
Pregnant women with genital HSV infection are advised to deliver via Caesarean section to reduce the risk of neonatal HSV infection.
BRAIN TUMOUR
Brain tumors include all tumors inside the cranium or in the central spinal canal. They are created by an abnormal and uncontrolled cell division, normally either in the brain itself (neurons, glial cells (astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, ependymal cells, myelin-producing Schwann cells), lymphatic tissue, blood vessels), in the cranial nerves, in the brain envelopes (meninges), skull, pituitary and pineal gland, or spread from cancers primarily located in other organs (metastatic tumors).
Any brain tumor is inherently serious and life-threatening because of its invasive and infiltrative character in the limited space of the intracranial cavity. However, brain tumors (even malignant ones) do not automatically cause death. Brain tumors or intracranial neoplasms can be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign); however, the definitions of malignant or benign neoplasms differs from those commonly used in other types of cancerous or non-cancerous neoplasms in the body. Its threat level depends on the combination of factors like the type of tumor, its location, its size and its state of development. Because the brain is well protected by the skull, the early detection of a brain tumor only occurs when diagnostic tools are directed at the intracranial cavity. Usually detection occurs in advanced stages when the presence of the tumor has side effects that cause unexplained symptoms.
Primary (true) brain tumors are commonly located in the posterior cranial fossa in children and in the anterior two-thirds of the cerebral hemispheres in adults, although they can affect any part of the brain.
Primary brain tumors
Primary neoplasms of the brain are tumors that originate in the intracranial sphere or the central spinal canal, based on the organic tissues that make up the brain and the spinal cord. From the brain-lemma we can learn a lot of things about the composition of the brain from different types of organic tissues. For the purpose of this article we will discuss only some types.
The brain itself is composed of neurons and glia (that function primarily as the physical support for neurons). The neuron itself is rarely the basis for a tumor, though tumors of the glial cells are glioma and often are of the cancerous type.
The brain is surrounded by a system of connective tissue membranes called meninges that separate the skull from the brain. Tumors of the meninges are meningioma and are often benign neoplasms.
Below the brain is pituitary and pineal gland which could be the basis for its own -albeit rare- kind of benign glandular neoplasms.
Secondary brain tumors
Secondary tumors of the brain are metastatic tumors that invaded the intracranial sphere from cancers primarily located in other organs. This means that a (malignant) cancerous neoplasm has developed in another organ elsewhere in the body and that cancer cells leak from that primary tumor. The leaked cells enter the lymphatic system and blood vessels, circulate through the bloodstream, and are deposited (stranded in the small blood vessels in the brain) within normal tissue elsewhere in the body, in this case in the brain. There these cells continue growing & dividing and become another invasive neoplasm of the primary cancers tissue. Secondary tumors of the brain are very common in the terminal phases of patients with an incurable metastased cancer , most common types of cancers that bring about secondary tumors of the brain are lung cancer, breast cancer and malignant melanoma (skin cancer), kidney cancer and cancer of the colon (in decreasing order of frequency).
Unfortunately enough this is the most common cause of neoplasms in the intracranial cavity.
The skull bone structure can also be subject to a neoplasm that by it very nature reduces the volume of the intracranial cavity, and can damage the brain.
CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS SURGERY
What is coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery?
According to the American Heart Association 427,000 coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgeries were performed in the United States in 2004, making it one of the most commonly performed major operations. CABG surgery is advised for selected groups of patients with significant narrowings and blockages of the heart arteries (coronary artery disease). CABG surgery creates new routes around narrowed and blocked arteries, allowing sufficient blood flow to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle.
How does coronary artery disease develop?
Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when atherosclerotic plaque (hardening of the arteries) builds up in the wall of the arteries that supply the heart. This plaque is primarily made of cholesterol. Plaque accumulation can be accelerated by smoking, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and diabetes. Patients are also at higher risk for plaque development if they are older (greater than 45 years for men and 55 years for women), or if they have a positive family history for early heart artery disease.
The atherosclerotic process causes significant narrowing in one or more coronary arteries. When coronary arteries narrow more than 50 to 70%, the blood supply beyond the plaque becomes inadequate to meet the increased oxygen demand during exercise. The heart muscle in the territory of these arteries becomes starved of oxygen (ischemic). Patients often experience chest pain (angina) when the blood oxygen supply cannot keep up with demand. Up to 25% of patients experience no chest pain at all despite documented lack of adequate blood and oxygen supply. These patients have "silent" angina, and have the same risk of heart attack as those with angina.
When a blood clot (thrombus) forms on top of this plaque, the artery becomes completely blocked causing a heart attack.
According to the American Heart Association 427,000 coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgeries were performed in the United States in 2004, making it one of the most commonly performed major operations. CABG surgery is advised for selected groups of patients with significant narrowings and blockages of the heart arteries (coronary artery disease). CABG surgery creates new routes around narrowed and blocked arteries, allowing sufficient blood flow to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the heart muscle.
How does coronary artery disease develop?
Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when atherosclerotic plaque (hardening of the arteries) builds up in the wall of the arteries that supply the heart. This plaque is primarily made of cholesterol. Plaque accumulation can be accelerated by smoking, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and diabetes. Patients are also at higher risk for plaque development if they are older (greater than 45 years for men and 55 years for women), or if they have a positive family history for early heart artery disease.
The atherosclerotic process causes significant narrowing in one or more coronary arteries. When coronary arteries narrow more than 50 to 70%, the blood supply beyond the plaque becomes inadequate to meet the increased oxygen demand during exercise. The heart muscle in the territory of these arteries becomes starved of oxygen (ischemic). Patients often experience chest pain (angina) when the blood oxygen supply cannot keep up with demand. Up to 25% of patients experience no chest pain at all despite documented lack of adequate blood and oxygen supply. These patients have "silent" angina, and have the same risk of heart attack as those with angina.
Poultry fingered as No. 1 food poisoning culprit
ATLANTA – Cooking chicken on the grill this summer? Be careful. Poultry is still the leading culprit in food poisoning outbreaks, health officials said Thursday.
Chicken, turkey and other poultry accounted for 17 percent of the food-borne illness outbreaks reported to the government. Beef and leafy vegetables were close behind, at 16 percent and 14 percent.
The report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention covers outbreaks in 2007. Poultry was also the No. 1 source of outbreaks in 2006.
Salmonella and other kinds of bacteria caused about half of the outbreaks, the CDC said. Viruses — like norovirus — caused about 40 percent, mushroom toxin or other chemical agents were blamed for 7 percent. Parasites accounted for 1 percent.
Several things can cause an outbreak. For example, an infected person might contaminate the food while handling it. A contaminated food may be left out a room temperature for hours, allowing bacteria to multiply. It may not be cooked enough to kill the bacteria.
The CCD counted more than 21,000 illnesses in about 1,100 outbreaks in 48 states and Puerto Rico. There were 18 deaths from food poisoning.
It's far from a complete picture, however. Experts estimates that only about 5 percent of people who get food poisoning are part of a recognized outbreak, which is a cluster of two or more cases.
"It's just the tip of the iceberg," said Michael Doyle, head of the University of Georgia's food safety center.
An estimated 87 million cases of food-borne illness occur in the United States each year, including 371,000 hospitalizations and 5,700 deaths, according to an Associated Press calculation that combines a CDC formula with recent population estimates.
The CDC also closely tracks food-borne illnesses in 10 states to watch for food poisoning trends. Its report for last year showed rates of food-borne illness have been holding steady for the past five years.
In Thursday's report, the CDC only counted instances in which one food — like grilled chicken — was clearly to blame. That was the case in about 45 percent of the outbreaks. Outbreaks involving multiple ingredients — like chicken salad — were not part of that accounting.
A diarrhea-causing bacteria called Clostridium perfringens was commonly linked to poultry. A more deadly bacteria called E.coli O157:H7 was most often linked to beef.
Norovirus, a common bug most often spread by food handlers, was frequently seen in leafy vegetables.
Obesity linked to lower risk of glaucoma in women
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – A recent study found that heavier women were less likely to get one type of glaucoma than their thinner peers - the first time this association has been shown, the authors report.
The finding doesn't mean that anyone at risk for the disease should try to pack on the pounds, they say, but it could be a first step toward learning more about why people develop glaucoma and how it progresses.
Glaucoma is a degenerative eye condition that occurs when there is damage to the optic nerve - fibers that run between the eye and the brain. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, more than 4 million Americans, mostly older adults, have glaucoma. Common treatments for glaucoma include medicated eye drops and other drugs as well as surgery.
Researchers have suspected that heavier people might be more at risk for glaucoma. A higher body mass index (BMI) - a ratio of weight to height - means people are more likely to have diabetes, and diabetes could be linked to the rising inner eye pressure that is seen in many glaucoma cases, the authors write.
But their findings suggest a different pattern.Led by Dr. Louis Pasquale, researchers from the Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health followed about 120,000 middle-aged adults who are part of two long-term studies of healthcare workers. Over the course of at least 18 years, study participants filled out questionnaires every other year that asked for lifestyle and health information such as weight, diet, and diagnosed medical conditions.
About 8,300 of the participants reported in their questionnaires that they had been diagnosed with glaucoma at some point during the study. The authors narrowed this down to approximately 1,000 cases that they could confirm with the patients' doctors and on their own.
One previous study found that around 4 percent of adults age 40 and over have glaucoma.
After picking out the confirmed glaucoma cases, the authors looked at how likely patients were to have glaucoma based on their BMI.
Women with a higher BMI and higher weights were less likely than thinner women to develop a certain type of glaucoma, called normal tension glaucoma, which occurs when pressure in the eye isn't any higher than normal.
For every unit of increase in BMI - equal to about a 6-pound gain in a woman of average height and weight - a woman's risk for normal tension glaucoma dropped by 6 percent. Women who reported that they had been heavier for their height as young adults were also less likely to develop this kind of glaucoma.
In women with higher inner eye pressure and in all men, there was no link between BMI or body weight alone and how likely a person was to get glaucoma.
The reason why weight might protect women against glaucoma isn't completely clear, but Pasquale thinks it could have something to do with estrogen. "Our hypothesis is that women with higher BMI have higher circulating estrogen levels than women with lower BMI," Pasquale told Reuters Health by email. It might be that estrogen helps keep the optic nerve working, he said.
Differences in body composition between men and women, and in the amount of estrogen they produce, could help explain why there is a link between weight and glaucoma risk in women but not men, Pasquale added.
Height had no association with glaucoma risk in men or women in the study, which is published in the journal Ophthalmology.
One limitation of the study, the authors write, is that the participants were mostly white - and glaucoma is much more common in African-Americans.
Pasquale and his colleagues are trying to dig deeper into the connection between weight and glaucoma in women to better explain their findings. In the meantime, Pasquale said, the results should not change anything about the way doctors treat patients with glaucoma or those at risk for the condition.
SOURCE: http://link.reuters.com/paj54n Ophthalmology, August 2010.
South Dakota man dies after donating part of liver
DENVER – A Colorado hospital said Friday that it has temporarily suspended live donor liver transplants while it investigates the death of a South Dakota man who donated part of his liver to his brother.
The death would be Colorado's first of a live liver donor and the fourth in the country if it's ruled it was a result of the procedure, according to the United Network of Organ Sharing.
The University of Colorado Hospital, which performed its first successful live donor liver transplant in 1997, is continuing other transplants but is "taking a step back" from live donor liver transplants following the death of 34-year-old Ryan Arnold of Watertown, S.D., a hospital spokeswoman said Friday.
"If there's something that needs to be corrected, we will correct it," spokeswoman Erika Matich said. The hospital has conducted 141 successful live donor liver transplants.
Ryan Arnold died Aug. 2, four days after the surgery in which he gave part of his liver to his brother Chad, 38, who lives in suburban Denver. Chad Arnold was home briefly but was readmitted to a Denver-area hospital to continue his recovery from a liver disease.
"I think overall his attitude is to make his life count," said Rod Arnold, 42, referring to how his brother Chad is holding up.
UNOS spokesman Joel Newman said the living donor liver transplants are relatively rare in the U.S., where the procedure has been conducted 4,126 times since 1989.
In addition to an internal investigation, the hospital has also requested that physicians who are members of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons review the case, Matich said.
"Everybody at the hospital is very distraught, anybody who had anything to do with this wonderful family," she said.
Ryan Arnold went into cardiac arrest Aug. 1 and then fell into a coma, Rod Arnold said. The coroner hasn't determined a cause of death, he said.
"He was a man of uncommon character and someone I looked up to," Rod Arnold said. "What he did for Chad was really just an extension of how he lived his life."
Rod Arnold said his brother "never really wavered" in his decision to give part of his liver to help his brother battle an incurable liver disease known as PSC.
"From the beginning he just said, 'I gotta do this,'" Rod Arnold said.
Shortly before the procedure, Ryan Arnold told KDVR-TV he wanted to give his brother the chance to live a long life.
"I'm healthy and I know I'll stay healthy," Ryan Arnold told the television station. "I'll recover and I want to see him do the things he wants to do, and spend time with his family, and I want to have him around for a long time."
Rod Arnold said that shortly after the procedure, Ryan went to Chad's hospital room and told him, "I love you bro', you're worth it. I believe in you."
Ryan Arnold is survived by his wife, Shannon, and three sons, ages 1, 4, and 6.
Ryan Arnold was an orthodontist in Watertown and was planning to take over his father's practice there. He loved "pretty much anything outdoors" and spent nearly every moment with his children, going to the lake on a boat and tubing, Rod Arnold said. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was committed to his church.
"Our desire, if possible, is that what comes out of this is an awareness of the kind of man Ryan was," Rod Arnold said.
Skin Tips for Teens
Four Tips for Trouble-Free Teen Skin.
Teen skin has a lot going for it — plenty of collagen, a youthful glow, and not a laugh line or crow’s foot to be found. But there’s a downside to all that dewiness: Excess oil can cause acne, and oily or combination skin can be tricky to care for. To keep teen acne in check and achieve a clear complexion, follow these skin care tips:
Take Care of Teen Acne
It’s an unfortunate fact: Most teens get some form of acne, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. (You can thank your changing hormones for that!) Whether you’re dealing with the annoyance of an occasional pimple or suffering from a more severe case of acne, having blemished skin can be a drag. But beyond causing embarrassment, acne can also cause scars, so treatment is important. To treat your teen acne, follow this advice from Jordana S. Gilman, M.D., a New York City–based dermatologist:
• For mild acne, use an over-the-counter cleanser with either salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
• ODing on harsh products in order to combat breakouts can actually have the opposite effect, so skip astringent (Dr. Gilman says it’s too drying), and use scrubs sparingly — just once or twice a week. “Your skin always needs a little bit of oil to maintain a normal skin barrier and to function properly,” Dr. Gilman says.
• Hair care products can contribute to teen acne, so if you notice breakouts on your forehead or along your hairline, start applying your hair care products farther back on your head, and don’t let your hair brush across your face.
• Don’t try more than one new product at a time. Allow your skin two weeks to adjust to a new product before starting another new one.
• Severe acne may require prescription-strength products, so see a dermatologist if OTC products don’t control your acne.
Use Oil-Free Products
While teen skin can often go without moisturizer, some teens do need it, Dr. Gilman says: “It’s possible to have acne and have dry or sensitive skin.” If you need a moisturizer, choose a lightweight, oil-free formula. That goes for any color cosmetics you use too. And look for products that are labeled “noncomedogenic,” meaning the ingredients won’t block pores.
Skip the Tan
Let’s face facts: Tans, whether from the sun or a tanning salon, are damaging to your skin. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, a working group of the World Health Organization, recently added tanning beds to its list of the most dangerous forms of cancer-causing radiation. So ban the bed. In fact, ban any tan, except a bottled one! And start wearing sunscreen — ideally with an SPF of 30 or higher — every day. Getting into the sunscreen habit today can help prevent visible signs of aging (hello, wrinkles and brown spots!) tomorrow.
Go Easy on Makeup
Remember that youthful glow we mentioned earlier? Cherish it. For most teen skin, foundation is a totally unnecessary product and can actually contribute to acne, says Dr. Gilman. If you must cover up blemishes or even out your skin tone, use a concealer — some products even pair color with acne-fighting ingredients — or try an oil-free tinted moisturizer with SPF.
There’s no getting around the fact that when it comes to your complexion, the teen years can be troublesome. But with these skin tips, you can get skin worth coveting — not covering.
ATLANTA – Cooking chicken on the grill this summer? Be careful. Poultry is still the leading culprit in food poisoning outbreaks, health officials said Thursday.
Chicken, turkey and other poultry accounted for 17 percent of the food-borne illness outbreaks reported to the government. Beef and leafy vegetables were close behind, at 16 percent and 14 percent.
The report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention covers outbreaks in 2007. Poultry was also the No. 1 source of outbreaks in 2006.
Salmonella and other kinds of bacteria caused about half of the outbreaks, the CDC said. Viruses — like norovirus — caused about 40 percent, mushroom toxin or other chemical agents were blamed for 7 percent. Parasites accounted for 1 percent.
Several things can cause an outbreak. For example, an infected person might contaminate the food while handling it. A contaminated food may be left out a room temperature for hours, allowing bacteria to multiply. It may not be cooked enough to kill the bacteria.
The CCD counted more than 21,000 illnesses in about 1,100 outbreaks in 48 states and Puerto Rico. There were 18 deaths from food poisoning.
It's far from a complete picture, however. Experts estimates that only about 5 percent of people who get food poisoning are part of a recognized outbreak, which is a cluster of two or more cases.
"It's just the tip of the iceberg," said Michael Doyle, head of the University of Georgia's food safety center.
An estimated 87 million cases of food-borne illness occur in the United States each year, including 371,000 hospitalizations and 5,700 deaths, according to an Associated Press calculation that combines a CDC formula with recent population estimates.
The CDC also closely tracks food-borne illnesses in 10 states to watch for food poisoning trends. Its report for last year showed rates of food-borne illness have been holding steady for the past five years.
In Thursday's report, the CDC only counted instances in which one food — like grilled chicken — was clearly to blame. That was the case in about 45 percent of the outbreaks. Outbreaks involving multiple ingredients — like chicken salad — were not part of that accounting.
A diarrhea-causing bacteria called Clostridium perfringens was commonly linked to poultry. A more deadly bacteria called E.coli O157:H7 was most often linked to beef.
Norovirus, a common bug most often spread by food handlers, was frequently seen in leafy vegetables.
Obesity linked to lower risk of glaucoma in women
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – A recent study found that heavier women were less likely to get one type of glaucoma than their thinner peers - the first time this association has been shown, the authors report.
The finding doesn't mean that anyone at risk for the disease should try to pack on the pounds, they say, but it could be a first step toward learning more about why people develop glaucoma and how it progresses.
Glaucoma is a degenerative eye condition that occurs when there is damage to the optic nerve - fibers that run between the eye and the brain. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, more than 4 million Americans, mostly older adults, have glaucoma. Common treatments for glaucoma include medicated eye drops and other drugs as well as surgery.
Researchers have suspected that heavier people might be more at risk for glaucoma. A higher body mass index (BMI) - a ratio of weight to height - means people are more likely to have diabetes, and diabetes could be linked to the rising inner eye pressure that is seen in many glaucoma cases, the authors write.
But their findings suggest a different pattern.Led by Dr. Louis Pasquale, researchers from the Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health followed about 120,000 middle-aged adults who are part of two long-term studies of healthcare workers. Over the course of at least 18 years, study participants filled out questionnaires every other year that asked for lifestyle and health information such as weight, diet, and diagnosed medical conditions.
About 8,300 of the participants reported in their questionnaires that they had been diagnosed with glaucoma at some point during the study. The authors narrowed this down to approximately 1,000 cases that they could confirm with the patients' doctors and on their own.
One previous study found that around 4 percent of adults age 40 and over have glaucoma.
After picking out the confirmed glaucoma cases, the authors looked at how likely patients were to have glaucoma based on their BMI.
Women with a higher BMI and higher weights were less likely than thinner women to develop a certain type of glaucoma, called normal tension glaucoma, which occurs when pressure in the eye isn't any higher than normal.
For every unit of increase in BMI - equal to about a 6-pound gain in a woman of average height and weight - a woman's risk for normal tension glaucoma dropped by 6 percent. Women who reported that they had been heavier for their height as young adults were also less likely to develop this kind of glaucoma.
In women with higher inner eye pressure and in all men, there was no link between BMI or body weight alone and how likely a person was to get glaucoma.
The reason why weight might protect women against glaucoma isn't completely clear, but Pasquale thinks it could have something to do with estrogen. "Our hypothesis is that women with higher BMI have higher circulating estrogen levels than women with lower BMI," Pasquale told Reuters Health by email. It might be that estrogen helps keep the optic nerve working, he said.
Differences in body composition between men and women, and in the amount of estrogen they produce, could help explain why there is a link between weight and glaucoma risk in women but not men, Pasquale added.
Height had no association with glaucoma risk in men or women in the study, which is published in the journal Ophthalmology.
One limitation of the study, the authors write, is that the participants were mostly white - and glaucoma is much more common in African-Americans.
Pasquale and his colleagues are trying to dig deeper into the connection between weight and glaucoma in women to better explain their findings. In the meantime, Pasquale said, the results should not change anything about the way doctors treat patients with glaucoma or those at risk for the condition.
SOURCE: http://link.reuters.com/paj54n Ophthalmology, August 2010.
South Dakota man dies after donating part of liver
DENVER – A Colorado hospital said Friday that it has temporarily suspended live donor liver transplants while it investigates the death of a South Dakota man who donated part of his liver to his brother.
The death would be Colorado's first of a live liver donor and the fourth in the country if it's ruled it was a result of the procedure, according to the United Network of Organ Sharing.
The University of Colorado Hospital, which performed its first successful live donor liver transplant in 1997, is continuing other transplants but is "taking a step back" from live donor liver transplants following the death of 34-year-old Ryan Arnold of Watertown, S.D., a hospital spokeswoman said Friday.
"If there's something that needs to be corrected, we will correct it," spokeswoman Erika Matich said. The hospital has conducted 141 successful live donor liver transplants.
Ryan Arnold died Aug. 2, four days after the surgery in which he gave part of his liver to his brother Chad, 38, who lives in suburban Denver. Chad Arnold was home briefly but was readmitted to a Denver-area hospital to continue his recovery from a liver disease.
"I think overall his attitude is to make his life count," said Rod Arnold, 42, referring to how his brother Chad is holding up.
UNOS spokesman Joel Newman said the living donor liver transplants are relatively rare in the U.S., where the procedure has been conducted 4,126 times since 1989.
In addition to an internal investigation, the hospital has also requested that physicians who are members of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons review the case, Matich said.
"Everybody at the hospital is very distraught, anybody who had anything to do with this wonderful family," she said.
Ryan Arnold went into cardiac arrest Aug. 1 and then fell into a coma, Rod Arnold said. The coroner hasn't determined a cause of death, he said.
"He was a man of uncommon character and someone I looked up to," Rod Arnold said. "What he did for Chad was really just an extension of how he lived his life."
Rod Arnold said his brother "never really wavered" in his decision to give part of his liver to help his brother battle an incurable liver disease known as PSC.
"From the beginning he just said, 'I gotta do this,'" Rod Arnold said.
Shortly before the procedure, Ryan Arnold told KDVR-TV he wanted to give his brother the chance to live a long life.
"I'm healthy and I know I'll stay healthy," Ryan Arnold told the television station. "I'll recover and I want to see him do the things he wants to do, and spend time with his family, and I want to have him around for a long time."
Rod Arnold said that shortly after the procedure, Ryan went to Chad's hospital room and told him, "I love you bro', you're worth it. I believe in you."
Ryan Arnold is survived by his wife, Shannon, and three sons, ages 1, 4, and 6.
Ryan Arnold was an orthodontist in Watertown and was planning to take over his father's practice there. He loved "pretty much anything outdoors" and spent nearly every moment with his children, going to the lake on a boat and tubing, Rod Arnold said. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was committed to his church.
"Our desire, if possible, is that what comes out of this is an awareness of the kind of man Ryan was," Rod Arnold said.
Skin Tips for Teens
Four Tips for Trouble-Free Teen Skin.
Teen skin has a lot going for it — plenty of collagen, a youthful glow, and not a laugh line or crow’s foot to be found. But there’s a downside to all that dewiness: Excess oil can cause acne, and oily or combination skin can be tricky to care for. To keep teen acne in check and achieve a clear complexion, follow these skin care tips:
Take Care of Teen Acne
It’s an unfortunate fact: Most teens get some form of acne, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. (You can thank your changing hormones for that!) Whether you’re dealing with the annoyance of an occasional pimple or suffering from a more severe case of acne, having blemished skin can be a drag. But beyond causing embarrassment, acne can also cause scars, so treatment is important. To treat your teen acne, follow this advice from Jordana S. Gilman, M.D., a New York City–based dermatologist:
• For mild acne, use an over-the-counter cleanser with either salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
• ODing on harsh products in order to combat breakouts can actually have the opposite effect, so skip astringent (Dr. Gilman says it’s too drying), and use scrubs sparingly — just once or twice a week. “Your skin always needs a little bit of oil to maintain a normal skin barrier and to function properly,” Dr. Gilman says.
• Hair care products can contribute to teen acne, so if you notice breakouts on your forehead or along your hairline, start applying your hair care products farther back on your head, and don’t let your hair brush across your face.
• Don’t try more than one new product at a time. Allow your skin two weeks to adjust to a new product before starting another new one.
• Severe acne may require prescription-strength products, so see a dermatologist if OTC products don’t control your acne.
Use Oil-Free Products
While teen skin can often go without moisturizer, some teens do need it, Dr. Gilman says: “It’s possible to have acne and have dry or sensitive skin.” If you need a moisturizer, choose a lightweight, oil-free formula. That goes for any color cosmetics you use too. And look for products that are labeled “noncomedogenic,” meaning the ingredients won’t block pores.
Skip the Tan
Let’s face facts: Tans, whether from the sun or a tanning salon, are damaging to your skin. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, a working group of the World Health Organization, recently added tanning beds to its list of the most dangerous forms of cancer-causing radiation. So ban the bed. In fact, ban any tan, except a bottled one! And start wearing sunscreen — ideally with an SPF of 30 or higher — every day. Getting into the sunscreen habit today can help prevent visible signs of aging (hello, wrinkles and brown spots!) tomorrow.
Go Easy on Makeup
Remember that youthful glow we mentioned earlier? Cherish it. For most teen skin, foundation is a totally unnecessary product and can actually contribute to acne, says Dr. Gilman. If you must cover up blemishes or even out your skin tone, use a concealer — some products even pair color with acne-fighting ingredients — or try an oil-free tinted moisturizer with SPF.
There’s no getting around the fact that when it comes to your complexion, the teen years can be troublesome. But with these skin tips, you can get skin worth coveting — not covering.
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