INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('603','6','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">More suicide attempts by blacks than thought</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>Study challenges idea that they\'re rare due to beliefs dating back to slavery</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceAP.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"><p></p></font><p>CHICAGO - More U.S. blacks attempt suicide than previously thought, according to a landmark study that could help explode the myth that black suicides are rare because of a mind-set that took hold during slavery.</p><p>The first nationally representative study to look at attempted suicide among blacks found that about 70,000 of them try to kill themselves each year and 4 percent, or roughly 1.4 million, attempt suicide at least once in their lives.</p><p>That lifetime rate is similar to that of whites but higher than the 2.8 percent found among blacks in previous surveys.</p><p>Other research has shown that the actual suicide rate in whites is about twice as high as in blacks, though rising rates among young black men have narrowed the racial gap.</p><p>Still, there is a common misconception that suicide is rare in the black community because of cultural and religious beliefs dating back to slavery times. The study strengthens evidence showing that belief is false, said University of Michigan researcher Sean Joe, the study\'s lead author.</p><p>The findings appear in Wednesday\'s Journal of the American Medical Association.</p><p>The researchers analyzed data from a national survey involving 5,181 blacks age 18 and older. They were questioned about suicide attempts and suicidal thoughts between 2001 and 2003. Data on completed suicides was not included.</p><p>The study is the first to look at suicidal behavior among the two leading ethnic groups within the U.S. black community - African-Americans and Caribbean Americans.</p><p><b><strong>Rate higher for Caribean-American blacks<br></strong></b>The lifetime prevalence of suicide attempts was much higher among Caribbean-American black men, at 7.5 percent, suggesting that about 53,000 try at least once to kill themselves.</p><p>The reasons for that relatively high rate are uncertain. Although the study lacked data on how long Caribbean-American blacks and their ancestors had been in this country, it is likely many were more recent arrivals than African Americans and thus more vulnerable to frustrations with discrimination and other societal pressures, said Dr. Carl Bell, a psychiatry professor at the University of Illinois\' Chicago campus and expert on mental health issues in the black community.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"1%\"><tr><td><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Art/HEALTH/061031/AP_BLACK_SUICIDE.gif\" align=\"Right\" height=\"360\" width=\"178\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"></td></tr></table></p><p>\"There is little or no information that is out there that is well-studied and well-documented. From that perspective, this is a huge contribution\" that will help mental health professionals serve the black community, said Bell, who was not involved in the research.</p><p>Dr. Paula Clayton, medical director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, pronounced it a landmark study that adds considerably to knowledge about suicide risks in blacks and could improve prevention efforts.</p><p><b><strong>Stigma of suicide<br></strong></b>Historically, suicide was taboo in the black community going back to slavery times, at least partly because \"it was really frowned on by the black church,\" said Dr. Alvin Poussaint, a Harvard University psychiatry professor and race relations specialist. \"It was a stigma and it brought shame to your family.\"</p><p>Blacks \"thought life was supposed to be hard for them,\" and that may have helped protect them from suicide, Poussaint said.</p><p>Interestingly, suicide attempts in the study were least common among blacks in the South, where that mind-set may linger from slavery times, he said.</p><p>While depression is strongly tied to suicidal behavior in whites, anxiety disorders were more common than depression in blacks who attempted suicide in the study. That is an important racial difference that could alert doctors to black patients who might be contemplating suicide, Poussaint said.</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i><em>?2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</em></i></div><br>');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('604','6','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">Music may ease symptoms of schizophrenia</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>Therapy improves depression, anxiety, withdrawal, small study finds</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><a href=\"http://www.reuters.com/\"><a href=\"http://www.reuters.com/\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceReuters.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"></a></a><p></p></font><p>LONDON - Music therapy many help to ease the depression, anxiety and emotional withdrawal symptoms of schizophrenia, British scientists said on Wednesday.</p><p>In a small study in four hospitals, researchers at Imperial College London found that encouraging patients to express themselves through music seemed to improve their symptoms.</p><p>\"We have known for some time that psychological treatments can help people with schizophrenia, but these have only been used when people are fairly stable,\" said Dr. Mike Crawford, the author of the study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry.</p><p>\"This study shows that music therapy provides a way of working with people when they are acutely unwell,\" he added.</p><p>Schizophrenia affects about 1 percent of people in Britain and the United States. The illness usually begins in the late teens and early 20s and is characterized by hallucinations, delusions, hearing voices and changes in behavior.</p><p>Treatments such as atypical antipsychotic drugs focus on eliminating the symptoms. But the drugs can cause side effects such as weight gain, an increased risk of diabetes and sexual dysfunction.</p><p>The patients in the study received standard therapy alone or with the musical component, which consisted of eight to 12 music sessions. They were encouraged to express themselves with a range of musical instruments.</p><p>After measuring the symptoms in the patients, Crawford and his team found greater improvements in the music therapy group. Although they could not completely rule out other factors, such as the severity of the illness, they believe the findings warrant further study and a larger trial.</p><p>\"Music therapy may provide a means of enhancing the effectiveness of in-patient treatment by reducing some of the symptoms of schizophrenia that respond least well to drug treatment,\" Crawford added.</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i><em>Copyright 2006 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.</em></i></div><br>');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('605','6','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">For depression relief, try variety of medications</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>Study: Antidepressants help most patients if they sample several kinds</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia4.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/061101/061101_antidepressants_hmed_8a.hmedium.jpg\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\" alt=\"Antidepressants can help two-thirds of those who suffer from depression, research finds.\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"><font size=\"-2\">Joe Raedle / Getty Images file</font><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"-1\">Researchers have found that antidepressants can help two-thirds of those who suffer from depression, if they are patient enough to try various kinds.</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceAP.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"><p></p></font><p>The final stage of a landmark federal study on treating depression suggests that two-thirds of sufferers eventually can be helped if they are patient enough to keep trying medications until they find one that works.</p><p>Thirteen percent of the 123 study participants who did not get better on the first three drugs they tried were helped by a fourth, researchers found.</p><p>But there is a downside to so many attempts: The more tries people made, the more likely it was that they later would relapse and slide back into depression.</p><p>\"It\'s a sobering message when you get down to requiring three or four steps,\" said the chief researcher, Dr. A. John Rush of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. \"It says that follow-up is critical\" to make sure that people stay on the drugs, he said.</p><p>Results were published Wednesday in the November issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><ul><li><a href=\"http://boards.msn.com/MSNBCboards/board.aspx?BoardID=760\">Discuss: If you have?uffered from depression, how have you coped?</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/15485275/\">Feeling down? Depression may cause bone loss</a></li></ul></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>About 15 million Americans each year suffer depression, the nation\'s top mental health problem. Drugs to treat the disorder have had only limited testing until now. The government launched the six-year, $35 million study to test a variety of these medications in \"real world\" settings - people seeking help at community clinics and doctor\'s offices.</p><p><b><strong>Multiple treatment attempts</strong></b><br>The project started out with 3,671 adults diagnosed with major depression. Half of them had a family history of it, and more than half had suffered multiple bouts of it themselves.</p><p>All were started on Celexa, made by Forest Laboratories and one of a widely used class of drugs called SSRIs. Nearly 37 percent had their depression go into remission after this first try. The rest switched to another antidepressant or continued with Celexa and added a second treatment. This second step helped 31 percent of that group.</p><p>The third and fourth attempts brought success rates of 14 percent and 13 percent, respectively. When all results from these various groups of participants were looked at collectively, 67 percent of the total group had been helped by one or more drugs.</p><p>However, 40 percent of those who achieved remission on their first drug relapsed within a year. That rose to 55 percent of those who took two tries to succeed and 65 percent and 70 percent of those requiring three and four tries, respectively.</p><p>\"More steps are still worthwhile, but you have a decreasing return,\" Rush said.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><SCRIPT language=javascript src=http://www.msnbc.com/d/ip/DepressionSymptoms/data.js></SCRIPT><SCRIPT language=javascript src=http://www.msnbc.com/modules/poptext/poptext_codeV2.js></SCRIPT><SCRIPT>if (window.DepressionSymptoms) { displayApp(DepressionSymptoms); }</SCRIPT></td></tr></table></p><p>Dr. Thomas Insel, director of the National Institute of Mental Health, said that because there was no comparison group of people who got no treatment, it is hard to know how many of those got better on their own, with enough passage of time, or because of the drugs.</p><p>\"I think the overall results are hopeful,\" he said. \"The problem with depression is that people and their families feel hopeless. The message here is that medication can be helpful.\"</p><p>Why did one-third of people not get better with any drugs? Possible explanations include genetic or biological differences, and life circumstances or other medical conditions that interfered with treatment. Medications may have been started too late to do any good, and some forms of depression may not respond to drugs.</p><p>Doctors say that 14 weeks is enough time for a drug to have a chance to work. After that, people should consider trying something else or adding a second treatment.</p><p>Soon to be published are separate results on the effectiveness of counseling, which some participants got in the second stage of the study.</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i><em>?2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</em></i></div><br>');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('606','6','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">Low serotonin may be key in cycle of abuse</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>Monkeys abused as babies who hurt their own children had reduced levels</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><a href=\"http://www.reuters.com/\"><a href=\"http://www.reuters.com/\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceReuters.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"></a></a><p></p></font><p>WASHINGTON - A study focusing on the role of a important brain chemical sheds new light on why victims of childhood abuse may themselves become abusers as adults, and points to a possible remedy, researchers said on Thursday.</p><p>They looked at levels of serotonin - a chemical that transmits impulses in the brain - in rhesus monkeys, but has implications for understanding child abuse in people because of biological similarities in humans and monkeys, they said.</p><p>When baby monkeys in the study experienced high amounts of abuse and rejection from their mother in the month after birth, their brains often produced less serotonin. Low levels of serotonin are linked to anxiety, depression and aggression in monkeys and people.</p><p>The researchers followed monkey infants from birth into adulthood. They found that female monkeys that had been abused by their mothers as infants and later became abusive mothers had about 10 to 20 percent less serotonin than females that had been abused as babies but did not become abusive parents.</p><p><b><strong>Understanding the cycle<br></strong></b>Experts long have known that suffering childhood abuse raises the probability a person will become an abusive parent, and have tried to find the reason - for example, repeating behavior learned early in life or, alternatively, long-term changes in brain processes governing emotions.</p><p>\"Our results suggest that the system is affected by early trauma, early experience, and that these long-term changes in the brain might contribute to the occurrence of abusive parenting in adulthood,\" University of Chicago researcher Dario Maestripieri said in an interview.</p><p>Maestripieri, lead author of the study in the journal Behavioral Neuroscience, said if research confirms that the same changes in brain development also occur in humans, then there could be the potential for intervention using drugs.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><ul><li><a href=\"/id/15503920/\">Depressed? Try different medications</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/14458179/\">FDA calls for new warnings on ADHD drugs</a></li></ul></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>Maestripieri said drugs that raise brain serotonin levels might lower the chances an abused child becomes an abusive parent.</p><p>The team watched mothers as they parented to note hitting and other negative behaviors toward their infants. They swapped monkey infants at birth between different mothers to determine that the observed changes did not merely reflect genetic similarities between babies and their mothers.</p><p>\"I think we\'ve made another step forward in understanding exactly how early experience affects this inter-generational transmission of abuse,\" Maestripieri added.</p><p>The abuse included having the mother grab babies by the leg or tail, step on them, pin them down or throw them in the air, Maestripieri said. The study did not look at paternal abuse because it involved a monkey species whose parental care is entirely performed by females, he said. </p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i><em>Copyright 2006 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.</em></i></div><br>');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('607','6','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">People with vicious dogs may be vicious too </font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>Ohio study found that every owner of a high-risk breed had brush with law</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><a href=\"http://www.reuters.com/\"><a href=\"http://www.reuters.com/\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceReuters.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"></a></a><p></p></font><p>WASHINGTON - People who own vicious dogs such as pit bulls have significantly more criminal convictions - including crimes against children - than owners of licensed, gentler dogs such as beagles, researchers reported on Thursday.</p><p>A study of 355 dog owners in Ohio showed that every owner of a high-risk breed known for aggression had at least one brush with the law, from traffic citations to serious criminal convictions.</p><p>And 30 percent of people who owned an aggressive breed of dog and who also had been cited at least once for failure to register it had at least five criminal convictions or traffic citations.</p><p>This compared to 1 percent of owners of low-risk, licensed dogs such as poodles, beagles or collies, the researchers reported in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence.</p><p>\"Owners of vicious dogs who have been cited for failing to register a dog (or) failing to keep a dog confined on the premises ... are more than nine times more likely to have been convicted for a crime involving children, three times more likely to have been convicted of domestic violence ... and nearly eight times more likely to be charged with drug (crimes) than owners of low-risk licensed dogs,\" said Jaclyn Barnes of Cincinnati Children\'s Hospital Medical Center.</p><p>Barnes and colleagues used public records to check on the criminal pasts of dog owners.</p><p>They used agreed definitions of vicious dogs used in writing local ordinances. \"A \'vicious dog\" means a dog that, without provocation, has killed or caused serious injury to any person, has killed another dog, or belongs to a breed that is commonly known as a pit bull dog,\" they wrote in their report.</p><p>The definition excludes dogs used in law enforcement or dogs protecting an owner or property.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><ul><li><a href=\"/id/15014860/\">Prisoners rehabilitate death-row dogs</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/15223582/\">Take the bite out of your fear of dogs</a></li></ul></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>Aggressive breeds identified by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and some insurance companies include pit bulls, rottweilers, akitas and chows.</p><p>The most frequent low-risk breeds seen in the study included terriers, beagles, collies and poodles.</p><p>\"One can argue that choosing to own a vicious dog is a marker of social deviance because a vicious dog is, by definition, a socially deviant animal,\" said Barbara Boat, director of The Childhood Trust at the University of Cincinnati, who worked on the study.</p><p>The researchers said their findings could be useful for social and law enforcement workers.</p><p>\"We suggest, regardless of dog breed, that failure to license a dog is a potential warning sign of other deviant behavior,\" they wrote. </p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i>(c) Reuters 2006. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters and the Reuters sphere logo are registered trademarks and trademarks of the Reuters group of companies around the world.</i></div><br><table width=\"100%\" style=\"background-color:#ffffee\" cellPadding=\"2\" cellSpacing=\"0\"><tr><td width=\"50%\"><font size=\"1\"><img src=\"/images/msnbc/print02.gif\" width=\"25\" height=\"20\" align=\"absmiddle\"> <a href=\"javascript:printThis(\'15755870\')\" class=\"linkBlack\">Print this</a></font></td><td><font size=\"1\"><img src=\"/images/msnbc/email02.gif\" width=\"25\" height=\"20\" align=\"absmiddle\"> <a href=\"javascript:emThis(\'15755870\')\" class=\"linkBlack\">Email this</a></font></td></tr></table></td><td width=\"10\"></td></tr></table><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#ffffff\">&nbsp;MORE FROM MENTAL HEALTH</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"1\" style=\"border:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\"><tr valign=\"bottom\"><td style=\"padding:10px;\" width=\"15%\"><a onmouseover=\"swapImage(\'next_links\',\'/images/buttons/next/buttonNextOver.gif\')\" onmouseout=\"swapImage(\'next_links\',\'/images/buttons/next/buttonNext.gif\')\" onmousedown=\"swapImage(\'next_links\',\'/images/buttons/next/buttonNextDown.gif\')\" href=\"/id/16305016/\"><img src=\"/images/buttons/next/buttonNext.gif\" border=\"0\" width=\"53\" height=\"19\" id=\"next_links\"></a></td><td class=\"textMedBlackBold\" style=\"padding:10px;\" width=\"85%\">Find out what scares us most</td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td style=\"padding:0px;\"><font color=\"#000000\"><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"><tr valign=\"top\"><td width=\"20\"></td><td><font class=\"bulletRedSmall\">. </font><font class=\"headlineList2\"><a class=\"linkBlack\" href=\"/id/16580741/\">Procrastinators, don\'t put off reading this</a></font></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td width=\"20\"></td><td><font class=\"bulletRedSmall\">. </font><font class=\"headlineList2\"><a class=\"linkBlack\" href=\"/id/16469103/\">Got the winter blues? 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INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('608','6','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">Botched penis surgery ends in mailbomb to doc</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>25-year-old Pennsylvania man sentenced to 4 years, 10 months</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceAP.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"><p></p></font><p>PHILADELPHIA - A man who mailed a bomb to a doctor because he was angry about how his penis enlargement surgery turned out was sentenced to four years and 10 months in prison.</p><p>Blake Steidler, 25, of Reamstown, put the bomb in the mail on Feb. 11, 2005, in North Bloomfield, Ohio, addressed to the doctor in Chicago.</p><p>After returning home, Steidler called 911 and told police what he had done. The bomb was retrieved from the mail and destroyed; no one was injured.</p><p>Steidler pleaded guilty in April to use of a weapon of mass destruction and other charges.</p><p>Defense lawyer Luis A. Ortiz said at the time of the plea that his client was mentally ill.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><p><a href=\"/id/15754563/\">What the pilgrims taught us about sex</a></p></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>Besides the prison term, Steidler was sentenced to five years supervised release, and a $2,000 fine.</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i><em>?2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</em></i></div><br>');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('609','6','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">Laughter yoga no joke for fad\'s followers</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>If you\'re not feeling funny? Fake it, instructors say</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/061130/061130_laughyoga_hmed_5p.hmedium.jpg\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\" alt=\"IMAGE: laughter yoga\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"><font size=\"-2\">Chris Carlson / AP</font><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"-1\">Lee Fluter participates in a laughter yoga class on Main Beach in Laguna Beach, Calif. </font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceAP.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"><p></p></font><p>This is no joke: It\'s a typical day at sunny Main Beach and a dozen people are wandering around with their hands in the air, laughing hysterically, squawking like chickens and talking gibberish.</p><p>Now limbered up, they suddenly form a loose circle and begin clapping and chanting before they resume a group stretch.</p><p>This is laughter yoga, a sidesplitting new fitness fad that\'s part traditional yoga, part improv and all silliness.</p><p>About 60 U.S. instructors who trained in India with the man who invented the style now instruct thousands of practitioners from California to Connecticut. About one-third of the known American laughter yoga clubs are in California, said Sebastien Gendry, founder of the American School of Laughter Yoga in Pasadena.</p><p>Jeffrey Briar, who founded the Laughter Yoga Institute in Laguna Beach a month ago, said his daily yoga lessons are now such a common sight on the beach that dog-walkers and joggers no longer stare. Sometimes they even join in.</p><p>Briar has practiced laughter yoga for more than a year and said he has shared his discovery with more than 4,500 people at the daily beachside sessions. It doesn\'t matter if the laughter is forced or fake in the beginning, he said.</p><p>\"Most people think they have to feel good first in order to laugh. But you can start from nothing, you can even start feeling unhappy and just laugh as a form of exercise, and happy feelings follow,\" said Briar, a slight 51-year-old with a perpetual grin, intentionally mismatched Converse sneakers and piercing blue eyes.</p><p><b><strong>Not funny? Fake it<br></strong></b>Briar, who also teaches more traditional yoga, said laughter enhances the breathing exercises that are so important to yoga and creates social interaction that isn\'t found in other styles which focus more on inward concentration.</p><p>\"If you\'re laughing with a group of other people, fake laughter very quickly becomes real,\" he said. \"It\'s part of the social phenomenon.\"</p><p>Numerous scientific studies have found that daily laughter can help lift depression, lower blood pressure and boost the immune system, but yoga and health experts say little has been done to study the combined effects of chuckles and chakras.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><ul><li><a href=\"/id/15818889/\">Does it pay to fight stress with your wallet?</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/15956579/\">Churchgoers breathe easier, study finds</a></li></ul></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>Roger Cole, a San Diego-based certified yoga instructor and Ph.D. in health psychology, said laughter yoga builds on the idea that certain poses can combat depression. But he worries about the forced nature of laughter yoga.</p><p>\"The idea that putting a posture, as it were, on your face - a smile - is an idea that\'s not foreign to yoga,\" Cole said. \"But the whole concept seems pretty contrived and uncomfortable. I think it could work, but there are more tried and true versions out there.\"</p><p><b><strong>Scene from a madhouse<br></strong></b>Back at the beach, Briar\'s daily class looks a lot like a scene from \"One Flew Over the Cuckoo\'s Nest.\"</p><p>Some are bundled in jackets and scarves against the winter chill, and they begin by warming up with trills and chirps as they stretch their arms overhead and rotate their hips.<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#FFFFFF\">&nbsp;Need help laughing?</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#a4abc1\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-right:solid 1px #a4abc1;border-bottom:solid 1px #a4abc1;border-left:solid 1px #a4abc1;background-color:#f3f3f6;\" bgcolor=\"#f3f3f6\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\"><tr><td style=\"padding:10px;\"><font color=\"#000000\"><table><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"3\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" ID=\"Table1\"><tr valign=\"top\"><td><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><font color=\"black\"><a href=\"http://www.joyfulb.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Laughter Yoga Institute at Laguna Beach</a> </font></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><font color=\"black\"><a href=\"http://www.laughteryoga.org/\" target=\"_blank\">Laughter Yoga International</a> </font></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><font color=\"black\"><a href=\"http://www.laughangeles.com/\" target=\"_blank\">American School of Laughter Yoga</a> </font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>Then it\'s on to the really serious stuff: a 45-minute series of light yoga poses interspersed with improv-style exercises that include telling an imaginary joke in gibberish, opening a phantom \"milkshake of happiness,\" playing on an imaginary swing set and scurrying around the beach while flapping and squealing like a seagull.</p><p>The class ends with members lying on their backs on the sand, murmuring in gibberish, chuckling spontaneously and beating their chests and stomachs. Briar\'s only rule is they can\'t use any real words - only nonsense - as they wind down.</p><p>Mercedes Cedillo, 45, attended her first laughter yoga class with a friend this week. At first she was self-conscious as Briar led the group through childish pantomimes, but that all changed by cool-down time.</p><p>\"At the beginning I was like, \'Oh my God. What am I doing? This is very silly,\"\' said Cedillo. \"But then you get connected to the inner child and the things that we normally would get stressed about you can laugh at.\"</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i><em>?2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</em></i></div><br>');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('611','6','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">New moms at risk for range of mental problems</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>Major study finds issues go beyond postpartum depression</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/061205/061205_postpartum2_vmed_2p.vmedium.jpg\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\" alt=\"Image: Mom and baby\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"><font size=\"-2\">Corbis stock</font><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"-1\">Compared to women with no children, new mothers were four times more likely to be hospitalized with mental problems, researchers found.</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceAP.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"><p></p></font><p>CHICAGO - New moms face increased risks for a variety of mental problems, not just postpartum depression, according to one of the largest studies of psychiatric illness after childbirth.</p><p>New dads aren\'t as vulnerable, probably because they don\'t experience the same physical and social changes associated with having a baby, the researchers and other experts said.</p><p>The study, based on medical records of 2.3 million people over a 30-year period in Denmark, found that the first three months after women have their first baby is riskiest, especially the first few weeks. That\'s when the tremendous responsibility of caring for a newborn hits home.</p><p>During the first 10 to 19 days, new mothers were seven times more likely to be hospitalized with some form of mental illness than women with older infants. Compared to women with no children, new mothers were four times more likely to be hospitalized with mental problems.</p><p>New mothers also were more likely than other women to get outpatient psychiatric treatment.</p><p>However, new fathers did not have a higher risk of mental problems when compared with fathers of older infants and men without children.</p><p>The prevalence of mental disorders was about 1 per 1,000 births for women and just .37 per 1,000 births for men.</p><p><b><strong>Beyond postpartum depression<br></strong></b>Mental problems included postpartum depression, but also bipolar disorder, with altering periods of depression and mania; schizophrenia and similar disorders; and adjustment disorders, which can include debilitating anxiety.</p><p>The study underscores a need for psychiatric screening of all new mothers and treatment for those affected, according to an editorial accompanying the study in Wednesday\'s Journal of the American Medical Association.</p><p>\"Mental health is crucial to a mother\'s capacity to function optimally, enjoy relationships, prepare for the infant\'s birth, and cope with the stresses and appreciate the joys of parenthood,\" the editorial says.</p><p>Two of the editorial\'s three authors reported financial ties to the psychiatric drug industry. The study researchers said they had no financial ties to the industry.</p><p>They examined national data on Danish residents from around 1973 to July 2005. About 1.1 million participants became parents during the study.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><ul><li><a href=\"http://www.ppdsupportpage.com/\" target=\"_blank\">Online Support: Postpartum depression</a></li><li><a href=\"http://boards.msn.com/MSNBCboards/thread.aspx?BoardID=759&amp;ThreadID=146000&amp;BoardsParam=HIPDelay%3d1\">Pregnancy Message Board: From here to maternity?/a></li><li><a href=\"/id/16054213/\">Report: And the healthiest U.S. state is...</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/15772952/\">MSNBC Special Report: Stressed Out!</a></li></ul></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>A total of 1,171 mothers and 658 fathers - none diagnosed with any previous mental problems - were hospitalized with a mental disorder after childbirth.</p><p>Lead author Trine Munk-Olsen, a researcher at Denmark\'s University of Aarhus, said similar risks for psychiatric problems likely would affect new parents in other developed nations including the United States. However, differences in screening practices and access to health care might influence whether parents elsewhere are hospitalized, she said.</p><p>Physical changes after childbirth might partly explain why women are vulnerable, including fluctuating hormone levels, Munk-Olsen said. These, alone or combined with sleep deprivation and the demands of breast-feeding could trigger mental problems, she said.</p><p><b><strong>Hard data are scant<br></strong></b>Hard data on the number of women worldwide affected by postpartum mental illness are scant, but postpartum depression alone affects about 15 percent of U.S. women.</p><p>The condition made headlines last year when actress Brooke Shields acknowledged taking antidepressants after her first child was born - and Tom Cruise publicly criticized her for it.</p><p>It also has been cited as a factor in shocking cases of mothers killing their children, including Andrea Yates\' drowning of her five children in Texas in 2001.</p><p>Dr. Nada Stotland, a psychiatry professor at Rush Medical College in Chicago, said gender differences in postpartum mental illness are not surprising.</p><p>Mothers generally bear the brunt of sleep deprivation, and many new mothers are socially isolated or live far from relatives who could provide support, Stotland said.</p><p>She said the study likely will provoke mixed reactions.</p><p>\"There may be people who say, \'My mother raised eight children and she never needed to have mental health care,\' and others will say, \'Finally somebody has noticed just how stressful this is and what people go through,\"\' Stotland said.</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i><em>?2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</em></i></div><br>');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('612','6','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">FDA: Antidepressants risky for young adults</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>Expanded warning of suicidal thoughts proposed for patients ages 18-24</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"20\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><img src=\"/images/icons/video.gif\" width=\"20\" height=\"14\"></td><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#ffffff\">FREE VIDEO</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"1\" style=\"border:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#eeeeee;background-image:url(\'/images/backgrounds/component_grey.gif\');\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#cccccc\" background=\"/images/backgrounds/component_dkgrey.gif\" width=\"100%\"><tr valign=\"top\"><td align=\"middle\"><a href=\"javascript:msnvDwd(\'00\',\'3402b661-9b9f-447c-be00-3e793ce44fe4\',\'us\',\'hotvideo_m_edpicks\',\'\',\'msnbc\',\'\',\'16193189\',\'FDA seeks new antidepressant warning\')\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia4.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Video/061213/n_potts_antidepressants_061213.300w.jpg\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"></a></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td align=\"middle\"><div class=\"scalAd\"><input type=\"button\" class=\"mbox w77\" value=\"Launch\" title=\"Launch\" onmouseover=\"swapbtn(this, 1)\" onmouseout=\"swapbtn(this, 0)\" onclick=\"javascript:msnvDwd(\'00\',\'3402b661-9b9f-447c-be00-3e793ce44fe4\',\'us\',\'hotvideo_m_edpicks\',\'\',\'msnbc\',\'\',\'16193189\',\'FDA seeks new antidepressant warning\')\"></div></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td style=\"padding:10px;\"><font color=\"#000000\"><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font><font class=\"textMedBlackBold\"><a href=\"javascript:msnvDwd(\'00\',\'3402b661-9b9f-447c-be00-3e793ce44fe4\',\'us\',\'hotvideo_m_edpicks\',\'\',\'msnbc\',\'\',\'16193189\',\'FDA seeks new antidepressant warning\')\">FDA seeks new antidepressant warning </a></font><br><font color=\"black\">Dec. 13: Antidepressants increase the risk of suicidal behavior for people up to age 24, the Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday. NBC\'s Tracie Potts reports. </font><p class=\"credit\">NBC News Channel</p></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"><font size=\"-2\"></font><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><div class=\"textMedBlack\">MSNBC News Services</div><p></p></font><p>WASHINGTON - Treatment with antidepressants increases the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior in patients age 24 and younger, according to proposed changes to the drugs\' labels unveiled Wednesday by federal health officials.</p><p>However, mental health experts are worried that additional warnings about the risk of suicides linked to antidepressants could curtail their use and ultimately do more harm than good.</p><p>The proposed changes would expand a warning now on the labels that applies only to children and adolescents treated with the drugs.</p><p>The Food and Drug Administration put forth its plan to update the drug labels early Wednesday at the start of a meeting of outside advisers convened to discuss the proposal. The changes also would include a recommendation that patients of all ages be carefully monitored, especially when beginning antidepressant treatment.</p><p>Adding \"black box\" or other warnings could scare off doctors, parents and patients from the drugs, mental health experts caution. They warn that people with untreated depression - about half of those who suffer from the disease - face an estimated 15 percent greater likelihood of death by suicide.</p><p>\"My concern is that by not simply promoting good standards of care and by putting on a black-box label, the FDA may unwittingly limit further access to care,\" said Dr. Carolyn Robinowitz, president-elect of the American Psychiatric Association.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><ul><li><a href=\"http://boards.msn.com/MSNBCboards/thread.aspx?BoardID=760&amp;ThreadID=150528&amp;BoardsParam=HIPDelay%3d1\">Discuss: Are we overmedicated?</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/16060372/\">Antidepressant suicide risk lessens with age</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/15503920/\">For depression relief, variety of drugs may be needed</a></li></ul></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>However, use of antidepressants continues to grow, with nearly 190 million prescriptions dispensed in the United States last year, according to IMS Health, a health care information company. That suggests doctors have placed more weight on the long-term benefits of the drugs than on any short-term risks, Dr. Thomas Laughren, director of the FDA\'s division of psychiatry products, told panelists.</p><p>The Food and Drug Administration recently completed a mass review of 372 studies involving about 100,000 patients and 11 antidepressants, including Lexapro, Zoloft, Prozac and Paxil. When the results are analyzed by age, it becomes clear there is an elevated risk for suicidal thoughts and behavior among adults 18 to 25 that approaches that seen in children, the FDA said in documents released ahead of Wednesday\'s scheduled meeting of its psychopharmacologic drugs advisory committee.</p><p>The effects of antidepressants on adults from 25 to 64 were mixed, leading the FDA to conclude the drugs had a neutral effect on suicidal behavior for them but possibly lowers the risk of suicidal thoughts. Overall, the risks appear to decline with age and are lessened for seniors, even if the numbers don\'t explain why, the FDA said.</p><p>The FDA analysis will be incorporated in future changes to antidepressant labels, but the agency wants to first discuss its plans with its outside advisers.</p><p>In May, GlaxoSmithKline and the FDA warned Paxil may raise the risk of suicidal behavior in young adults too and changed the drug\'s label to reflect that risk.</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i>The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report</i></div><br><table width=\"100%\" style=\"background-color:#ffffee\" cellPadding=\"2\" cellSpacing=\"0\"><tr><td width=\"50%\"><font size=\"1\"><img src=\"/images/msnbc/print02.gif\" width=\"25\" height=\"20\" align=\"absmiddle\"> <a href=\"javascript:printThis(\'16185848\')\" class=\"linkBlack\">Print this</a></font></td><td><font size=\"1\"><img src=\"/images/msnbc/email02.gif\" width=\"25\" height=\"20\" align=\"absmiddle\"> <a href=\"javascript:emThis(\'16185848\')\" class=\"linkBlack\">Email this</a></font></td></tr></table></td><td width=\"10\"></td></tr></table><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#ffffff\">&nbsp;MORE FROM MENTAL HEALTH</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"1\" style=\"border:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\"><tr valign=\"bottom\"><td style=\"padding:10px;\" width=\"15%\"><a onmouseover=\"swapImage(\'next_links\',\'/images/buttons/next/buttonNextOver.gif\')\" onmouseout=\"swapImage(\'next_links\',\'/images/buttons/next/buttonNext.gif\')\" onmousedown=\"swapImage(\'next_links\',\'/images/buttons/next/buttonNextDown.gif\')\" href=\"/id/16056220/\"><img src=\"/images/buttons/next/buttonNext.gif\" border=\"0\" width=\"53\" height=\"19\" id=\"next_links\"></a></td><td class=\"textMedBlackBold\" style=\"padding:10px;\" width=\"85%\">New moms at risk for?ental problems</td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td style=\"padding:0px;\"><font color=\"#000000\"><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"><tr valign=\"top\"><td width=\"20\"></td><td><font class=\"bulletRedSmall\">. </font><font class=\"headlineList2\"><a class=\"linkBlack\" href=\"/id/16580741/\">Procrastinators, don\'t put off reading this</a></font></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td width=\"20\"></td><td><font class=\"bulletRedSmall\">. </font><font class=\"headlineList2\"><a class=\"linkBlack\" href=\"/id/16469103/\">Got the winter blues? 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INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('613','6','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">Schizophrenia drug wins federal approval</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>Invega adds to treatment options for 2 million Americans with disorder</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceAP.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"><p></p></font><p>WASHINGTON - Johnson &amp; Johnson won federal approval Wednesday for a schizophrenia drug derived from another top-selling anti-psychotic medicine.</p><p>The Food and Drug Administration said Invega will add to the treatment options for the disabling mental disorder, which affects about 2 million Americans.</p><p>It also could add to the bottom line for J&amp;J, which faces the loss of patent protection in December 2007 for the No. 3 anti-psychotic drug, Risperdal. Risperdal, also called risperidone, had $2.3 billion in sales in 2005, according to the pharmaceutical data company IMS Health.</p><p>Confronted with the prospect of competition from generic versions of the drug, the New Brunswick, N.J.-based company seeks a further six months\' patent protection for Risperdal by studying its use in children.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for more health news</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><ul><li><a href=\"/id/16185848/\">FDA: Antidepressants risky for young adults</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/16296772/\">Overweight? Blame the bacteria in your gut</a></li></ul></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>Invega, also called paliperidone, is derived from Risperdal. The body breaks down Risperdal to form paliperidone.</p><p>Unlike Risperdal, Invega will be sold in extended-release tablet form. The company didn\'t disclose the drug\'s cost, saying only that it would be priced competitively with other anti-psychotics.</p><p>Schizophrenia is marked by hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking and movements and cognitive deficits, the FDA said.</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i><em>?2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</em></i></div><br>');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('614','6','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">Psychedelic mushrooms ease OCD symptoms</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>First study of psilocybin since \'70s finds it reduces severe compulsion</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceAP.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"><p></p></font><p>TUCSON, Ariz. - A preliminary study of the active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms has found it is effective in relieving the symptoms of people suffering from severe obsessive compulsive disorder, a University of Arizona psychiatrist reports.</p><p>Dr. Francisco A. Moreno led the first FDA-approved clinical study of psilocybin since it was outlawed in 1970. The results of the small-scale study are published in the latest edition of the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.</p><p>Moreno said the study\'s intent was only to test the safety of administering psilocybin to patients, and its effectiveness is still in doubt until a larger controlled study can be conducted.</p><p>But in each of the nine patients in the study, psilocybin completely removed symptoms of the disorder for a period of about four to 24 hours, with some remaining symptom-free for days, Moreno said.</p><p>\"What we saw acutely was a drastic decrease in symptoms,\" Moreno said. \"The obsessions would really dissolve or reduce drastically for a period of time.\"</p><p>Best known among the drug culture as magic mushrooms, the hallucinogenic fungus remains a popular illicit drug. Although banned by Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970, research into medical uses is allowed.</p><p>The new research does not reflect any change in government policy, said Rogene Waite, a spokeswoman for the Drug Enforcement Administration.</p><p><b><strong>No other treatment eases symptoms faster<br></strong></b>Currently, there is no treatment that eases symptoms of the disorder as fast as psilocybin appears to, Moreno said. Other drugs take several weeks to show an effect, but the psilocybin was almost immediate.</p><p>The drug is not one that could be taken daily, Moreno said, and many questions remain about its use, including if it would be addictive or if patients would develop a tolerance to the drug.</p><p>Moreno hopes to conduct an expanded study that could offer more convincing evidence of its effectiveness.</p><p>\"We\'re very cautious about making too much of the early results,\" Moreno said. \"I don\'t want to characterize it as psychedelics are the way to go. Although it seemed to be safe, this was done in the context of supervision by trained professionals in a medical setting. This is not ready to be used by the public just because nine people tolerated it.\"</p><p>Symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder typically develop in the teen years and can make it difficult hard for patients to lead normal, day-to-day lives.</p><p>The nine patients in the study had a range of compulsions, including fear of being contaminated, elaborate cleaning rituals, tapping or touching rituals and mental rituals. One patient wouldn\'t touch the floor with anything but the soles of his shoes. Others would shower for hours or put on pants over and over again until they felt right.</p><p>\"They know it\'s senseless. They know it doesn\'t do anything for them, but if they don\'t do it they become very distraught and very uncomfortable and have a very difficult time functioning,\" Moreno said.</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i>Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</i></div><br><table width=\"100%\" style=\"background-color:#ffffee\" cellPadding=\"2\" cellSpacing=\"0\"><tr><td width=\"50%\"><font size=\"1\"><img src=\"/images/msnbc/print02.gif\" width=\"25\" height=\"20\" align=\"absmiddle\"> <a href=\"javascript:printThis(\'16304852\')\" class=\"linkBlack\">Print this</a></font></td><td><font size=\"1\"><img src=\"/images/msnbc/email02.gif\" width=\"25\" height=\"20\" align=\"absmiddle\"> <a href=\"javascript:emThis(\'16304852\')\" class=\"linkBlack\">Email this</a></font></td></tr></table></td><td width=\"10\"></td></tr></table><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#ffffff\">&nbsp;MORE FROM MENTAL HEALTH</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"1\" style=\"border:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\"><tr valign=\"bottom\"><td style=\"padding:10px;\" width=\"15%\"><a onmouseover=\"swapImage(\'next_links\',\'/images/buttons/next/buttonNextOver.gif\')\" onmouseout=\"swapImage(\'next_links\',\'/images/buttons/next/buttonNext.gif\')\" onmousedown=\"swapImage(\'next_links\',\'/images/buttons/next/buttonNextDown.gif\')\" href=\"/id/16300182/\"><img src=\"/images/buttons/next/buttonNext.gif\" border=\"0\" width=\"53\" height=\"19\" id=\"next_links\"></a></td><td class=\"textMedBlackBold\" style=\"padding:10px;\" width=\"85%\">Schizophrenia drug wins federal approval</td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td style=\"padding:0px;\"><font color=\"#000000\"><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"><tr valign=\"top\"><td width=\"20\"></td><td><font class=\"bulletRedSmall\">. </font><font class=\"headlineList2\"><a class=\"linkBlack\" href=\"/id/16580741/\">Procrastinators, don\'t put off reading this</a></font></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td width=\"20\"></td><td><font class=\"bulletRedSmall\">. </font><font class=\"headlineList2\"><a class=\"linkBlack\" href=\"/id/16469103/\">Got the winter blues? 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INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('615','6','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">Alone for Christmas? Start your own tradition</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>More of us are living alone, but you can celebrate with your \'chosen family\'</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"20\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><img src=\"/images/icons/video.gif\" width=\"20\" height=\"14\"></td><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#ffffff\">NBC VIDEO</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"1\" style=\"border:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#eeeeee;background-image:url(\'/images/backgrounds/component_grey.gif\');\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#cccccc\" background=\"/images/backgrounds/component_dkgrey.gif\" width=\"100%\"><tr valign=\"top\"><td align=\"middle\"><a href=\"javascript:msnvDwd(\'00\',\'ec4b7f91-ee1a-450d-af24-eec4f2c667f4\',\'us\',\'hotvideo_m_edpicks\',\'\',\'msnbc\',\'\',\'16324850\',\'How to survive Christmas alone\')\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia4.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Video/061222/tdy_brown_alone2_061222.300w.jpg\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"></a></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td align=\"middle\"><div class=\"scalAd\"><input type=\"button\" class=\"mbox w77\" value=\"Launch\" title=\"Launch\" onmouseover=\"swapbtn(this, 1)\" onmouseout=\"swapbtn(this, 0)\" onclick=\"javascript:msnvDwd(\'00\',\'ec4b7f91-ee1a-450d-af24-eec4f2c667f4\',\'us\',\'hotvideo_m_edpicks\',\'\',\'msnbc\',\'\',\'16324850\',\'How to survive Christmas alone\')\"></div></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td style=\"padding:10px;\"><font color=\"#000000\"><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font><font class=\"textMedBlackBold\"><a href=\"javascript:msnvDwd(\'00\',\'ec4b7f91-ee1a-450d-af24-eec4f2c667f4\',\'us\',\'hotvideo_m_edpicks\',\'\',\'msnbc\',\'\',\'16324850\',\'How to survive Christmas alone\')\">How to survive Christmas alone</a></font><br><font color=\"black\">Dec. 22: TODAY\'s Campbell Brown talks with Dr. Gail Saltz, a psychiatrist and show contributor, about how you can make the most of the holidays if you\'re not spending it with friends and family members.</font><p class=\"credit\">Today Relationship</p></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"><font size=\"-2\"></font><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><div class=\"textMedBlackBold\" style=\"padding-top:10px;\">By By Douglas J. Rowe</div><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceAP.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"><p></p></font><p>NEW YORK - When Aunt Sarah died, so did a longtime holiday tradition. No longer would I have a place to go for Christmas Eve in South Philly with the Sicilian-American clan in which I grew up.</p><p>Without any surviving close family, I looked forward to a lonely season in New York - until I realized how many other urban transplants there were. Why not be the Italian Mamarelle for those who couldn\'t get back to the folks?</p><p>This year marks my seventh annual Christmas Eve bash, proving you can have happy holidays without family.</p><p>\"Our closest friends are our chosen family,\" observes Paul Siegel, an assistant professor of clinical psychology at the State University of New York/Purchase.</p><p>Particularly in cities, he says, \"connections ground us. So if you are unable to spend the holidays this year with family members, do whatever you can to create a sense of connectedness to others in your life.\"</p><p>More and more people seem to be on their own these days. Census figures show that one-fourth of the nation\'s households - 27.2 million of them - now consist of one person, compared to just 10 percent in 1950. For that matter, the average American has only two close friends in whom to confide - down from three in 1985, according to an authoritative sociological study released in June. Nearly a quarter have no confidant at all.</p><p>The holidays can be particularly hard on those who have suffered the death of loved ones, divorce, empty nests or relocation. There also are those who do have family but would rather not see them; for them too, it can be a lonely season.</p><p>So it\'s been good to see 15 to 30 people at my Christmas gathering each year. And stragglers are more than welcome.</p><p>Co-workers appreciate having someplace to go and gratefully call it my \"Orphan Christmas.\" Neighbors are glad to get out of the house. Non-Christian friends have an excuse to party.</p><p>Sure, Christmas carols waft out of the stereo, but eventually Prince, Green Day, Talking Heads or the Oliver Nelson Sextet will take over. The perpetually burning yule log - an old New York tradition recently revived by a cable channel - burns on the TV screen. Who said my place didn\'t come with a fireplace!?</p><p><b><strong>Redefining tradition<br></strong></b>Tradition is important in defining ourselves and our values, but so is adapting as circumstances change, says Purdue University cultural anthropologist Andrew Buckser.</p><p>\"Holiday rituals are really a kind of play, and everyone is always rewriting the script,\" he says. \"Each of us is our own character, and we each have something we want to say.\"</p><p>Re-thinking expectations - and letting go of the goal of a picture-perfect holiday - can relieve the pressure on those who find themselves without family, says another expert, Kansas State University professor Charlotte Shoup Olsen, who specializes in family issues.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><ul><li><a href=\"http://boards.msn.com/MSNBCboards/thread.aspx?ThreadID=156256\">Discuss: Far from family? How do you cope with holidays?</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/16330362/\">Virtual dinners join elderly with far-away family</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/16302137/\">Church services address \'Blue Christmas\' depression</a></li></ul></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>\"If there ever was a time to look beyond the box, this is it,\" she says.</p><p>The key, she says, is keeping plans simple.</p><p>That\'s what I do: buy plenty of booze and 6-foot hoagies; a monster pan of lasagna; antipasto; and various cheeses, olives and other noshes. Some people bring cookies and pastries.</p><p><b><strong>Cooking together<br></strong></b>Another option is potluck, says Lehigh University professor Nicola Tannenbaum, who studies the cultural significance of food and eating. She suggests serving \"comfort foods, but what these are depends on the people involved, their ethnic backgrounds and their experiences.\"</p><p>Potluck lets everybody bring what\'s right for them.</p><p>Or you could invite people over to make soup, or anything that requires several pairs of hands.</p><p>\"Actually, working together to prepare food is a way to draw in new people who may not have much in common beyond the fact that they have nowhere else to go,\" Tannenbaum says.</p><p>On Christmas Eve, there isn\'t the mammoth mandate to have fun - or the mournful introspection - that can make New Year\'s Eve oppressive.</p><p>Which reminds me: I still miss getting to Philadelphia for the Mummers Parade on New Year\'s Day. There\'s no substitute for that.</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i><em>?2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</em></i></div><br>');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('616','6','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">Spiders? Heights? Find out what scares us most</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>Millions grapple with serious phobias, anxiety disorders that can be treated</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><div class=\"textMedBlackBold\" style=\"padding-top:10px;\">By By Allison Van Dusen</div><a href=\"http://www.forbes.com/home/index.html?partner=msnbc\"><a href=\"http://www.forbes.com/home/index.html?partner=msnbc\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/Local/sourceForbes.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"></a></a><p></p></font><p>We all like to think we\'re unique. But when it comes to our fears, we\'re anything but. </p><p>Snakes, spiders and heights are all it takes to send many of us cowering in the corner. Public speaking might as well be called public sweating. </p><p>Some fears are just universal, but they don\'t have to be misunderstood. Most are evolutionary, experts say, and develop as a response to situations thought to cause harm, such as a poisonous bite, or, in the case of a closed space, those that make us vulnerable to a predator. And if they aren\'t innate, we can easily pick them up from our parents or by watching a frightening experience, such as a near-drowning.</p><p>\"They all have some potential threat of danger,\" says Jerilyn Ross, president and CEO of the national nonprofit organization the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. \"The higher the person\'s perceived threat of danger, the more frightened the person will be.\"</p><p>Fortunately, for the majority of the population, these responses are normal and oftentimes useful.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><p><a href=\"http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/2006/12/13/most-common-fears-forbeslife-cx_avd_1214commonfears_slide_2.html?partner=msnbc\" target=\"_blank\">Slideshow: Our 9 most common fears</a></p></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>Children, for instance, may retreat from a high ledge because they sense they could get hurt. Fear of public speaking, which can bring even the toughest prosecutor to his knees, stems from the concern that he\'ll be judged and seen as inadequate, unattractive and dumb. As a result, he may spend more time preparing to make sure his presentation goes smoothly.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#FFFFFF\">&nbsp;More health news from Forbes</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#a4abc1\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-right:solid 1px #a4abc1;border-bottom:solid 1px #a4abc1;border-left:solid 1px #a4abc1;background-color:#f3f3f6;\" bgcolor=\"#f3f3f6\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\"><tr><td style=\"padding:10px;\"><font color=\"#000000\"><table><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"3\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" ID=\"Table1\"><tr valign=\"top\"><td><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><font color=\"black\"><a href=\"http://www.forbes.com/2006/12/05/leadership-health-sex-lead-innovation-cx_tw_1205sex_slide2_2.html?partner=msnbc\" target=\"_blank\">A diet for better sex</a></font></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><font color=\"black\"><a href=\"http://www.forbes.com/2006/06/29/cx_sy_0630featslide.html?partner=msnbc\" target=\"_blank\">Hottest fitness trends</a></font></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><font color=\"black\"><a href=\"http://www.forbes.com/2006/12/05/leadership-health-sex-lead-innovation-cx_tw_1205aphrodisiacs_slide_2.html?partner=msnbc\" target=\"_blank\">10 aphrodisiacs that really work</a></font></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><font color=\"black\"><a href=\"http://www.forbes.com/2006/10/24/life_health_cx_ad_1025featslide.html?partner=msnbc\" target=\"_blank\">How to ease up on your body</a></font></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><font color=\"black\"><a href=\"http://www.forbes.com/2005/08/30/cx_sy_0831featslide.html?partner=msnbc\" target=\"_blank\">The worst things you can do to your body</a></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>But others, who experience irrational or excessive reactions to feared objects or situations known as phobias, deal with an entirely different brand of dread. </p><p><b><strong>Anxiety disorders on the rise</strong></b><br>Ross herself once had a phobia of heights, which for years wouldn\'t allow her to go above the 10th floor of her workplace, despite the fact that she was an avid skier. Phobias, she says, can come out of the blue. A person may have a panic attack while driving across a bridge, suddenly feeling an overwhelming sense of impending doom, rapid heart beats, the sweats, trembling and chest pain. The fear of another attack can make him or her go to great lengths to steer clear of bridges, or whatever circumstance triggered the reaction in the first place.</p><p>According to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, 19 million people have specific phobias, such as crossing bridges or tunnels; 15 million have a social phobia, e.g., public speaking; and 2 million have agoraphobia, when sufferers avoid places where they previously had a panic attack. Those who have one phobia likely have others too.</p><p>The bad news is that more of us are experiencing these kinds of anxiety disorders, says Robert Leahy, president of the International Association for Cognitive Psychotherapy and director of the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy. In his upcoming book tentatively titled Anxiety Free, Leahy discusses how we came to live in the \"age of anxiety.\" The average child today, he says, has the same level of anxiety as the average psychiatric patient in the 1950s. </p><p>Much of the rise in anxiety is related to people feeling their connections with others are less stable - there\'s been an increase in divorce, fewer people are getting married and they\'re less engaged in their churches, synagogues and local institutions such as the PTA. Surveys show that while many Americans\' lives are improving in every material way, their expectations for happiness are also rising and they feel less satisfied. Acts of terrorism, despite the low odds of actually being affected by one, have made walking through airport security and riding the subway in a major city more stressful. </p><p><b><strong>Treatment possibilities exist</strong></b><br>But don\'t get too depressed. According to experts, major anxiety problems are treatable. </p><p>For phobias, that primarily means cognitive behavioral therapy. It involves helping people face their fears and overcome them, says Dr. Brian Doyle, clinical professor of psychiatry and of family and community medicine at Georgetown University Medical School. By confronting the feared object or situation in a gradual way, people learn to control their reactions. Because certain situations are difficult to access or recreate, some psychologists are even using virtual reality as an aid.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><ul><li><a href=\"/id/16330373/\">Vote: What scares you most?</a></li><li><a href=\"http://boards.msn.com/MSNBCboards/thread.aspx?ThreadID=156273\">Discuss: How do you cope with your fears?</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/16185231/\">Feeling no pain not the blessing it seems</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/16185848/\">Antidepressants risky for young adults</a></li></ul></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>Doyle, who often works collaboratively with psychologists to treat patients, says there are a few different groups of medications, such as beta-blockers, benzodiazepines and SSRIs that can calm the body or provide short-term relief of anxiety too.</p><p>Though not a cure, therapy can help people live normal lives again. But It isn\'t easy, says Barbara Rothbaum, a professor in psychiatry and director of the Trauma and Anxiety Recovery Program at the Emory University School of Medicine.</p><p>\"Being scared of something,\" she says, \"and doing it anyway to get over it - (that) takes courage.\"</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i><em>?2007 Forbes.com</em></i></div><br>');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('617','6','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">Brazilians transfixed by recent anorexia deaths</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>Fourth death in just two months feeds morbid fascination across nation</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia4.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/061227/061227_anorexia_vmed_11a.vmedium.jpg\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\" alt=\"Image: Ana Carolina Reston\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"><font size=\"-2\">Eugenio Savio / AP file</font><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"-1\">Brazilian model Ana Carolina Reston, shown participating in a?ashion show in April 2005, died on Nov. 14. The?1-year-old anorexic model reportedly weighed just?8 pounds. </font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceAP.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"><p></p></font><p>RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil  - The struggle for food has long been a drama for millions of impoverished Brazilians. But these days the nation is transfixed by another sort of starvation: anorexia among the successful and well off.</p><p>The deaths of four young women in recent weeks from anorexia - a disorder characterized by an abnormal fear of becoming obese, an aversion to food and severe weight loss - have been splashed across the front pages of newspapers nationwide.</p><p>The subject has become a morbid fascination for Brazilians, and is even the theme of a popular TV soap opera. It has also touched off a debate within Brazil\'s fashion industry that has long presented the rail-thin model as the paragon of female beauty.</p><p>The most recent victim was Beatriz Cristina Ferraz Lopes Bastos, a 23-year-old teacher whose death Sunday at a hospital in Jau, 200 miles northeast of Sao Paulo, was reported by national television news programs.</p><p>Local media reports said she was 5 feet, 2 inches tall and weighed just 77 pounds.</p><p>\"Another victim of anorexia,\" the newspaper Globo said on its Web site Tuesday, alongside a glamorous photo of the blonde Bastos, who was also a skilled pianist, amateur historian and author of a literature column for a hometown Web site.</p><p>The newspaper Folha de S. Paulo reported she described herself as \"thin\" on an Internet discussion group and friends said they had to \"fight with her to eat.\" A former boyfriend, Leandro Murgo, told reporters Bastos was a chubby teenager and became fixated on losing weight.</p><p>Anorexia became big news in Brazil last month with the death of 21-year-old Ana Carolina Reston, a successful model who died of generalized infection caused by anorexia nervosa. She reportedly carried just 88 pounds on her 5-foot-8 frame.</p><p>\"Take care for your children because their loss is irreparable,\" Reston\'s mother, Miriam, told Globo after her death. \"Nothing can make the pain go away. No money in the world is worth the life of your child.\"</p><p>Two days later, on Nov. 16, college student Carla Sobrado Casalle, 21, died in the southeastern city of Araraquara, also with symptoms linked to anorexia. She was just under 5-foot-9 and weighed 99 pounds. A third anorexia victim died later in the month.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><ul><li><a href=\"/id/16305016/\">Millions grapple with phobias, anxiety disorders</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/16037008/\">Young age no barrier to anorexia</a></li></ul></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>Eating disorders are also a daily subject for viewers of the prime-time soap opera \"The Pages of Our Lives,\" in which a 15-year-old ballet dancer suffers from bulimia, secretly making herself vomit after eating to keep her weight down.</p><p>Death and illness from malnourishment is not uncommon in this nation of 185 million people, where 26.5 million must survive on the minimum wage of $160 a month or less. According to the IBGE Census Institute, at least 8 percent of Brazilians are underweight.</p><p>As it has in other countries, the attention on eating disorders is renewing pressures on Brazil\'s fashion industry, whose officials insist they do not urge models to starve themselves to attain an \"ideal\" body.</p><p>They noted a fashion show in Sao Paulo already had said it would bar models under age 16 as part of a national effort to raise awareness about eating disorders.</p><p>\"In Paris and Milan, models under 16 years can\'t participate in these types of events,\" said Paula Marini, a spokeswoman for the Ford Models agency. \"In Brazil, this is a new procedure.\"</p><p>Europeans also have stepped up their attention to the sometimes unhealthy aspects of fashionable looks. Organizers of Madrid\'s Fashion Week, for instance, announced in September that they were banning overly thin models.</p><p>Organizers of Sao Paulo Fashion Week, held every year in late January, added the minimum-age requirement to a previous rule requiring that agencies present a signed medical certificate attesting that their models are in good health.</p><p>\"Beauty and fashion is about health in the first place,\" the creative director of Sao Paulo Fashion Week, Paulo Borges, said in a statement in July.</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i><em>?2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</em></i></div><br>');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('618','6','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">Physical abuse leads to adult depression</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>Affected children have increased risk of major psychological problems</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><a href=\"http://www.reuters.com/\"><a href=\"http://www.reuters.com/\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceReuters.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"></a></a><p></p></font><p>CHICAGO - Physically abused and neglected children are much more likely to grow into severely depressed adults, a finding that researchers said Monday points to an urgent need to test abused children for depression early on.</p><p>Physically abused children have a 59 percent increased risk of lifetime major depression compared with similar children who were not abused, said the study in this month\'s issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.</p><p>Earlier studies had linked childhood abuse with serious depression but researchers said this study is the first to show that depression is a consequence of the abuse.</p><p>\"These results underscore the need to detect and treat the long-term psychological (effects) of childhood neglect,\" wrote lead researcher Cathy Spatz Widom, who was with the New Jersey Medical School in Newark when she worked on the study.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><p><a href=\"/id/16185848/\">FDA: Antidepressants risky for young adults</a></p></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>Researchers compared about 680 children who were abused and neglected before the age of 11 with 520 children of similar age, race, sex, and social status. Both groups were followed into young adulthood, up to an average age of 29.</p><p>Children who were physically abused, neglected or both had as much as a 75 percent higher risk of suffering major depression as adults.</p><p>\"In addition, these findings reveal that onset of depression began in childhood for many of the children,\" the report said.</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i><em>Copyright 2006 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.</em></i></div><br>');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('619','6','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">Got the winter blues? Dawn simulator may help</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>Study: Bedside device, negative air ionization can ease seasonal depression</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><a href=\"http://www.reuters.com/\"><a href=\"http://www.reuters.com/\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceReuters.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"></a></a><p></p></font><p>NEW YORK - For people who suffer from winter depression triggered largely by reduced sunlight, a bedside device that simulates the rising of the sun may provide relief, a study shows. \"Negative air ionization,\" also delivered at the bedside, seems to be effective as well.</p><p>\"Dawn simulation and negative air ionization are two naturalistic, non-pharmaceutical environmental enhancements now verified superior to placebo and remarkably effective in the treatment of winter depression,\" Dr. Michael Terman told Reuters Health.</p><p>In the study, dawn simulation and negative air ionization, both activated toward the end of sleep, proved to be as effective as bright light therapy after waking up - an established treatment for winter depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder or SAD.</p><p>With bright light therapy, SAD sufferers sit at a bright light box for 30 minutes at breakfast time. Dawn simulation and negative air ionization are more convenient, being delivered automatically and innocuously during the final hours of sleep by an apparatus placed next to the bed.</p><p>In their study, Dr. Michael Terman and Dr. Jiuan Su Terman of Columbia University in New York randomly assigned 99 adults with SAD to one of five treatments: dawn simulation equivalent to May in northern temperate latitudes; a brief dawn \"pulse\"; bright light after waking; high flow rate negative air ionization; or low flow rate ionization.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><ul><li><a href=\"/id/13281682/\">First drug approved to beat winter depression</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/10776265/\">Top 10 places to beat the winter blues</a></li></ul></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>Full dawn simulation, high negative air ionization, and bright light therapy proved roughly equal in terms of improvement in symptoms of SAD, the investigators report in the American Journal of Psychiatry.</p><p>Improvement was seen in 57 percent of subjects in the bright light therapy, 50 percent of those in the dawn simulation group and 48 percent in the high air ionization group. By contrast, improvement was seen in just 23 percent of those who got low ionization and in 43 percent of subjects in the sunrise pulse group.</p><p>Although the sunrise pulse treatment was \"therapeutically active\" in some patients, it led to the persistence, emergence and exacerbation of depressive symptoms, making it an \"unfavorable option,\" the Termans write.</p><p>Summing up, Michael Terman said while morning bright light therapy \"remains the first-line intervention for SAD, with thousands of successes and satisfied patients,\" dawn simulation and negative air ionization may also be considered as options.</p><p>If you think you may suffer from winter depression, Terman suggests, as a first step, completing the Personalized Inventory for Depression and SAD survey, a free and confidential online self-assessment questionnaire posted on the nonprofit website of the <a href=\"http://www.cet.org/\">Center for Environmental Therapeutics</a>.</p><p>The site also includes more detailed description of light and ion therapy.</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i><em>Copyright 2006 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.</em></i></div><br>');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('620','6','\n\n\n	 <p>She always came on time to our sessions, even in the thick of a Boston blizzard. She always wore the best clothing her hardscrabble life in ?he projects?permitted her. And after each session, she would place a small bag of her homemade cookies on my desk, leaving with a shy smile that flickered with pride. </p> \n<div id=\"articleInline\">\n<div id=\"inlineBox\"><a href=\"#secondParagraph\" class=\"jumpLink\">Skip to next paragraph</a>\n  \n   \n<div class=\"image\">\n<div class=\"enlargeThis\"><a href=\"javascript:pop_me_up2(\'http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2007/01/01/science/02case_ready.html\', \'02case_ready\', \'width=627,height=600,scrollbars=yes,toolbars=no,resizable=yes\')\">Enlarge This Image</a></div>\n<a href=\"javascript:pop_me_up2(\'http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2007/01/01/science/02case_ready.html\', \'02case_ready\', \'width=627,height=600,scrollbars=yes,toolbars=no,resizable=yes\')\">\n<IMG src=\"http://graphics.nytimes.com/images/2007/01/01/science/cases.190.1.jpg\" width=\"190\" height=\"154\" alt=\"\" border=\"0\">\n</a>\n<div class=\"credit\">Annemarie Waugh</div>\n<p class=\"caption\">\n</p>\n</div>\n  \n<div id=\"inlineReadersOpinion\">\n<h4>Readers&#8217; Opinions</h4>\n<div class=\"story\">\n<h2>\n<a href=\"http://forums.nytimes.com/top/opinion/readersopinions/forums/health/mentalhealthandtreatment/index.html?page=recent\">Forum: Mental Health and Treatment</a>\n</h2>\n<p class=\"summary\"></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n   \n</div>\n</div><a name=\"secondParagraph\"></a>\n <p>My intake evaluation read, ?djustment disorder with depressed mood, rule out major <a href=\"http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/depression/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier\" title=\"Recent and archival health news about depression.\">depression</a>,?but the language of diagnosis sometimes slights the burdens of life. Her husband was distant, uncaring, probably abusive. She had a ne?r-do-well son with a nasty drug problem, who periodically ?rashed?at her apartment in various states of intoxication. Most of my patient? time was spent trying to make ends meet and avoiding the dangers of home and neighborhood. </p><p>Although I prescribed an antidepressant, most of our work involved supportive psychotherapy: basically, shoring up the patient? battered defenses and teaching her new ways of coping with old problems. It? not the kind of work that <a href=\"http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/f/sigmund_freud/index.html?inline=nyt-per\" title=\"More articles about Sigmund Freud.\">Freud</a> made famous, but it? what many patients need. And in contrast to psychoanalytic forms of therapy, fancy interpretations are usually kept to a minimum ?which brings me back to the cookies. </p><p>Gifts of any kind from a patient pose a problem for psychiatrists and other <a href=\"http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/mentalhealthanddisorders/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier\" title=\"Recent and archival health news about mental health and disorders.\">mental health</a> professionals ?something we refer to as a ?oundary issue.?The public usually reads about such problems when much more dangerous borders are crossed, like when a therapist becomes sexually involved with a patient. </p><p>But psychotherapy is rarely the stuff of banner headlines. Most of the time, our work with patients is fraught with more mundane questions, ranging from what you should say if you accidentally step on a patient? toe (?xcuse me, I? very sorry!?is my usual line) to whether putting a hand on a patient? shoulder is ever appropriate (it sometimes is, if it is done to comfort  her). </p><p>These subtleties may be less attended to in today? managed-care climate, with its infamous 15-minute sessions to check medications.  Fifteen minutes is usually how long it would take for my patients to start speaking. But therapists who carry on the psychoanalytic tradition of the 50-minute hour  know that respecting the subtle boundaries of treatment remains the cornerstone of competent care. </p><p>Psychiatrists are routinely waved away from accepting lavish gifts  ?an expensive watch, say, or a Gucci handbag ?and we are trained to examine the underlying issues that might be driving patients?needs to give us such gifts. Does the patient feel that his work with the therapist is not good enough ?that it must be supplemented by ritual offerings? Does the patient believe that by offering gifts to the therapist, she  will avoid being scolded or abandoned? </p><p>I wasn? sure what to say to my patient about the cookies, besides my usual ?hank you very much.?</p><p>At the end of a long and wearying day, I found something comforting in those moist, chewy morsels. And truth be told, both my wife and I enjoyed them. Maybe I had a vested interest in keeping a good thing going ?was that why I didn? explore the underlying meaning of the gesture? </p><p>Then again, as Freud might say, sometimes a gift is just a gift. Sometimes a patient simply wants to express gratitude for the therapist? help, and does not want the gesture analyzed to death. </p><p>?e is a good man who can receive a gift well,?Emerson writes in a  famous essay. He compares gift-giving to the flowing of one soul into another. </p><p>?hen the waters are at level, then my goods pass to him, and his to me,?he writes.</p><p> A true gift, in short, is an intermingling of respect and affection between equals. Patients often enter psychotherapy feeling more like a swamp than a rolling river. As they improve, they may feel ready to present themselves as the therapist? equals ?or at least, as ones who are no longer supplicants. The therapist needs to know when to interpret a gift, and when simply to let the level waters flow.</p><p>My patient had not initiated her gift-giving until she had started to feel better, and I felt this was a clue of some kind. Interpreting her ritual might have left my patient wondering: ?s there something wrong with what I? doing? Is my gift not good enough??/p><p>Doctors are sometimes chastised for presuming to tell a patient? story. In reality, it is our own stories we tell: how we missed a diagnosis, or got one right; how we failed a patient, or helped her recover a piece of her life.</p><p> It? been more than a decade since my work with the patient who brought me cookies, and I? able to hear her now in ways I never could back then. I hear her telling me that though her life is hard and bitter, she can still thank me with something soft and sweet. </p><NYT_UPDATE_BOTTOM>\n</NYT_UPDATE_BOTTOM>\n');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('621','6','\n\n\n	 <p>FOR those who have failed in a decade or three? worth of New Year? resolutions to become  better workers, spouses, parents, athletes or lovers, there is a new frontier in personal growth ?or at least a proliferation of products, mostly hawked over the Internet, that promise to help turn the last bit of untrammeled downtime (sleep) into an opportunity for improvement. </p>      <p>New health products have emerged, often from the margins of commerce. Old self-help approaches like subliminal ?leep learning?have evolved and found new life on the Web.</p><p>?hile you sleep!?has become an Internet marketing catchphrase. The idea plays on two classic, if contradictory, American impulses: the desire to get ahead, and the compulsion to avoid the slightest expenditure of effort.</p><p> There are <a href=\"http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/diet/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier\" title=\"Recent and archival health news about diet and nutrition.\">diet</a> pills sold under names like Lose and Snooze and Sleep ? Slim, which contain collagen and  which the makers say can help maximize the body? metabolism. There are foot pads from Japan that look like tea bags and promise to drain toxins and restore energy while you sleep. </p><p>On one Web site, <a href=\"http://hypnotictapes.com\" target=\"_\">hypnotictapes.com</a>, besides recordings designed to improve public speaking or break addiction to alcohol or heroin, there are programs promising to help you, at least partly while sleeping, ?vercome Fear of Clowns?and ?aster the Bagpipes.?</p><p>?he grow-yourself revolution started in the ?0s,?said David Allen, a productivity consultant who wrote  ?etting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity?(Viking, 2001), and it ?s the one industry that has never faltered in the last 40 years. All they have done is give you more clever ways of getting it without having to give anything.?</p><p>Products marketed for nocturnal self-transformation often target outward appearance. Ortho-K contact lenses, which reshape the cornea to correct vision and are typically worn only at night, have been approved by the <a href=\"http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/f/food_and_drug_administration/index.html?inline=nyt-org\" title=\"More articles about the U.S. Food And Drug Administration.\">Food and Drug Administration</a>. But the claims of many other products are more nebulous. </p><p>Nancy Clark, a registered dietician and the author of the best-selling ?ancy Clark? Sports Nutrition Guidebook?(Human Kinetics, 2003), said that she had never heard of collagen ?the supposed magic bullet in some nocturnal diet pills ?used as a weight-loss aid. ?f it were true,?she said, ?t would be front-page news.?</p><p>The products with perhaps the broadest potential  market, and often the most extravagant promises, are designed for so-called sleep learning. Professionals who think the boss has been a little slow with that promotion ?and who have left their skepticism in their other briefcase ?can try to kick-start their careers with the Wealth & Success Power Affirmations subliminal program (?tart advertising to your own mind?. Sold through <a href=\"http://sleeplearning.com\" target=\"_\">sleeplearning.com</a>, it can be played through stereo pillow speakers available on the same Web site for $29.95.</p><p>Not everyone selling self-improvement while sleeping promises overnight miracles. James Schmelter, a certified hypnotherapist who runs hypnotictapes.com out of San Francisco, said sleep learning on its own is often of only marginal benefit, which is why it is only one of four elements in his hypnosis-at-home programs, many of which he records individually for customers and sells for $98. The other three parts of the program are to be listened to awake. </p><p>Hypnosis is generally accepted  as a legitimate technique to facilitate other forms of treatment, like cognitive behavior therapy, said Guy H. Montgomery, a clinical psychologist at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in Manhattan. </p><p>But unlike the hypnotized brain, which is receptive to spoken suggestions, the sleeping brain is not so suggestible, said Dr. Michael J. Sateia,  the head of the <a href=\"http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/sleep/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier\" title=\"Recent and archival health news about sleep.\">sleep disorders</a> program at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. ?enerally,?he explained, ?leep is considered to be a state of being relatively ?ffline,?as it were, with respect to extrasensory input.?/p><p>Sleep learning is a self-empowerment concept that dates back at least to Aldous Huxley? ?rave New World,?published in 1932,  but for most of the intervening years it could be found mainly on cassette programs tucked away on self-help shelves in bookstores alongside volumes on astral projection. That all changed with the Internet. </p><p>Marc VanDeKeere, for example, is one  seller of sleep-learning self-improvement products who said he has noted  a spike in business in recent years. Mr. VanDeKeere, a hypnotherapist who operates the Web site <a href=\"http://brainwave-entrainment.com\" target=\"_\">brainwave-entrainment.com</a>, said he had seen sales of subliminal problem-solving and meditation products, which he recommends that customers use while sleeping, increase by a third  in  the last few years. And he proudly points to 17,000 positive feedback responses for his products on eBay. ?ifteen years ago,?he said, ?obody would be able to find these products.?</p><p>Eldon Taylor, the founder of Progressive Awareness Research, a company in Medical Lake, Wash., that has marketed a line of hypnosis CDs to be used awake and asleep under the InnerTalk brand since 1984, said demand has grown noticeably in the last five years. He attributes that growth  in part to economic anxieties that have increased people? desire to wring productivity out of the wee hours. </p><p>?ow many times do people change jobs??asked Mr. Taylor, whose Web site, <a href=\"http://innertalk.com\" target=\"_\">innertalk.com</a>, offers CDs titled ?xcel in Exams?and ?atural Breast Enlargement.?</p><p>?e live in a society full of more information than we can absorb,?he said, ?ut we?e required to absorb it, because if we don? absorb it, we fall out?of the race. </p><p>This apparent renewed interest in learning while snoozing comes at a time of increased academic research into the topic. Last year, for example, researchers at the University of L?eck in Germany found that gently stimulating the brain during sleep with an electrical current at a certain frequency improved the ability of  test subjects to remember a string of words they had learned before a nap.</p><p> Still, Dr. Jerome M. Siegel, a professor of psychiatry at the Center for Sleep Research at the <a href=\"http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/u/university_of_california/index.html?inline=nyt-org\" title=\"More articles about the University of California.\">University of California</a>, Los Angeles, said that most research he has seen indicates that subliminal sleep learning is of little or no value because ?he sound had to actually wake you before you would benefit.?Dr. Siegel recalled rigging a speaker system under his own pillow in junior high school in a failed effort to learn French. ?ven when you?e sleepy, but not asleep,?he added, ?ou don? learn very well.?</p><p>A study in 1992 by the British Psychological Society dismissed the concept of sleep learning, finding that it can ?nly occur if the sleeping person is partly awakened by the message.?But such findings did not kill off interest in the concept and its seductive, something-for-nothing allure. </p><p>For Candace Kinsella, a retired nurse in Largo, Fla., who wanted to reduce by  a few sizes, diet pills were not enough, so she turned to a weight-loss sleep program that is not subliminal, but consists of spoken messages like ?at more vegetables,?she said. Despite the potential distraction of someone talking while you?e trying to sleep, she said the program, which is sold on the Web site <a href=\"http://robert-egby.com\" target=\"_\">robert-egby.com</a>, is relaxing. ?t? like going to sleep with the TV on,?she said. </p><p> She credits it with helping her lose 50 pounds over one year, starting from a weight of 345, simply by providing constant reminders to go to the gym, drink water instead of soda and eat better. ?ll of this <span class=\"italic\">augments</span>?a commitment during waking hours to healthy living, she explained.</p><p>Then again, the typical middle-aged American gets as little as 6.1 hours of sleep a night, according to a recent <a href=\"http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/u/university_of_chicago/index.html?inline=nyt-org\" title=\"More articles about University of Chicago\">University of Chicago</a> study, instead of the commonly accepted optimum of eight. So people who fail to transform themselves suitably during the wee hours can always fall back on using their sleep to obtain one thing that doctors believe is crucial to a life of happiness and productivity: rest. </p><NYT_UPDATE_BOTTOM>\n</NYT_UPDATE_BOTTOM>\n');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('622','6','\n\n\n	 <p> MAYBE some people are more hard-wired for heroism than others. Like, for example, Wesley Autrey, the man behind a stunning rescue last week in a Manhattan subway station.</p> \n<div id=\"articleInline\">\n<div id=\"inlineBox\"><a href=\"#secondParagraph\" class=\"jumpLink\">Skip to next paragraph</a>\n  \n   \n<div class=\"image\">\n<IMG src=\"http://graphics.nytimes.com/images/2007/01/07/weekinreview/07buckley.190.jpg\" width=\"190\" height=\"260\" alt=\"\" border=\"0\">\n<div class=\"credit\">John Marshall Mantel for The New York Times</div>\n<p class=\"caption\">\n<strong>SOMETHING EXTRA?</strong> Wesley Autrey put his life on the line (and that&#146;s literally) for a stranger. \n</p>\n</div>\n  \n<div id=\"sidebarArticles\">\n<h4>Related</h4>\n<h2><a href=\"http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/03/nyregion/03life.html\" target=\"_0\">Man Is Rescued by Stranger on Subway Tracks</a> (January 3, 2007)</h2> \n</div>\n   \n</div>\n</div><a name=\"secondParagraph\"></a>\n <p> People wondered, because they had asked themselves, ?ould I have done what he did??and very often the answer was no. Mr. Autrey, 50, a construction worker and Navy veteran, leapt in front of a train to rescue a stranger who had suffered a seizure and fallen onto the tracks. He covered the stranger? body with his own as the train passed overhead. Both men lived.</p><p> Mr. Autrey, who left two young daughters on the platform when he jumped, later chalked up his actions to a simple compulsion to help another in distress.</p><p>But is there something in Mr. Autrey that the rest of us lack? Probably not, experts say. Except for sociopaths, humans are built to feel and act out of empathy, said Stephen G. Post, a professor of bioethics at Case Western Reserve University? medical school and co-author of ?hy Good Things Happen to Good People,?scheduled to be published in May. Social support has always been important to survival, and people with strong social networks thrive more than those who are isolated. </p><p>New science also suggests that people have ?irror neurons,?which make them feel what someone else is experiencing, be it joy or distress.</p><p>When Mr. Autrey saw the stranger, Cameron Hollopeter, 20, tumble onto the tracks, his brain reacted just as anyone else? would. His thalamus, which absorbs sensory information, registered the fall, and sent the information to other parts of the brain for processing, said Gregory L. Fricchione, an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Mr. Autrey? amygdala, the part of the brain that mediates fear responses, was activated and sent sensory information to the motor cortex, which sent it down for emotional processing.  His anterior cingulate, a sort of brain within the brain that helps people make choices,  kicked in, helping  trigger his decision about  how to act, Dr. Fricchione said.</p><p>But what happened next is harder to explain.</p><p>?ropensities to help others are not necessarily based on rational calculations; in fact, they often cannot be, because rational calculations would have been too slow in this particular case,?David Sloan Wilson, an evolutionary biologist at the State University of New York at Binghamton, wrote in an e-mail message. ?nstead, they become impulses that are followed spontaneously, either by virtue of genetic disposition or childhood/cultural training.?Still, Dr. Wilson said Mr. Autrey exhibited an extraordinarily high degree of ?ther-oriented?behavior. ?e? a rarity,?Dr. Wilson said.</p><p>That Mr. Autrey served in the Navy most likely played a role, too ?he had been trained to act quickly in adverse situations. Acts like jumping in front of trains to rescue strangers are easier for people who are prepared, said Michael McCullough, a psychology professor at the <a href=\"http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/organizations/u/university_of_miami/index.html?inline=nyt-org\" title=\"More articles about University of Miami\">University of Miami</a>.</p><p>One of the curious aspects about Mr. Autrey? deed is that he jumped even though his daughters, ages 4 and 6, were at his side. Normally, experts say, the power of the parent-child dynamic would overwhelm any tendency to put yourself in harm? way to rescue a stranger. Then again, suggested Dr. Fricchione, people who already feel attachment, like the kind toward their children, may be predisposed to act more altruistically to others. Mr. Autrey was also one of three people who helped Mr. Hollopeter when he first collapsed, convulsing, before tripping into the tracks. An empathetic connection was most likely forged then, too.</p><p>Considering that people tend to act more altruistically toward those who fall within their perceived group, Dr. Post said, it was notable that differences in race ?Mr. Autrey is black, Mr. Hollopeter is white ?didn? enter the picture.</p><p>?ot only is he going beyond the narrow interest that we all seem to have toward our children, but he is reaching out toward a shared common humanity. And he? doing it across a racial line,?Dr. Post said. ?nd I think that? really impressive.?/p><p>No single factor explains heroism, said Samuel P. Oliner, a sociology professor at Humboldt State University in Arcata, Calif. Yet in interviewing Holocaust rescuers and 911 responders, he found that people who acted heroically often came from more nurturing families and were imbued with an ethic of caring, empathy and compassion.</p><p>?he other people, the bystanders, are not bad people,?Dr. Oliner said. ?ut they have been cut from a slightly different cloth.?/p><NYT_UPDATE_BOTTOM>\n</NYT_UPDATE_BOTTOM>\n');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('623','6','\n\n\n	 <p>THE snowy night I met Willem at a synagogue in New York City, I knew we would marry, but I did not know that it would last only 10 years. He was sitting in front of me and I fell in love with the back of his neck. The floor sloped down to the front, so I didn? realize that he was 6-foot-3, more than a foot taller than I was. </p> \n<div id=\"articleInline\">\n<div id=\"inlineBox\"><a href=\"#secondParagraph\" class=\"jumpLink\">Skip to next paragraph</a>\n  \n   \n<div class=\"image\">\n<IMG src=\"http://graphics.nytimes.com/images/2007/01/05/fashion/love.190.jpg\" width=\"190\" height=\"238\" alt=\"\" border=\"0\">\n<div class=\"credit\">David Chelsea</div>\n<p class=\"caption\">\n</p>\n</div>\n  \n<div id=\"inlineReadersOpinion\">\n<h4>Readers&#8217; Opinions</h4>\n<div class=\"story\">\n<h2>\n<a href=\"http://forums.nytimes.com/top/opinion/readersopinions/forums/stylegarden/modernlove/index.html?page=recent\">Forum: Modern Love</a>\n</h2>\n<p class=\"summary\"></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n   \n</div>\n</div><a name=\"secondParagraph\"></a>\n <p>He was from the Netherlands, the son of a Mennonite minister, and was drawn to Judaism. I was the child of suburban assimilated Jews. He was almost 40 and had never wed, and I was 37 and had just about given up on men, Jewish or otherwise.</p><p>Soon after, he dragged me to the Lower East Side where we met an old rabbi, who looked at us a bit askance and said wisely, ?ou will have a sweet and crazy life together,?which we did.</p><p>Nine years later, in April, our little family ?Willem; Jake, our 3-year-old son, whom we had adopted from Lithuania as a baby, and I ?visited a friend? sheep farm in Connecticut. When we returned to New York, Willem parked the car on the street near our apartment. We walked from the car with Jake riding on Willem? shoulders.</p><p>In the middle of the block I said, ?hould we get the car seat??/p><p>Willem said, ?hat? a car seat??And with that seemingly simple question, we entered a new kingdom.</p><p>Over the next three days, Willem? personality began to change. He had always had a bit of a temper, but one morning he asked if I had an ?nk pen.?He sometimes used different forms of English words, but when I handed him a ballpoint, because we didn? own ink pens anymore, he began to scream at me.</p><p>He agreed to go to a marriage counselor, who advised Willem to have a checkup. I sat with a furrowed brow in the examining room as the doctor took all his vital signs. My husband was a marathon runner, in top condition, with healthy lungs and a healthy heart, but then the internist began to ask him questions.</p><p>The doctor held up a paper clip and Willem said, ? know what it does, but I don? know the word for it.?/p><p>English was not Willem? first language, but this was something else. </p><p>?? concerned,?the doctor said. ?? scheduling a brain M.R.I. Immediately.?/p><p>I dropped Willem at his appointment five blocks away and went to pick up Jake at preschool.</p><p>Before Willem got home, the phone rang. It was our doctor, who said softly: ? am sorry but I have very bad news. Your husband has glioblastoma, which is the worst form of brain <a href=\"http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/cancer/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier\" title=\"Recent and archival health news about cancer.\">cancer</a>.?/p><p>Jake had opened the refrigerator and was pouring orange juice on the floor.</p><p>?o you want me to tell him??the doctor asked.</p><p>Jake was tugging on my sleeve to show me his handiwork.</p><p>?o, no, thank you,?I murmured. ??l tell him. Tell me one thing: Is he going to die??/p><p>?es,?he said.</p><p>In the middle of the night, while Willem and Jake slept, I got up and Googled ?lioblastoma.?I read, ?he patient will slowly lose all memory, as well as all bodily movement.?/p><p>The next day I found Willem reading on the couch in the living room. He was re-reading a novel in Dutch, by the author J. Bernlef, called ?ut of Mind.?It is about a husband who slowly loses his mind and ability to speak.</p><p>I huddled next to him. ?hy are you reading this now??/p><p>He shrugged. ?aybe it will help me. I? having trouble with words.?/p><p>?es,?I said and took a deep breath. ?o you want to know about the M.R.I.??/p><p>?hat? that??he said.</p><p>?he picture, the picture they took of your brain.?/p><p>?es, thank you,?he said. He had always been a formal man, but already his speech was different.</p><p>And then, as simply as I would say we needed a new rug, I said, ?ou have a brain <a href=\"http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/tumors/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier\" title=\"Recent and archival health news about tumors.\">tumor</a>.?/p><p>He nodded, and then went back to his book. </p><p>A half-hour later, Willem called to me, while I was in the kitchen trying to feed Jake pasta wagon wheels without weeping.</p><p>?hat? it called, the tumor??/p><p>I called back as cheerily as I could, ?lioblastoma,?trying to make it sound like a lovely flower.</p><p>Willem? first operation lasted four hours. After the surgeon came out, I stood before him, waiting to hear our destiny. ?e got most of it out,?he said.</p><p>I hugged myself. ?hen is he going to die??/p><p>?ne year, maybe two. Very few people ask that question.?/p><p>I don? know why I was so blunt. Of course there are miracles. Of course there are exceptions. But I wanted to know the worst-case scenario. For me that made me feel more in control, even though I was acutely aware I was in control of nothing.</p><p>?ive in the moment.?/p><p>?ll you have is the day.?</p><p>?e?e all terminal.?</p><div id=\"pageLinks\"><ul id=\"pageNumbers\"><li> 1 </li><li> <a onClick=\"s_code_linktrack(\'Article-MultiPagePageNum2\');\" title=\"Page 2\" href=\"?pagewanted=2&_r=5\">2</a> </li></ul><a class=\"next\" onClick=\"s_code_linktrack(\'Article-MultiPage-Next\');\" \n             title=\"Next Page\"\n             href=\"?pagewanted=2&_r=5\">Next Page &#x00bb;</a></div><NYT_AUTHOR_ID><p id=\"authorId\">Patty Dann lives in New York City. This essay is excerpted from ?he Goldfish Went On Vacation: A Memoir of Loss (and Learning to Tell the Truth about It),?to be published on Tuesday by Trumpeter.</p></NYT_AUTHOR_ID><NYT_UPDATE_BOTTOM>\n</NYT_UPDATE_BOTTOM>\n');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('624','6','\n\n\n	 <p>Sweden has more blond beauties per capita, Italy and France have far better cuisine, and most of the free world can boast of better weather. But over the past 30 years, the citizens of <a href=\"http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/international/countriesandterritories/denmark/index.html?inline=nyt-geo\" title=\"More news and information about Denmark.\">Denmark</a> have scored higher than any other Western country on measures of life satisfaction, and scientists think they know why.</p> \n<div id=\"articleInline\">\n<div id=\"inlineBox\"><a href=\"#secondParagraph\" class=\"jumpLink\">Skip to next paragraph</a>\n  \n  \n<div id=\"sidebarArticles\">\n<h4>Related</h4>\n<h3 class=\"promo\">Web Link</h3>\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/333/7582/1289\" target=\"new\">Why Danes Are Smug: Comparative Study of Life Satisfaction in the European Union</a> (BMJ)</h2>\n</div>\n    \n</div>\n</div><a name=\"secondParagraph\"></a>\n <p> In a <a href=\"http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/333/7582/1289\" title=\"Read the Abstract\" target=\"new\">paper</a> appearing in the Dec. 23  issue of the medical journal BMJ, researchers review six likely and unlikely explanations, and conclude that the country? secret is a culture of low expectations. ?t? a David and Goliath thing,?said the lead author, Kaare Christensen, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Southern Denmark in Odense. ?f you?e a big guy, you expect to be on the top all the time and you?e disappointed when things don? go well. But when you?e down at the bottom like us, you hang on, you don? expect much, and once in a while you win, and it? that much better.?/p><p>The researchers arrived at their findings by a process of elimination and humor. Blonds may have more fun, they argue, but Sweden has a higher prevalence of them. As for climate, Danes ?ask in a somewhat colder and cloudier version of the balmy English weather.?They also eat fatty foods  and drink a lot, and  genetically they are not significantly different from their gloomier Scandinavian neighbors. And in 1992 the Danes won the European Championship in soccer, creating ?uch a state of euphoria that the country has not been the same since.?/p><p>But on surveys, Danes continually report lower expectations for the year to come, compared with most other nations. And ?ear after year, they are pleasantly surprised to find that not everything is getting more rotten in the state of Denmark,?the paper concludes.</p><NYT_UPDATE_BOTTOM>\n</NYT_UPDATE_BOTTOM>\n');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('625','6','\n\n\n	 <p><span class=\"bold\"> </span></p> \n<div id=\"articleInline\">\n<div id=\"inlineBox\"><a href=\"#secondParagraph\" class=\"jumpLink\">Skip to next paragraph</a>\n  \n   \n<div class=\"image\">\n<div class=\"enlargeThis\"><a href=\"javascript:pop_me_up2(\'http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2007/01/08/science/09essay_ready.html\', \'09essay_ready\', \'width=433,height=600,scrollbars=yes,toolbars=no,resizable=yes\')\">Enlarge This Image</a></div>\n<a href=\"javascript:pop_me_up2(\'http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2007/01/08/science/09essay_ready.html\', \'09essay_ready\', \'width=433,height=600,scrollbars=yes,toolbars=no,resizable=yes\')\">\n<IMG src=\"http://graphics.nytimes.com/images/2007/01/08/science/essay.190.jpg\" width=\"190\" height=\"223\" alt=\"\" border=\"0\">\n</a>\n<div class=\"credit\">Jordin Isip</div>\n<p class=\"caption\">\n</p>\n</div>\n  \n<div id=\"sidebarArticles\">\n<h4>Related</h4>\n<h3 class=\"promo\">Web Link</h3>\r\n<h2><a href=\"http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/61/11/1126\" target=\"new\">Dispositional Optimism and All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality in a Prospective Cohort of Elderly Dutch Men and Women</a> (Archives of General Psychiatry)</h2>\n</div>\n<div id=\"inlineReadersOpinion\">\n<h4>Readers&#8217; Opinions</h4>\n<div class=\"story\">\n<h2>\n<a href=\"http://forums.nytimes.com/top/opinion/readersopinions/forums/health/mentalhealthandtreatment/index.html?page=recent\">Forum: Mental Health and Treatment</a>\n</h2>\n<p class=\"summary\"></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n   \n</div>\n</div><a name=\"secondParagraph\"></a>\n <p>Now, it seems, pessimists may really have something to worry about: their health.</p><p>A study by researchers in the Netherlands has found that people who are temperamentally pessimistic are more likely to die of <a href=\"http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/heartdisease/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier\" title=\"Recent and archival health news about heart disease.\">heart disease</a> and other causes than those who are by nature optimistic.</p><p>The <a href=\"http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/61/11/1126\" target=\"new\" title=\"Read the Abstract\">study</a>, led by Dr. Erik J. Giltay of the Psychiatric Center GGZ Delfland and published in The Archives of General Psychiatry, followed 941 Dutch subjects, ages 65 to 85, from 1991 to 2001. Subjects were ranked in quartiles as pessimistic or optimistic on the basis of their  reactions to statements like, ? still have positive expectations concerning my future?and, ? often feel that life is full of promises.?/p><p>Dr. Giltay and his colleagues found that subjects with the highest level of optimism were 45 percent less likely than those with the highest level of pessimism to die of all causes during the  study. For those in the quartile with the highest optimism score, the death rate was 30.4 percent; those in the most pessimistic quartile had a death rate of 56.5 percent. There were 397 deaths in the study, and prevention of cardiovascular mortality accounted for nearly half of the protective effects of optimism.</p><p>This is the kind of study that worries me. Not personally, though ?I? as optimistic as they come. No, I? worried about my pessimistic friends and patients who will get hold of this article. After all, if the findings are valid, how much can anyone really do about a gloomy disposition? </p><p>Up to this point there has been solid evidence that certain pathological mental states, like <a href=\"http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/depression/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier\" title=\"Recent and archival health news about depression.\">depression</a>, are linked with a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular death, but the relationship between normal personality traits like optimism and health have not been as thoroughly studied.</p><p>For example, there have been several well-controlled studies showing that depression can as much as double the relative risk of having a first heart attack or dying of heart disease, independent of other factors. And for people who already have well-documented heart disease, depression increases the risk of death about threefold.</p><p>But finding a correlation between certain attitudes and health outcomes doesn?, of course, prove causality. Maybe pessimists have shorter lives because they are sicker to start with than optimists; that may be why they feel bleaker about their future in the first place. </p><p>Dr. Giltay carefully controlled for baseline risk factors like <a href=\"http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/bloodpressure/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier\" title=\"Recent and archival health news about blood pressure.\">blood pressure</a>, <a href=\"http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/cholesterol/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier\" title=\"Recent and archival health news about cholesterol.\">cholesterol</a>, <a href=\"http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/smoking/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier\" title=\"Recent and archival health news about smoking.\">smoking</a> and alcohol consumption in his study. Even after controlling for these confounding variables, there was still a significant excess of mortality in the pessimists compared with the optimists. And when he factored in the subjects?own perception of their health ?optimists, not surprisingly, report feeling better ?pessimists still had higher morbidity and mortality.</p><p>What about the possibility that some of the pessimistic subjects were simply suffering from undiagnosed depression? After all, depression is a strong risk factor for cardiovascular mortality.</p><p>Dr. Giltay conceded that the subjects were not psychiatrically screened for depression or any other mental disorder, so this is a possibility. But he said depression was unlikely to explain the correlation between pessimism and mortality. </p><p>Perhaps, but we know that depression exists, too, on a spectrum. Mild chronic depressive states like dysthymia could easily masquerade as everyday pessimism, so this study cannot rule out mild depression as a contributor to excess mortality in the pessimistic subjects. </p><p>Still, assuming that these findings are replicated and optimism does indeed confer a survival advantage, what mechanism could explain it?</p><p>One possibility is that optimists may simply cope better with adversity than pessimists do and engage in behaviors that are more likely to promote health. It is well known, for example, that optimism is strongly associated with seeking social support and coping better with stress. There might even be biological differences between optimistic and pessimistic people that give optimists an edge. This is not so far-fetched if you consider that depression is associated with alterations in many neurotransmitters and <a href=\"http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/health/diseasesconditionsandhealthtopics/hormones/index.html?inline=nyt-classifier\" title=\"Recent and archival health news about hormones.\">hormones</a> like cortisol, which can adversely affect physical health.</p><p>At this point, pessimism in the absence of clinical depression is not considered a disease or a risk factor for developing one. But if these data are replicated, perhaps it should be. If that? the case, then trials of optimism-enhancing treatments, including psychotherapies and probably antidepressants, won? be far behind. After all, there is already preliminary evidence that serotonin-enhancing antidepressants can alter normal personality traits like sociability, even in people without depression. </p><p>But even if pessimism could be ?reated,?would that guarantee a longer life? Judging from recent research in depression, it may be no slam dunk. Efforts to decrease heart disease and mortality by treating depression have been disappointing. Two large randomized trials involving depressed heart-attack patients found no survival benefit in treating them with either cognitive behavior therapy or serotonin-enhancing antidepressants, though their depression did improve. (There is some debate about the findings.) </p><p>In the end, pessimists have enough to fret about without worrying that their own temperament will doom them to a short life. If pessimists should worry about anything, though, it? that they may have an undiagnosed ?and treatable ?depression. Treating depression may not guarantee a longer life. But it will certainly make it a happier one.</p><NYT_AUTHOR_ID><p id=\"authorId\">Richard A. Friedman is is a professor of clinical psychiatry and the director of the Psychopharmacology Clinic at Weill Cornell Medical Center.</p></NYT_AUTHOR_ID><NYT_UPDATE_BOTTOM>\n</NYT_UPDATE_BOTTOM>\n');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('626','6','	<p><p>SATURDAY, June 3 (HealthDay News) -- Severe allergic reactions called anaphylaxis mean that even a tiny morsel of food or an insect bite could prove deadly.</p> <p>But experts at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) said better public awareness of the dangers could change all that.</p> <p>An anaphylactic reaction occurs after a person eats a food to which they are allergic. Each year in the United States, several hundred people die from anaphylaxis, which can even strike people with no previously diagnosed food allergies.</p> <p>Signs of anaphylaxis include:</p> <ul> <li>Itching, hives, flushing, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, light-headedness, confusion or shock.</li> <li>Rapid onset of symptoms in several different body systems.</li></ul> <p>If you, or someone else, experience symptoms of anaphylactic reaction, the AAAAI recommends the following actions:</p> <ul> <li>Call 911 immediately.</li> <li>If a person has suffered from a previous anaphylactic reaction and carries adrenaline in either an EpiPen or Twinject, administer the medication first and then call 911.</li> <li>Antihistamines should not be the sole treatment. Studies have shown that epinephrine should be the first medication administered during an anaphylactic reaction.</li> <li>People who\'ve suffered an anaphylactic reaction should seek medical attention. Research has shown that they should be under observation by medical personnel for several hours after the reaction in case they suffer a relapse.</li></ul> <p>Follow-up care is important. Many people who\'ve had an anaphylactic reaction don\'t seek medical attention or may not even recognize that they\'ve had a reaction.</p> <p>&quot;Deaths have unfortunately been reported of people who initially had only mild reactions to a food, such as hives, and then later ate the food again accidentally without having the benefit of an allergist advising them on an anaphylaxis action plan,&quot; Dr. Suzanne Teuber, chairwoman of the AAAAI\'s Adverse Reactions to Food Committee, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about <a href=\"http://familydoctor.org/340.xml\" target=\"_new\">food allergies</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('627','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533147--> <p>WEDNESDAY, June 7 (HealthDay News) -- Contrary to the advice of some pediatricians, a new study suggests that waiting to introduce babies to cereal grains might not be a good idea if you want to prevent food allergies.</p> <p>Babies who didn\'t eat grains until after they were 6 months old were more likely to develop wheat allergies, researchers report.</p> <p>&quot;We recommend introducing cereal grains between 4 and 6 months of age,&quot; said study co-author Dr. Jill Poole, an assistant professor of allergy, asthma and immunology at the University of Nebraska.</p> <p>Poole initially expected the research would confirm the post-six-months recommendation.</p> <p>For reasons that aren\'t entirely clear, food allergies are becoming more common among U.S. children, affecting an estimated 3 percent to 6 percent of all children, Poole said. Wheat allergies are among the top five allergies, which also include egg, milk, soy and peanut allergies.</p> <p>There\'s controversy about when to expose babies to cereal grains, which are typically the first foods that babies eat after breast-feeding. Some specialists recommend cereal grains be introduced after 6 months of age, while others advise that they be given between 4 and 6 months.</p> <p>For the new study, Poole -- who was working at the University of Colorado at the time of the research -- and her colleagues enrolled 1,612 children between 1993 and 2004 and followed them through the age of four.</p> <p>Just one percent of the children -- 16 kids -- developed wheat allergies. But the study revealed that children who were first exposed to cereals (wheat, barley, rye and oats) after six months were 3.8 times more likely to have developed an allergy than those who first ate cereals earlier. </p> <p>The risk of wheat allergy also went up by 1.6 times if the child was exposed to rice cereal after 6 months of age and by nearly four times if a parent or sibling had asthma, eczema, or hives, the researchers found.</p> <p>The study results appear in the June issue of the journal <i>Pediatrics</i>.</p> <p>Poole acknowledged that the number of children in the study who developed grain allergies was very small. But, she added, there was a &quot;strong association&quot; linking their allergies to their introduction to cereal grains.</p> <p>Why would it matter when babies eat cereal grains for the first time? It seems to have something to do with the immune system, which overreacts in people with allergies, Poole said.</p> <p>&quot;Previously, we had thought if you delay giving foods to a child, it gives their immune system time to become mature and develop,&quot; she said.</p> <p>But the study findings seem to debunk that theory, suggesting that perhaps the body\'s immune system &quot;needs to see the food protein earlier to know it\'s not something harmful, and it shouldn\'t react to it,&quot; Poole said.</p> <p>It may also be possible that children who begin eating grains later may eat more, potentially aggravating their immune systems, she said.</p> <p>Dr. Kevin Murphy, clinical professor of pediatrics at the University of Nebraska, said genetic factors also appear to play a role in the development of allergies.</p> <p>He called the new study &quot;excellent,&quot; and said it confirms the advice of the American Academy of Pediatrics -- introduce cereal grains between 4 and 6 months of age.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more on children and food allergies, visit the <a href=\"http://kidshealth.org/parent/nutrition_fit/nutrition/food_allergies.html\" target=\"_new\">Nemours Foundation</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('628','6','	<p><p>FRIDAY, June 16 (HealthDay News) -- Many teens with food allergies are gambling with their lives by not carrying their medications with them and by eating foods they know can be risky, researchers report.</p> <p>Only 61 percent of subjects in the study said they always carried their dose of epinephrine, a self-injected drug used during severe allergic reactions. Another 54 percent said they sometimes intentionally ate potentially unsafe foods.</p> <p>The main reason for both these behaviors: peer pressure.</p> <p>&quot;Teenagers and young adults with food allergies are particularly at high risk for fatalities,&quot; said lead researcher Dr. Scott H. Sicherer, an associate professor of pediatrics at the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute of Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York City. &quot;This is an age of experimentation, an age where someone might be likely to take risks. It\'s also an age where problems are often pushed to the side by peer pressure.&quot; he said.</p> <p>His team\'s report appears in the June issue of the <i>Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology</i>.</p> <p>According to Sicherer, in too many allergy-linked deaths, teenagers either did not have their medication with them or waited too long to use it, hoping the attack would pass.</p> <p>His team sought to find out why this might be so. Surveying the 174 male and female 13- to-21-year-olds in the study, they found that having medication available often depended on activities or circumstances, such as traveling. While traveling, 94 percent took their medication along. However, when participating in sports, just 43 percent of respondents said they had their medication with them. Just 53 percent said they had their medication available when wearing &quot;tight clothing,&quot; while more than a third (39 percent) said they didn\'t bring their anti-allergy drugs to school dances.</p> <p>Social pressures are a big issue for allergic teenagers, Sicherer said, so teaching their friends about the dangers of food allergy may be key to solving this problem.</p> <p>&quot;There is a need for educating the peers of food-allergic teenagers,&quot; he said. &quot;Since peer pressure is an issue, if they understood what the food allergy is, they would not be saying, \'Let\'s go eat this,\' -- they would be more supportive,&quot; he added.</p> <p>One expert agreed that teaching teens about food allergies could reduce the more than 200 allergy-linked deaths among teens that occur in the United States each year.</p> <p>&quot;One of the prevailing challenges in health care is to get people to acknowledge their vulnerabilities and replace crisis response with preventive strategies,&quot; said Dr. David L. Katz, an associate professor of public health and director of the Prevention Research Center at Yale University School of Medicine. &quot;The challenge is especially acute in adolescents, for whom mortality, let alone vulnerability, is often only vaguely perceived.&quot;</p> <p>Peer bonds are strong for most adolescents, Katz said. &quot;So, while taking precautions for oneself might go against the grain, being educated to assist a friend in need might very well not. The notion that more widespread education about food allergy could reduce the associated toll by preparing peers to intervene is appealing both for practicality, its simplicity, and its compatibility with adolescent priorities,&quot; he said.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more on food allergy, head to the <a href=\"http://www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/pdf/foodallergy.pdf\" target=\"_new\">U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('629','6','	<p><p>FRIDAY, June 16 (HealthDay News) -- Many teens with food allergies are gambling with their lives by not carrying their medications with them and by eating foods they know can be risky, researchers report.</p> <p>Only 61 percent of subjects in the study said they always carried their dose of epinephrine, a self-injected drug used during severe allergic reactions. Another 54 percent said they sometimes intentionally ate potentially unsafe foods.</p> <p>The main reason for both these behaviors: peer pressure.</p> <p>&quot;Teenagers and young adults with food allergies are particularly at high risk for fatalities,&quot; said lead researcher Dr. Scott H. Sicherer, an associate professor of pediatrics at the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute of Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York City. &quot;This is an age of experimentation, an age where someone might be likely to take risks. It\'s also an age where problems are often pushed to the side by peer pressure.&quot; he said.</p> <p>His team\'s report appears in the June issue of the <i>Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology</i>.</p> <p>According to Sicherer, in too many allergy-linked deaths, teenagers either did not have their medication with them or waited too long to use it, hoping the attack would pass.</p> <p>His team sought to find out why this might be so. Surveying the 174 male and female 13- to-21-year-olds in the study, they found that having medication available often depended on activities or circumstances, such as traveling. While traveling, 94 percent took their medication along. However, when participating in sports, just 43 percent of respondents said they had their medication with them. Just 53 percent said they had their medication available when wearing &quot;tight clothing,&quot; while more than a third (39 percent) said they didn\'t bring their anti-allergy drugs to school dances.</p> <p>Social pressures are a big issue for allergic teenagers, Sicherer said, so teaching their friends about the dangers of food allergy may be key to solving this problem.</p> <p>&quot;There is a need for educating the peers of food-allergic teenagers,&quot; he said. &quot;Since peer pressure is an issue, if they understood what the food allergy is, they would not be saying, \'Let\'s go eat this,\' -- they would be more supportive,&quot; he added.</p> <p>One expert agreed that teaching teens about food allergies could reduce the more than 200 allergy-linked deaths among teens that occur in the United States each year.</p> <p>&quot;One of the prevailing challenges in health care is to get people to acknowledge their vulnerabilities and replace crisis response with preventive strategies,&quot; said Dr. David L. Katz, an associate professor of public health and director of the Prevention Research Center at Yale University School of Medicine. &quot;The challenge is especially acute in adolescents, for whom mortality, let alone vulnerability, is often only vaguely perceived.&quot;</p> <p>Peer bonds are strong for most adolescents, Katz said. &quot;So, while taking precautions for oneself might go against the grain, being educated to assist a friend in need might very well not. The notion that more widespread education about food allergy could reduce the associated toll by preparing peers to intervene is appealing both for practicality, its simplicity, and its compatibility with adolescent priorities,&quot; he said.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more on food allergy, head to the <a href=\"http://www.niaid.nih.gov/publications/pdf/foodallergy.pdf\" target=\"_new\">U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('630','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533350--> <p>MONDAY, June 19 (HealthDay News) -- The number of people with peanut allergy unwittingly eating peanut-laced products is going down, but more public education is still needed.</p> <p>So concluded a team of researchers at McGill University Health Centre in Montreal, who conducted a study to determine if peanut-allergy reactions had been reduced.</p> <p>Reporting their findings online in the <i>Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology</i>, the researchers studied 252 Canadian children, ages 4-17, with diagnosed peanut allergies. The subjects answered a series of survey questions, including questions about any recent incidences of accidental peanut ingestion.</p> <p>Of the 252 children studied, 29 said they had accidentally consumed peanuts a total of 35 times over 244 patient years. That translates to a little more than a 14 percent incidence rate per year -- a big drop from the 50 percent incidence rate published in the same journal in 1989, and a 55 percent rate found in a British study published in 2005.</p> <p>Twelve of the 35 allergic reactions occurred when a food was clearly marked as containing peanuts, while 22 occurred when foods with undetected peanuts were consumed. Since Canada has very strict regulations on food labels and contents, and most schools are &quot;peanut-free,&quot; the researchers were not surprised to learn that only one reaction happened while the child was at school.</p> <p>Children and parents need better education on preventing these reactions by learning how to look for peanut content in foods, the researchers concluded. They also recommended stricter regulations on food manufacturers and food labeling.</p> <p><b>More information</b> </p> <p>Visit the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network has more information about <a href=\"http://www.foodallergy.org/allergens/index.html &quot;target =\"> peanut allergies</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('631','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533421--> <p>THURSDAY, June 22 (HealthDay News) -- People allergic to typical triggers such as ragweed may be especially bothered by cigarette smoke, a new study says.</p> <p>Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, studied 19 people who were allergic to ragweed. Participants had their nasal passages rinsed with a solution, and the fluid was collected and examined so that researchers could measure levels of an allergy-linked antibody called IgE. </p> <p>After the rinsing, patients were exposed to either secondhand cigarette smoke or smoke-free air, and their nasal passages were then rinsed and studied again. The process was repeated with exposure to ragweed and uncontaminated air, and fluids were again examined.</p> <p>At the four-day point, levels of IgE had risen 16.6 times higher in patients exposed to ragweed plus cigarette smoke, as compared to those only exposed to ragweed and clean air. Histamine levels were also 3.3 times higher in participants who breathed the ragweed and smoke.</p> <p>The results suggest that people with allergies are especially affected by cigarette smoke and should avoid smoking, the research team said. They should also reduce their exposure to secondhand smoke.</p> <p><b>More information</b> </p> <p>The Asthma and Allergy Foundation has more information on <a href=\"http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&amp;sub=16&amp;cont=68&quot;target =\">allergies and smoking</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('632','6','	<p><p>(HealthDay News) -- Because some infants have sensitivities or allergies to certain foods, the Children\'s Hospital in Richmond, Va., suggests you choose single-ingredient infant cereals and plain fruits and vegetables until you know what your child can tolerate.</p> <p>And introduce new foods one at a time and wait three to five days in between each new food.</p> <p>Food sensitivities can manifest themselves in several ways. Your child may develop a rash, wheezing, diarrhea or vomiting.</p> <p>But before you blame food for your infant\'s ailments, have your pediatrician rule out other possible causes.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('633','6','	<p><p>(HealthDay News) -- Although you may be among millions of Americans with allergies, there are things you can do to tame your symptoms, the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology says.</p> <p>Make sure your home is thoroughly and regularly cleaned. Mold, dust and other allergens can build up in the linens, furniture and air ducts. It\'s also best to use air conditioning rather than open windows in the house and the car. And you should shower and wash your hair before you go to bed, the academy says.</p> <p>If you still have symptoms, the AAAAI recommends an over-the-counter or prescription antihistamine. If that doesn\'t help, talk to an allergist about other treatment options, including allergy shots.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('634','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533616--> <p>MONDAY, July 3 (HealthDay News) -- Although many pediatricians recommend Benadryl for babies who have trouble sleeping, a new study finds the antihistamine doesn\'t work as a pediatric sleep aid.</p> <p>In fact, the researchers found that Benadryl was more likely to keep children <i>awake</i>. Among the children studied, just one out of 22 showed improvement in sleeping after being given Benadryl, compared with three of the 22 children who received a placebo.</p> <p>Because of Benadryl\'s lack of effectiveness, a data safety monitoring board shut down the study early.</p> <p>The report was published Monday in the July issue of the <i>Archives of Pediatrics &amp; Adolescent Medicine</i>.</p> <p>&quot;Benadryl is widely used, parents use it, physicians recommend it to help kids sleep,&quot; said study lead author Dr. Dan Merenstein, a pediatrics specialist at Georgetown University Medical Center. </p> <p>&quot;But the bottom line is, it doesn\'t work,&quot; he added.</p> <p>A spokeswoman for Pfizer, the maker of Benadryl (diphenhydramine), said the company doesn\'t recommend using the drug as a sleep aid for children.</p> <p>&quot;Benadryl is a very safe and effective medicine to relieve allergy symptoms,&quot; said Erica Johnson. &quot;It is not intended as a sleep medication. That\'s not the intended use of the product. That\'s not how we recommend it be used.&quot; </p> <p>In their study, called TIRED (Trial of Infant Response to Diphenhydramine), Merenstein and his colleagues tracked 44 babies, ages 6 months to 15 months, for six weeks.</p> <p>During this time, parents kept diaries to record the sleep habits of the babies throughout the night. All were given Benadryl or a placebo for one week, 30 minutes before anticipated bedtime, and the days before and after treatment were monitored to record the outcome.</p> <p>&quot;The kids got more hyperactive on Benadryl,&quot; Merenstein said. &quot;Studies show that about 7 to 10 percent of kids do become hyperactive on Benadryl.&quot; </p> <p>Benadryl often makes adults sleepy, so many people think it would have the same effect on children, Merenstein said. &quot;The problem is that certain medicines work differently in an adult than in a kid, and Benadryl might be one of those,&quot; he said.</p> <p>&quot;We really don\'t have many medicines to get kids to sleep,&quot; Merenstein added. &quot;None of the sleep medicines are approved for kids. There is no quick fix for sleep problems for kids.&quot; </p> <p>Merenstein suggested that parents try the so-called Ferber Method, named after Dr. Richard Ferber, the director of the Center for Pediatric Sleep Disorders at Children\'s Hospital Boston. Under his method, parents simply put their child to bed and comfort him, but if he cries, they let him cry himself to sleep. Over time, babies will learn to sleep if crying isn\'t reinforced, the method contends.</p> <p>Parents can also try behavioral therapy, Merenstein said.</p> <p>Dr. Daniel Rosenbaum, an associate professor of pediatrics at Dartmouth Medical Center, thinks giving Benadryl to babies who have trouble sleeping is another example of something that doctors think should work, without any real evidence to back it up.</p> <p>&quot;There are a lot of things we do in medicine that are conventional wisdoms,&quot; Rosenbaum said. &quot;But we really have no idea if it\'s a good or effective thing to do. This is just one of them.&quot; </p> <p>&quot;Based on this study, offering Benadryl to kids is probably not the right thing to do,&quot; he added.</p> <p>As far as helping children sleep, Rosenbaum said that time typically solves the problem. &quot;At some point, all kids will become normal sleepers,&quot; he said. &quot;Just like walking and other developmental milestones, it\'s going to take its own time. There is probably little that parents can do to make this happen.&quot; </p> <p>Another pediatrician thinks sleep problems in children result from having to sleep alone.</p> <p>&quot;The authors are correct in noting that we as clinicians have little education about dealing with sleep disturbances, but we are also one of the few nations who believe that infants should sleep alone in a room away from parents,&quot; said Dr. Carol D. Berkowitz, a professor of clinical pediatrics at the University of California, Los Angeles\' David Geffen School of Medicine.</p> <p>&quot;I once heard a comment from a 4-year-old who came into her parent\'s room complaining about having to sleep alone,&quot; Berkowitz added. &quot;She said, \'How come you are grownups, and you get to sleep with someone, and I\'m just a little kid, and I have to sleep alone?\' &quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The National Sleep Foundation can tell you more about <a href=\"http://www.sleepforkids.org\" target=\"_new\">helping children sleep</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('635','6','	<p><p>WEDNESDAY, June 21 (HealthDay News) -- For older workers, a pink slip can be a red flag for increased cardiovascular risk.</p> <p>New U.S. research finds that job loss doubles the risk of heart attack or stroke for workers in their 50s and 60s.</p> <p>&quot;For many individuals, late career job loss is an exceptionally stressful experience with the potential for provoking numerous undesirable outcomes, including [heart attacks and stroke],&quot; the Yale University team wrote in the June 21 online issue of <i>Occupational and Environmental Medicine</i>.</p> <p>In a their study, William Gallo, an associate research scientist in the School of Public Health, and colleagues collected data on over 12,600 individuals who participated in the U.S. Health and Retirement Survey.</p> <p>The first surveys were carried out in 1992 and involved 4,301 people aged 51 to 61, all of whom were working at the time. A decade later, 582 people had lost their jobs while the remaining 3,719 were not laid off. Of this remaining group, 478 were continuously employed in the same job by the end of the study period, over 1,200 people retired, 100 died and nearly 500 dropped out of the study. Another 450 had temporarily stopped work, and 960 voluntarily left their full-time work. </p> <p>During those 10 years, 202 people had a heart attack. Just over 10 percent (23) of those heart attacks occurred in people who were jobless after being laid off. In addition, 140 people suffered a stroke. Close to 24 percent (33) of those strokes occurred among the jobless, and 9 percent (13) occurred just after the person lost his or her job, the researchers found.</p> <p>The bottom line: People over 50 who had been laid off were more then twice as likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke during the study period, compared with those who kept their jobs, the researchers found.</p> <p>&quot;Results suggest that the true costs of late career unemployment exceed financial deprivation, and include substantial health consequences,&quot; the authors concluded.</p> <p>&quot;Physicians who treat individuals who lose jobs as they near retirement should consider the loss of employment a potential risk factor for adverse vascular health changes. Policy makers and program planners should also be aware of the risks of job loss, so that programmatic interventions can be designed and implemented to ease the multiple burdens of joblessness,&quot; they added.</p> <p>One expert believes stress can definitely help spur heart attack or stroke.</p> <p>&quot;It is well known that stress can trigger heart attacks,&quot; said Dr. Byron Lee, an associate professor of cardiology at the University of California, San Francisco. &quot;It is not surprising that the emotional stress of loss of a job could lead to major cardiac events,&quot; he added.</p> <p>Lee said experts don\'t yet understand the underlying connection between stress and cardiovascular troubles. &quot;We know there is a connection, but we don\'t know the mechanism,&quot; he said.</p> <p>People under stress who had heart attacks or strokes may have a pre-existing cardiovascular condition that has not been recognized, Lee said. Or, it\'s possible that &quot;declining health led to job loss and the heart attack or stroke.&quot;</p> <p>Another expert believes the findings have implications that go far beyond medicine.</p> <p>&quot;This paper is only surprising for being so unsurprising,&quot; said Dr. David L. Katz, an associate professor of public health and director of the Prevention Research Center at Yale University School of Medicine. &quot;Of course losing one\'s job is detrimental to health. Stress, depression, social isolation, decreased physical activity, less self care, and even the use of harmful chemicals, are all potential byproducts of job loss.&quot;</p> <p>But while the story may be unsurprising, the implications are more subtle, Katz said. &quot;Some of the most important goals for health cannot be pursued through health care. A focus on the clinical mediators of health, such as blood pressure and cholesterol, is important, but an exclusive focus on such factors may miss the forest for the trees,&quot; he said.</p> <p>Education, job training, and an array of social supports are as vital to health as anything exchanged in a doctor-patient encounter, Katz said. &quot;The system we refer to as \'health care\' often deals impressively well with disease. But to prevent disease and promote health, we have to think outside the coronary care unit. Medicine and public health are interdependent,&quot; he said.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>Find out more about heart attack risk factors at the <a href=\"http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4726\" target=\"_new\">American Heart Association</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('636','6','	<p><p>FRIDAY, June 23 (HealthDay News) -- In assessing a patient\'s condition, doctors traditionally check five vital signs -- pulse, breathing, temperature, blood pressure and pain. But one cancer physician wants to add another vital sign to the list -- distress.</p> <p>A patient\'s mental well-being is an essential part of overall health and should be monitored -- even during routine medical examinations, said Dr. Jimmie C. Holland, who holds the Wayne E. Chapman Chair in Psychiatric Oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, in New York City.</p> <p>&quot;Can distress become the sixth vital sign?&quot; Holland asked. &quot;I ask this, because we must find a way to incorporate psychological care into total care,&quot; she said.</p> <p>&quot;No patient with distress should be unrecognized or untreated in quality cancer care. I don\'t think you can have quality cancer care that does not integrate this psychological side. There should be a minimum standard for psychosocial care,&quot; she added.</p> <p>Holland explained her proposal Thursday at a cancer briefing sponsored by the American Medical Association, in New York City.</p> <p>One big problem is that doctors often don\'t consider the psychological component of total health, and patients are reluctant to bring it up, because they don\'t want to bother the doctor, Holland said. Part of the barrier comes from the doctor -- &quot;Hey, I\'m doing science not touchy-feely stuff. And patients are going to tell me when they\'re upset,&quot; she said, paraphrasing a typical physician.</p> <p>As for patients, Holland believes many are embarrassed discussing psychological issues. &quot;The doctor will think I\'m a wimp,&quot; Holland said, again paraphrasing.</p> <p>But studies have found that as many as 45 percent of cancer patients have significant mental distress, Holland said. &quot;Those most at risk are those with the most serious tumors, young patients, patients with low income and those with less social support,&quot; she said.</p> <p>To help get physicians to evaluate a patient\'s mental condition, Holland and colleagues at the National Comprehensive Cancer Network have developed a questionnaire for patients to complete at routine doctor visits. The questionnaire alerts doctors to those patients who may need to be referred for counseling.</p> <p>Along with the questionnaire, Holland and her colleagues have developed practice guidelines for dealing with patient distress. Holland created a scale that rates a patient\'s distress on a 1-to-10 scale, what she calls a &quot;distress thermometer.&quot;</p> <p>&quot;Patients who score 4 or greater, that\'s the trigger that doctors should note,&quot; she said.</p> <p>Based on this scale, patients can be referred to psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers or pastoral counseling. &quot;Distress should be monitored continually,&quot; Holland said.</p> <p>Holland believes that adding distress to regular evaluations leads to more open communication and encourages treatment; hence, fewer patients will become overly anxious, and there will be fewer patient visits because of worry.</p> <p>&quot;We can decrease distress and improve the quality of patient\'s lives,&quot; Holland said. &quot;We don\'t change their survival, but it is about changing what happens to them,&quot; she said.</p> <p>One cancer expert agreed that instituting a method to monitor patient distress is essential to good care.</p> <p>&quot;Whenever you go into a hospital, the nurses and physicians are very tuned into the pain scale,&quot; said Dr. Carolyn D. Runowicz, president of the American Cancer Society and director of the Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Connecticut Health Center.</p> <p>&quot;I would hope that for cancer and all patients, that something like the distress thermometer is incorporated,&quot; Runowicz said. &quot;It may take regulation to get it incorporated, but whatever it takes, we will end up with a better result,&quot; she said.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The National Comprehensive Cancer Network can tell you more about <a href=\"http://www.nccn.org/patients/patient_gls/_english/_distress/2_evaluation.asp\" target=\"_new\"> distress and cancer</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('637','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533529--> <p>WEDNESDAY, June 28 (HealthDay News) -- Doctors may help reduce patients\' post-surgery nausea simply by preparing them for it ahead of time.</p> <p>A new U.S. study found that patients who expected to feel nauseous actually experienced less nausea than those who were not prepared.</p> <p>Researchers at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine studied the effects of expectation on nausea in 75 healthy college students who were divided into three groups. All of the students received a placebo pill, but each group was told something different about the pill. One group was told that the pill would prevent nausea, one that it would exacerbate nausea symptoms, and the third that the pill would have no impact on their nausea.</p> <p>After taking the pills, the students sat inside a rotating drum covered in vertical stripes, which simulated self-motion of the participants. The rotation continued at a consistent pace for up to 16 minutes.</p> <p>Each participant wore electrodes on their abdomens to monitor their stomach activity. They were also asked via intercom about their symptoms while inside the drum, including nausea, warmth, dizziness and drowsiness.</p> <p>Participants who had been told that the pill would not influence nausea experienced nausea symptoms that were 2.5 times worse than those who had been told they would feel nauseous. The unprepared participants also had 30 percent higher abnormal stomach activity related to nausea.</p> <p>&quot;Surprisingly, symptoms of nausea and motion sickness were least severe among participants [who were] told their experience would be made more unpleasant by the drug,&quot; study author Max E. Levine, Ph.D., an assistant professor of gastroenterology, said in a prepared statement. &quot;Those who unnecessarily braced themselves for a tortuous ordeal may have been calmed or relaxed by what they experienced,&quot; the authors concluded.</p> <p>The authors noted that the study results, published in <i>Psychosomatic Medicine</i>, could help improve patient\'s nausea relating to treatment or surgery.</p> <p>&quot;Being prepared to experience a negative reaction to the drum was associated with less nausea and more normal stomach activity, suggesting that how patients are prepared for potentially adverse events can meaningfully affect their responses to them,&quot; Levine said. &quot;If patients are informed about what they will likely be going through over the course of an illness or treatment, it may influence their ability to cope with the symptoms once they develop,&quot; he added.</p> <p><b>More information</b> </p> <p>The National Institutes of Health has more information on <a href=\" http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003117.htm&quot;target =\">nausea</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('638','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533569--> <p>THURSDAY, June 29 (HealthDay News) -- Even a brief, low-cost mail-based intervention can help ease symptoms of mild depression, a new study finds.</p> <p>The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Washington, Seattle, included 177 college students with depression. A week after being assessed, half the students received the intervention, which included a personalized &quot;feedback letter&quot; outlining each student\'s depression situation. The brochure explained different strategies for coping with depression, including exercise, meditation, social support, medication, and treatment resources.</p> <p>After one month, students who received the intervention reported a 20 percent reduction in the severity of their depression symptoms, compared with eight percent of the students who did not receive the intervention.</p> <p>The study also found that feelings of hopelessness declined 31 percent among students who received the intervention, compared with seven percent among those who did not receive the intervention.</p> <p>This kind of brief interventions has been used effectively as a treatment for alcohol abuse for a number of years, the study authors noted. They estimated that it cost less than $2 per person to deliver the brief intervention to the students in this study. Other possible approaches include weekly email &quot;boosters&quot; and an Internet version of the treatment.</p> <p>The finding appear in the current issue of the <i>Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology</i>.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The American College of Physicians has more about <a href=\"http://www.doctorsforadults.com/topics/dfa_depr.htm\" target=\"_new\">depression</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('639','6','	<p><p>FRIDAY, June 30 (HealthDay News) -- Mental stress may have a stronger effect on the kidney function of black adolescents compared to whites, a new study finds.</p> <p>In a study of 276 healthy young adults, black youths showed higher levels of microalbumin and lower levels of sodium in urine -- signs of possible kidney damage and high stress levels.</p> <p>Researchers at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta studied the link between &quot;stress-induced pressure natriuresis&quot; (SIPN) and levels of microalbumin (a marker of kidney function) in the urine between both white and black adolescents.</p> <p>SIPN occurs when stress impairs natriuresis -- sodium excretion via the urine. Previous studies have noted that SIPN appears to be more prevalent in blacks and has also been linked to alterations in heart function.</p> <p>One hundred eighty-nine black and 87 white participants were given two hours of rest with no stress, then one hour of mental stress, followed by another two hour no-stress rest period.</p> <p>The Georgia team showed that, in samples of blood and urine drawn hourly, urine levels of microalbumin were higher and sodium levels were lower in black adolescents. Blood pressure readings -- taken every 15 minutes -- showed that overall, the black participants had higher blood pressure than the white participants.</p> <p>&quot;Stress-induced pressure natriuresis is related to microalbumin in African American youth,&quot; study author Dr. Coral Hanevold, associate professor of pediatrics, said in a prepared statement. Hanevold also concluded from the results that in young black adults, &quot;stress may lead to high blood pressure, which in turn, may influence kidney function. Over time, these processes could lead to permanent kidney damage.&quot;</p> <p>Results of the study were presented at this week\'s annual meeting of the International Society on Hypertension in Blacks, in Atlanta.</p> <p><b>More information</b> </p> <p>The National Kidney Foundation has more information on <a href=\" http://www.kidney.org/kidneyDisease/&quot;target =\">kidney disease</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('640','6','	<p><p>SATURDAY, July 1 (HealthDay News) -- Could the truly good friend be a fading phenomenon?</p> <p> A new study finds more Americans than ever admitting to a decrease in their social circle, with many saying they have no one to tell their troubles to.</p> <p>The study, conducted by sociologists at Duke University and the University of Arizona, analyzed data from the General Social Survey collected from 1985 to 2004 on relationships among Americans.</p> <p>&quot;The evidence shows that Americans have fewer confidants, and those ties are also more family-based than they used to be,&quot; study author Lynn Smith-Lovin, a professor of sociology at Duke, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>&quot;This change indicates something that\'s not good for our society. Ties with a close network of people create a safety net. These ties also lead to civic engagement and local political action,&quot; Smith-Lovin added.</p> <p>The results, published in the June issue of <i>American Sociological Review</i>, found that the majority of Americans have an average of about two people to talk to about their problems -- compared to a 1985 average of almost three people. Twenty-five percent of people said that they had no one in whom they could confide.</p> <p>The data also showed that friendships outside of the family are decreasing more than familial friendships, showing Americans\' friendships as &quot;a densely connected, close, homogeneous set of ties slowly closing in on itself, becoming smaller, more tightly interconnected, more focused on the very strong bonds of the nuclear family,&quot; the authors noted.</p> <p>Data also showed that:</p> <ul> <li>White and well-educated Americans tend to be the least socially isolated.</li> <li>Fifteen percent of Americans are close friends with at least one person of another race, compared to only 9 percent of Americans in the last survey.</li> <li>About 80 percent of people only talk to family members about problems -- and 9 percent say they only confide in their spouse.</li> </ul> <p>&quot;We were surprised to see such a large change. We remain cautious -- perhaps even skeptical -- of its size. It\'s unusual to see very large social changes like this that aren\'t tied to some type of demographic shift in the population,&quot; researcher Miller McPherson, a research professor of sociology at Duke and professor of sociology at the University of Arizona, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p> &quot;But even if the change is exaggerated for some reason, we are confident that there is a trend toward smaller, close social networks more centered on spouses and partners,&quot; McPherson said.</p> <p><b>More information</b> </p> <p>The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has more information on <a href=\"http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publications/allpubs/SMA-3716/building.asp&quot;target =\">friendships</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('641','6','	<p><p>WEDNESDAY, July 5 (HealthDay News) -- The first generic versions of the popular antidepressant Zoloft (sertraline) have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.</p> <p>Last year, Pfizer\'s Zoloft was the sixth-best selling drug in the United States with retail sales of more than $2.5 billion, the agency said in a statement. The company\'s patent expired last week.</p> <p>Israeli generic drugmaker Teva Pharmaceuticals plans to launch its version of Zoloft later this month, the <i>Associated Press</i> reported.</p> <p>Generics, less expensive than brand-name equivalents, accounted for about two-thirds of U.S. prescription drug sales in 2004, the FDA said.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more information about Zoloft, visit the <a href=\" http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a697048.html\" target=\"_new\">National Library of Medicine</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('642','6','	<p><p>THURSDAY, July 6 (HealthDay News) -- Although stress undoubtedly contributed to Enron Corp. founder Kenneth Lay\'s heart-attack death Wednesday, heart disease was the main culprit, according to the initial autopsy report.</p> <p>&quot;What he\'d been going through undoubtedly played a role in his premature death at age 64,&quot; said Dr. Redford Williams, director of the Behavioral Medicine Research Center at Duke University Medical Center and co-author of <i>Anger Kills</i>. </p> <p>However, Williams added, &quot;when people under major current life stresses die suddenly, in virtually all cases there is underlying atherosclerosis.&quot;</p> <p>In Lay\'s case, stress was no small matter.</p> <p>The former CEO was facing a lengthy prison term after being convicted in May on fraud and conspiracy charges linked to Enron\'s 2001 collapse. The scandal had cost investors billions of dollars, and thousands of people their jobs.</p> <p>But Lay, who was at his vacation home in Aspen, Colo., when he was stricken, also had a little-publicized history of heart problems. He died of &quot;severe coronary-artery disease,&quot; a condition characterized by clogged arteries, according to the Mesa County coroner, as reported by the <i>Rocky Mountain News</i>. </p> <p>And <i>ABC News</i> reported that Lay had already suffered heart attacks, and had portable heart defibrillators in his houses and on his plane. He had been taking statins to lower his cholesterol, and, about five years ago, his doctors inserted a stent, apparently as a preventive measure. </p> <p>All these medical details of one prominent man\'s death could help ease the public perception that stress by itself could bring on a fatal heart attack. </p> <p>But less spectacular stress than what Lay experienced is known to take its toll.</p> <p>One recent British study found that men with chronic work stress were twice as likely to develop metabolic syndrome as those reporting no work stress. Women with work stress were also more likely to develop the syndrome, but there were only a few of them in the study. Metabolic syndrome is a collection of cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. </p> <p>And new U.S. research has found that job loss doubles the risk of heart attack or stroke for workers in their 50s and 60s. People over 50 who had been laid off were more than twice as likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke during the study period, compared with those who kept their jobs, the researchers found.</p> <p>Both heart attacks and cardiac arrest have been linked to stress, although there is more documentation on the former, said Dr. Nieca Goldberg, chief of women\'s cardiac care at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. </p> <p>People who are chronically stressed have higher heart rates and blood pressure, and they also release the hormone cortisol, which has been implicated in depositing fat around the middle of the body. Depression, too, is considered a risk factor for heart disease, possibly because blood platelets are &quot;stickier&quot; in depressed people and more likely to cause blood clots.</p> <p>Stress can also cause damage before heart disease is present, Williams said. Studies have found that people who exhibited indicators of stress or anger-prone personalities during their college years were more likely to develop heart disease, as well as to die from any cause by the time they reached 50. At that midpoint, 14 percent were dead in the stressed group, compared to only 2 percent to 3 percent in those with lesser levels of stress.</p> <p>On the other hand, Williams added, &quot;once heart disease is present, you have the situation where stress makes the prognosis even worse than it would have been.&quot;</p> <p>There is a message here for everyone, Goldberg said.</p> <p> &quot;When it comes to your heart health, not only do we have to evaluate the traditional risk factors, you have to learn a lot more about your family history and doctors really need to address the emotional health of patients,&quot; she said.</p> <p>According to the American Heart Association, more than 71.3 million Americans in 2003 had at least one form of cardiovascular disease. And heart disease is No. 1 killer of Americans.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>Find out more about coronary-artery disease at the <a href=\"http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3010002\" target=\"_new\">American Heart Association</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('643','6','	<p><p>SUNDAY, Aug. 13 (HealthDay News) -- With the new school year just around the corner, it\'s time for parents and children to start thinking about backpack safety. </p> <p>The North American Spine Society (NASS) offers the following tips on how to prevent backpack-related problems and injuries:</p> <ul> <li>Pack light. The loaded pack should not weigh more than 10 percent to 15 percent of the child\'s body weight. As a general rule, backpacks should weigh about five to 10 pounds for elementary students and no more than 15 pounds for older students. </li> <li>Organize the pack so that heavy items are close to the wearer\'s back. Use the pack\'s smaller compartments to store loose items. Distribute the weight evenly. </li> <li>Always use both straps and adjust them snugly on the shoulders. Readjust the straps every time the pack is loaded in order to ensure that the weight is properly supported. </li> <li>Educate children about backpack safety and the risk of neck and spine injuries due to improper backpack use. </li> <li>Encourage children to practice proper posture while they\'re wearing a backpack. In addition, children should be active in order to strengthen the muscles in and around the back and neck. </li> </ul> <p>Parents who are concerned about the heavy loads their children are carrying can: </p> <ul> <li>Contact the school and work with teachers to identify ways to lighten the load. </li> <li>Purchase two sets of school books -- one set for home and the other to be left at school. A less costly option is to make photocopies of the week\'s book chapters at the library. </li></ul> <p>&quot;When used properly, backpacks are a great way for kids to carry their schoolbooks and supplies. Parents should ask their children if they feel any pain in the back or the neck. And, if a child is experiencing discomfort in their neck or back or tingling in their hands, be sure to take it seriously and see a specialist,&quot; Dr. Joel Press, NASS president, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has more about <a href=\"http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=105&amp;topcategory=Spine\" target=\"_new\">backpack safety</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('644','6','	<p><p>SATURDAY, Aug. 19 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers are trying to identify the early signs of osteoarthritis in the knees of young people who\'ve suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.</p> <p>Being able to spot the first signs of this degenerative arthritis, which causes the breakdown of cartilage in the joints, would allow early medical intervention to slow progression of the disease, say a team from the University of Michigan Health System.</p> <p>Nearly 70 percent of ACL injuries in young athletes lead to early onset of knee osteoarthritis, the researchers noted.</p> <p>&quot;There\'s no doubt that the number of ACL injuries have increased, especially among children. What\'s concerning is that by the time those kids are in their late teens or early 20s, they\'ll be living with osteoarthritis as a result of that ACL injury,&quot; Dr. Edward Wojtys, medical director of MedSports Sports Medicine Program at UMHS, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>&quot;If our study can identify the earliest changes in the knee joint among these young athletes, we have the hope to do something to try to prevent the ongoing progress,&quot; of knee osteoarthritis, Wojtys said.</p> <p>He and his colleagues will use medical imaging (such as MRI) and biochemical techniques to search for changes in the knee joints of teenagers who\'ve suffered ACL injuries.</p> <p>The researchers also hope to learn whether the early stages of knee osteoarthritis can be prevented by altering the rehabilitation program of ACL patients, limiting certain activities after injury, or changing the length of time patients wait before they return to playing sports.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more about <a href=\"http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001074.htm\" target=\"_new\">ACL injury</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('645','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:534583--> <p>THURSDAY, Aug. 24 (HealthDay News) -- In most cases, polio may not have the severe long-term effects on survivors that experts have previously feared, a new study finds.</p> <p>A team from the Mayo Clinic found that survivors did much better as they aged than had been expected, with most only suffering a modest increase in muscle decline over time. Very few of the study participants had to adapt their homes or move out due to crippling symptoms, the researchers said.</p> <p>&quot;Our polio studies have demonstrated that these aging survivors of poliomyelitis do slowly weaken over time, however, this change is very modest in the majority,&quot; said study author Dr. Eric J. Sorenson, a Mayo Clinic neurologist.</p> <p>His team published its findings in the August issue of the <i>Journal of the Peripheral Nervous System</i>.</p> <p>For many childhood polio survivors, their battle with a potentially crippling and fatal virus that ravaged the world over half a century ago is more than a terrible memory.</p> <p>Decades later, symptoms can resurface or worsen, usually marked by pain and weakness that affects survivors\' quality of life. The fear of further physical deterioration and disability often plagues polio survivors, Sorenson added.</p> <p>But the new study &quot;allows us to be reassuring even to those polio survivors with significant deficits,&quot; Sorenson said. That means a better long-term prognosis, which is the main concern of patients. </p> <p>In the study, the Mayo group tracked changes in strength and motor function for 50 polio survivors (average age 53) in Olmsted County, Rochester, Minn., for a period of 15 years. The participants were an average of 40 years past their childhood experience with polio when the study began. Participants also answered a related questionnaire.</p> <p>According to the researchers, participants did lose some strength over the 15-year study period, but this decrease was relatively small. Motor neurons -- which control motor function -- dropped off with advancing age at a rate that was comparable to non-polio survivors. The majority of study participants did complain of progressive weakness over the 15-year study period, however.</p> <p>Survivors who were most affected by polio earlier in life, or with the greatest residual weakness, were most likely to be aware of their slow deterioration, the researchers said, perhaps because they had learned to expect a decline. However, measurements suggest that these individuals didn\'t get worse any faster than others in the study.</p> <p>&quot;This study sheds some objective light on polio, showing that at least some of the deterioration is neurological and that the decline in function is real, not imagined. So, it\'s reassuring to polio survivors that their decline has some neurologic basis,&quot; said Dr. Nancy Green, Medical Director at the March of Dimes.</p> <p>Post Polio Syndrome (PPS), which occurs in two-thirds of survivors, is the re-emergence or worsening of residual deficits decades after the childhood infection, Green said. Problems can include worsening weakness and/or pain, as well as problems eating, swallowing, or breathing.</p> <p>According to another expert, a loss of motor neurons -- the nerve cells in the spinal cord that control muscles -- occurs in normal aging, as well. But since polio has already depleted survivors of many of these neurons earlier in life, they have less of a reserve when they start aging.</p> <p>&quot;There\'s a threshold of strength required to do anything, like lifting half a gallon of milk. For people without polio, there\'s a big reserve of strength, and even if they lose a little, they can compensate, whereas polio survivors have less strength to start, so every bit seems to count for more,&quot; said Dr. Julie Silver, director of the International Rehabilitation Center for Polio at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, in Framingham, Mass.</p> <p>Polio survivors are also at a higher risk of other musculoskeletal problems, such as osteoarthritis and overuse injuries, which are often treatable. The tricky part about labeling all physical problems as PPS is that it may overlook other conditions, Sorenson said. That means survivors may not get the appropriate attention or treatment that they should.</p> <p>&quot;I think as they age, almost all polio survivors have special needs, but while they may experience increased disability, they do much better with proper intervention and treatment,&quot; said Silver, who is also an assistant professor in the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School. For example, many polio survivors who rely on crutches or a cane can develop carpal tunnel syndrome, which can be surgically cured, she said. </p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>There\'s more on polio and PPS at the <a href=\"http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/681_1283.asp\" target=\"_new\">March of Dimes</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('646','6','	<p><p>(HealthDay News) -- Heavy school books may cause your child some mental and emotional stress, but don\'t forget about the physical toll it can take on his neck, back and shoulders.</p> <p>Backpacks should be selected and worn properly to avoid strain or damage to your child\'s muscles and joints, according to the Nemours Foundation.</p> <p>Backpacks are designed to distribute weight across the back and shoulders, but many children wear them with a strap over only one arm. Muscles may be damaged by the weight of books on only one side, so the foundation recommends that your child wear a backpack properly over both arms.</p> <p>Look for backpacks with straps that are padded and wide, not narrow ones that may put too much pressure on one area of the shoulder or dig into the skin under the weight of heavy books. A padded backpack can help protect your child\'s back, and a waist belt can help distribute weight across the back and reduce the risk of injury.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('647','6','	<p><p>THURSDAY, Aug. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Concerns that rheumatoid arthritis drugs called TNF blockers and related medications could cause cancer appear to be unfounded, a new study shows.</p> <p>Rheumatoid arthritis sufferers do tend to have higher rates of cancer than people without the autoimmune illness. But a team of U.S. and Canadian researchers found no increased risk for cancer among patients using drugs such as TNF blockers compared to those using other medications.</p> <p>However, cancer can develop over decades, and the drugs in question have only been around for a few years, the experts noted. They also said it\'s difficult to determine what\'s driving the higher rates of cancer seen in rheumatoid arthritis patients -- the drugs they take or the illness itself. </p> <p>In any case, medications such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists remain &quot;amazing drugs&quot; for easing arthritis symptoms, said Dr. Harminder Sikand, a pharmacist at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego. He was not involved in this study.</p> <p>TNF blockers include infliximab (Remicade), etanercept (Enbrel), and adalimumab (Humira). The drugs work by dampening down the immune system, which becomes hyperactive in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. </p> <p>An estimated two million Americans have the disorder, where chronic inflammation leads to joint damage, pain, and stiffness.</p> <p>Scientists have long noticed a connection between cancer -- especially leukemias and lymphomas -- and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, explained another expert, Dr. Clifton O. Bingham III, assistant professor of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University Arthritis Center.</p> <p>But the reasons behind the arthritis-cancer link have remained unclear, Bingham said. One prevalent theory: Anti-arthritis drugs like TNF blockers might allow cancer to occur because they suppress the immune system\'s ability to fight off tumors.</p> <p>&quot;When we think we come in with these [pharmaceutical] magic bullets, we may be knocking out something that we need,&quot; Bingham said.</p> <p>Earlier this year, a review of research suggested that the risk of cancer was 3.3 times higher in patients who took TNF-blockers compared to those taking a placebo. The overall risk of any one patient developing cancer remained very small, however. </p> <p>According to that review, 154 people would need to be treated with one of the drugs for each single person who would go on to develop cancer within six to 12 months. </p> <p>In the new study, researchers from Harvard Medical School, Boston, and the University of British Columbia, in Vancouver, examined the medical records of 1,152 people who took TNF-blockers or a related drug called anakinra (Kineret), as well as 7,306 who took another rheumatoid arthritis drug, methotrexate (brand named Rheumatrex and Trexall). </p> <p>An estimated 70 percent of rheumatoid arthritis patients are on methotrexate, Bingham said.</p> <p>Reporting in the September issue of <i>Arthritis &amp; Rheumatism</i>, the researchers concluded that users of TNF-blockers and related medications are &quot;unlikely&quot; to have a significantly higher risk of cancer than those who take methotrexate.</p> <p>While the study results are encouraging, Bingham said they aren\'t the &quot;final word&quot; on the subject.</p> <p>It\'s possible that longer-term studies may still reveal higher cancer rates, said Bingham, who\'s received funding from companies that are developing TNF blockers.</p> <p>What should patients do? Sikand, the pharmacist, suggested they consider the potential costs and benefits of the drugs. </p> <p>The benefits can be great, Sikand said. &quot;For those who are afflicted by this disease, these drugs have changed their lives. They\'re able to have a normal life.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To learn more about rheumatoid arthritis, visit the <a href=\"http://www.arthritis.org/conditions/DiseaseCenter/RA/ra_overview.asp\" target=\"_new\">Arthritis Foundation</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('648','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:534727--> <p>THURSDAY, Aug. 31 (HealthDay News) -- Scientists say they\'ve spotted potential new cellular targets for treating lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders.</p> <p>In research with mice, Japanese scientists found that blood platelet function plays an important role in an autoimmune kidney disease called crescentic glomerulonenephritis.</p> <p>Their study, published in the September issue of the journal <i>Arthritis &amp; Rheumatism</i>, also sheds light on the involvement of BLOC-1, which controls lysosomes, tiny organelles that contain digestive enzymes needed to maintain healthy cells function.</p> <p>&quot;The profound role of BLOC-1 appears to be platelet-specific among immuno-inflammatory cell types. BLOC-1 is a possible therapeutic target for suppression of platelet functions without compromising physiologic immune responses,&quot; said researchers at Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine.</p> <p>In another study, Finnish scientists identified a new type of adhesion molecule (amine oxidase, copper containing 3 - AOC3) that\'s highly expressed on vessels of inflamed human joint tissue.</p> <p>AOC3, also called vascular adhesion protein 1, spurs inflammation by interfering with the infiltration of leukocytes (white blood cells) into rheumatoid joints, the study authors said.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The U.S. National Women\'s Health Information Center has more about <a href=\"http://womenshealth.gov/faq/autoimmune.htm\" target=\"_new\">autoimmune diseases</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('649','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:534837--> <p>THURSDAY, Sept. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Drugs to treat rheumatoid arthritis were more effective when they were delivered into the central nervous system of rats, a new study finds.</p> <p>Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, used the drugs to block a protein called p38, which is involved in a number of cellular processes associated with the development of RA. It\'s believed that p38 is activated in the central nervous system in response to peripheral pain and inflammation.</p> <p>Several substances that block the action of p38 have been shown to be effective in animal models of arthritis and are currently undergoing clinical trials in people with rheumatoid arthritis.</p> <p>In this study, p38-blocking drugs were injected directly into the spinal cords of rats with arthritis. Compared to arthritic rats that received no active drug, the treated rats had substantially less inflammation, arthritis, and joint damage.</p> <p>Rats that received the same amount of drugs through injections under the skin did not show any beneficial effect on the joints. This systemic treatment approach is currently being tested in human patients, but with much higher drug doses.</p> <p>The researchers said their findings suggest that direct delivery into the spinal cord may reduce the side effects and possibly the costs of p38 inhibitors without reducing the benefits to patients.</p> <p>The study was published in the September issue of <i>PLoS Medicine</i>.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The Arthritis Foundation has more about <a href=\"http://www.arthritis.org/conditions/DiseaseCenter/RA/ra_overview.asp\" target=\"_new\">rheumatoid arthritis</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('650','6','	<p><p>SATURDAY, Sept. 9 (HealthDay News) -- You can now add &quot;BlackBerry Thumb&quot; to the list of workplace maladies, says the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).</p> <p>BlackBerry Thumb refers to an increasingly common, repetitive-stress injury stemming from use of the popular handheld electronic devices. This stress injury causes pain and/or numbness in the thumbs and joints of the hands.</p> <p>The condition is caused by spending too much time on these devices -- checking and composing e-mails, instant messaging, and accessing the Internet.</p> <p>&quot;The use of PDAs (personal digital assistants) is no longer limited to the eight hours spent in the workplace,&quot; Margot Miller, president of the APTA\'s Occupational Health Special Interest Group, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>&quot;More and more, people are depending on these devices to stay in touch with friends and family before and after the work day and on the weekends, as well as having access to work when they leave the office; that is where the heart of the problem lies,&quot; Miller said.</p> <p>Many PDA users are middle-aged and overuse of the handheld devices can aggravate underlying arthritis.</p> <p>&quot;Because the keyboard of the PDA is so small, and because the thumb, which is the least dexterous part of the hand, is overtaxed (for faster typing), the risk of injury just skyrockets,&quot; Miller said.</p> <p>The APTA offers the following tips on how to avoid BlackBerry Thumb:</p> <ul> <li>Take frequent breaks from your PDA. Don\'t type for more than a few minutes at a time. </li> <li>Write fewer and shorter messages. Learn to abbreviate your responses. </li> <li>Try to avoid thumb-typing. Use your other fingers to type. </li> <li>If possible, place a support in your lap when using a PDA, so that your wrists are in a more upright position and not flexed or bent. </li> </ul> <p>The APTA also recommends the following simple exercises:</p> <ul> <li>Tap each finger with the thumb of the same hand. Repeat five times. </li> <li>Alternate tapping the palm of your hand and the back of your hand against your thigh as quickly as you can. Repeat 20 times. </li> <li>Open your hands and spread your fingers as far apart as possible. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat eight times. </li> <li>Fold your hands together, and turn your palms away from your body as you extend your arms forward. You should only feel a gentle stretch. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat eight times. </li> <li>Fold your hands together, turn your palms away from your body, and extend your arms overhead. You should feel the stretch in your upper torso and shoulders to hand. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat eight times. </li> </ul> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has more about <a href=\"http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/repetitive_motion/repetitive_motion.htm&quot;target=\">repetitive motion disorders</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('651','6','	<p><p>THURSDAY, Sept. 14 (HealthDay News) -- The cancer &quot;wonder&quot; drug Gleevec, used to beat back leukemia and certain types of stomach tumors, also shows promise against autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.</p> <p>&quot;The data are very impressive, as impressive as anything I\'ve ever studied,&quot; said study researcher and Stanford University rheumatologist Dr. William H. Robinson.</p> <p>His team\'s findings were published online Sept. 14 in advance of their publication in the October print issue of the <i>Journal of Clinical Investigation</i>.</p> <p>Robinson\'s group was screening drugs that might possibly help the estimated 50 percent of rheumatoid arthritis patients who do not adequately respond to current therapies.</p> <p>Intrigued by case reports showing that rheumatoid arthritis symptoms improved in patients who received Gleevec (imatinib) as part of their cancer treatment, the researchers decided to test the drug in a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis. These mice developed a disease similar to rheumatoid arthritis called collagen-induced arthritis.</p> <p>Gleevec almost completely prevented the development of collagen-induced arthritis in healthy mice, Robinson\'s team reported. Compared to results in untreated mice, the drug also stopped disease progression and significantly reduced levels of bone destruction, inflammation, and tumor-like growth in and around the linings of joints.</p> <p>The researchers also tested Gleevec on cells taken from the joints of humans with rheumatoid arthritis. They found that the drug shut down the cells\' production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFa), a messenger molecule that drives rheumatoid arthritis-associated inflammation.</p> <p>Gleevec also halted the proliferation of fibroblasts, the cells that cause tumor-like growth in joint linings.</p> <p>&quot;Gleevec inhibits several types of cells that are critical in rheumatoid arthritis,&quot; Robinson said. &quot;But these cells are also critical in other diseases such as scleroderma, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease. Our results suggest a need for clinical trials of Gleevec in several human autoimmune diseases to see if it provides a benefit.&quot;</p> <p>Although Gleevec is used in chemotherapy regimens, it\'s technically not a chemotherapy pill. It was designed to target gene mutations associated with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CLL) and certain types of stomach cancers, for which it has proven very effective.</p> <p>&quot;Overall, it\'s very well-tolerated,&quot; Robinson added. &quot;Although there are some side effects such as bone-marrow suppression, it\'s not like conventional chemotherapy that causes hair loss and the sloughing of intestinal linings.&quot;</p> <p>Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease characterized by inflammation of the lining of the joints. It can lead to joint damage, resulting in pain, loss of function and disability, according to the Arthritis Foundation.</p> <p>Because many rheumatoid arthritis drugs are administered by injection, Robinson said there\'s also been a &quot;tremendous need&quot; for therapeutic options in pill form. His research suggests that doses of Gleevec lower than those used in cancer treatment would benefit patients with autoimmune disease while causing fewer side effects.</p> <p>Two case reports -- one involving a leukemia patient and another involving a patient with stomach cancer -- showed that treatment with Gleevec led to dramatic improvements in their rheumatoid arthritis symptoms, Robinson said.</p> <p>And in an open-label trial of Gleevec, two rheumatoid-arthritis patients showed significant improvement, while a third patient showed only mild improvement, he said.</p> <p>Because patients in open-label trials know they\'re receiving an experimental treatment, the results aren\'t conclusive because improvements may be related to a placebo effect. &quot;You can\'t draw conclusions about whether or not something will work in human disease without a multi-center, placebo-controlled randomized, double-blinded trial,&quot; Robinson said.</p> <p>Dr. Jonathan Edwards, a professor of connective tissue medicine at University College London, in England, doesn\'t share Robinson\'s enthusiasm for Gleevec as a possible treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. He also questioned the study\'s methodology.</p> <p>&quot;If we want to know whether or not Gleevec is helpful for rheumatoid arthritis, then the proper scientific approach is to ask the question directly,&quot; Edwards said. &quot;You see if people with rheumatoid arthritis get better when given Gleevec.&quot;</p> <p>&quot;Giving Gleevec to mice that have been subjected experimentally to a form of arthritis which looks a bit like rheumatoid arthritis but has a completely different mechanism, is both irrelevant and in my view hard to justify ethically,&quot; Edwards added.</p> <p>Robinson acknowleded that collagen-induced arthritis is not a precise reflection of human disease. &quot;Generally, the mechanisms are similar, but it\'s far from a perfect model,&quot; he said.</p> <p>Still, he remains hopeful that any forthcoming clinical trial will confirm that Gleevec is as effective in treating arthritic humans as it was in helping arthritic mice.</p> <p>&quot;It\'s an exciting time in autoimmunity, because we\'ve had seven-plus drug approvals for rheumatoid arthritis in the past five to 10 years, and it\'s really changed clinical practice,&quot; he said.</p> <p>&quot;Hopefully, drugs such as Gleevec will take us to the next level where maybe we can treat the disease in people who currently don\'t adequately respond to other therapies,&quot; Robinson said.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>There\'s more on rheumatoid arthritis at the <a href=\"http://www.arthritis.org/conditions/DiseaseCenter/RA/ra_overview.asp\" target=\"_new\">Arthritis Foundation</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('652','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:534993--> <p>FRIDAY, Sept. 15 (HealthDay News) -- While calcium supplements have been touted to prevent broken bones in adults, providing them to children may not help prevent fractures as they age, Australian researchers report.</p> <p>&quot;At two of the areas where we worry about fractures in later life -- the spine and the hip -- the giving of calcium supplements had no effect on bone health in children,&quot; said study lead author Dr. Tania Winzenberg, a musculoskeletal epidemiologist at the Menzies Research Institute, in Tasmania.</p> <p>&quot;It had been thought that calcium supplements would be more helpful than that in children,&quot; she said. &quot;So, giving calcium supplements to children has little effect on fractures, and fractures is what we worry about.&quot;</p> <p>Her team\'s report is published in the Sept. 16 edition of the <i>British Medical Journal</i>.</p> <p>In their review, the researchers analyzed data collected from 19 different studies. The studies included nearly 2,900 children between three and 18 years of age, and focused on the benefits of calcium supplementation lasting at least three months. The studies tracked bone outcomes after at least six months of follow-up.</p> <p>Winzenberg\'s team found only a small effect of supplementation on total-body bone mineral content and upper arm bone density. Children taking the supplements only had 1.7 percent better bone density in their upper arms compared to kids not taking the supplements.</p> <p>The team also found no effect on the rate of fractures seen later in life among people given calcium supplements as children. This was particularly true for common fracture sites, such as the hip and lumbar spine.</p> <p>Based on the findings, Winzenberg\'s group recommends other approaches to improving kids\' bone health, especially increasing vitamin D intake and eating more fruit and vegetables. Vitamin D is sourced mainly from exposure to sunlight, and is essential to the intestinal absorption of calcium.</p> <p>The findings don\'t apply to children who may have significant problems with their bones or who can\'t eat dairy products, Winzenberg said. For healthy children, calcium remains an important part of the diet, she noted.</p> <p>One expert agreed that calcium supplementation probably doesn\'t benefit healthy children.</p> <p>&quot;Healthy children, with an adequate diet, may have all the calcium they need to build bone,&quot; said Dr. David L. Katz, an associate professor of public health and director of the Prevention Research Center at Yale University School of Medicine. &quot;Growing bone might need a combination of materials, such as calcium combined with vitamin D, to grow stronger,&quot; he said.</p> <p>This study does not exclude a possible benefit of calcium supplementation for children with low intake of dietary calcium, or children with certain health problems, Katz said.</p> <p>&quot;But it does indicate that calcium supplementation in healthy children is a questionable practice,&quot; he said. &quot;For now, the tried-and-true approach to the early prevention of osteoporosis remains a healthful, balanced diet, and plenty of exercise,&quot; Katz said.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>There\'s more on calcium intake at the <a href=\"http://www.niams.nih.gov/bone/hi/calcium_supp.htm\" target=\"_new\">U.S. National Institutes of Health</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('653','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533070--> <p>FRIDAY, June 2 (HealthDay News) -- Despite the risks, more than 36 percent of patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)are still smoking, a new study says.</p> <p>&quot;It doesn\'t look like a good part of the [COPD] population is getting the information it needs from health-care providers,&quot; lead researcher Jeannine Schiller, a statistician with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>COPD includes chronic lung diseases like emphysema and bronchitis, and affects more than 13.5 million Americans. Symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing and productive cough. The biggest risk factor for COPD is smoking, and it will cause flare-ups and the disease to worsen.</p> <p>Almost 23 percent of the smokers in the study with COPD said that their doctor did not talk to them about quitting smoking within the last year, or offer them suggestions to help them quit.</p> <p>Doctors are instructed to talk to all smokers about their tobacco use at every visit, according to U.S. Public Health guidelines, and to give them advice on how to quit.</p> <p>Results of the study, which was conducted on over 175,000 adults over age 25, showed that although nearly half of the people studied with COPD tried to quit smoking, only 14.6 percent were successful. Patients aged 65 and older were more likely to successfully quit smoking, although younger smokers were more likely to try to quit. The majority didn\'t use any supplements to help them quit.</p> <p>&quot;I didn\'t realize how many people stop cold turkey, and I was surprised at how few use medicines and patches,&quot; Schiller said.</p> <p>The study included six years of compiled data taken from federal surveys conducted between 1997 and 2002. Results were published in the July issue of the <i>American Journal of Health Promotion</i>.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more on COPD, head to the <a href=\"http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_WhatIs.html\" target=\"_new\">U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute</a>.</p></p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('654','6','	<p><p>THURSDAY, June 8 (HealthDay News) -- Adding to the ongoing controversy over a popular class of asthma inhaler medications, a new data review suggests the drugs may be dangerous.</p> <p>Compared to placebo, the &quot;long-acting beta-agonist bronchodilator&quot; inhalers (which include Serevent and Advair) more than tripled users\' risk of asthma-linked death, according to the report. Risks of hospitalization and life-threatening complications also went up. </p> <p>&quot;These agents should not be used,&quot; concluded lead author Dr. Shelley Salpeter, a clinical professor of medicine at Stanford University and a physician at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, Calif.</p> <p>However, another doctor said the drugs <i>are</i> still safe enough to use -- although they should be prescribed carefully. </p> <p>Long-acting beta-agonist bronchodilators are designed to help relax airway muscles and improve breathing. They include popular medications such as Serevent (salmeterol) and Advair (which combines salmeterol with a steroid). The drugs are reportedly expected to gross nearly $7 billion in sales to consumers this year. </p> <p>Another family of bronchodilators, called inhaled anticholinergics, are &quot;very safe and effective,&quot; Salpeter said. But long-acting beta-agonist drugs have been controversial. Last year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning that the drugs could worsen symptoms and even lead to death. </p> <p>In the new report, Salpeter and colleagues launched a broad review, or &quot;meta-analysis,&quot; examining the results of 19 asthma drug studies involving nearly 34,000 participants. </p> <p>The findings are expected to appear in the July 4 issue of the <i>Annals of Internal Medicine</i>.</p> <p>The experts found that, compared to placebo, long-acting beta-agonists boosted the risk of asthma-related hospitalization by 2.6 times and the risk of life-threatening complications by 1.8 times. </p> <p>The risk of death rose by 3.5 times, although the researchers caution that the very small number of deaths recorded in the studies limits the &quot;reliability&quot; of that number. Even so, the findings suggest that salmeterol could be responsible for 4,000 of the annual 5,000 asthma deaths in the United States, the study authors said. </p> <p>&quot;The take-home message is that long-acting beta-agonists worsen asthma control and increase the risk for moderate asthma exacerbations, life-threatening asthma exacerbations and asthma deaths,&quot; Salpeter said. &quot;These can occur without any warning from increased symptoms, which make them especially dangerous,&quot; he added.</p> <p>Not so fast, said the author of a commentary accompanying the report findings.</p> <p>While they have dangers, the drugs can still &quot;be helpful to some people,&quot; said Dr. Jeffrey Glassroth, professor of medicine at Tufts University in Boston. </p> <p>If the drugs weren\'t used, &quot;we might prevent some adverse reactions, but we might create as many, or even more, problems in our asthmatic population,&quot; Glassroth said. &quot;What I would like to see is more rigorous adherence to the current guidelines that suggest they aren\'t first-line therapy. There are other things to be used first, and, for many patients, that may be all they need,&quot; he said.</p> <p>Meanwhile, research findings suggest that some groups -- such as African-Americans -- might be at especially higher risk if they use the drugs, he said. </p> <p>It\'s unclear how the drugs work, and it\'s not known why they can be dangerous for some people and not others, Glassroth added, although genetic factors may play a role. </p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>Learn more about asthma drugs from the <a href=\"http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202095.html\" target=\"_new\">U.S. National Institutes of Health</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('655','6','	<p><p>MONDAY, June 12 (HealthDay News) -- Elderly patients taking anti-asthmatic medications to treat their asthma or lung disease may be more likely to develop cataracts, a new study finds.</p> <p>A Canadian research team studied data compiled over 14 years from more than 100,000 patients with either asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The data came from a provincial health database and included diagnosis and prescription information for each patient.</p> <p>&quot;We found that people over the age of 65 who take a cortisone-like medication called inhaled corticosteroids to lower their risk of asthma or COPD attacks are actually raising their risk of developing cataracts,&quot; study author Dr. Samy Suissa, an epidemiologist at McGill University Health Centre in Montreal, said in a prepared statement. &quot;This important information to physicians and patients will help in the management of patients using these drugs.&quot;</p> <p>For patients who took an inhaled corticosteroid each day, researchers found that their risk of developing cataracts was 24 percent higher than patients who did not use the drugs. Researchers also noted an increase in patients who took half the typical daily dose of a prescribed inhaled corticosteroid. Of all the patients studied, over 10,000 of them developed severe cataracts.</p> <p>&quot;We recommend that elderly asthma sufferers keep using these very effective medications, but make efforts to reduce the dose of inhaled corticosteroids as much as possible,&quot; Suissa said.</p> <p>If patients are prescribed an inhaled corticosteroid, Suissa recommends a long-acting bronchodilator or anti-leukotriene combination therapy to reduce the risk of cataracts.</p> <p>The study findings appear in the June issue of the <i>European Respiratory Journal</i>.</p> <p><b>More information</b> </p> <p>For more on cataracts, head to the <a href=\"http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts.asp&quot;target =\">U.S. National Eye Institute</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('656','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533245--> <p>TUESDAY, June 13 (HealthDay News) -- Too many people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are diagnosed without first undergoing accurate testing, a new study suggests.</p> <p>COPD is swelling of the airways typically caused by emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Long-term smokers are at highest risk.</p> <p>A simple, non-invasive test known as spirometry is the most accurate method of diagnosing those with COPD, but two-thirds of people diagnosed with the disorder don\'t receive the exam.</p> <p>&quot;Spirometry testing is necessary for the diagnosis and staging of COPD, yet the majority of patients with COPD are being diagnosed based on symptoms and smoking history,&quot; said study lead researcher Todd A. Lee, of Northwestern University\'s Feinberg School of Medicine.</p> <p>Lee and his fellow researchers studied the use of spirometry among 197,878 people from the Veterans Health Administration health-care system who had been diagnosed with COPD. The study concluded that at least two-thirds of patients were diagnosed without the use of a spirometry test.</p> <p>U.S. guidelines recommend spirometry when diagnosing COPD. The study findings appear in the June issue of the journal <i>Chest</i>.</p> <p>Dr. Michael Alberts, president of the American College of Chest Physicians, said in a prepared statement: &quot;Symptoms of COPD may not be noticeable for several years, making it difficult to diagnose and treat the disease in its early stages. Lung function testing for smokers and other high risk patients may help with early identification of COPD and more effective disease management.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To learn more about COPD, visit the <a href=\"http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35020\" target=\"_new\">American Lung Association</a>.</p></p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('657','6','	<p><p>THURSDAY, June 15 (HealthDay News) -- Proper oral hygiene may do a lot more than keep your teeth bright and cavity-free -- it could be a boon to your overall health.</p> <p>A growing body of research suggests that periodontal disease may exacerbate a variety of health problems as wide-ranging as diabetes, heart disease, respiratory disease -- even premature births, experts say.</p> <p>For instance, several promising studies have found that blood-sugar levels in diabetics with periodontal disease were reduced to normal when the patients\' gum disease was treated. Other research revealed that the incidence of respiratory diseases among nursing-home residents was cut when they were treated for gum disease, said Dr. Robert Genco, distinguished professor of oral biology at the School of Dental Medicine at the State University of New York at Buffalo. </p> <p>&quot;All of these are pilot studies, and whether [the periodontal disease] is causal, we cannot say, but we can\'t ignore these associations,&quot; Genco said. &quot;Further, from a practical standpoint, there is no harm in treating periodontal disease in these patients.&quot; </p> <p>Gum disease is very common, Genco explained. Approximately 80 percent of Americans have some form of the condition, which is a bacterial infection of the gums surrounding the teeth.</p> <p>Gingivitis is the mildest and most common form of gum disease, causing inflammation of the tissues around the teeth. More serious is periodontitis, when the inflammation affects the connective tissue supporting the teeth and, eventually, the bone. An estimated 20 percent of Americans have periodontitis, making it the primary cause of tooth loss in adults.</p> <p>Because periodontal disease is so common, Genco said, treating the condition successfully could have a significant impact on public health, even if it\'s associated with only a small portion of other ailments.</p> <p>One reason gum disease could contribute to other ailments, researchers say, may be that oral bacteria get into the bloodstream and cause inflammation of other body tissues. Another possibility is that an oral infection could trigger inflammatory responses from the immune system, adversely affecting the rest of the body. </p> <p>Dr. Steven Offenbacher, distinguished professor at the Department of Periodontics at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, is studying the link between periodontal disease and preterm birth, and thinks inflammation could play an important part in the connection.</p> <p>&quot;Organisms are capable of invading the bloodstream and challenging the fetus by inflammation of the fetal and placenta unit, thus promoting premature birth,&quot; he said.</p> <p>In monitoring the dental health of 1,020 pregnant women, Offenbacher and his colleagues found that those who suffered moderate-to-serious periodontal disease (14 percent of the women) were twice as likely to give birth to premature babies, than women with healthy gums. This difference held up even when the results were adjusted to reflect factors such age of the mother, prior preterm births and socioeconomic differences.</p> <p>Offenbacher is now the lead investigator of a five-year, multi-center study that\'s enrolling 1,800 pregnant women and treating their periodontal disease, to see if the treatment reduces the risk of premature delivery. Within three years, he said, there will be good data showing whether or not treating gum disease can reduce preterm birth risk.</p> <p>&quot;We have not yet proven [a link] but the data suggests that treating the mother is safe and can improve dental health,&quot; he said.</p> <p>Meanwhile, growing interest in the possible links between periodontal disease and other illnesses has prompted study into more aggressive treatment of gum disease.</p> <p>&quot;Periodontal disease is a silent disease. The signs are not that obvious, and people really don\'t know they have problem,&quot; Genco said.</p> <p>Doctors with patients with diabetes, respiratory illnesses, heart disease as well as pregnant women would all benefit from awareness of the possible effects of periodontal disease on the conditions they\'re treating, he said.</p> <p>To help them and their patients recognize the signs of periodontal disease, Genco is one of several health professionals working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The goal: To develop a simple questionnaire for doctors to give their patients that would suggest when a patient should be seen by a dentist.</p> <p>Answering &quot;yes&quot; to questions like whether their gums bleed or if their teeth look different could indicate which patients might have gum disease and should be referred to a dentist.</p> <p>&quot;People know when their gums recede -- there can be discoloration. Or if there is a difference in the spacing of their teeth or if their teeth look different,&quot; he said.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To learn more about periodontal disease, visit the <a href=\"http://www.ada.org/public/topics/periodontal_diseases.asp\" target=\"_new\">American Dental Association</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('658','6','	<p><p>THURSDAY, June 15 (HealthDay News) -- Cystic fibrosis patients who want to reduce the quantity of drugs they take may be able to stop using their inhalers without damaging their health, a new study suggests.</p> <p>Patients previously prescribed inhaled corticosteroids to improve their breathing did not experience negative symptoms as a result of stopping inhaler use, U.K. researchers found. The patients had no increase in breathing difficulties and no need for added antibiotics to fight infections, the team report in the June issue of the <i>American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine</i>.</p> <p>For six months, researchers at London\'s Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine at Royal Brompton Hospital studied patients with cystic fibrosis. Eighty-four of the patients, averaging just under 15 years of age, were taking an inhaled corticosteroid, while 87 patients, averaging about 16 years of age, were not on the drug.</p> <p>&quot;Replacing the inhaled corticosteroids with a placebo was found to be safe, as there was no significant increase in lung-related adverse effects leading to withdrawal from the study, nor an increased need for oral corticosteroids,&quot; researcher Dr. Ian M. Balfour-Lynn said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>Patients with cystic fibrosis typically experience a buildup of thick mucus in the lungs that can cause infections and difficulty breathing. The study authors noted that in Britain, 52 percent of children and 55 percent of adults with CF currently take an inhaled corticosteroid.</p> <p>However, side effects from inhaled corticosteroids are common in CF patients, including adrenal deficiency and suppression. Some children also experience slowed growth.</p> <p>Blafour-Lynn stressed that not all patients can or should stop taking their inhaled corticosteroids. &quot;If there is objective evidence that a patient has benefited when inhaled corticosteroids were first started, then it is likely they should be continued on the drug,&quot; he said.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To read more about cystic fibrosis, head to the <a href=\"http://www.cff.org/home/ &quot;target =\">Cystic Fibrosis Foundation</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('659','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533368--> <p>TUESDAY, June 20 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. patients battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) need better diagnosis and treatment, a large new study finds.</p> <p>COPD includes serious, sometimes fatal, respiratory illnesses such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema.</p> <p>According to guidelines from the American College of Physicians and American College of Chest Physicians, there are five elements of care that are recommended as &quot;ideal care&quot; for COPD patients.</p> <p>The study in the June 20 <i>Annals of Internal Medicine</i> found that of almost 70,000 hospitalized patients with COPD, only one-third received that level of ideal care.</p> <p>Researchers noted a drastic difference in level of care at each of the hospitals studied. At some hospitals, fewer than 10 percent of patients were given ideal care, while more than 60 percent of patients at other hospitals received ideal care.</p> <p>The study indicates the need for higher utilization of recommended tests and treatments for patients with COPD and eliminating unnecessary ones. This would improve the level of care across health care institutions, the authors noted.</p> <p><b>More information</b> </p> <p>For more on COPD, head to the <a href=\"http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&amp;b=35020\" target=\"_new\">American Lung Association</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('660','6','	<p><p>WEDNESDAY, June 21 (HealthDay News) -- An immune-suppressing drug that\'s primarily used to treat cancer may also have a role in the treatment of lung disease associated with scleroderma. </p> <p>That\'s the conclusion of a new study in the June 22 issue of the <i>New England Journal of Medicine</i> that found that treatment with the cancer medication cyclophosphamide could slightly improve lung function and quality of life for people with scleroderma-related lung disease. </p> <p>&quot;Scleroderma can be a devastating disease for which there has been no effective therapy,&quot; said the study\'s lead author, Dr. Donald Tashkin, a professor of medicine in the pulmonary and critical care division at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. </p> <p>But, he said, &quot;In our study, we found that active treatment with cyclophosphamide had a significant -- statistically and clinically -- meaningful and favorable impact on disease progression.&quot; </p> <p>Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that causes scarring or thickening of the skin, and sometimes involves other areas of the body, including the lungs, heart and kidneys. About 300,000 Americans have scleroderma, according to the Scleroderma Foundation. One-third or less of those affected have widespread disease, while the remaining two-thirds primarily have skin symptoms. </p> <p>If the disease affects the lungs, causing scarring, breathing becomes restricted because the lungs can no longer expand as they should. To measure breathing capability, doctors use a device that assesses forced vital capacity (FVC). In people with an FVC of less than 50 percent of the expected reading, the 10-year mortality rate from scleroderma-related lung disease is about 42 percent, according to the study. </p> <p>One reason the mortality rate is so high is that there\'s no effective treatment available. Past research and case reports had suggested that cyclophosphamide (brand name Cytoxan) might be an effective drug for scleroderma lung disease. </p> <p>To test that idea, Tashkin and his colleagues recruited 158 patients from 13 centers throughout the United States. FVC values at the start of the study were between 45 percent and 85 percent of the predicted value. </p> <p>The patients were randomly assigned to receive either a year of treatment with cyclophosphamide or a placebo. One hundred and forty-five people completed at least six months of the trial. </p> <p>After 12 months, the adjusted FVC value was close to 3 percent better in the cyclophosphamide group than for the placebo group. Lung capacity decreased by over 4 percent for the placebo group, while the treated group stayed the same. Tashkin said that those who received treatment also reported a better quality of life than those in the placebo group. </p> <p>However, the news isn\'t all good, because cyclophosphamide has significant side effects. It can affect the bone marrow and platelet production, increase the risk of serious infections such as pneumonia, and cause bleeding in the bladder. Long-term use of the drug has also been associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. </p> <p>In a related editorial, Drs. Fernando Martinez and W. Joseph McCune, from the University of Michigan Health System, wrote that cyclophosphamide is &quot;arguably the most toxic immunosuppressive agent currently used to treat autoimmune diseases.&quot; </p> <p>Still, Martinez said, there may be patients for which the benefits of the drug outweigh the risks. </p> <p>&quot;In patients who clearly have demonstrated progression of disease or who have more severe disease, it may be reasonable to consider cyclophosphamide early on,&quot; he said. </p> <p>&quot;This is clearly a positive study. There\'s clearly a benefit, though not a dramatic benefit, and there is the potential for quite a bit of toxicity. The long-term toxicity remains unclear,&quot; said Martinez. </p> <p>Tashkin said that these findings &quot;suggest that the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks.&quot; </p> <p>Martinez said this medication, like so many others, is one that patients and doctors have to discuss and decide on a case-by-case basis if the potential benefit is worth the risk to that particular patient. </p> <p>In another study in the same issue of the journal, Italian researchers reported that they had found a blood marker associated with scleroderma that may also have a causal effect. The marker is platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and this finding may help researchers further understand the mechanisms behind the disease, which could eventually help lead to targeted therapies to treat scleroderma. </p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To learn more about scleroderma, visit the <a href=\"http://www.scleroderma.org/medical/overview.shtm\" target=\"_new\">Scleroderma Foundation</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('661','6','	<p><p>FRIDAY, June 30 (HealthDay News) -- The epilepsy drug valproate appears to ease the symptoms of adults who have a genetic disorder called spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which seriously weakens muscles, a small U.S. study finds.</p> <p>The study included seven SMA patients, ages 17 to 54, who were given a series of strength tests over the course of eight to 15 months of treatment with valproate.</p> <p>The results showed increases in the patients\' strength over the study period.</p> <p>Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis published the findings this week in the online edition of the journal <i>Neurology</i>.</p> <p>The weakening of muscles in patients with SMA can lead to difficulty in walking, eating, clearing the air passageways, and other essential functions. Increasing the muscle strength of these patients may help improve their ability to clear their lungs and reduce their risk of pneumonia, a common cause of death, the study authors said.</p> <p>Weight gain, hair loss and acne were among the side effects caused by the drug.</p> <p>A larger study is needed in order to fully evaluate valproate as a treatment for adult SMA patients, the researchers said.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The Muscular Dystrophy Association has more about <a href=\"http://www.mdausa.org/publications/fa-sma-qa.html\" target=\"_new\">SMA</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('662','6','	<p><p>FRIDAY, June 2 (HealthDay News) -- High doses of older painkiller drugs may pose the same cardiac risk as newer medications such as Vioxx and other cox-2 inhibitor drugs, according to a British study that looked at what is regarded as the best evidence from randomized, controlled trials.</p> <p>Data from 138 such trials with 140,000 participants showed a 42 percent increased risk of serious blood vessel problems such as heart attack and stroke in those taking selective cox-2 inhibitors, the chemical class that includes Vioxx (withdrawn in 2004), Bextra (withdrawn in 2005) and Celebrex, which is still on drugstore shelves.</p> <p>Cox-2 inhibitors belong to a broader class of pain relievers called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which also include non-cox-2 medications such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen and aspirin.</p> <p>And the study -- which was funded by various U.K. public-sector medical groups -- also found a similar increase in cardiac risk for other NSAIDs, said Dr. Colin Baigent, a reader in clinical epidemiology at the University of Oxford and an author of the report in the June 3 issue of the <i>British Medical Journal</i>.</p> <p>Specifically, long-term use of high-dose (800 milligrams three times per day) ibuprofen was associated with a 51 percent higher risk for &quot;vascular events&quot; compared to placebo, while long-term use of high-dose (75 milligrams two times a day) diclofenac boosted the risk by 63 percent, the U.K. team reported. No such risk was seen with long-term use of naproxen (sold under the brand name Aleve).</p> <p>Ibuprofen is marketed under many brand names, including Motrin and Advil, and diclofenac is sold under brand names such as Cataflam and Voltaren. Both are NSAIDs.</p> <p>&quot;The main thing that has not been shown directly is that ibuprofen and diclofenac at high doses appears to increase the risk by about the same amount,&quot; Baigent said. &quot;This is the first demonstration using randomized data showing an increased risk of heart disease.&quot;</p> <p>The new study, Baigent said, provides &quot;the first really reliable evidence to initiate discussions with patients about whether these risks are acceptable.&quot;</p> <p>Dr. Steven Nissen, interim chairman of cardiovascular medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, who is deeply involved in the issue, begged to differ, partly on technical grounds.</p> <p>The study results are not nearly as definite as they appear, Nissen said. For example, the reported 42 percent increased risk of heart problems with cox-2 inhibitor use was accompanied by a note saying the increase could be as low as 13 percent or as high as 78 percent, he said.</p> <p>&quot;The problem is that these trials are heterogenous,&quot; Nissen said. &quot;There are only so many times you can massage the same data. A meta-analysis is just not the same as doing a careful prospective trial,&quot; he added.</p> <p>It happens that Nissen is leading such a trial, planned to include 20,000 people. It will compare the incidence of cardiovascular events among people taking either ibuprofen or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), to that of people taking Celebrex.</p> <p>The trial results will be available in two to three years, Nissen said. Meanwhile, he said, potential users of such painkillers should discuss the benefits versus the risks of any painkiller with their physicians, and that doctors &quot;should use these drugs in the lowest doses you can for the least time you can.&quot;</p> <p>The study appeared just after the Vioxx controversy flared again, when Merck &amp; Co., which marketed the drug, acknowledged that it had erred in reporting that a crucial statistical test said the drug caused heart problems only after 18 months of continuous use.</p> <p>Nissen, who has been a consistent critic of Merck, has said &quot;there is no biologically plausible reason to expect an 18-month delay&quot; in the cardiac risks associated with Vioxx.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more on arthritis drugs, head to the <a href=\"http://www.arthritis.org/conditions/DrugGuide/index.asp\" target=\"_new\">Arthritis Foundation</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('663','6','	<p><p>(HealthDay News) -- Blisters occur when friction on the skin causes fluid to build up between the skin\'s layers. They often spring up during strenuous exercise or during use of new equipment, like new shoes. But blisters can be avoided.</p> <p>Even if shoes are new, they shouldn\'t cause blisters if they fit well, the Web site sportsinjuryclinic.net advises.</p> <p>It suggests taping areas that are prone to blistering, such as the back of the heel. Feet should be kept clean and dry, and socks should be changed regularly.</p> <p>If additional friction drains the blister, it should be immediately cleaned with a sterilizing wipe and covered to prevent further injury and possible infection, the site advises.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('664','6','	<p><p>(HealthDay News) -- Cold sores are small, red or purple blisters that usually appear on the lip or corner of the mouth. They often last a week or two, form a crust, then disappear.</p> <p>Cold sores are commonly triggered by stress, illness, exposure to the sun, or exposure to someone else who has had a cold sore, which is caused by the herpes simplex virus. If around someone who has a cold sore, avoid kissing them, touching their mouth, or sharing drinks or napkins, the Nemours Foundation advises.</p> <p>Although most cold sores will go away on their own, acetaminophen or aspirin may help alleviate pain or soreness. Try not to touch or pick at the cold sore, as that could slow the healing process and cause the sore to spread.</p></p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('665','6','	<p><p> (HealthDay News) -- Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition in which damaged arteries reduce blood flow to the body\'s muscles.</p> <p>A common symptom of PAD is pain in the calf or thigh while walking short distances, says the American Academy of Family Physicians. If you have leg pain related to PAD, it will usually go away shortly after you stop -- but will return again if you resume walking. If the pain recurs, it will typically go away in about the same amount of time each time you stop walking.</p> <p>People with PAD feel this pain because enough blood isn\'t flowing to the muscle when it\'s being used. When the body is at rest, the muscle receives enough blood -- and the pain stops.</p> <p>Those most at risk for PAD are people with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, those who smoke, and older people. You should talk to your doctor if you notice recurring leg pain while walking that goes away when you are at rest.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('666','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533346--> <p>MONDAY, June 19 (HealthDay News) -- An alternative drug for rheumatoid arthritis may help reduce symptoms in patients who don\'t respond to standard treatment, a new study shows.</p> <p>The 652 patients in the one-year, phase III study took an older medication, methotrexate, to treat their rheumatoid arthritis, plus either the new drug, abatacept, or a placebo. All of the patients had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis for at least nine years and had not responded well to methotrexate alone prior to the trial.</p> <p>Although the patients also taking abatacept did experience a higher rate of infection -- 2.5 percent compared to 0.9 percent in those taking methotrexate alone -- the new drug did appear to improve mobility and decrease joint damage caused by the disease.</p> <p>An editorial that accompanied the trial results, published in the June 20 <i>Annals of Internal Medicine</i>, cautions that these types of trials require that the new drug being tested be compared only to a placebo, instead of another drug used to treat the condition. These trials are required by the FDA before a drug can be considered for approval. The editorial also urges that use of abatecept be carefully observed until the treatment can be further evaluated.</p> <p><b>More information</b> </p> <p>The Arthritis Foundation can help you learn more about <a href=\" http://www.arthritis.org/conditions/diseasecenter/ra/ra_causes.asp &quot;target =\">rheumatoid arthritis</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('667','6','	<p><p>(HealthDay News) -- Caffeine is found in everything from morning coffee or tea to lunchtime sodas and afternoon chocolate snacks. It\'s also found in certain pain medicines, including those taken for headaches.</p> <p>According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, caffeine stimulates the central nervous system. It can make you feel more alert, although some people may be particularly sensitive. A caffeine overdose can be caused by taking medications that contain the chemical, combined with too much in your diet.</p> <p>Side effects from too much caffeine may include headaches, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, irritability, shaking and high blood sugar. Some people may even have abdominal bleeding and diarrhea, the NLM says.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('668','6','	<p><p>MONDAY, June 26 (HealthDay News) -- The <i>New England Journal of Medicine</i> on Monday issued a rare correction on a influential 2005 study on the now-withdrawn painkiller Vioxx.</p> <p>The correction involves a crucial point that was first reported a month ago: That cardiovascular risks linked to the controversial cox-2 inhibitor kick in at 4 months to 6 months of use, not after 18 months as was previously asserted in last year\'s article.</p> <p>&quot;This correction retracts the claim that there is an 18-month delay before patients experience an increased risk while taking Vioxx,&quot; said Dr. Steven Nissen, interim chairman of the department of cardiovascular medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, and the author of a related letter, also released Monday by the journal.</p> <p>&quot;What it says now is there is no delay in the risk,&quot; Nissen added.</p> <p>The original article outlined the results of the APPROVe study, which was funded by Vioxx\'s maker, Merck &amp; Co. Early data from the APPROVe trial prompted Merck -- in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration -- to pull Vioxx from the market in September 2004.</p> <p>However, until recently, Merck has contended that Vioxx-linked heart risks only arose in users after they had taken the cox-2 inhibitor drug for 18 months or more. Indeed, the original wording of the March 2005 APPROVe study echoed that contention, mentioning no risk to users before the 18-month point.</p> <p>Monday\'s correction of the March 17, 2005 <i>NEJM</i> article, which is slated to appear in the journal\'s July 13 issue, changes all that.</p> <p>Another Vioxx expert agreed that the change was long overdue.</p> <p>The correction and accompanying articles published Monday &quot;all demonstrate that there was never any data to support the 18-month duration of Vioxx exposure for risk of heart attack,&quot; said Dr. Eric Topol, professor of medicine and genetics at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland.</p> <p>&quot;Four other trials (VIGOR, Study 090, ADVANTAGE and VICTOR) also all point out that the risk of heart attack begins in the early weeks of Vioxx exposure,&quot; noted Topol, who has been at the forefront of the movement to investigate the painkiller debacle. The Cleveland cardiologist has authored 16 articles on the topic over the past five years and has also testified before the FDA in its hearings on the safety of such drugs.</p> <p>This latest chapter in the Vioxx saga began last month. On May 18, the <i>Wall Street Journal</i> reported that data submitted a week previously by Merck to the FDA showed that Vioxx began to adversely affect the cardiovascular system after only four months of use -- not the 18 months the company had asserted in the past.</p> <p>The new data -- based on a one-year follow-up of APPROVe participants -- included a key graph tracking the number of &quot;confirmed thrombotic [clotting] cardiovascular events,&quot; the <i>WSJ</i> reported. That graph showed that the number of dangerous events among Vioxx users began to outnumber those of people taking a placebo by four months of use.</p> <p>While the number of cardiovascular events included in the new analysis was not large enough to show statistical significance, it does suggest a trend beginning at four months, experts said.</p> <p>In contrast, a similar graph appearing in the study as it was originally published in the <i>NEJM</i> showed no such divergence between the two groups until the 18-month point.</p> <p>In a letter published in the journal Monday, two of the APPROVe investigators said the discrepancy between the 2005 and 2006 data lies in the fact that the original analysis left out cardiovascular events occurring more than two weeks after participants stopped using Vioxx. When this data was included in the subsequent analysis, it suggested that risks could begin to rise within four to six months of use.</p> <p>&quot;Thus, the additional safety data were not available at the time our article was published [in March 2005] and have only been compiled for analysis in the past few months,&quot; wrote Dr. Robert S. Bresalier of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and Dr. John A. Baron of Dartmouth Medical School in Hanover, N.H.</p> <p>&quot;Clearly, an in-depth analysis of the extended experience of the patients in the APPROVe trial is indicated, and it is under way,&quot; the two investigators added.</p> <p>The news came as no surprise to experts, who said the latest developments only confirmed their fears about the safety of the now-withdrawn painkiller.</p> <p>Topol pointed to another study, published in April in the online edition of the <i>Canadian Medical Journal</i>.</p> <p>In that study, researchers at McGill University, in Montreal, reviewed three years of data on Vioxx and found that 25 percent of users who suffered a heart attack did so within 14 days of taking their first dose of the drug. Topol said the Canadian study &quot;further substantiated&quot; the notion that the dangerous cardiovascular effects begin sooner rather than later.</p> <p>Another cox-2 expert said the Vioxx saga holds lessons for users of the sole remaining cox-2 on the market -- Celebrex. A second cox-2 drug, Bextra, was pulled in early 2005 due to similar heart concerns.</p> <p>&quot;This is [medically] newsworthy only in that it may bring attention to clinicians and patients using the currently available cox-2 drug and, potentially, other cox-2 inhibitors in the future,&quot; said Dr. Mark Fendrick, a professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan School of Medicine.</p> <p>Fendrick has long advised that a combination of an NSAID painkiller, such as naproxen, plus a stomach-protecting drug such as Prilosec or Nexium, can provide similar levels of pain relief as any cox-2 medication -- without the cardiovascular risks.</p> <p>&quot;I would strongly recommend this older combination over celecoxib [Celebrex] in patients at risk for cardiac events,&quot; he said.</p> <p>Since the drug\'s withdrawal, thousands of lawsuits from patients who claim Vioxx caused strokes or other cardiovascular events have been filed against Merck, and verdicts have gone both for and against the company. Last month, a Texas jury awarded $32 million to the family of a 71-year-old man; jurors said Vioxx caused his death after he had taken it for less than a month.</p> <p>According to Nissen, the new data suggesting an earlier risk &quot;window&quot; for Vioxx may be important from a legal standpoint because the 18-month cut-off has, up till now, &quot;constituted the principle legal defense&quot; for the company.</p> <p>Controversies linked to Vioxx-related data aren\'t new.</p> <p>Last December, <i>NEJM</i> editors published a rare &quot;Expression of Concern&quot; letter aimed at Merck. That letter charged that another major study on VIGOR -- published in the journal in 2000 and subsequently used as strong argument for the safety of Vioxx -- was submitted to the journal after data on cardiovascular events among Vioxx trial participants was deleted by Merck, which funded the trial.</p> <p>In a statement released at the time, Merck said it had &quot;promptly and appropriately disclosed the results of the VIGOR study.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more on cox-2 inhibitors, head to the <a href=\"http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/COX2/default.htm\" target=\"_new\">FDA</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('669','6','	<p><p>(HealthDay News) -- Bunions are hard, painful bumps that appear on the big toe joint. Bunions appear most often in women, and are usually caused by wearing fashionable tight, pointy and narrow high-heeled shoes that constrict the foot.</p> <p>Once a bunion has formed, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the joint may continue to swell and become more and more red and painful. Walking may become difficult, and the bunion may even cause arthritis and misalignment of other toes.</p> <p>The most effective way to prevent bunions is by wearing comfortable, correctly fitting shoes. They should be wide in the instep and in the toes, and have cushioned soles and a heel no higher than 2 1/4 inches. If you already have a bunion, you can wear cushioned pads inside the shoe to protect the joint from further damage.</p> <p>In some cases, the bunion may be so severe that surgery is necessary.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('670','6','	<p><p>FRIDAY, May 19 (HealthDay News) -- Even though nearly two-thirds of patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure had high or very high cardiovascular disease risk and risk factors, nearly a third of their primary care doctors felt the patients did not need a change in their treatment, Spanish researchers found.</p> <p>&quot;The results show that there is a significant lack of concern among primary care physicians about the importance of hypertension treatment in patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease,&quot; study author Dr. Antonio Coca of the Hypertension Unit, Hospital Clinic of the University of Barcelona, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>The findings were expected to be presented Friday at the American Society of Hypertension\'s annual scientific meeting, in New York City.</p> <p>The study of more than 1,400 people with treated but still uncontrolled hypertension found that 34.5 percent were at very high risk of cardiovascular disease and 29.4 percent were at high risk. There was also a high prevalence of associated cardiovascular risk factors, such as: overweight (53.7 percent); high cholesterol (52.2 percent); diabetes (39.5 percent); and family history of cardiovascular disease (15.7 percent).</p> <p>One-fifth of the patients had left ventricular hypertrophy (enlarged heart) and 12.8 percent had microalbuminuria -- an indicator of underlying cardiovascular disease, study found.</p> <p>Even though they had high blood pressure that wasn\'t controlled with treatment, 41.6 percent of the patients were still being treated with a single antihypertensive drug and only 45 percent of their doctors recommended a change in their drug treatment, such as increasing the dose of the current single drug or adding an additional drug and/or prescribing a fixed combination compound.</p> <p>The study also found that 30 percent of doctors did not feel a change in treatment was needed; 65 percent suggested that patients improve compliance with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise; and 56 percent asked patients to come in for a new control visit within 2 to 3 weeks.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The American Heart Association has more about <a href=\"http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2112\" target=\"_new\">hypertension</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('671','6','	<p><p>(HealthDay News) -- Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) occurs when fatty deposits build up inside the arteries. These deposits cause artery walls to harden, thicken, and may eventually cause blockages that could lead to a heart attack or stroke.</p> <p>Diets high in fats can lead to atherosclerosis, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says. Diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, heart disease, high blood pressure, and kidney disease are a few of the other risk factors for atherosclerosis.</p> <p>Atherosclerosis is usually treated with medications that lower cholesterol and high blood pressure, as well as dietary changes and an exercise regimen. If these remedies don\'t work, surgery to unclog the arteries may be needed.</p></p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('672','6','	<p><p>THURSDAY, May 25 (HealthDay News) -- Patients got some relief from the disfiguring disease scleroderma after taking a statin, a drug widely used to lower blood cholesterol, Japanese researchers report.</p> <p>Doctors tried the drugs after speculating that the condition may be caused by defective vasculogenesis -- the process of forming new blood vessels, according to a report in the May 25 issue of <i>Arthritis & Rheumatism</i> by physicians at the Keio University School of Medicine in Tokyo.</p> <p>&quot;In many ways, this makes perfect sense,&quot; said Kirkwood Pritchard, vice chairman of research for surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin, who conducts research on scleroderma and other conditions affecting blood vessels. &quot;Statins have many beneficial effects on blood vessels,&quot; he said.</p> <p>Scleroderma is believed to be an autoimmune disease in which the body\'s tissues produce too much collagen, forming thick connective tissue that builds up around the cells of the skin and internal organs. The mildest form of the disease causes thick, reddish patches of skin, most often on the chest, stomach or back. More severe forms can attack internal organs.</p> <p>An estimated 30,000 Americans suffer from scleroderma, and about 10,000 people die each year from systemic sclerosis, the most severe form of the condition, according to the Scleroderma Foundation.</p> <p>The root cause of scleroderma is unknown, but the disease is known to affect primarily small arteries and decrease blood flow to the extremities.</p> <p>The Japanese study was intended to determine whether and how much blood flow could be improved and scleroderma symptoms relieved by one of the most popular statins, Lipitor.</p> <p>Fourteen women who had systemic sclerosis, some for more than 20 years, took 10 milligrams of Lipitor daily for 12 weeks. Their symptoms were evaluated during the treatment period and then four weeks later. Most significantly, they also were tested for blood levels of circulating endothelial precursors (CEPs), molecules essential for the formation of blood vessels.</p> <p>CEP levels did increase anywhere from 1.7-fold to eightfold for those women who completed the study. But for 8 participants, CEP levels peaked either at weeks 4 or week 8 of the trial, then decreased gradually. And in the five women whose CEP levels increased throughout the study, those levels fell short of those seen in healthy individuals. Symptoms declined during the study, but then returned to their old levels after the drug was discontinued.</p> <p>Scleroderma is &quot;an extreme example of oxidate stress and inflammation&quot; that damages blood vessels, and &quot;statins are known to improve vascular health in a lot of ways,&quot; Pritchard said. Among other actions, they help prevent blood vessels from acting as they should, he said.</p> <p>Statins themselves might not be the answer to scleroderma, but the approach of using experimental drugs to protect blood vessels and promote the growth of new ones looks highly promising, Pritchard said.</p> <p>A statement by Dr. Masataka Kuwana, who led the Japanese study, acknowledged that these findings were just a first step.</p> <p>&quot;Further multi-center, placebo-controlled trials involving a large number of systemic sclerosis patients are necessary to confirm the clinical benefits of statins,&quot; Kuwana said.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To learn more, visit the <a href=\"http://www.scleroderma.org\" target=\"_new\">Scleroderma Foundation</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('673','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533111--> <p>MONDAY, June 5 (HealthDay News) -- Japanese researchers have discovered a way to diagnose atherosclerosis -- hardening of the arteries -- even before symptoms arise.</p> <p>Screenings using a combination of PET scans, an isotope called 15O-water, and &quot;cold pressor testing&quot; showed early signs of atherosclerosis.</p> <p>Researchers measured the blood flow through the heart of 27 hypertensive patients during periods of rest and stimulation induced by a cold pressor test, in which the patients\' feet were placed in icy water for four minutes at a time. The researchers measured the patients\' blood pressure activity via PET with 15O-water.</p> <p>One of the most beneficial aspects of this test is the early diagnosis of coronary endothelial (blood vessel) dysfunction -- the main symptom of atherosclerosis that involves the hardening of the blood vessels to the point where they cannot accommodate increased blood flow.</p> <p>&quot;We can select high-risk patients with endothelial dysfunction using blood sample analysis at an early stage of atherosclerosis, then start medical treatment or lifestyle modification,&quot; Dr. Masanao Naya, of the Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine in Sapporo, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>The ability to diagnosis atherosclerosis very early in progressive heart disease will allow patients to make lifestyle changes that can prevent an eventual heart attack, Naya said. Pharmaceutical treatments may also be initiated early to prevent further complications of atherosclerosis.</p> <p>This is &quot;quite revolutionary research,&quot; Josef Machac, cardiovascular vice chairman of the Society of Nuclear Medicine\'s Scientific Program Committee, said in a prepared statement. &quot;By measuring the response of coronary blood flow to stress, these researchers were able to detect atherosclerosis before it became evident clinically,&quot; he said.</p> <p>The findings were released at the Society of Nuclear Medicine\'s annual meeting, in San Diego.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The American Heart Association has more information on <a href=\"http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4440&quot;target=\">atherosclerosis</a></ </p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('674','6','	<p><p>FRIDAY, June 9 (HealthDay News) -- &quot;Take two bites of chocolate, a sip of burgundy, a filet of fresh fish, and call me in the morning.&quot;</p> <p>Wouldn\'t that be a great prescription?</p> <p>It may not be too far off the mark. Studies are suggesting that some of the food on your dinner plates and the drinks in your glasses may be more than just life-sustaining, they may be life-<i>preserving</i>, too, loaded with real power to heal.</p> <p>Here\'s a list of some of what experts are calling &quot;nutraceuticals&quot; or &quot;functional foods:&quot;</p><ul> <li><b>Dark chocolate.</b> A U.S. study published in July in <i>Hypertension</i> brought sweet news: Volunteers who ate just under four ounces of dark chocolate per day saw their high blood pressure drop by 10 points over two weeks, along with improved insulin sensitivity. <p>&quot;It has to do with the flavonoids that are in chocolate -- a type of antioxidant,&quot; explained registered dietitian Lona Sandon, a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association and assistant professor of nutrition at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. She stressed that only dark chocolate -- not the milk variety found in most candy bars -- provides this antioxidant punch. And she added that &quot;chocolate, no matter how it\'s packaged, comes loaded with added fat and calories. So this isn\'t a license to go wild.&quot;</p></li> <li><b>Red wine.</b> &quot;Again, flavonoids -- particularly one called resveratrol -- as well as the tannins in red wines, may increase our HDL (&quot;good&quot;) cholesterol and decrease our LDL (&quot;bad&quot;) cholesterol,&quot; Sandon said. The heart-healthy effects of cabernet, merlot and their kin appear closely linked to the grapes these wines are made from, since plain grape juice produces similar effects.</li> <li><b>Curry.</b> Curry spice is actually a mix of many spices, and early (mostly animal) studies are suggesting that one in particular -- curcumin (turmeric) -- may actually help stop cancer cells from growing. The finding could explain why rates for stomach, colon and other digestive-tract cancers are much lower in India than the United States, Sandon said.</li> <li><b>Cranberry juice.</b> For years, many women have reached into the fridge for a cheap, delicious means of preventing urinary tract infections. Flavonoids in cranberry &quot;appear to prevent bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder,&quot; Sandon explained. Studies suggest the juice may have a similar effect in preventing stomach ulcers and even gum disease.</li> <li><b>Green tea.</b> Although health-food manufacturers have rushed to praise green tea\'s powers, &quot;the jury is still out among experts on its ability to reduce cancer risk,&quot; Sandon said. The key antioxidant in green tea, epigallocatechin gallate, has been touted as a cancer-fighter by some -- but not all -- studies, and has also shown weight-loss properties. But Sandon cautioned against overdosing on green tea, especially in high-potency extract form, since it can interfere with iron absorption and raise anemia risks.</li> <li><b>Garlic.</b> It warded off vampires in the movies, and early research suggests garlic may protect against cholesterol buildup and even bacterial and viral infections in real life. But Sandon again urged moderation: Too much garlic can trigger gastric upset and even interfere with blood-thinning medications like warfarin or coumadin.</li> <li><b>Fish.</b>&quot;There\'s a <i>lot</i> of research to support including more omega-3 fatty acids in our diet, and fish is the highest quality source,&quot; Sandon said. Omega 3s help babies\' brains develop, keep cholesterol at bay, and work as a natural blood thinner to help prevent dangerous clots. While fish is the best source, supplements are fine, too, Sandon said, &quot;but make sure you get good quality.&quot;</li></ul> <p>The Dallas expert advised the truly health-conscious to stick to the food that the nutrient is sourced from, rather than reach for a supplement. &quot;How foods are put together in nature shows much more benefit than if you pull out just one tiny component and put it in a pill,&quot; Sandon said. &quot;You just don\'t get the same effect.&quot;</p> <p>And she stressed that the kitchen cupboard will never fully replace the medicine cabinet. &quot;If your physician puts you on a medication, there\'s a good reason for that,&quot; Sandon said. &quot;Don\'t throw out your cholesterol medication because you think garlic is going to do the trick instead.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more on antioxidants, visit the <a href=\"http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4452\" target=\"_new\">American Heart Association</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('675','6','	<p><p>SUNDAY, June 11 (HealthDay News) -- The president of the American Diabetes Association is urging major changes to improve the health of Americans and curb an oncoming epidemic of diabetes.</p> <p>Without these lifestyle changes, diabetes will soon take a huge toll on patients and the nation\'s health care system, Dr. Robert A. Rizza, the ADA\'s president of medicine and science, was to tell delegates Sunday at the organization\'s annual meeting in Washington, D.C.</p> <p>&quot;Unless something is done to prevent it, diabetes will result in 35 million heart attacks, 13 million strokes, 6 million episodes of renal failure, 8 million instances of blindness or eye surgery, 2 million amputations and 62 million deaths, for a total of 121 million serious diabetes-related adverse events in the next 30 years,&quot; Rizza said in a prepared statement on his remarks.</p> <p>A cure for diabetes is the ultimate goal and would save the United States approximately $6.6 trillion in the next 30 years on treating the disease. But, the ADA president said, that achievement isn\'t on the horizon.</p> <p>&quot;Although scientists are tantalizingly close to major scientific breakthroughs that could lead to a cure, of course, it is irresponsible to promise that a cure for diabetes will occur tomorrow,&quot; said Rizza. &quot;Until a cure is found, the ideal would be for every patient to receive \'optimal\' care for their diabetes.&quot;</p> <p>Maintaining this standard of care would mean that each patient with diabetes would need an A1C (blood sugar level) of less than 7 percent, blood pressure readings of less than 130/80 mmHg, LDL cholesterol readings of less than 100 mg/dl and an HDL cholesterol reading of equal to or better than 40 or 50 mg/dl for men and women, respectively. Triglycerides should also be less than 150 mg/dl, and body mass index should be less than 25 (the threshold for overweight). The ADA also recommends that each diabetic take a baby aspirin each day to help prevent stroke, and that no diabetic should smoke.</p> <p>&quot;If our health care system were designed to implement this type of \'optimal care,\' it too would have a dramatic impact on reducing heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, eye disease, amputation, and premature death,&quot; Rizza said.</p> <p>Rizza also proposed the development of a daily &quot;polypill&quot; for diabetics to treat all of the conditions that cause complications of diabetes -- blood sugar, heart attack, stroke, cholesterol and blood pressure.</p> <p>Such pills are estimated to cost about $100 per patient per year, according to Rizza. If these pills were made available to patients, compliance would increase and complications from diabetes would decrease by about 35 percent. Heart attack risk would be reduced by 50 percent, kidney failure by 4 percent, and blindness and eye surgery by 33 percent.</p> <p>&quot;If not stopped, the diabetes epidemic has the potential to overwhelm our health care system and to undermine our economy,&quot; said Rizza. </p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To read more on diabetes, visit the <a href=\" http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp&quot;target =\">American Diabetes Association</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('676','6','	<p><p>FRIDAY, June 23 (HealthDay News) -- The first generic versions of the anti-cholesterol drug Zocor (simvastatin) were approved Friday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.</p> <p>Zocor, made by Merck &amp; Co., is the 2nd-best selling statin drug in the United States behind Pfizer\'s Lipitor. Statins, designed to control high cholesterol and other fatty substances in the blood, accounted for $16 billion in U.S. sales last year, the FDA said in a statement.</p> <p>Even though generic versions of Zocor will be available, the drugs will still require a prescription.</p> <p>Generic simvastatin in 5 mg. 10 mg., 20 mg., and 40 mg. doses will be produced by IVAX Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Northvale, N.J.</p> <p>An 80 mg. dose of the drug will be made by Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc. of Princeton, N.J., the agency said.</p> <p>Merck\'s patent on the drug expired Friday.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To learn more about high cholesterol, visit the <a href=\"http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/chol/wyntk.htm\" target=\"_new\">U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('677','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533349--> <p>MONDAY, June 19 (HealthDay News) -- A sleep disorder characterized by violent dreams, often acted out while sleeping, may be more common in people taking antidepressants, new research suggests.</p> <p>Although REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) typically occurs in patients in their 50s, doctors are noticing a trend of more frequent RBD in 30-something patients taking antidepressants.</p> <p>During REM sleep, muscles are usually paralyzed, but antidepressants may affect neurotransmitters that keep muscles paralyzed -- allowing for RBD to occur, say researchers at the Mayo Clinic.</p> <p>&quot;Our findings suggest that RBD in younger patients -- in the 30s instead of the usual age of the 50s or older -- is frequently linked to antidepressant use,&quot; lead researcher Dr. R. Robert Auger, sleep medicine specialist at the Mayo Clinic, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>But he cautioned that the findings can have multiple interpretations.</p> <p>&quot;I\'d interpret this to mean one of three things: 1) in younger patients, antidepressants can cause RBD, or 2) in younger patients, RBD results in psychiatric diagnoses that then result in antidepressant prescriptions, or 3) a common factor is causing both the RBD and the psychiatric diagnoses, which in turn results in antidepressant prescriptions,&quot; Auger said.</p> <p>&quot;If medications are implicated in a direct manner, it may be an idiosyncratic effect, it could be related to the dose of the medication, or the medications simply may be unmasking an underlying predisposition to RBD,&quot; the Mayo expert added.</p> <p>Researchers studied 20 patients under the age of 50 between 2002 and 2005 who had been diagnosed with RBD. Patients with neurological diseases such as Parkinson\'s or dementia were excluded from the study. These patients were compared to patients over age 50 diagnosed with RBD.</p> <p>Eighty percent of the younger RBD patients were being prescribed antidepressants, the researchers noted, while only 15 percent of RBD patients in the older age group were taking antidepressants. Females also appear more likely to experience RBD at a younger age -- 45 percent of the younger patients were female, compared to just 13 percent of older patients.</p> <p>Findings from the study were to be reported Monday at the Associated Professional Sleep Societies\' SLEEP 2006 meeting in Salt Lake City.</p> <p>&quot;From the results of our study, it appears that young-onset RBD is frequently associated with antidepressants. It nevertheless appears to be a relatively rare phenomenon, so I don\'t think one should hesitate to take an antidepressant based on this particular risk,&quot; said Auger. &quot;Physicians should be aware of this potential side effect, however, particularly in patients who complain of sleep disturbances. I\'m hoping these findings will create a greater awareness, as practitioners generally would not link medications with RBD.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b> </p> <p>The National Sleep Foundation has more information on <a href=\"http://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleeplibrary/index.php?secid=&amp;id=67 &quot;target =\">REM Sleep Behavior Disorder</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('678','6','	<p><p>TUESDAY, June 13 (HealthDay News) -- Stroke and heart attack patients who are hospitalized in the ICU must keep their blood sugar under tight control, a new U.S. study concludes.</p> <p>The study of 216,000 ICU patients found high blood sugar linked to an increase in death risk among certain patients, and that the risk varied according to disease type.</p> <p>&quot;The increased deaths associated with hyperglycemia in intensive care units was highest in those without diagnosed diabetes and in those admitted with cardiovascular disorders, such as heart attacks, unstable angina, and strokes,&quot; said study author Dr. Mercedes Falciglia, assistant professor of medicine at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Division of Endocrinology in Ohio.</p> <p>Even a very slight increase in blood sugar -- as little as one milligram per deciliter above normal -- increased the risk of mortality, the study showed. Risk was highest in stroke patients at 15 times greater than normal in patients with the highest blood sugar readings. High blood sugar did not appear to increase the risk of death in ICU patients with COPD or liver failure, researchers said.</p> <p>&quot;These findings suggest that different disease states are variably affected by hyperglycemia, with the strongest association in individuals with cardiovascular disorders,&quot; said Falciglia.</p> <p>Falciglia\'s team calculated a patient\'s risk of death by evaluating their diagnosis, other health problems, test results and age using a mathematical formula, and then recalculated their risk to include the duration of their hospitalization.</p> <p>Although previous studies have linked high blood sugar to increased risk of death of hospitalized patients, attempts to control blood sugar with insulin have received mixed results -- some studies did note improvements, while others showed no difference in mortality with insulin therapy.</p> <p>&quot;Based on the outcome of this large study, we believe that the variable results of those studies may be due to the unique ways that high blood glucose may or may not affect mortality in different types of diseases -- which can be uniquely revealed through large and diverse databases such as those generated by the network of Veterans Affairs hospital ICUs,&quot; said Falciglia.</p> <p>&quot;This effect seen was also greatest in patients without diagnosed diabetes, a finding that deserves further study, because it is not clear why hyperglycemia occurs in hospitalized patients who do not have diagnosed diabetes nor why they may have worse outcomes in some cases than people with diagnosed diabetes,&quot; Falciglia added.</p> <p>Results of the study were presented at the American Diabetes Association\'s annual Scientific Sessions, in Washington, D.C.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>There\'s more on controlling blood sugar at the <a href=\"http://www.diabetes.org\" target=\"_new\">American Diabetes Association</a></p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('679','6','	<p><p>TUESDAY, June 13 (HealthDay News) -- Wondering if you\'re going to develop diabetes in your lifetime? Spend a minute on the bathroom scale: According to new research, your weight can provide a good indication of your future risk.</p> <p>Nearly three out of four morbidly obese 18-year-old men, for example, will develop type 2 diabetes in their lifetime. And 35 percent of 18-year-old women who are simply overweight will contract the disease.</p> <p>&quot;This is the first time we were able to collect the type of data needed for these observations,&quot; said study author Dr. K.M. Venkat Narayan, chief epidemiologist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The research &quot;can help us to know where to focus our attention.&quot;</p> <p>Narayan\'s report is one of several studies into diabetes risk factors that are being released at the American Diabetes Association\'s annual scientific sessions, in Washington, D.C.</p> <p>In the Narayan study, researchers examined the results of a national survey of almost 800,000 U.S. adults completed between 1997 and 2004. The researchers wanted to find out how body mass index (BMI) -- a ratio of weight to height -- translates into diabetes risk.</p> <p>According to the study, an obese man with a BMI around 30 -- say, a 6-foot-tall man who weighs 225 pounds -- has a 57 percent chance of developing type 2 diabetes. A woman with the same BMI -- say, weighing 190 at 5-feet, 6-inches -- has a 55 percent chance.</p> <p>By contrast, just 20 percent and 17 percent of 18-year-old men and women of normal weight, respectively, are expected to develop type 2 diabetes, the study found.</p> <p>&quot;The message here is, compared to a person with normal weight, a person who is overweight or obese at age 18 has a substantially higher chance of developing diabetes during his or her lifetime,&quot; Narayan said.</p> <p>Among people aged 65 and older, &quot;the additional risk of being overweight added a bit of extra risk, but not so much,&quot; Narayan said. &quot;It\'s a very different situation from an 18-year-old who\'s overweight.&quot;</p> <p>But older people who are obese had a &quot;substantially higher&quot; risk of type 2 diabetes than those who weighed less, Narayan said.</p> <p>Why are overweight people at risk of diabetes? The reasons aren\'t clear, but they appear to have something to do with how fat disrupts the ability of cells to work with the hormone insulin, which helps convert blood sugar into energy for the body, Narayan said.</p> <p>An estimated 19 million Americans have type 2 diabetes, and studies suggest that one-third of adults with the disease don\'t even know they have it. If left untreated, the disease can lead to complications such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, nerve problems, and foot or limb amputation.</p> <p>Being overweight is thought to be a key risk factor for the disease.</p> <p>Dr. Robert J. Rushakoff, an associate clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, said the study findings are &quot;alarming&quot; but valuable to doctors.</p> <p>&quot;Since prevention is so important, physicians and other health-care providers can make use of these dramatic numbers to talk to patients and try to start a move to better diet and exercise,&quot; he said. </p> <p>In another study released at the diabetes meeting, Swedish researchers have linked three gene variants to type 2 diabetes. People with two or more of the variations have the highest risk of the disease. But, the researchers added, it\'s too early to predict for sure if someone will develop the disease.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To check your body mass index, visit the U.S. <a href=\"http://nhlbisupport.com/bmi/\" target=\"_new\">National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('680','6','	<p><p>WEDNESDAY, June 14 (HealthDay News) -- Lowering blood levels of a protein found in higher quantities among those with insulin resistance might cut the risk of diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease, a new study suggests.</p> <p>The finding, reported in the June 15 issue of the <i>New England Journal of Medicine</i>, could lead to better screens for insulin resistance, a new test that could better assess the effects of diet and exercise programs on reducing diabetes risk, and new therapies targeted at lowering the levels of this molecule, known as retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4).</p> <p>&quot;In this study, we have found a new molecule which seems to track very tightly with insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome, which is a constellation of insulin resistance and other cardiovascular disease risk factors,&quot; said lead investigator Dr. Barbara Kahn, chief of the division of diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston.</p> <p>Kahn said the current study found an association between RBP4 and insulin resistance, but the researchers couldn\'t confirm whether or not RBP4 is simply a marker of insulin resistance or if it actually causes insulin resistance.</p> <p>However, previous research done by Kahn\'s group on animals seems to suggest that RBP4 may play some role in the development of insulin resistance.</p> <p>&quot;In the animal studies from last year, we showed that elevating the levels of RBP4 can cause insulin resistance. Furthermore, preventing the usual rise in serum RBP4 levels seen in mice on a high-fat diet can markedly reduce their insulin resistance,&quot; she said.</p> <p>RBP4 is normally used by the body to transport vitamin A in the blood, according to the study.</p> <p>Nearly 21 million Americans suffer from diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. About 90 percent to 95 percent of those people have type 2 diabetes, and insulin resistance is often a precursor to the disease. Since the body\'s cells don\'t use insulin properly with insulin resistance, blood sugar rises and the pancreas continues to produce more and more insulin to try to lower the blood glucose level. Over time, however, the pancreas can\'t keep up with this demand and begins to lose its ability to produce insulin, resulting in diabetes.</p> <p>Because the animal studies so closely linked RBP4 and insulin resistance, the researchers wanted to know if there was an association between this protein and insulin resistance in humans.</p> <p>To assess the relationship in people, the researchers looked at blood samples from people from three different areas: California, Sweden and Germany. They chose three distinct groups of people -- the largest group included 60 volunteers.</p> <p>The first group included lean people, obese people without diabetes and obese people with type 2 diabetes. The second group was made up of people who had normal glucose metabolism, impaired glucose metabolism or type 2 diabetes. The final group included non-obese people with a strong family history of type 2 diabetes.</p> <p>In the first group, the lean study volunteers had the lowest levels of RBP4, with an average of 24 micrograms per milliliter (mcg/ml). For obese people without diabetes, the average was 39 mcg/ml, while the obese volunteers who had diabetes averaged 41 mcg/ml.</p> <p>Those with insulin resistance had higher levels of RBP4 in the second group. The group with normal glucose tolerance had an average level of 26 mcg/ml, while those with impaired glucose tolerance had an average level of 60 mcg/ml. People with type 2 diabetes had an average of 63 mcg/ml.</p> <p>The third group of people -- who weren\'t obese -- had an average level of 31 mcg/ml, which was higher than the lean subjects in the first group, indicating that their family history of the disease might be putting them at an increased risk of diabetes. That means that RBP4 might be able to be used as a screening test for those at high risk to measure who is more likely to develop diabetes.</p> <p>Additionally, the researchers found that high levels of RBP4 were associated with a higher body mass index, elevated hip-to-waist ratio, higher triglyceride levels, decreased HDL cholesterol and increased blood pressure. All of these factors are part of metabolic syndrome, and suggest a greatly increased risk of heart disease.</p> <p>Finally, the researchers had some of the participants exercise at a moderate pace three to four times a week for about 60 minutes at a time.</p> <p>&quot;A reasonable amount of exercise lowered RBP4. It was a protocol that many people could carry out,&quot; Kahn said.</p> <p>&quot;In people with insulin resistance, RBP4 is something that could be followed and could be used to motivate patients to make lifestyle changes. They could see how the levels of RBP4 are going down, and use this as an indication that the changes are working,&quot; she said. Kahn added, however, that the commercially available tests for RBP4 aren\'t yet sensitive enough to do this.</p> <p>She said her team is interested in doing a study to see if lowering RBP4 levels would be helpful in people with diabetes. Because RBP4 is used for vitamin A metabolism, it couldn\'t be knocked out completely, Kahn said, but doctors would only need to reduce levels to normal.</p> <p>&quot;Clearly, this study demonstrates that this binding protein is a more sensitive marker for insulin resistance than other things we look at,&quot; said Dr. Stuart Weiss, an endocrinologist at New York University Medical Center.</p> <p>Weiss was excited by the possibility of using RBP4 to track the progress of diet or exercise programs in people with diabetes or at risk for the disease.</p> <p>&quot;Whatever I can do to get people motivated to go for a stroll after dinner, get on the treadmill, or even just get off the bus a stop earlier is helpful, and the thought that an early disease marker might encourage people to do that is very exciting,&quot; he said. &quot;Even just a 15-minute walk has been shown to increase outcomes in insulin sensitivity.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To learn more about insulin resistance and pre-diabetes, visit the <a href=\"http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/insulinresistance/\" target=\"_new\">National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('681','6','	<p><p>WEDNESDAY, June 14 (HealthDay News) -- An embryonic stem cell\'s magic lies in its ability to grow into any type of cell in the body, offering a potential means of replacing or repairing damaged tissues.</p> <p>Now, scientists say, a molecule called Nanog may someday allow ordinary cells to borrow that magic.</p> <p>&quot;Ultimately, we may be able to directly reprogram an adult cell [from a patient, for example] into embryonic stem cells, and from these obtain the cells needed to treat the disease,&quot; said lead researcher Jose Silva, of the Institute for Stem Cell Research at the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom.</p> <p>Silva cautioned that, &quot;there is, however, a long way to go -- we have identified Nanog as a major player, but it does not act alone.&quot;</p> <p>His team published its findings in the June 15 issue of <i>Nature</i>.</p> <p>The clinical promise of embryonic stem cells, which give rise to all cells in the human body, is potentially limitless.</p> <p>Dr. Robert Goldstein, chief scientific officer for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, believes these cells might someday be used to help replace insulin-producing cells in the pancreas that are destroyed in type 1 diabetes. &quot;We would like to have an alternate supply, other than people donating their pancreas after death,&quot; he said.</p> <p>However, ethical concerns on the therapeutic use of embryonic stem cells have left scientists in the United States and elsewhere looking for alternatives.</p> <p>In its research, Silva\'s team focused on mechanisms that give embryonic stem cells their &quot;pluripotency&quot; -- their ability to develop into any of the body\'s 200-plus cell types. &quot;Nanog was first identified in 2003,&quot; he said. &quot;It is a protein that acts in embryonic stem cells [and in the early embryo] to keep cells pluripotent.&quot;</p> <p>But its true significance hasn\'t been understood until now. In the latest study, Silva\'s team fused embryonic mouse stem cells with nerve-cell stem cells and with ordinary cells from the thymus -- a technology called &quot;cell fusion.&quot; During this process, the hybrid cell that is produced is essentially &quot;reprogrammed&quot; with a different set of instructions, including just what type of cell it can develop into once it divides.</p> <p>Suspecting that Nanog was key to this process, the U.K. team genetically engineered the new cells to produce extra Nanog. The result: &quot;Up to 200 times more hybrid cells were formed,&quot; Silva said.</p> <p>&quot;This is a clear indication that Nanog is acting in the reprogramming process,&quot; he said.</p> <p>However, he stressed that the discovery won\'t, on its own, revolutionize stem cell research.</p> <p>&quot;At the moment, it is not yet feasible to turn an adult cell into an embryonic stem cell simply by introducing Nanog,&quot; Silva said. Many other molecular players are likely to be involved and &quot;there is still much more work to be done to unravel the whole process of reprogramming,&quot; the Edinburgh expert said. He said research aimed at answering those questions is currently under way.</p> <p>&quot;Stem cell research is arguably one of the most exciting fields of biomedical research today, but, as with all scientific endeavors, it advances step by step, at times apparently gently, but always surely,&quot; Silva said.</p> <p>Goldstein, too, stressed that more research is needed.</p> <p>&quot;It\'s not like you can go from A to B, and restore [pluripotency] just with Nanog,&quot; he said. &quot;This is extremely complicated biology and one little piece of information -- even if it\'s extraordinarily important -- does not give you the whole answer.&quot;</p> <p>And the diabetes expert said efforts to find viable alternatives should not keep advocates from continuing to lobby for the medical use of embryonic stem cells.</p> <p>&quot;We have studied the embryonic stem cell, we know what it can do,&quot; he said. &quot;We don\'t want to give up on that.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>Find out more about stem cells at <a href=\"http://stemcells.nih.gov/\" target=\"_new\">U.S. National Institutes of Health</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('682','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533347--> <p>MONDAY, June 19 (HealthDay News) -- The number of new cases of type 2 diabetes among middle-aged Americans has doubled over the past 30 years, researchers report.</p> <p>&quot;There has been tremendous concern, but probably not enough concern, about the emerging epidemic of diabetes,&quot; said Dr. Robert Rizza, a professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic and president of the American Diabetes Association. &quot;It doesn\'t take long to be doubling before the numbers are simply too great to be even conceived of.&quot;</p> <p>&quot;We\'ve got to stop this, and, of course, it\'s obesity which is driving it,&quot; Rizza added. &quot;This is a biologic weapon which has been unleashed on our population -- its name is diabetes.&quot;</p> <p>Experts agree that the great increase in obesity over the same time frame appears to be responsible for the growing incidence of diabetes. An estimated two-thirds of adult Americans are now overweight or obese.</p> <p>&quot;These [diabetes numbers] warrant monitoring, especially if we continue to see increases in the trends of obesity,&quot; said study lead author Dr. Caroline S. Fox, a medical officer at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute\'s Framingham Heart Study.</p> <p>The study findings appear in the June 19 issue of the journal <i>Circulation</i>.</p> <p> In type 2 diabetes, the body either doesn\'t produce enough insulin -- the hormone that converts blood sugar to energy for cells -- or the cells ignore the insulin. Left untreated, the disease can produce complications such as heart disease, blindness, nerve and kidney damage.</p> <p>In their study, Fox and her colleagues collected data on 3,104 men and women, ages 40 to 55, who participated in the Framingham Offspring study. All participants were diabetes-free at the start of the study, and they received a routine physical examination during the 1970s, the 1980s, and the 1990s. They were also followed for eight years to track new cases of diabetes.</p> <p>The researchers found that the odds of developing type 2 diabetes increased 40 percent from the 1970s to the \'80s, and doubled between the \'70s and \'90s. The data revealed that among women, there was an 84 percent increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes in the \'90s, compared with the \'70s. In men, the incidence of type 2 diabetes more than doubled in the \'90s compared with the \'70s.</p> <p>This trend must be reversed to avoid serious repercussions for the U.S. economy and health-care system, Rizza said.</p> <p>&quot;It requires a concerted effort by our health-care system, by our government, by all parts of society to realize that this epidemic is endangering not only all the people alive, but our children and our children\'s children,&quot; Rizza said. &quot;Our health-care system and our nation\'s economy cannot tolerate one in three people having diabetes.&quot;</p> <p>One expert thinks the only way to correct the problem is by making a total lifestyle change.</p> <p>&quot;This epidemic results, almost entirely, from obesity and sedentary behavior,&quot; said Cathy Nonas, director of the obesity and diabetes program at North General Hospital, in New York City, and a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.</p> <p>&quot;The more sedentary we are, the fatter we get, the more insulin resistance we get, the more at risk we are for type 2 diabetes,&quot; Nonas said. &quot;We have to maintain healthier weights. We have to be active.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To learn more, visit the <a href=\"http://www.diabetes.org/type-2-diabetes.jsp\" target=\"_new\">American Diabetes Association</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('683','6','	<p><p>MONDAY, June 26 (HealthDay News) -- Drinking lots of coffee cut women\'s risk of developing diabetes in an 11-year study, researchers report. But it was the antioxidants, not caffeine, in the brew that probably did the trick.</p> <p>In fact, diabetes risk was reduced most in participants who preferred decaffeinated coffee, the researchers said.</p> <p>&quot;In our study, for whatever reason, it doesn\'t look like caffeine has anything to do with it,&quot; said lead researcher Mark A. Pereira, an associate professor of epidemiology and community health at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.</p> <p>His team published its findings Monday in the <i>Annals of Internal Medicine</i>.</p> <p>In the study, Pereira\'s team gathered data on nearly 29,000 older women who answered questions about risk factors for diabetes such as age, body mass index, physical activity and smoking. They also reported on their consumption of various foods and beverages, including regular and decaffeinated coffee.</p> <p>Adjusting for those risk factors, the researchers found that women who drank more than six cups a day of any type of coffee were 22 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes, the kind that occurs in adult life, compared to those who avoided coffee.</p> <p>But diabetes risk dropped even more -- by 33 percent -- for those who drank more than six cups a day of decaf, the study authors found.</p> <p>Pereira pointed out that coffee has many components, including powerful antioxidant chemicals similar to those found in berries and grapes.</p> <p>&quot;When you get up to four or five or more cups per day, you might have very powerful antioxidant activity,&quot; he said. &quot;That might be important for protecting the pancreas\' beta cells from oxidant damage,&quot; he said.</p> <p>Beta cells produce insulin. Adult, or type 2, diabetes, occurs as the body slowly loses its ability to produce insulin.</p> <p>The report was described as &quot;not surprising&quot; by Rob van Dam, a research scientist at the Harvard School of Public Health. He was part of a research team in the Netherlands who first reported the protective effect of coffee in 2002. Several other studies, including one done at the Harvard School of Public Health, have backed up those original findings.</p> <p>&quot;We found exactly the same protective effect of decaffeinated coffee,&quot; van Dam said. &quot;People think that if coffee causes it, it must be the caffeine, but coffee is a very complex mixture,&quot; he added.</p> <p>One component of coffee that has caught van Dam\'s attention is chlorogenic acid, which seems to be able to slow the absorption of sugar by cells. Studies in rats found that the molecule lowered blood-sugar levels, he said.</p> <p>There\'s another reason to hope that chlorogenic acid is beneficial: According to van Dam, it\'s abundant in both red wine and chocolate. &quot;People think that nutritionists are always recommending things they don\'t like, but that\'s not true,&quot; he said.</p> <p>Still, he and Pereira agreed that it\'s much too early to single out any one component of coffee as beneficial.</p> <p>&quot;Clearly, the next step is experimental studies in humans,&quot; van Dam said.</p> <p>&quot;It\'s going to take some really meticulous clinical trials,&quot; Pereira added.</p> <p>The study was funded by a grant from the U.S. National Cancer Institute.</p> <p> Meanwhile, in a joint statement released Monday, The American Diabetes Association and American Heart Association called for greater prevention and treatment efforts to stem the continuous rise in diabetes and in cardiovascular-related deaths that related to under-treated risk factors. </p> <p>&quot;The importance of identifying a core set of risk factors such as pre-diabetes and diabetes, prehypertension and hypertension, dyslipidemia and obesity cannot be overstated,&quot; said Dr. Robert H. Eckel, president of the AHA. &quot;It is long past time to start getting these risk factors under control through lifestyle changes and medication. It\'s not as if we don\'t know how. The research is there,&quot; he said. </p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>Find out if you\'re at risk for type 2 diabetes at the <a href=\"http://www.diabetes.org/risk-test/text-version.jsp\" target=\"_new\">American Diabetes Association</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('684','6','	<p><p>(HealthDay News) -- Diabetic retinopathy results when fluctuating blood sugar levels and other effects of diabetes cause damage to blood vessels in the eye\'s retina. It can affect both type 1 and type 2 diabetics.</p> <p>Weakened vessels in the eye often leak blood, which can appear as squiggles or dark spots on the eye to someone with retinopathy, the National Eye Institute says. Left untreated, the condition can cause blindness.</p> <p>The institute recommends an annual eye exam for every diabetic. More frequent visits may be needed if you\'ve already been diagnosed with the condition.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('685','6','	<p><p>FRIDAY, June 30 (HealthDay News) -- People with type 2 diabetes can expect to suffer from fatal and non-fatal heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular events about 15 years earlier than non-diabetics, a new study shows.</p> <p>&quot;The rates are consistently higher,&quot; said lead researcher Dr. Gillian Booth, an adjunct scientist at the Institute of Clinical Evaluative Sciences in Toronto, Canada.</p> <p>Her team published its findings in the July 1 issue of <i>The Lancet</i>.</p> <p>It\'s long been known that type 2 diabetes increases the risk for cardiovascular disease. In the study, Booth\'s team studied the hospital and death records of nearly 9.5 million Canadians -- 379,000 of them with diabetes. They hoped to determine how fast diabetes accelerates an individual\'s progression to higher levels of risk for cardiovascular disease.</p> <p>The study found that men with type 2 diabetes entered the cardiovascular &quot;moderate-risk&quot; category at an average age of just under 39 years; for non-diabetic men, that transition didn\'t typically occur until more than 15 years later, at about age 55. Diabetic men entered the &quot;high-risk&quot; category at just over 49 years of age, compared to 62 years for men without diabetes, the researchers found.</p> <p>The numbers for women were similar. Women with type 2 diabetes were classified as being at moderate risk for heart disease at an average age of 46, compared to 62 years for non-diabetic women. And women with type 2 diabetes entered the high-risk category at 56 years, compared to just under 69 years of age for women without diabetes.</p> <p>Perhaps the most striking numbers in the report involved life expectancy. People with type 2 diabetes who were also classified as being at moderate or high risk for cardiovascular disease died an average of about 18 years earlier than non-diabetics, the researchers found.</p> <p>&quot;This report is a call to action to physicians to be aggressive in identifying patients and helping them by telling them to be more physically active and watch their weight,&quot; said Dr. V.S. Srinivas, an interventional cardiologist at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City.</p> <p>The report &quot;underscores the importance of identifying diabetics early on,&quot; he said. Srinivas believes physicians should be on the alert for persons at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes and intervene early.</p> <p>The study indicates that intervention at an early age is a good strategy, Booth added.</p> <p>&quot;Under 40, people with diabetes seem to have a low-to-moderate absolute risk of cardiovascular disease,&quot; she said. &quot;So at that age, it makes sense to individualize treatment.&quot;</p> <p>Srinivas said efforts at prevention could well start even earlier, with educational programs for children on the risks of diabetes.</p> <p>The study covered only type 2 diabetes -- the kind that generally begins in the adult years, often due to being overweight and lack of exercise, Booth noted. An estimated 16 million to 18 million Americans have type 2 diabetes, triple the number 30 years ago, due in large part to the upsurge in obesity. People who are obese -- defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater -- have a five-fold greater risk of type 2 diabetes than those with a normal BMI of 25 or less, according to the National Institutes of Health.</p> <p>In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin, a hormone that converts blood sugar to energy for cells.</p> <p>The study did not look at the effects of type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease in which the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas are destroyed. &quot;We need to do work about that,&quot; Booth said.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>Find out much more about diabetes at the <a href=\"http://www.diabetes.org\" target=\"_new\">American Diabetes Association</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('686','6','	<p><p>WEDNESDAY, May 24 (HealthDay News) -- Drinking lemonade could help prevent painful kidney stones, new research shows.</p> <p>Regular consumption of the refreshing drink -- or even lemon juice mixed with water -- may increase the production of urinary citrate, a chemical in the urine that prevents the formation of crystals that may build up into kidney stones.</p> <p>So conclude two studies presented Tuesday at the American Urological Association annual meeting in Atlanta.</p> <p>Kidney stones develop when minerals from urine crystallize and build up on the inside of the kidney. In most people, urine contains a chemical that prevents crystal buildup, but that chemical does not work in people prone to kidney stones. When the body tries to remove the crystallized deposits through the narrow tubes of the urinary tract, a person may feel pain and burning. </p> <p>In the study led by Kristina Penniston, an assistant scientist in the Department of Surgery at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, researchers retrospectively examined the medical records of 100 patients who had been prescribed lemonade therapy after seeking treatment for calcium oxalate kidney stones. Calcium oxalate stones are the most common type of kidney stones.</p> <p>&quot;We\'d been recommending lemonade therapy for about 10 years, but within the last five or six years, we really noticed that people on lemonade therapy have extremely high urinary citrate concentrations,&quot; Penniston said. &quot;We knew people were seeing results in urine biochemistries, and [lemonade therapy] was fairly well-tolerated.&quot;</p> <p>About two thirds of the patients drank about 4 ounces of pure lemon juice that they poured into 2.5 liters of beverages throughout the day or 32 ounces of low-sugar or low-calorie prepared lemonade, Penniston said. The remaining patients in the study were treated with a combination of lemonade therapy and potassium citrate, a medication that maintains the antacid level in urine. </p> <p>After an average treatment time of about 40 months, &quot;in both groups, urinary citrate increased and so did urine volume. But the increase in volume was only significant in groups with lemonade therapy,&quot; Penniston said. For patients prone to kidney stones, drinking lots of fluids and increasing urinary volume may help prevent future stone formation. </p> <p>In another study presented at the conference, conducted by researchers at Duke University, 12 patients with mild-to-moderate hypocitrauria -- a condition that causes a person to produce low levels of urinary citrate -- drank 120 milliliters of lemon juice mixed with two liters of water throughout the day. </p> <p>After the researchers compared the people treated with lemonade therapy to patients taking potassium citrate, results showed that 11 of the 12 patients had increased urinary citrate levels during lemonade therapy. </p> <p>The kidney stones of the people taking lemonade therapy also decreased in size and number during the course of the treatment, which lasted an average of 41 months. </p> <p>Although the results of these two studies indicate that lemonade therapy may offer a simple alternative treatment to people with kidney stones who can\'t tolerate taking potassium citrate, much more research needs to be conducted, both study authors concluded. </p> <p>&quot;Both of these studies are addressing a very specific individual -- individuals with low urinary citrate. They\'re not suggesting that everyone with a stone problem try this,&quot; said Dr. Eric N. Taylor, of Brigham and Women\'s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, both in Boston. </p> <p>Taylor also noted that the type of lemonade used in therapy may easily add extra sugar or calories to a person\'s diet. &quot;The problem is, if someone would just drink 2 liters of lemonade, it could represent a significant amount of calories and sugar,&quot; he said. &quot;When people think lemonade, they don\'t necessarily think of lemon juice. The key is you need real fruit,&quot; he said.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more information about the risk factors, symptoms, and prevention of kidney stones, visit the <a href=\"http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/stonesadults/index.htm\" target=\"_new\">U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('687','6','	<p><p>WEDNESDAY, May 31 (HealthDay News) -- Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) appear to be directly related to body-mass index, even if a person is not overweight.</p> <p>&quot;This sheds some light that any excess weight over ideal body weight may have a detrimental effect,&quot; said study author Dr. Brian Jacobson, an assistant professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine.</p> <p>&quot;Even if you were of normal weight and experienced a gain, you are more prone to reflux,&quot; added Dr. Anthony A. Starpoli, a gastroenterologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.</p> <p>GERD occurs when the valve between the stomach and the esophagus fails to close properly. As a result, the contents in the stomach, including stomach acid, can spill up into the esophagus, leading to erosion of the esophagus and, in some cases, esophageal cancer.</p> <p>Researchers have already established that overweight and obese people are at an increased risk for GERD, but there have been questions about the link between body-mass index (BMI) and GERD. </p> <p>The authors of this study, which appears in the June 1 issue of the <i>New England Journal of Medicine</i>, wanted to look at a broader range of categories of BMI.</p> <p>&quot;Studies in the past have lumped together all normal-weight people,&quot; Jacobson explained. &quot;We said, &quot;Let\'s tease apart the normal weight as well.\'&quot; </p> <p>The investigators asked randomly selected women participating in the Nurses\' Health Study to fill out a supplemental questionnaire assessing the frequency, severity and duration of GERD symptoms.</p> <p>Women were categorized according to BMI; BMI was then cross-referenced with symptom information.</p> <p>Of 10,545 women who completed the questionnaire, 2,310 (22 percent) reported having symptoms at least once a week while 3,419 (55 percent of those who had any symptoms) described their symptoms as moderate in severity.</p> <p>Women who had a BMI of less than 20 had a 33 percent lower chance of having GERD symptoms compared with women with a BMI of 20 to 22.4. </p> <p>And compared to women with BMIs of 20 to 22.4, women with a BMI of 22.5 to 24.9 had a 38 percent higher risk of GERD symptoms. A BMI of more than 25 is considered overweight.</p> <p>Even women who had a normal BMI at the start of the study but who saw an increase of more than 3.5 in their BMI had an increased risk of GERD symptoms. </p> <p>&quot;We see an extremely linear trend that shows that the higher up you go on the BMI scale, the higher risk you have,&quot; Jacobson said. </p> <p>The study suggests that lower is better -- within reason.</p> <p>&quot;If you have heartburn and you\'re at your ideal body weight, I don\'t think anyone would suggest that you go to an unhealthy [low] weight,&quot; Jacobson said. &quot;If you have put on a few pounds over the past few years and notice a few symptoms or your symptoms got worse, you may the have motivation to lose weight.&quot; </p> <p>And given that excess weight is linked to a host of other ailments including heart disease, cancer and diabetes, you could be doing yourself a bigger favor than just ridding yourself of heartburn. </p> <p>&quot;Those conditions are all silent so people aren\'t all that motivated to lose weight,&quot; Jacobson said. &quot;With heartburn, there\'s this annoying problem that\'s in your chest. It sort of redefines how you think of weight.&quot;</p> <p>&quot;Rip-roaring heartburn and regurgitation affects your quality of life immediately,&quot; Starpoli added. &quot;We need to educate people that there are things that they can work on to avoid other problems such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.&quot; </p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more on GERD, visit the <a href=\"http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gerd\" target=\"_new\"> National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('688','6','	<p><p>THURSDAY, June 1 (HealthDay News) -- As many as one in five Americans suffers from the pain, bloating and embarrassment caused by irritable bowel syndrome, one of the most common disorders diagnosed by doctors.</p> <p>But little is known about the disorder. In fact, doctors have been unable to pinpoint a specific cause, or find any cure.</p> <p>Increasingly, research is focusing on the effect the mind may have on gut function. Many doctors believe the link between brain and body might prove the key to effective treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).</p> <p>&quot;It\'s really a brain-gut disorder,&quot; said Dr. Lin Chang, an associate professor at the University of California, Los Angeles\' Division of Digestive Diseases and School of Medicine. &quot;We\'re gaining more information from many different aspects, but I don\'t think we have the whole story down yet.&quot;</p> <p>Abdominal pain, bloating, cramping, constipation, and diarrhea are the main symptoms of IBS, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).</p> <p>But specific symptoms vary from person to person. Some have constipation, while others experience diarrhea. Some find their symptoms wax and wane, subsiding for a few months and then returning, while others say their symptoms get worse as time passes.</p> <p>Awareness of IBS has grown over the past decade, said Chang, who is also director of the Women\'s Digestive Health Center at UCLA\'s Digestive Diseases Research Center. &quot;Most people may not understand what the symptoms are, but they recognize the name.&quot;</p> <p>However, IBS remains a highly embarrassing and taboo disorder. Many people are ashamed of their symptoms, and find it hard to confide even in their family physician. Up to 70 percent of people suffering from IBS are not receiving medical care for their symptoms, according to federal statistics.</p> <p>&quot;The majority of patients with IBS don\'t seek medical treatment,&quot; Chang said. &quot;I wouldn\'t say this is an easy topic to talk about at all.&quot;</p> <p>Researchers have not discovered any specific cause for IBS, but several theories have gained some traction.</p> <p>Chang said it appears that IBS could be initially triggered by some sort of serious physical or psychological problem, such as a runaway infection, a major surgery, or a deep depression.</p> <p>The sufferer\'s colon grows particularly sensitive, and reacts violently to certain foods and stress.</p> <p>Once IBS has been triggered, a number of mental and physical occurrences have been associated with a worsening of symptoms, according to the NIH. These include:</p> <ul> <li>large meals,</li> <li>certain medicines,</li> <li>particular foods, including wheat, rye, barley, chocolate, milk products or alcohol,</li> <li>caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea or soft drinks,</li> <li>stress, conflict or emotional upsets.</li> </ul> <p>Antidepressants are typically used to treat flare-ups of IBS and provide some relief to patients. Fiber supplements or laxatives for constipation, medicines to decrease diarrhea, or antispasmodics drugs to control colon muscle spasms and reduce abdominal pain also are commonly prescribed.</p> <p>Interestingly, doctors have found that psychological treatments like hypnosis, relaxation training or psychotherapy provide the same amount of relief -- or even more -- than drug therapy.</p> <p>&quot;Treating the patient really requires a holistic approach where you treat both the body and the mind,&quot; said Dr. Charles Gerson, co-director of the Mind-Body Digestive Center in New York City and an associate clinical professor of gastroenterology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. &quot;In the short term, therapy has proven more effective than medicine. Western medicine has forgotten how much the mind and body interact.&quot;</p> <p>A vicious circle can develop with IBS when the patient\'s body and mind interact in a way to make the disorder grow worse, Gerson said.</p> <p>For example, the gut can cause discomfort that makes the patient feel depressed or anxious. That depression or anxiety can then turn around and make the discomfort even more severe, he said.</p> <p>&quot;It just keeps going around and around,&quot; Gerson said. &quot;You have to treat both sides of the circle to see positive benefit.&quot;</p> <p>Research has shown that IBS is affected by the immune system, which is affected by stress. Because of that, stress management is an important part of IBS treatment. Patients are urged to deal with stress through counseling, regular exercise and a healthy amount of sleep.</p> <p>On the physical side, careful eating has been shown to reduce IBS symptoms.</p> <p>With advice from a doctor or dietitian, IBS patients have been able to reduce their discomfort by removing problem foods from their diet such as dairy products, or by increasing their fiber intake.</p> <p>Eating smaller meals more often, or eating smaller portions, has also been found to help IBS symptoms in some people. Another effective habit involves eating meals that are low in fat and high in carbohydrates, such as pasta, rice, whole-grain breads and cereals.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To learn more, visit the <a href=\"http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/irritablebowelsyndrome.html\" target=\"_new\">National Library of Medicine</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('689','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533295--> <p>THURSDAY, June 15 (HealthDay News) -- An analysis of eight previously published studies shows a link between major intestinal surgery and infertility, U.S. researchers report.</p> <p>Women who underwent a procedure called &quot;ileal pouch anal anastomosis&quot; to treat their ulcerative colitis were 48 percent more likely to be infertile. That\'s much higher than the 15 percent risk of infertility observed in women who received drug treatment for the disease instead.</p> <p>Ulcerative colitis causes an inflammation of the lining of the large intestine, which results in severe diarrhea and rectal bleeding. Ileal pouch anal anastomosis is an often-necessary surgery to alleviate symptoms of ulcerative colitis, and involves removing the lower large intestine and replacing it with a small, artificial pouch built from the small intestine.</p> <p>Since all patients seemed to be at equal risk of infertility, no other factors about patient history or the procedure seemed to be the cause of the increase in infertility. Researchers at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, noted that the surgery may cause blockage or scarring of the fallopian tubes, which carry eggs to the womb.</p> <p>The study was published in the June 14 online issue of <i>Gut</i>.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The Crohn\'s and Colitis Foundation of America has more information on <a href=\" http://www.ccfa.org/&quot;target =\">ulcerative colitis</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('690','6','	<p><p>(HealthDay News) -- Nausea can be caused by a variety of things -- a bacterial or viral infection, pregnancy, food poisoning, or reaction to drugs or therapy. Here are suggestions from the Cleveland Clinic on how to ease that nauseous feeling:</p> <ul> <li>Drink fluids to keep yourself hydrated, but stick to cold, clear drinks like water or clear soda.</li> <li>Try to eat small meals of bland foods, like dry toast or saltine crackers. Avoid anything fried, greasy, or sugary, as they\'re more likely to aggravate your stomach.</li> <li>Eat and drink slowly.</li> <li>Lie still after eating or drinking; avoid activity.</li> <li>Try not to combine hot and cold foods -- stick to one at a time.</li> <li>Don\'t brush your teeth right after eating.</li> </ul> <p>If your nausea or vomiting continues for more than 24 hours, contact your doctor.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('691','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533508--> <p>TUESDAY, June 27 (HealthDay News) -- New research may allow scientists to prevent a certain strain of <i>E. coli</i> bacteria from causing illness in people who have contracted the bacterial infection.</p> <p>This development may also be effective in preventing other types of bacterial infections, and help reduce dependence on antibiotic treatments, the researchers said.</p> <p>Scientists at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas have identified a receptor, QseC, that <i>E. coli</i> uses to receive signals from the intestine and subsequently transmit the bacteria into the intestine to cause infection and symptoms such as diarrhea.</p> <p>Once the infection-releasing receptor was identified, the researchers were then able to block the signals sent from the intestine using phentolamine, an alpha blocker commonly prescribed to control high blood pressure.</p> <p>&quot;This receptor is found in many pathogens, so we can use this knowledge to design specific antagonists to block bacterial infections,&quot; study author Dr. Vanessa Sperandio, assistant professor of microbiology at the university, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>The researchers studied the effect of adrenergic antagonists -- including alpha and beta blockers -- on the QseC receptor\'s capacity to receive signals from the hormones in the intestine. Phentolamine was successful in adhering to the receptor and filling the space that it would normally fill with the epinephrine and norepinephrine signals sent from the intestines.</p> <p>The findings from this study, published in this week\'s <i>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</i>, may provide better insight into future treatments for bacterial infections without the use of antibiotics, the researchers said.</p> <p>&quot;Overuse of antibiotics has led bacteria to develop resistance to antibiotics, so a novel type of therapy is needed,&quot; Sperandio said.</p> <p><b>More information</b> </p> <p>The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on <a href=\"http://www.cdc.gov/NCIDOD/DBMD/diseaseinfo/escherichiacoli_g.htm\" target=\"_new\"><i>E. coli</i></a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('692','6','	<p><p> (HealthDay News) -- Constipation refers to difficult or infrequent bowel movements.</p> <p>Insufficient fiber and fluids in the diet are the most common causes of constipation, according to the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Certain supplements and medications may also affect the regularity of bowel movements, including blood pressure medications, painkillers and antidepressants.</p> <p>The ASCRS says the best way to get regular again is to increase daily dietary fiber, making sure to drink plenty of fluids. Bran, whole grains and whole wheat, fruits and vegetables are all high in fiber and will help constipation. Fiber supplements may also help, but laxatives should be used under a doctor\'s guidance, the society says.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('693','6','	<p><p>TUESDAY, June 6 (HealthDay News) -- Compared with conventional Pap smears, testing for the human papillomavirus (HPV) caught more precancerous lesions, European researchers report.</p> <p>In addition, the newer liquid-based Pap test, which is commonly used in the United States, had marginally improved sensitivity, but produced more false positive results, the researchers found.</p> <p>Their report appears in the June 7 issue of the <i>Journal of the National Cancer Institute</i>.</p> <p>&quot;In a large, randomized, controlled trial of women aged 35 to 60 years, HPV testing was more sensitive than traditional cytology in detecting precancerous lesions of the uterine cervix,&quot; said lead researcher Dr. Guglielmo Ronco, from CPO Piemonte, in Torino, Italy.</p> <p>Approximately three lesions were detected by HPV testing for every two detected by traditional cytology, Ronco said. &quot;Adding [liquid] cytology to HPV increased sensitivity only marginally, but increased the false positive rate,&quot; he added.</p> <p>Ronco\'s team screened 33,364 women for cervical cancer, half with conventional Pap smears and the other half with HPV tests and liquid-based Pap tests. Women with abnormal cells from either Pap test or a positive HPV result were further examined by a technique called colposcopy, where doctors use a magnifying instrument to get a detailed view of the cervix.</p> <p>HPV accounts for virtually all cases of cervical cancers.</p> <p>The researchers found that HPV testing combined with liquid-based Pap testing led to a 47 percent increase in sensitivity, compared with conventional Pap smears, but increased the chance of false positives by 60 percent.</p> <p>HPV testing alone increased sensitivity by more than 40 percent. Liquid-based Pap tests did not show greater sensitivity than conventional Pap smears but increased the number of false positives.</p> <p>Given these findings, Ronco recommended that HPV testing, if used as a primary test for cervical screening, should be applied without cytology in all women.</p> <p>&quot;Cytology should be only in HPV-positive women,&quot; Ronco said. &quot;They should be directly referred to colposcopy if cytology is abnormal. If cytology is normal, then they should be retested after one year and referred for colposcopy only if still HPV-positive.&quot;</p> <p>One expert said that although these findings are important, they highlight the inadequacy of the current screening tests for cervical cancer.</p> <p>&quot;This finding is important, because it upholds the information that we\'ve had to date that the liquid-based Pap smears are better than the old slide-based Pap smears,&quot; said Dr. Jennifer Wu, an obstetrician/gynecologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.</p> <p>HPV testing and liquid Pap smear has the highest sensitivity, Wu said. But the high degree of false positives means that many women have further unnecessary procedures.</p> <p>&quot;What is discouraging is that HPV testing and HPV testing with liquid-based cytology both have really high false positive rates,&quot; she said. &quot;That means that patients have to undergo colposcopy and possibly undue anxiety. The ideal screening test has yet to be found.&quot;</p> <p>&quot;We need a screening test that captures all of the cervical neoplasms but with very little false positives,&quot; Wu said. &quot;And we don\'t have that yet.&quot;</p> <p>Another expert thinks that HPV testing might be the best initial test for women, although an HPV test alone for screening for cervical cancer is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.</p> <p>The results of this study and others could lead the way for using the HPV test as the first test for women rather than a Pap test, said Debbie Saslow, director of breast and gynecological cancer at the American Cancer Society.</p> <p>Currently, Saslow recommends that women get a Pap test plus an HPV test. &quot;If women have a choice, they should get a liquid Pap test plus an HPV test,&quot; she said.</p> <p>The current shortfalls in cervical cancer screening might eventually be ameliorated by the expected FDA approval this week of Gardasil, a cervical cancer vaccine that is 100 percent effective against the two most common strains of HPV. On Monday, new research presented in San Diego at the annual meeting of American Society of Clinical Oncology showed that the vaccine also protects against vaginal and vulvar cancers.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The American Cancer Society can tell you more about <a href=\" http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1X_What_is_cervical_cancer_8.asp\" target=\"_new\">cervical cancer</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('694','6','	<p><p>TUESDAY, June 6 (HealthDay News) -- A program for monitoring and treating nursing home residents for pneumonia saved a lot of money by keeping them out of the hospital, a new Canadian study finds.</p> <p>Pneumonia and other respiratory tract infections are common in nursing homes. Many patients are sent to emergency rooms for treatment, the study said, but a program that had specially trained nurses monitor and guide treatment of the patients more than halved the rate of hospitalization.</p> <p>The program saved an average of $1,000 per patient in U.S. dollars, said Dr. Mark Loeb, a professor of pathology and molecular medicine at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. The overall U.S. annual savings would be $800 million, if every nursing home in the United States adopted the program, Loeb estimated.</p> <p>The findings appear in the June 7 issue of the <i>Journal of the American Medical Association</i>.</p> <p>The study included 680 older people diagnosed with respiratory tract infections in 22 Canadian nursing homes. Half of them got the usual treatment, and 22 percent of them eventually were sent to hospitals. The other half got what amounted to the same sort of treatment given in hospitals -- chest X-rays, antibiotics, oxygen blood level monitoring, close attention by trained nurses -- and only 10 percent of them wound up in hospitals.</p> <p>And, Loeb noted, &quot;there was no difference in the death rate in the two groups.&quot;</p> <p>Widespread adoption of the monitoring program &quot;would benefit the acute-care system,&quot; Loeb said. &quot;It would reduce congestion in emergency rooms.&quot;</p> <p>The program would also improve the response to the feared pandemic of avian flu, Loeb said, and the extra cost of training nurse practitioners would be more than offset by the savings in hospital costs.</p> <p>The report drew limited praise from Dr. David Dosa, an assistant professor of medicine at Brown University and an expert on the issue. &quot;It clearly suggests that hospitalizations and their resulting costs can be reduced when well thought-out guidelines are in place and are utilized,&quot; he said.</p> <p>However, Dosa said, &quot;there are a number of key limitations to this paper, however, that should temper excitement.&quot;</p> <p>One limitation is the availability of the nurses required for the program, Dosa said. Many hospitalizations now occur after-hours or on weekends, when skilled nursing home personnel are not available, he said. Once in the hospital, the patients are kept there, even though they could be returned to the nursing home after basic treatment.</p> <p>Other problems, Dosa said, are that &quot;nursing homes in the United States are understaffed and poorly reimbursed, particularly for skilled, acute care,&quot; and there are no incentives, financial or otherwise, for them to keep patients from going to the hospital.</p> <p>Nevertheless, Loeb said, &quot;what we are saying is that using this pathway can reduce hospitalizations by more than 50 percent.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>An overview of pneumonia and other respiratory infections is offered by the<a href=\"http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000145.htm\" target=\"_new\"> National Library of Medicine</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('695','6','	<p><p>THURSDAY, June 8 (HealthDay News) -- A vaccine to prevent the leading cause of cervical cancer -- infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) -- was approved Thursday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.</p> <p>HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. Besides causing up to 70 percent of cervical cancer cases, HPV also causes precancerous genital lesions and genital warts.</p> <p>Gardasil, made by Merck &amp; Co., is approved for use by females 9 to 26 years old. The vaccine is given as three injections over a six-month period, the FDA said.</p> <p>Some 6.2 million Americans are infected with genital HPV every year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates. In most women, the body\'s immune system clears the virus without complications. But in some cases, HPV can promote abnormal cells on the lining of the cervix that ultimately become cancerous, the FDA said.</p> <p>On average, there are 9,710 new cases of cervical cancer each year in the United States, leading to 3,700 deaths.</p> <p>Because the vaccine doesn\'t protect against less common HPV strains, routine Pap screening remains crucial to early detection and treatment of precancerous changes in the cervix, the FDA stressed.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To learn more about cervical cancer, visit the <a href=\"http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/wyntk/cervix\" target=\"_new\">National Cancer Institute</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('696','6','	<p><p>(HealthDay News) -- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is characterized by a feeling of extreme tiredness that lasts more than six months and cannot be explained by another medical condition, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.</p> <p>CFS does not improve with bed rest, and typically gets worse with physical activity.</p> <p>Other symptoms of CFS include muscle pain or weakness, and difficulty with memory or concentration. CFS affects far more women than men, and most patients are between the ages of 40 and 50.</p> <p>There are no laboratory tests or procedures that can officially diagnose the condition, the CDC says. Treatments usually focus on easing symptoms, and preventive measures to reduce stress and overexertion. Dietary changes and physical therapy also may be in order.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('697','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533495--> <p>TUESDAY, June 27 (HealthDay News) -- New information about the role of bone marrow stem cells could lead to important advances in treating diseases like leukemia, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, scientists say.</p> <p>Researchers at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation in Oklahoma City, in collaboration with the University of Tokyo, Osaka University and Saga University of Japan, studied the purified bone marrow stem cells of laboratory mice. They discovered that these cells -- once thought to be essentially dormant -- can identify the presence of bacteria and viruses in the blood.</p> <p>&quot;We have long known that so-called hematopoietic (blood) stem cells create the blood cells that are the front-line soldiers in the body\'s immune system,&quot; study author and foundation researcher Paul Kincade said in a prepared statement. &quot;But we did not believe that infectious agents played an active role in the process,&quot; he added.</p> <p>Once the infectious agents have been identified, the stem cells begin defending the body against these foreign pathogens -- a fact that surprised the scientists.</p> <p>&quot;What we have now discovered is that these stem cells have a sort of antennae that detect bacteria and viruses,&quot; said Kincade. &quot;And when stem cells receive these distress signals, they spring to action, creating cells the body most needs early in life-threatening situations,&quot; he said.</p> <p>That could mean very good news for patients with autoimmune diseases. Understanding the role of these stem cells means that scientists one day may be able to figure out how to manipulate these stem cells to benefit such patients.</p> <p>&quot;It may be possible to boost immunity when necessary and also shut down inappropriate responses. That could provide a powerful tool to fight cancer, lupus and many other diseases,&quot; Kincade said.</p> <p>The findings appear in the June issue of the journal <i>Immunity</i>.</p> <p><b>More information</b> </p> <p>Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions have more information on <a href=\"http://autoimmune.pathology.jhmi.edu/\" target=\"_new\">autoimmune diseases</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('698','6','	<p><p>(HealthDay News) -- The hepatitis A virus can infect both children and adults, but a vaccine is available to protect everyone over the age of 1. The virus is passed from person to person, often through oral or manual contact.</p> <p>Hepatitis A is not a chronic (long-term) infection, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Once a person has had hepatitis A, he cannot contract the virus again -- although symptoms may continue for a time. Most people\'s symptoms include nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, and fatigue.</p> <p>The CDC recommends vaccination as the best way to prevent the virus. Also, be sure to wash your hands after using the restroom, after changing a diaper, and before handling food.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('699','6','	<p><p>FRIDAY, June 30 (HealthDay News) -- A diagnosis of celiac disease currently means a lifetime of watching what you eat -- making sure that no gluten, a product found in many commonly eaten foods, ever passes your lips.</p> <p>But that dietary restriction may soon come to an end. According to researchers in the Netherlands, an enzyme originally developed for commercial food processing -- AN-PEP -- may be able to break down gluten in the stomach before it reaches the small intestine. That\'s important, because the small intestine is where celiac disease originates. </p> <p>&quot;There is a realistic chance that this enzyme can be used to develop an alternative treatment for celiac disease,&quot; said the study\'s lead author, Frits Konig, professor of immunology at Leiden University Medical Center.</p> <p>&quot;It is very difficult to predict if such an enzyme-based treatment would actually be preferred over a gluten-free diet, but at the very least, it would provide patients with the option to occasionally follow a normal diet -- for example, when going out or during other social occasions, times when a gluten-free diet is certainly bothersome,&quot; he said. </p> <p>Konig and his colleagues reported their findings in the online journal <i>American Journal of Physiology - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology</i>.</p> <p>Celiac disease affects about 1 percent of people in the United States and Europe, according to Konig. It\'s an autoimmune disease that occurs when the body mistakenly sees gluten molecules as foreign invaders that need to be destroyed. Along with destroying gluten molecules, parts of the small intestine are destroyed during the immune system response. Eventually, it becomes difficult for the small intestine to properly absorb nutrients from food, which can cause anemia and vitamin deficiencies. </p> <p>Currently, the only effective treatment is to avoid gluten altogether. While this may not sound difficult, Konig pointed out how hard it really is to do. &quot;Gluten is a common protein found in wheat and related cereals like barley and rye. This means many common food products, like bread, breakfast cereals, pasta, cookies, etc., are forbidden,&quot; Konig said. &quot;Moreover, gluten is often used as an additive in the food industry, so, many products that are not normally associated with wheat may contain gluten,&quot; he added. </p> <p>The Netherlands researchers aren\'t the only ones studying enzymes as a treatment for celiac disease. Earlier this week, researchers at Stanford University announced they had also discovered an enzyme -- EP-B2 -- that can help prevent the inflammatory immune system response that occurs when gluten is consumed. </p> <p>Both the enzymes used in the Dutch study and the California study have only been tested in cultures, not in humans. There is no animal model for celiac disease, so treatments can\'t be studied in animals, either. Konig said that, in the acidic environment of the stomach, he believes the enzyme used in the Stanford research wouldn\'t survive. The AN-PEP enzyme, however, should work well in the stomach, he said. </p> <p>&quot;AN-PEP is very efficient and completely breaks down gluten proteins into fragments that are so small that they can no longer cause inflammation in the intestine,&quot; Konig said. &quot;This we have also demonstrated by using white blood cells from patients that respond to gluten and cause inflammation in the intestine. These cells no longer respond to gluten when it has been treated with the AN-PEP enzyme,&quot; Konig added. </p> <p>AN-PEP is derived from Aspergillus niger, a common fungus, according to Konig. Because Aspergillus niger is already used in commercial food processing, he said he doesn\'t expect there to be side effects from the treatment. </p> <p>Konig said the next step is to conduct human trials. </p> <p>Dr. Roshini Rajapaksa, a gastroenterologist at New York University Medical Center, is enthusiastic about the Dutch findings. &quot;This could be a huge advancement in terms of treating a very common disease, and it will help a lot of people who are suffering or are dramatically changing their lifestyle,&quot; she said.</p> <p>Rajapaksa had a word of caution, however. &quot;Right now, we\'re dealing with chemicals in test tubes, so we don\'t know about any potential side effects. All sorts of things occur in the human body, though it doesn\'t look like there\'s any reason this shouldn\'t work,&quot; she said. </p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To learn more about celiac disease, visit the <a href=\"http://www.celiac.org/cd-what.php\" target=\"_new\">Celiac Disease Foundation</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('700','6','	<p><p>THURSDAY, July 6 (HealthDay News) -- Many more young children than previously thought are stricken with the flu each year, a new U.S. study finds. And researchers say doctors often fail to diagnose the illness, increasing the likelihood that children are spreading the disease.</p> <p>&quot;The burden of influenza was very high&quot; among young children, said Dr. Katherine Poehling, lead author of the report and assistant professor of pediatrics at Vanderbilt Children\'s Hospital in Nashville, Tenn.</p> <p>The findings are a good argument for making sure children in this age group get vaccinated against seasonal flu. &quot;Vaccination has been shown to decrease infection rates and severity of the illness as well as the ability of patients to transmit the virus,&quot; said Dr. Michael Marcus, director of pediatric pulmonology/allergy at Maimonides Medical Center in New York City. &quot;For all three reasons, vaccination is a good thing.&quot;</p> <p>Results of the study were first reported to the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) in February, and formed the basis for new recommendations that children six months to five years of age be inoculated for the flu every year. The prior ACIP recommendation, made in 2004, was that all children aged six to 23 months receive the annual influenza vaccine. </p> <p>Yet, drawing on data from 2000 to 2004, the study authors found that doctors often failed to recognize flu in young children. A correct diagnosis was only given 28 percent of the time to pediatric patients hospitalized with the disease, and just 17 percent of the time to outpatients, the researchers said.</p> <p>More than one-third -- 35 percent -- of the children studied visited a doctor or clinic within two days of the onset of the flu, meaning antiviral medication may have been useful. </p> <p>Dr. Jonathan McCullers, assistant member in the department of infectious diseases at St. Jude Children\'s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., said the study findings are &quot;really, really good support for what the ACIP is doing. Eventually we think they are going to push for all kids [to be vaccinated] and I really applaud this because the burden of the disease is huge.&quot;</p> <p>Until 2002, annual flu shots were recommended only for children older than six months when they had certain co-existing conditions. </p> <p>&quot;We would like for doctors to do the tests and give the children antivirals so we don\'t have those hospitalizations and bad outcomes,&quot; McCullers said. </p> <p>Marcus added: &quot;These children not only get sick from influenza but spread it to other children and to adults, to parents, grandparents, babysitters. They are an important vector for influenza to spread to the rest of population.&quot;</p> <p>According to the study authors, rates of hospitalization and outpatient visits for influenza in young children had not been well documented. </p> <p>For the study, the researchers looked at children younger than 5 years of age in three U.S. counties who had visited a doctor for an acute respiratory tract infection or fever. Nasal and throat swabs were tested for the flu virus and parents were asked whether their child had been vaccinated. Children who were hospitalized between 2000 and 2004 were also followed. </p> <p>The study, appearing in the July 6 issue of the <i>New England Journal of Medicine</i>, is one of the first to look at this data prospectively, rather than relying on backdated records. This makes the findings particularly robust, McCullers said. </p> <p>The authors calculated that the average annual rates of hospitalization for influenza were 4.5 per 1,000 children aged 0 to 5 months of age; 0.9 per 1,000 children 6 months to 23 months of age; and 0.3 per 1,000 children 24 to 59 months of age. </p> <p>The authors also discovered that 50 clinic visits and six emergency-department visits per 1,000 children were attributable to the flu during the 2002-03 flu season, as were 95 clinic visits and 27 emergency-room visits per 1,000 children during the 2003-04 season. </p> <p>The authors concluded that pediatric outpatient visits due to the flu were 10 to 250 times more frequent than hospitalizations, and &quot;few influenza infections were recognized clinically.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more information on the flu and the flu vaccine, visit the U.S. <a href=\"http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm\" target=\"_new\">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('701','6','	<p><p>WEDNESDAY, May 17 (HealthDay News) -- Tests that spot hearing problems in newborns can spare those children delays in learning language as they grow, a new British study confirms.</p> <p>The study of 120 children with severe hearing impairment found that those born during a time when there was mandatory screening developed better language skills than those born when screening was not mandated.</p> <p>The report should help overcome lingering doubts about the value of newborn screening programs and the need for swift follow-up if a potential problem is detected, said two American experts who wrote an accompanying commentary.</p> <p>Studies such as this one &quot;confirm what has been intuitively obvious to people in the field,&quot; said one of the experts, Dr. Walter E. Nance, chairman of human genetics at the Medical College of Virginia.</p> <p>The findings appear in the May 18 issue of the <i>New England Journal of Medicine</i>.</p> <p>Nance pointed out that the first studies promoting newborn hearing screening programs in the 1960s were roundly criticized by epidemiologists because they were done by Marion Downs, an audiologist.</p> <p>&quot;There was a lot of skepticism in the medical profession about the value of screening,&quot; Nance said.</p> <p>Also, there was &quot;a tremendous outcry by the pediatric community&quot; when screening programs were first introduced, because the tests used at the time mistakenly identified many children as having problems that weren\'t there, Nance said. However, as better tests were developed, states began to mandate such programs -- Rhode Island in 1989, Hawaii in 1990 and Colorado in 1993, for example.</p> <p>Universal screening was endorsed in 1993 by a consensus conference of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, and now &quot;practically every state has newborn screening,&quot; Nance said. The newest tests can show the brain\'s response to sounds or even the activity of the sound-detecting hair cells deep within the ear, he said.</p> <p>The new British study involved 120 hearing-impaired children averaging about 8 years of age. The researchers found that children who were born and automatically tested for hearing trouble after the screen was mandated scored up to 40 percent higher on tests aimed at assessing their language ability, compared to children born before mandated testing went into effect.</p> <p>However, many parents fail to get the proper follow-up tests that are needed to confirm the hearing problem spotted in their newborn, said Cynthia C. Morton, a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive physiology at Brigham and Women\'s Hospital in Boston, and a co-author of the commentary.</p> <p>&quot;It\'s easy to do testing in the first couple of days, because the newborn is quietly sleeping,&quot; Morton said. &quot;Later, it is difficult to get a good test, because the baby is not cooperating.&quot;</p> <p>She told of one woman whose newborn baby required three follow-up tests to confirm a hearing problem and who then discovered that her 15-month-old daughter had a severe problem.</p> <p>Suspicious test results can be difficult for doctors, Morton said, because &quot;no one wants to deliver anything but good news.&quot; That attitude can sometimes lead to negligence in conducting follow-up tests to confirm a hearing problem, she said. But failure to do so can damage a child\'s development, Morton said.</p> <p>&quot;It\'s absolutely been proven that if you don\'t have input into your speech and language center at six months of age, you won\'t realize your expected full potential,&quot; Morton said.</p> <p>Mandatory screening for newborns has just gone into effect in Britain, said study author Dr. Colin R. Kennedy, a reader in pediatric neurology at the University of Southampton. He said his team\'s findings played a key role in the U.K. National Health Service ruling.</p> <p>&quot;The evidence that this actually leads to a benefit in terms of language skills has been weak,&quot; Kennedy said. &quot;This is the best evidence that it does.&quot;</p> <p>Screening for hearing defects should be seen as essential as screening for dangerous inherited metabolic conditions, Morton and Nance said.</p> <p>&quot;We compare it with newborn metabolic screening,&quot; Nance said. &quot;Detecting a hearing problem is [just] as important.&quot; </p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more on pediatric hearing loss, head to the <a href=\"http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/disorders/causes.htm\" target=\"_new\">American Speech-Language Hearing Association</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('702','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533069--> <p>FRIDAY, June 2 (HealthDay News) -- Sequential placement of cochlear implants -- electronic devices that can help restore partial hearing to deaf people -- in both a child\'s ears may help improve speech perception in quiet and noisy settings, a U.S. study finds.</p> <p>The study included 30 children, aged 3 to 13, who received one cochlear implant and then a second in the other ear a minimum of six months later. The children\'s speech perception in quiet and in noise was tested at three, six, and 12 months in both unilateral (one ear) and bilateral hearing conditions.</p> <p>In quiet conditions, the children acquired speech perception in the second ear within six months, but children younger than age 8 did so more quickly and acquired a higher level of speech perception compared to older children, said researchers at the Dallas Otolaryngology Cochlear Implant Program, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.</p> <p>The children\'s speech perception in noisy conditions was much better when they had two cochlear implants than just one, the researchers added.</p> <p>&quot;Bilateral sequentially implanted children who are successful users of their first device are able to obtain open set speech discrimination in their second ear, even when receiving their second implant as late as 13 years of age,&quot; the researchers wrote. &quot;Speech perception scores in the second ear improve with experience during the first six months of implant use. Scores continue to improve for up to 12 months in younger children. Further experience past six months may not add an additional improvement in older children,&quot; they added.</p> <p>The study was presented at the recent annual meeting of the American Otological Society, in Chicago.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more about <a href=\"http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007203.htm\" target=\"_new\">cochlear implants</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('703','6','	<p><p>SUNDAY, June 4 (HealthDay News) -- Antiseptic or antibiotic ear drops should be front-line treatment for swimmer\'s ear, and doctors should use restraint in using oral antibiotics for the common condition.</p> <p>So conclude the first-ever U.S. national treatment guidelines, which were crafted by a panel of experts from multiple disciplines, including otolaryngology, pediatrics and infectious diseases.</p> <p>Swimmer\'s ear is an infection of the outer ear and ear canal. It\'s often caused by water becoming trapped in the ear during swimming, showering or bathing. It can also be caused by cleaning or scratching the ear and skin conditions such as psoriasis or acne.</p> <p>Symptoms can include redness and swelling, itching, mild to moderate ear pain, or a feeling that the ears are blocked. There may also be fever, pus drainage, decreased hearing, swollen lymph nodes and radiating pain.</p> <p>The expert panel developed the guidelines after they reviewed thousands of articles and studies dating back to the 1960s. Their findings and recommendations include:</p> <ul> <li>The condition should first be treated with antiseptic or antibiotic ear drops, which inhibit bacterial growth. These drops usually relieve the pain within a day and clear up the condition within a week. Doctors should show patients how to use the ear drops to ensure that they\'re effective.</li> <li>Oral antibiotics should be used with restraint, unless the patient has other conditions such as diabetes or some immune diseases. Studies suggest that oral antibiotics are less effective for swimmer\'s ear, and they have more side effects.</li> <li>Ear candles have not been shown to be an effective treatment for swimmer\'s ear and can have harmful side effects, such as burning or perforating the ear drum.</li> <li>Avoid swimmer\'s ear by using ear plugs to keep out moisture or by drying the ears with a hair dryer. Avoid water that may be polluted.</li> <li>Do not put fingers or other objects -- including cotton swabs -- in the ear. This can damage the ear or push material deeper into the ear canal.</li></ul> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more about <a href=\"http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000622.htm\" target=\"_new\">swimmer\'s ear</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('704','6','	<p><p>FRIDAY, June 23 (HealthDay News) -- Listen up, America: A new study finds that blacks have better hearing than whites, and women of all races tend to hear better than men.</p> <p>Researchers at the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health also found that, even with significant advances in hearing technology, Americans\' hearing levels remain stuck at where they were about 30 years ago.</p> <p>The Cincinnati-based team studied the results of hearing tests administered across the United States between 1999 and 2004. Results of the study were presented at a recent meeting of the Acoustical Society of America in Providence, R.I.</p> <p>Five thousand people between the ages of 20 and 69 were administered hearing tests and identified themselves as a particular ethnicity. Each individual &quot;hearing threshold,&quot; or the least amount of noise a person could hear, was recorded and noted along with their ethnicity.</p> <p>Non-Hispanic black individuals had the best hearing thresholds, the researchers reported, while Mexican-Americans came in second, and non-Hispanic whites had the poorest hearing thresholds.</p> <p>Although many factors that used to be a common part of American society are no longer threats to good hearing -- such as a lack of ear protection, or fewer high-decibel factory jobs that damage hearing -- technology is not doing much to help improve America\'s auditory abilities, the researchers said. They also noted that since the hearing tests were conducted and data analyzed between 1999 and 2004, the impact of portable MP3 players such as the iPod may not yet have taken it\'s toll on America\'s ears.</p> <p><b>More information</b> </p> <p>The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has more information on <a href=\"http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/testing/assess.htm&quot;target =\">hearing tests</a>.</p></p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('705','6','	<p><p>(HealthDay News) -- Tinnitus is characterized by a persistent sound in one ear or both ears. It\'s usually a ringing sound, although many people hear a hissing, roaring or clicking. Symptoms can range from severe to only mildly distracting. The sound may be constant or it may come and go, and may vary from quiet to very loud. </p> <p>According to the American Tinnitus Association (ATA), the condition can be triggered by damage to the ear caused by excessive noise, as well as wax build-up in the ear. Certain medications, ear or sinus infections, jaw misalignment, cardiovascular disease, and some tumors also may cause tinnitus. </p> <p>While there is no real cure for tinnitus, symptoms may be reduced depending on what causes it. Regular removal of ear wax can reduce the noise for some patients, and others notice improvement from using a cochlear implant. The implant magnifies surrounding noises, which minimizes the ringing sound.</p> <p>The ATA recommends talking to a doctor or audiologist about the best treatment options for you.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('706','6','	<p><p>FRIDAY, July 14 (HealthDay News) -- The earlier deaf infants or toddlers receive a cochlear implant, the better their speech by the time they\'re three and a half years old, a U.S. study finds.</p> <p>A cochlear implant senses sound and sends electrical signals to an internal component that stimulates the hearing nerves in the inner ear.</p> <p>Researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and from the Southwestern Medical School at the University of Texas in Dallas tested the spoken language skills of 76 children, all 42 months old, who had cochlear implants.</p> <p>The results of the spoken language tests were compared to the length of time each child had had his or her cochlear implant. The study found an association between longer implant time and richer vocabulary, longer, more complex sentences, and more frequent use of irregular words.</p> <p>The findings were published in the June issue of <i>Ear and Hearing</i>.</p> <p>&quot;Kids with residual hearing can get some help from hearing aids, but cochlear implants give a tremendous hearing advantage over hearing aids -- the implants provide more sound information,&quot; study co-author Johanna Grant Nicholas, a research associate professor of otolaryngology at the university\'s School of Medicine, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>&quot;For example, high-frequency sounds are magnified more with cochlear implants, so kids can hear \'s\' sounds and \'ed\' endings better. So, they tend to catch on to plurals and verb tenses faster,&quot; Nicholas said.</p> <p>In this study, many of the children who received cochlear implants at the youngest ages had nearly the same spoken language skills as children with normal hearing, she noted.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The U.S. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders has more about <a href=\"http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/coch.asp\" target=\"_new\">cochlear implants</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('707','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533963--> <p>FRIDAY, July 21 (HealthDay News) -- On top of its other risks to baby, maternal smoking during pregnancy may help trigger hearing-related cognitive defects in newborns -- and fetal exposure to nicotine may be to blame, researchers say.</p> <p>That finding raises the concern that women who use the nicotine patch in an attempt to quit smoking during pregnancy might still be putting their babies at risk.</p> <p>Scientists had already recognized the link between smoking during pregnancy and infant hearing trouble. This study, by researchers at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), is the first to identify nicotine as the likely culprit.</p> <p>In research with rats, the UCI team showed that nicotine exposure during the rats\' equivalent of a human\'s third trimester of pregnancy resulted in hearing-related cognitive problems in rat pups. Further research showed that these deficits were likely caused by damage to receptors in the brain that are sensitive to nicotine.</p> <p>&quot;This study is significant because it suggests to us precisely what aspect of smoking is so harmful in pregnancy when it comes to cognitive hearing deficits,&quot; researcher Raju Metherate, associate professor of neurobiology and behavior at the university, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>&quot;Most women who smoke find it difficult to quit during pregnancy. For them, doctors often prescribe a nicotine patch. While that does protect the fetus from the well-known physical underdevelopment related to harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke, exposure to nicotine appears to be enough to cause serious problems on its own, in terms of brain development,&quot; Metherate said.</p> <p>Children with cognitive hearing deficits can experience a number of problems, including difficulty understanding speech in noisy settings, an inability to understand information that\'s presented verbally, and being unable to tell the difference between similar sounds.</p> <p>The findings are published in this week\'s online issue of the <i>European Journal of Neuroscience</i>.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The American Medical Association has more about <a href=\"http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/293/10/1286\" target=\"_new\">smoking and pregnancy</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('708','6','	<p><p>(HealthDay News) -- While hearing aids can significantly improve a person\'s hearing, they initially may seem awkward. Here are some tips on how to get used to the devices and how to use them properly, courtesy of the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders:</p> <ul> <li>Make sure the audiologist shows you how to properly insert and use your hearing aid. While still at his or her office, practice turning it on and off, adjusting the volume, cleaning it, and replacing the batteries.</li> <li>It may take some time to get used to the amplified sound and volume of your own voice. </li> <li>You may initially hear what sounds like an excessive amount of background noise. In some cases this is unavoidable based on the sounds around you, and in other cases this could indicate a problem with the hearing aid. Check with your audiologist to be sure the device is functioning properly.</li> <li>If your hearing aid is making a whistling sound, this is called feedback and could be caused by a buildup of ear fluid or wax. Or the device may not fit properly. Talk with your audiologist if you\'re experiencing this problem.</li> </ul> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('709','6','	<p><p>TUESDAY, Sept. 5 (HealthDay News) -- Add another item to the list of ailments linked with mid-life hormone replacement therapy: hearing loss.</p> <p>Researchers have confirmed prior, preliminary findings that postmenopausal women taking progestin as part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) experienced greater hearing loss than women taking estrogen alone or no hormones at all. </p> <p>&quot;When a woman goes to her doctor to decide whether she wants to take HRT, this should really be another negative on that list,&quot; said Robert D. Frisina, senior author of the study and associate chair of otolaryngology at the University of Rochester Medical School. &quot;If the woman had some hearing loss to begin with, she might want to be more careful,&quot; he said. </p> <p>Age-related hearing loss is the leading communication disorder and among the top three chronic medical conditions in elderly people, the authors noted. </p> <p>Meanwhile, HRT has recently been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, heart attacks, stroke, dementia and perhaps even asthma. The use of estrogen alone or in combination with progestin has been widely used to relieve the symptoms of menopause, such as night sweats and hot flashes.</p> <p>HRT\'s effect on sensory function, on the other hand, is not yet well understood. </p> <p>&quot;We\'re most interested in why people lose hearing as they get older,&quot; Frisina said. &quot;We\'re trying to separate out what is really due to just aging and how much is due to other things like noise exposure or other medical conditions, or things like HRT.&quot; </p> <p>This report was published in the current issue of <i>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</i>. Previous data from the study were presented Feb. 24 at the Association for Research in Otolaryngology\'s annual meeting, in Daytona, Fla. </p> <p>Frisina and his colleagues looked at 124 healthy, postmenopausal women aged 60 to 86. The women were divided into three groups: those taking estrogen plus progestin, those taking estrogen alone, and those not taking any hormones. All participants had undergone multiple hearing tests.</p> <p>Women taking both estrogen and progestin had poorer speech perception than women in the other two groups. The problem was evident both with background noise and in quiet, suggesting that the issue involved both the inner ear and regions of the brain used for hearing.</p> <p>&quot;Things went wrong in the ear, and something went wrong in the brain, and these could be clinically noticeable. The woman could notice them herself,&quot; Frisina said. </p> <p>It\'s not clear why HRT has this effect. &quot;Generally, estrogen is beneficial to nerve cells but it looks like that, for hearing, the negative effects of progestin outweigh the positive effects that might occur with estrogen,&quot; Frisina said.</p> <p>Right now, most doctors are recommending only short-term use of HRT for women who have severe symptoms of menopause. &quot;This data could be important for certain people and should be taken into consideration when making a decision,&quot; Frisina said. </p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>Learn more about hearing loss from the <a href=\"http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing/index.asp\" target=\"_new\">National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders</a>, while the <a href=\"http://www.4woman.gov/Menopause/index2.htm\" target=\"_new\">National Women\'s Health Information Center</a> can tell you about hormone therapy.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('710','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:535037--> <p>TUESDAY, Sept. 19 (HealthDay News) -- Hearing loss is more common in children with a certain type of bacterial meningitis, according to new research.</p> <p>Bacterial meningitis is the most common reason for acquired hearing loss.</p> <p>In a new study in the September issue of <i>Archives of Otolaryngology - Head &amp; Neck Surgery</i>, researchers from Baylor College of Medicine reviewed the medical records of 171 children admitted to the hospital with bacterial meningitis.</p> <p>The children underwent hearing tests during their hospital stay.</p> <p>Almost one-third -- 30.6 percent -- of the children had at least mild hearing loss in one ear. The incidence of hearing loss was 35.9 percent in the children with <i>Streptococcus pneumoniae</i> meningitis, compared with 23.9 percent in those with <i>Neisseria meningitidis</i> meningitis.</p> <p>The researchers found that length of hospitalization, development of seizures, elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein and a decreased level of cerebrospinal fluid glucose were associated with an increased risk of hearing loss.</p> <p>&quot;Identification of hearing loss in children with bacterial meningitis and early rehabilitation will lessen the long-term educational and social difficulties these children may experience,&quot; the study\'s authors concluded. </p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have more about <a href=\"http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/meningococcal_g.htm\" target=\"_new\">meningitis</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('711','6','	<p><p>WEDNESDAY, July 5 (HealthDay News) -- A Minnesota study indicates that the dangerous abnormal heartbeat called atrial fibrillation is much more common than previously thought.</p> <p>The current estimate that 2.2 million Americans have atrial fibrillation has to be drastically revised upward, to 5.1 million, concludes a report in the July 4 issue of <i>Circulation</i> by physicians at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.</p> <p>What\'s more, if current trends continue, the investigators are predicting a threefold increase in the condition over the next five decades, with as many as 16 million Americans affected by 2050.</p> <p>That prediction was based on a 21-year study of more than 4,600 adults in Olmsted County, Minn., home of the Mayo Clinic.</p> <p>&quot;We found a significant increase in the number of people who newly developed this rhythm problem over the past two decades in Olmsted County, and this increase was not just because people were living longer,&quot; senior researcher Dr. Teresa S. M. Tsang, an associate professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>In atrial fibrillation, the upper chambers of the heart quiver irregularly rather than beating steadily. The clots that form as blood pools in the heart can then move to the brain, causing stroke as they block blood vessels there. Atrial fibrillation is associated with other major problems, including heart failure.</p> <p>The report said the reason for the increase was not clear, but that the growing incidence of obesity probably plays a large role.</p> <p>As for the current estimate of 2.2 million Americans, that was based on a study of members of a health plan. The new estimate is more accurate, the research team said, because it comes out of a large population study.</p> <p>In addition, the Minnesota population included a larger percentage of whites, who are typically at higher risk of atrial fibrillation than other ethnic groups, according to the experts.</p> <p>The study is an &quot;important, newsworthy paper,&quot; said Dr. Kenneth A. Ellenbogen, a professor of cardiology at Virginia Commonwealth University and a spokesman for the American Heart Association. No other study of atrial fibrillation has followed so many Americans for such a long period, he said.</p> <p>&quot;We need to concentrate a lot more on primary prevention, or we will have an even bigger epidemic,&quot; Ellenbogen warned.</p> <p>The Mayo researchers also concluded the same thing.</p> <p>&quot;We need to prevent the first episode of atrial fibrillation and the risk factors contributing to its development if we are to turn the tide of this growing epidemic,&quot; Tsang said.</p> <p>&quot;I would concentrate on high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes,&quot; Ellenbogen said.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>There\'s more on atrial fibrillation at the <a href=\"http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4451\" target=\"_new\">American Heart Association</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('712','6','	<p><p>THURSDAY, July 6 (HealthDay News) -- Mice infected with the agent of scrapie -- a brain-wasting disease of sheep -- suffered heart damage and had high levels of the scrapie agent in their heart about two years after they were infected in the brain, a new U.S. study finds.</p> <p>The finding suggests that heart infection may be a previously unrecognized aspect of scrapie. The study may also lead to a better understanding of an illness in humans called human amyloid heart disease.</p> <p>&quot;Although much work remains to be done, the diseased hearts seen in the mouse study have similarities to human amyloid heart disease,&quot; Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), said in a prepared statement. NIAID scientists collaborated in the study.</p> <p>Scrapie belongs to a family of prion (misfolded proteins) diseases that include Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans, bovine spongiform encephalopathy or &quot;mad cow&quot; disease in cattle, and chronic wasting disease in deer and elk.</p> <p>As reported Thursday in the online edition of the journal <i>Science</i>, the new findings provide cardiologists with an animal model in which to study amyloidosis, a form of human heart disease characterized by waxy protein deposits that stiffen the heart, reduce its pumping ability, and lead to fatal heart stoppage.</p> <p>&quot;Although several types of protein are known to form heart amyloid, this is the first time prion protein amyloid has been found in heart muscle and also found to cause heart malfunction. That\'s exciting for cardiologists, because this study connects the two fields of research,&quot; Dr. Bruce Chesebro, a senior author of the study and a virologist at the NIAID\'s Rocky Mountain Laboratories, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more about <a href=\"http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=priondisease\" target=\"_new\">prion diseases</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('713','6','	<p><p>FRIDAY, May 26 (HealthDay News) -- People are more likely to seek tests for conditions they believe to be severe but treatable, but are unlikely to do the same for illnesses they view as severe and untreatable, such as Alzheimer\'s disease, cancer and HIV/AIDS, a study finds.</p> <p>&quot;If people think they have no control, they may not seek information about their health status even if they are at risk for a serious disease. In fact, they may go out of their way to actively avoid any information,&quot; researcher Erica Dawson, an assistant professor of organizational behavior and fellow of the Center for Customer Insights at the Yale School of Management in New Haven, Conn., said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>In one experiment, the researchers told two groups of participants that they were at risk for alopecia areata, which can cause hair loss but poses no overall health threat. One group was told the condition was severe and untreatable, while the other group was told it was treatable.</p> <p>People who were told the condition was untreatable were less likely to request a conclusive genetic test, less likely to volunteer to take part in a future study about the disease, and avoided looking at an informational brochure about the disease in private.</p> <p>The results may actually under-represent the degree to which people avoid information when confronted with a serous health problem, the researchers said.</p> <p>The study may help doctors and other health care workers predict when people may be likely to avoid testing and to provide them with appropriate counseling.</p> <p>&quot;Caregivers should discuss treatment options not only with patients who have been positively diagnosed, but also with those who have considered, but not yet consented to, diagnostic testing,&quot; Dawson said.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The U.S. Food and Drug Administration explains <a href=\"http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/oivd/consumer-lab.html\" target=\"_new\">lab tests</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('714','6','	<p><p>MONDAY, June 5 (HealthDay News) -- In the late 1970s, New York City physician Dr. Jeffrey Laurence said he began to see a new kind of patient showing up, very ill, at his midtown Manhattan hospital.</p> <p>Those patients were mostly young men who should have been in the prime of health. Instead, they arrived with a list of serious, but seldom-seen conditions: PCP pneumonia, cytomegalovirus retinitis, or even a rare skin cancer called Kaposi\'s sarcoma.</p> <p>Two years later, the first case reports describing this &quot;mystery&quot; illness -- occurring in five young men from Los Angeles -- were published in the June 5, 1981, issue of <i>Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report</i>, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention\'s epidemiological journal.</p> <p>&quot;But I know, now, that we were already seeing it -- HIV/AIDS -- in the late 1970s,&quot; said Laurence, who is now director of the Laboratory for AIDS Virus Research at Weill Medical College of Cornell University in New York City.</p> <p>In late 1982, Laurence met noted French virologist Dr. Luc Montagnier, who spoke to a group of New York physicians on the possibility that this new disease might be caused by a primitive retrovirus.</p> <p>&quot;I had collected blood samples from 70 to 100 patients,&quot; Laurence recalled, &quot;and he invited me to bring them and go back with him to Paris.&quot; Their work together helped lead to Montagnier\'s landmark 1983 article in <i>Science</i> that pinpointed the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as the cause of this new disease.</p> <p>Much later, Laurence retrieved frozen blood samples from patients seen in New York even earlier than 1979. &quot;The earliest sample I have of patients infected with HIV came from 1975,&quot; he said.</p> <p>The earliest sample to date anywhere was taken from a man in Cameroon in 1959. A study published this May strongly suggests that the virus leapt from chimpanzees to humans in that West African country sometime during the mid-20th century.</p> <p>Now 25 years -- and 22 million lost lives -- after that 1981 CDC case report, HIV/AIDS &quot;is here to stay -- possibly forever,&quot; Laurence said. But the epidemic, like the virus, has mutated along the way.</p> <p>&quot;We\'ve seen enormous changes, not only globally but here in the United States,&quot; said Rowena Johnston, director of research at The Foundation for AIDS Research (AmFAR). &quot;AIDS was first identified, and was thought of, as a gay white man\'s disease. We see now that the fastest-growing groups of people getting HIV are women -- especially women of color -- African-Americans, Hispanics, often young.&quot;</p> <p>And AIDS itself is no longer the automatic death sentence it once was, at least for patients lucky enough to have access to life-extending antiretroviral combination drug therapies.</p> <p>&quot;We\'ve come a long way from 25 years ago, from when AIDS first came out and people were dying like flies,&quot; said 55-year-old Peter J. LaMarca, a retired gay New Yorker who was first diagnosed with HIV in 1990. &quot;Then, you\'d see somebody get sick and then two weeks later they were dead,&quot; he said.</p> <p>LaMarca almost died from AIDS-linked pneumonia himself, twice. But in the mid-1990s, when the &quot;miracle&quot; of HIV-suppressing drug cocktails arrived, he got them. &quot;I\'m doing pretty good now,&quot; he said. &quot;The meds have helped me and other people live longer.&quot;</p> <p>So, the fight against HIV/AIDS has had its successes and its failures. Some statistics released last week by the CDC:</p> <ul> <li>Between 1981 and 2004, a total of 522,723 Americans have died from AIDS;</li> <li>In the epidemic\'s early years (1981-1995), nearly half of all U.S. AIDS cases (47 percent) occurred among non-Hispanic whites, but by 2001-2004 black Americans accounted for 50 percent of cases, while Hispanics made up another 20 percent;</li> <li>Heterosexual sex was the mode of transmission for just 10 percent of HIV infections in 1981-1995, but had reached 30 percent of transmissions by 2001-2004;</li> <li>HIV continues to spread among gay and bisexual men, with estimates of up to 8 percent infected;</li> <li>Experts estimate that between 252,000 to 312,000 Americans are currently infected with HIV but do not know it.</li> </ul> <p>The advent of effective drug therapy remains the silver lining: According to the CDC, the proportion of people living more than two years after being diagnosed with HIV rose from 44 percent in 1992, to 85 percent by 2000.</p> <p>LaMarca\'s doctor, Dr. Frank Spinelli, has witnessed these remarkable changes firsthand. &quot;In the past five years, we\'ve seen incredible changes in medication -- less pills to take, more tolerable meds that are better for you,&quot; said Spinelli, who is clinical director for HIV at Cabrini Medical Center. He said he now treats HIV infection as a chronic condition, much as he would diabetes or heart disease. &quot;It\'s no longer about these AIDS-defining illnesses -- I can\'t tell you the last time I saw a case of CMV retinitis.&quot;</p> <p>Sadly, that\'s not the case in the developing world, where the vast majority of the world\'s estimated 40 million HIV-positive people now live. Hardest hit is sub-Saharan Africa, where U.N. experts now fear the death toll could top 100 million by 2025.</p> <p>&quot;AIDS has been able to draw a very stark dividing line between the haves and have-nots of the world,&quot; said Philip Alcabes, an associate professor at the School of Health Sciences at Hunter College, in New York City.</p> <p>Alcabes, who\'s tracked the social and epidemiological history of the virus for decades, called the West\'s relative inaction against the spread of AIDS in poorer countries &quot;a dramatic and tragic failure of care and caring.</p> <p>&quot;When you know that just 9 to 10 percent of all pregnant women with HIV are getting antiretroviral prophylaxis that would prevent transmission to their newborns -- it\'s a criminally low number,&quot; Alcabes said.</p> <p>But AmFAR\'s Johnston said slow progress is finally being made. &quot;Recently we\'ve seen global bodies like the World Health Organization and UNAIDS at least attempt to get therapy out to more people,&quot; she said. &quot;Not nearly enough people are covered yet, but the number, at least, is growing.&quot;</p> <p>Of course, a vaccine that prevented infection would go a long way to ending the crisis. But Johnston said the challenge there is enormous, because HIV mutates at such a rate that it\'s almost impossible for any one vaccine to cover all the millions of possible permutations.</p> <p>&quot;Also, the virus destroys the very immune cells that you\'re trying to boost to make a vaccine,&quot; she said. &quot;So it becomes a race between the virus and the immune system, and frankly, the virus always wins.&quot;</p> <p>Research has paid off in other ways, however, and everyone agreed that the science of HIV has forged new insights into not only viral illnesses, but cancer, Alzheimer\'s and a host of other diseases. &quot;Unfortunately, necessity was the mother of invention in this case,&quot; Alcabes said. &quot;It\'s just too bad the necessity was so deadly.&quot;</p> <p>Social attitudes toward people with HIV have changed, too, as Johnston found out when she recently gave a speech to a group of American high school girls.</p> <p>&quot;In the 1980s, when I was a teenager and the news of AIDS was just coming out, there was a lot of ignorance, stupid jokes about gay men, nonsense and stigma,&quot; she said.</p> <p>By 2006, her young audience was having none of that.</p> <p>&quot;I was blown away at how little blame they assigned, how well they understood that this is not a gay disease, that people shouldn\'t be stigmatized after having gotten HIV,&quot; Johnston said. &quot;In that respect, I\'m really impressed at the amount of progress we\'ve made.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To learn more about the fight against HIV/AIDS, head to <a href=\"http://www.amfar.org/cgi-bin/iowa/index.html\" target=\"_new\">AmFAR</a>.</p></p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('715','6','	<p><p>THURSDAY, June 8 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers believe they\'ve found a quick, accurate way to gauge the effectiveness of AIDS vaccines about to be tested on several continents.</p> <p>These vaccines are intended not to prevent infection with HIV, something most experts believe is beyond the reach of today\'s biomedical science. Instead, scientists hope immunization will slow progression of the disease.</p> <p>Now, a study using monkeys given a vaccine against SIV -- the primate version of HIV -- has shown that the response of a specific group of immune system cells predicts the shot\'s effectiveness.</p> <p>Reporting in the June 9 issue of <i>Science</i>, the research team hopes the same will hold true for HIV vaccines.</p> <p>&quot;First, the magnitude of the response predicts how long the animal will survive after infection,&quot; said study author Dr. Norman L. Letvin, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and director of the division of viral pathogenesis at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, in Boston.</p> <p>&quot;Second, what we show in this manuscript is that a subset population of [immune] T-cells predicts survival,&quot; Letvin said.</p> <p>T-cells are produced by the immune system in response to an infection. The T-cells whose response was critical in the vaccine\'s effectiveness were &quot;central memory&quot; T-cells, which have already been exposed to invading bacteria or viruses, the study showed.</p> <p>&quot;There are vaccines of this type in a more advanced clinical phase in humans,&quot; Letvin said. Trials of those vaccines are getting underway in the Caribbean and Africa, as well as the Americas, he said.</p> <p>&quot;How do we monitor these vaccines?&quot; Letvin asked. &quot;Do we have to wait 100, 200, 300 days after someone is infected to see how well they will do?&quot;</p> <p>The new study suggests that\'s not the case. The monkey findings show the response of these specific T-cells to infection gives an early indication of a vaccine\'s power to slow the progression of AIDS.</p> <p>&quot;This can prove to be important in monitoring the human trials that are being originated,&quot; explained Letvin, who is also director of the Non-Human Primate Research Program at the Vaccine Research Center, part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.</p> <p>One trial, involving a vaccine developed by the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is currently enrolling 480 HIV-free individuals in Africa, the Americas and Jamaica. The vaccine contains synthetically modified molecules found in HIV viruses that collectively account for 85 percent of HIV infections worldwide.</p> <p>Two other trials of the vaccine are being planned for four African nations --Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.</p> <p>&quot;If the data are reproduced, this is a really interesting observation,&quot; said Wayne C. Koff, senior vice president of vaccine research at the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, in New York City.</p> <p>The current markers used to determine the effectiveness of HIV vaccines must be measured for years, Koff said. The new markers would enable &quot;shorter and more intensive studies,&quot; he noted.</p> <p>&quot;This is preliminary data in a small number of animals,&quot; Koff cautioned. &quot;But this is a very important observation if this is real.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p> For more on AIDS vaccine research, head to the <a href=\"http://avac.org\" target=\"_new\">AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('716','6','	<p><p>THURSDAY, June 15 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers say they\'ve identified the genetic mutation that makes the AIDS virus so deadly.</p> <p>The loss of one function of one gene in HIV-1 is responsible for the virus\' virulence, according to a report by an international team of researchers who compared the human virus with its close relatives, a family of viruses called simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), which infects primates.</p> <p>The faulty gene, designated Nef, has many functions, said Dr. Frank Kirchoff, professor of virology at the University of Ulm in Germany, and lead author of the report. One function is to lower the immune system\'s response to infection, reducing the production of protective T cells. A mutation has removed that function from HIV-1, which means the immune system of someone infected with the virus literally works itself to death, overproducing T cells, Kirchoff said.</p> <p>&quot;The body is not able to maintain the immune response for years,&quot; he explained. &quot;T cells are lost every day. At some point, the capacity of the immune system is exhausted, and the infection becomes AIDS.&quot;</p> <p>The study findings appear in the June 16 issue of the journal <i>Cell</i>.</p> <p>Studies have shown that the Nef gene retains its full capabilities in most of the HIV-like viruses that infect monkeys, so those viruses aren\'t as deadly as HIV, the researchers said. Monkeys infected with those viruses get a chronic disease that is not necessarily fatal.</p> <p>The discovery of the Nef gene flaw could influence AIDS treatment, Kirchoff said. &quot;A few years back, it was thought that boosting the immune response would be a good thing,&quot; he said. &quot;This shows that we do not want the highest levels of immune response. We want to have some immune response, but not the highest levels of chronic immune activation.&quot;</p> <p>Another possible new treatment approach would be to develop a vaccine using an HIV strain engineered to contain a fully functioning Nef gene, according to an accompanying commentary in the journal by infectious-disease experts at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.</p> <p>&quot;It is genetically possible to do that, given the techniques we have today, but whether it would provide the desired results would be questionable,&quot; said J. Victor Garcia, professor of internal medicine at the medical center\'s division of infectious diseases and co-author of the commentary.</p> <p>The report itself is &quot;certainly very unorthodox,&quot; Garcia said. &quot;But these provocative results should be followed up.&quot;</p> <p>There\'s one major problem that makes the development of such a vaccine difficult, perhaps impossible, added Dr. Beatrice H. Hahn, professor of medicine and microbiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a member of the research team and one of the leading experts on HIV. She was the researcher who determined that the HIV-1 sprang from an SIV mutation that infects chimpanzees.</p> <p>&quot;It would be interesting to know what such an HIV strain would do,&quot; Hahn said. &quot;But there is no good animal model for HIV.&quot;</p> <p>The lack of such a model means the vaccine with the altered HIV molecule would have to be tested in humans, Hahn said. &quot;Even if you restore Nef function, I would not recommend inoculating people with it,&quot; she said.</p> <p>Hahn is trying a different approach, working to see if modifications of monkey viruses could be an effective vaccine. &quot;We are taking a virus that is found in rhesus macaques and we try to electively knock out the down-regulation function,&quot; she said. &quot;Assuming that we can do that, we would give it to macaques to test its action.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more on HIV and AIDS, visit the U.S. <a href=\"http://www.aidsinfo.nih.gov\" target=\"_new\">National Institutes of Health</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('717','6','	<p><p>FRIDAY, June 16 (HealthDay News) -- A study comparing wild and laboratory rodents supports the notion that exposing immune systems to naturally occurring germs helps build a defense against illness.</p> <p>In the study, Duke University researchers compared mice and rats living in laboratories to those captured in the wild. The team analyzed and compared the rodents\' immune systems.</p> <p>&quot;Laboratory rodents live in a virtually germ- and parasite-free environment, and they receive extensive medical care -- conditions that are comparable to what humans living in Westernized, hygienic societies experience,&quot; senior researcher William Parker, an assistant professor of experimental surgery, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>&quot;On the other hand, rodents living in the wild are exposed to a wide variety of microbes and parasites, much like humans living in societies without modern health care, and where hygiene is harder to maintain,&quot; they said.</p> <p>Scientists have studied this theory before, and hypothesize that people living in a &quot;hygienic&quot; environment are less protected against allergies and autoimmune diseases simply because their immune systems have never been exposed to such parasites.</p> <p>To determine if the hypothesis could be confirmed, the researchers analyzed the rodents\' immunoglobulin antibodies relating to allergy and autoimmune disease. They compared the levels of IgG, associated with autoimmune diseases, and IgE, known to protect the body from parasites, in rodents from each environment.</p> <p>The results -- just published online in the <i>Scandinavian Journal of Immunology</i> -- showed that the wild rodents had significantly higher levels of IgE than the laboratory rodents, and modestly higher levels of IgG.</p> <p>&quot;The most commonly accepted explanation for this high incidence of allergy and perhaps autoimmune disease is the hygiene hypothesis,&quot; said Parker. However, more thorough studies concentrating on specific parasites need to be conducted, Parker noted.</p> <p>Allergies affect nearly 50 million Americans, while autoimmune disorders -- including type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and scleroderma -- affect another 8 million.</p> <p>&quot;These results appear to demonstrate that the environment has profound effects on the production of IgE and autoreactive IgG,&quot; said Parker. &quot;These results are consistent with the idea that animals without access to modern medicine have high levels of autoimmune-like and allergic-like immune responses that represent appropriate responses to unknown factors in their environment.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The Medical College of Wisconsin has more information on the <a href=\"http://healthlink.mcw.edu/article/1031002421.html&quot;target =\">hygiene hypothesis</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('718','6','	<p><p>THURSDAY, June 22 (HealthDay News) -- Over the past 17 years, successive generations of AIDS drugs have restored a total of three million years of life to HIV-positive Americans and prevented an estimated 2,900 infants from becoming infected, a new study finds.</p> <p>The numbers, the first calculations of their kind, highlight both the successes and failures of AIDS treatment, said study co-author A. David Paltiel, an associate professor of public health at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn.</p> <p>On the one hand, he said, three million extra years of life <i>is</i> impressive. Considering the billions of dollars that have been spent on research, the research proves that &quot;it\'s really worth it,&quot; Paltiel said.</p> <p>But the number could have been much higher if drugs were more widely available and more people were aware they were HIV-positive, Paltiel said. Currently, an estimated 300,000 Americans are HIV-positive but don\'t know it, he said. </p> <p>Experts at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say their new rapid HIV-test distribution program could help change that, however.</p> <p>Reporting in the June 23 issue of their <i>Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report</i>, the CDC team said 370,000 same-day tests administered nationwide between 2003 and 2005 turned up a total of 4,650 infections (1.2 percent). The advent of a one-day test -- rather than the two-week wait required by older tests -- should help reduce the number of Americans who are unaware they are infected with HIV, the CDC said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>While early diagnosis of infection is important, the new Yale study looked at how disease treatment is helping to fight the epidemic. The researchers sought to get a better picture of the effectiveness of anti-HIV medications between 1989 -- when effective drug treatment for some AIDS complications became standard -- and 2003. </p> <p>In the mid-1990s, the biggest advances came as scientists developed powerful combinations of anti-retroviral drugs. These medication &quot;cocktails&quot; have allowed many HIV patients to live relatively normal lives. </p> <p>The study findings appear in the July 1 issue of the <i>Journal of Infectious Diseases</i>. </p> <p>According to the study\'s calculations, the advent of HIV-suppressing drugs added at least 2.8 million years of life to HIV patients compared to a hypothetical United States without such medications. The most recent generation of AIDS drugs will add an estimated 13.3 years to the life of each HIV-positive person who takes them, the researchers found. </p> <p>In addition, drug treatment in HIV-positive pregnant women prevented nearly 2,900 infant infectious, adding up to another 137,000 years of life. </p> <p>And those numbers might even be higher, said study lead author Dr. Rochelle Walensky, an associate director at the Harvard Center for AIDS Research in Boston. &quot;We were actually quite strict in trying to be as conservative as possible,&quot; Walensky said.</p> <p>There\'s another way to look at the numbers, said Dr. Sten H. Vermund, director of Vanderbilt University\'s Institute of Global Health and author of a commentary accompanying the study. &quot;We have a pool of children who are not orphaned because their parents are actually alive. We have people in various roles as breadwinners who didn\'t leave their families without support,&quot; he said.</p> <p>Modern HIV treatments can\'t guarantee that patients will never progress to AIDS and die from complications of the disease. Resistance to drugs is a major problem, and some HIV patients are developing high cholesterol, putting them at risk of heart problems.</p> <p>Still, many HIV patients are feeling perfectly healthy, said Jeff Sheehy, who\'s HIV-positive and advises the mayor of San Francisco on AIDS issues.</p> <p> &quot;You can virtually have a normal life, for the most part, with the very best drugs that are available today. That\'s astounding considering that 10 years ago, we didn\'t have anything, and it all hit instantly,&quot; he added.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>Learn more about HIV prevention from the <a href=\"http://www.caps.ucsf.edu/FSindex.html\" target=\"_new\">Center for AIDS Prevention Studies</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('719','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533476--> <p>MONDAY, June 26 (HealthDay News) -- Tuesday is HIV Testing Day across the United States -- an opportunity for Americans everywhere to get a free HIV test plus counseling and to &quot;Take the Test, Take Control.&quot;</p> <p> Sponsored by the National Association of People With AIDS (NAPWA), workers at thousands of sites will offer free and confidential testing and distribute vital information.</p> <p>With an estimated 250,000 Americans currently unaware that they are HIV-positive, NAPWA experts believe that &quot;participation in voluntary HIV counseling and testing is a critical first step in taking control and responsibility over one\'s health&quot;.</p> <p>The testing events aim to help standardize HIV testing and get the message out that finding out about HIV status is critical to personal health and the health of communities.</p> <p>NAPWA is partnering with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reach out, especially, to communities at a higher risk of HIV infection. Those communities include blacks and Latinos, whose demographics show they are at a higher risk for HIV compared to other groups in the United States.</p> <p>National HIV Testing Day was created 11 years ago to help fight the impact HIV has had on communities. NAPWA advocates that individuals at risk of infection &quot;seek out voluntary HIV counseling, testing and referral services.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To find a participating testing site in your area, visit <a href=\"http://www.hivtest.org/index.htm&quot;target=\">HIV Test Site</a> </p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('720','6','	<p><p>TUESDAY, July 4 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. researchers have found a way to genetically manipulate human embryonic stem cells so they grow into mature disease-fighting T-cells -- a discovery they say might help in the development of gene therapy against AIDS.</p> <p>T-cells are one the of the body\'s main defenses against disease. In this study, researchers demonstrated that it is possible to convert embryonic stem cells into blood-forming stem cells that, in turn, can turn into the helper T-cells. These are the T-cells that are specifically targeted by HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.</p> <p>The study was conducted by a team from the University of California, Los Angeles, AIDS Institute and the Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Medicine.</p> <p>The findings, published this week in the online edition of the journal <i>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</i>, mark the first time scientists have been able to derive T-cells out of human embryonic stem cells.</p> <p>&quot;This tells you that you may be able to use human embryonic stem cells to treat T-cell and other blood diseases,&quot; lead researcher Zoran Galic, an assistant research biologist, said in a prepared statement. &quot;This could be a very important weapon in the fight against AIDS.&quot;</p> <p>The human embryonic stem cells were incubated on mouse bone marrow support cells, which converted the embryonic stem cells into blood-forming cells. These blood-forming cells were then injected into a human thymus gland that had been implanted in a mouse. The thymus gland converted the blood-forming cells into T-cells.</p> <p>The thymus, located just above the heart in humans, is where T-cells develop.</p> <p>The study results suggest it\'s possible to decipher the signals that control the development of embryonic stem cells into T-cells, noted study co-author Jerome Zack, associate director of the UCLA AIDS Institute.</p> <p>&quot;That way we can eventually repopulate the immune system in patients needing T-cells,&quot; Zack said in a prepared statement.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has more about <a href=\"http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/hivinf.htm\" target=\"_new\">HIV/AIDS</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('721','6','	<p><p>SUNDAY, April 16 (HealthDay News) -- April showers bring -- the beginning of another allergic asthma season, experts say.</p> <p>&quot;Allergic asthma is the most common form of asthma,&quot; Dr. Sheldon L. Spector, chairman of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology\'s asthma diagnosis committee, said in a prepared statement. &quot;Asthma is considered allergic when symptoms become more intense, perhaps resulting in an asthma attack, when the individual is exposed to allergens to which their immune system is sensitive.&quot;</p> <p>An estimated 20 percent of Americans struggle with allergic asthma; about 60 percent of asthma attacks are caused by allergens, including pollen, animal dander, dust mites, mold, cockroaches and forest-fire smoke, according to the AAAAI.</p> <p>Allergic and non-allergic asthma have similar symptoms: Coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or rapid breathing, and chest tightness.</p> <p>The AAAAI offers the following tips on how to reduce asthma attacks caused by allergens:</p> <ul> <li>Watch for ozone alerts, which will help keep you aware of the potential triggers for the day.</li> <li>Keep your outdoor activities to a minimum when temperatures are especially high.</li> <li>Take your asthma medications as prescribed in the recommended doses. Do not take more medication to ease severe symptoms without first consulting your doctor.</li> <li>Use an air conditioner in your home and car to keep air clean, cool and dry.</li> <li>Don\'t stand directly behind cars with their engines on. Exhaust fumes can trigger an asthma attack.</li></ul> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To learn more, visit the <a href=\"http://www.aaaai.org/patients.stm\" target=\"_new\">American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('722','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:532366--> <p>WEDNESDAY, April 26 (HealthDay News) -- Stimulating a specific receptor on the surface of certain immune white blood cells may help boost a newborn\'s immune system and response to vaccines, a new study suggests.</p> <p>Newborns have immature immune systems, which makes them highly vulnerable to severe infections and unable to mount an effective immune response to vaccines until they\'re about 2 months old. This makes it difficult to protect newborns from many kinds of infections, including respiratory syncytial virus, pneumococcus, rotavirus, whooping cough and HIV.</p> <p>But researchers at Children\'s Hospital Boston found that the cell receptor, called Toll-like receptor 8 (TLR8), triggered a strong immune response in a group of &quot;antigen-presenting&quot; white blood cells that play a crucial role in vaccine response.</p> <p>When TLR8 was stimulated by agents that mimicked virus antigens, these white blood cells produced normal, adult levels of two important cytokines -- proteins that trigger other immune cells to fight off infection -- and another immune-system stimulant called CD40.</p> <p>&quot;These finding suggest that agents that stimulate TLR8 could be used to enhance immune responses in newborns, perhaps as adjuvants given along with vaccines,&quot; researcher Dr. Ofer Levy of Children\'s Hospital Boston said in a prepared statement. &quot;We plan to test this approach in animals, and eventually in human babies.&quot;</p> <p>The study appeared April 25 in the online edition of the journal <i>Blood</i>.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The American Medical Association has more about <a href=\"http://www.medem.com/medlb/article_detaillb.cfm?article_ID=ZZZYTHFW59C&sub_cat=549\" target=\"_new\">medical care for newborns</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('723','6','	<p><p>THURSDAY, May 25 (HealthDay News) -- An international team of scientists has identified new biomarkers that could help develop improved treatments for spondylarthritis (SpA).</p> <p>SpA refers to a group of chronic autoimmune conditions, including ankylosing spondylitis and arthritis associated with psoriasis and inflammatory bowel diseases, primarily those affecting the peripheral joints.</p> <p>In this study of 52 SpA patients, researchers identified the new biomarkers after analyzing tissue from the synovium, the thin membrane lining the joint space and the primary target of inflammation. The researchers found that changes in SpA disease activity are accompanied by a series of distinct and measurable events in synovial tissue.</p> <p>The researchers also found differences in the synovial biomarkers between SpA patients receiving effective treatment and those receiving no treatment.</p> <p>These changes in synovial tissue could be used to aid SpA research and treatment, they said.</p> <p>&quot;Their ability to correctly discriminate between effective and ineffective treatment in small patient cohorts makes them interesting biomarkers to facilitate conclusive, early phase clinical trials in SpA,&quot; study leader Dr. Dominique Baeten, of the University of Amsterdam\'s Academic Medical Center in Holland, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>The study appears in the June issue of <i>Arthritis & Rheumatism</i>.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The American College of Rheumatology has more about <a href=\"http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/as.asp?aud=pat\" target=\"_new\">ankylosing spondylitis</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('724','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:532958--> <p>FRIDAY, May 26 (HealthDay News) -- Doctors skilled in communicating with patients do much better when it comes to treating the rheumatic diseases, a new study finds.</p> <p>Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston, say patient-centered communication helps build trust between doctor and patient -- a key factor in promoting improved quality of life, compliance with treatment, and better health outcomes.</p> <p>In the study, the Texas team assessed 102 black, Hispanic and white patients with rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The patients filled out a questionnaire that asked about various aspects of their medical encounters, including doctors\' ability to transmit information, sensitivity to concerns, reassurance and support, and patient-centered behavior (e.g. &quot;My doctors always ask me what I need&quot;).</p> <p>The researchers also evaluated the patients\' willingness to disclose information to their doctors and their trust in the health-care system.</p> <p>The team found that a patient\'s trust in their doctor was independently associated with ethnicity, quality of the patient-doctor relationship, disease activity, and trust in the health-care system. Hispanic and black patients tended to have a lower level of trust in the health-care system compared to white patients.</p> <p>Patient-centered communication by doctors was the only variable that was significantly associated with patients\' willingness to disclose important information to their doctor. There was no association between trust or ethnicity and patient disclosure of information.</p> <p>&quot;The finding suggests that physician interaction styles that are centered on patients\' concerns result in more effective communication on the part of the patient, clearly reinforcing the importance of the doctor-patient dynamic,&quot; the study authors wrote.</p> <p>Emphasizing these components of the patient-doctor relationship can lead to increased information sharing by patients, they concluded.</p> <p>The study appears in the June issue of <i>Arthritis Care & Research</i>.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The Arthritis Foundation has more about <a href=\"http://www.arthritis.org/conditions/DiseaseCenter/RA/ra_overview.asp\" target=\"_new\">rheumatoid arthritis</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('725','6','	<p> <P>A small study suggests <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/content/ETO_5_3X_Yoga.asp?sitearea=ETO\">yoga</a> can help ease the sleep disruptions that often accompany cancer treatment. </p> <P>Researchers from M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, in Houston, studied 39 people who were either being treated for lymphoma or had finished their treatment in the past year. Half were assigned to take 7 weeks of Tibetan yoga classes, while the others were given no special intervention. At the end of the study, the patients who did yoga reported falling asleep faster, sleeping better and longer, and using fewer sleep medications than people in the other group. </p> <P>The results were reported in the journal <i>Cancer</i> (Vol. 100, No. 10: 2253-2260). </p> <P>\"Although there\'s not a lot out there on sleep in cancer, the few studies there are suggest that sleep is quite disrupted in cancer patients, so to improve a patient\'s sleep is quite a remarkable thing to have accomplished,\" said lead researcher Lorenzo Cohen, PhD, director of M.D. Anderson\'s Integrative Medicine Program.</p> <P>But Cohen wasn\'t entirely surprised by the results. The yoga may have helped patients sleep by helping them <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/HOME/pff/PFF_2.asp\">cope with the stress</a> caused by their illness, he said.</p> <P>\"Patients undergo a tremendous amount of stress, both from the psychological aspects of dealing with a life-threatening illness and the side effects of treatment,\" said Cohen. \"These types of modalities that incorporate not just physical aspects, but also spiritual and mental aspects, can be useful to help manage a lot of these issues.\"</p> <div class=T8>Mind, Body, Breathing');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('726','6','	<p> <P>Some 25,000 cancer patients on Medicare will soon be able to get coverage for life-saving chemotherapy drugs that are not currently paid for by the agency. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is beginning a lottery process to select patients who will receive the drug coverage more than a year before it becomes available to all Medicare beneficiaries in January, 2006.</p> <P>The American Cancer Society lobbied for the transitional coverage -- called a demonstration program -- as part of the Medicare reform law passed last year.</p> <P>\"It\'s definitely a victory,\" said Wendy Selig, vice president of legislative affairs for ACS. \"While it\'s not going to meet every need of every person out there, it\'s certainly going to make a difference to those 25,000 people.\"</p> <P>Medicare currently offers coverage of chemotherapy drugs that are given in a doctor\'s office, intravenously or by injection, as well as pill versions of these drugs. But many newer drugs are available only as pills that a patient can take at home; these drugs typically have not been covered. Because many of these medications are very expensive, many Medicare beneficiaries cannot afford them on their own.</p> <div class=T8>Cost Savings on 11 Cancer Drugs');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('727','6','	<p> <P>Leukemia and lymphoma patients who need a <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/ETO/eto_1_3_Bone_Marrow.asp\">bone marrow transplant</a> now have a drug to help them cope with one of the treatment\'s most common side effects: mouth sores (called oral mucositis). Most patients develop these mouth sores, which are often painful enough to need treatment with intravenous narcotics.</p> <P>The US Food and Drug Administration has approved palifermin (sold as Kepivance), after a study showed it cut the severity of mouth sores and helped them heal faster. The study was published in the <i>New England Journal of Medicine</i> (Vol. 351, No. 25: 2590-2598). </p> <P>The drug is the first to be approved to treat this painful side effect of the high-dose chemotherapy and radiation needed before a bone marrow transplant. </p> <P>\"Until now the most we could do for our patients was to give them ice chips and narcotics to try and manage their pain,\" said Patrick Stiff, MD, in a statement. He was one of the study\'s lead investigators and is director of the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center at Loyola University Health System.</p> <div class=T8>Less Pain with Palifermin');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('728','6','	<p> <P>Can sunlight do you some good when it comes to cancer? The theory has been around for decades, fueled in part by statistics showing that people in sunnier climates are less likely to die from cancer than those in gloomier areas. Now two new studies published in the <i>Journal of the National Cancer Institute</i> (Vol. 97, No. 3: 195-199 and 199-209) are adding to the evidence.</p> <P>One study, led by researchers at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, found that people who got lots of sun exposure through sunbathing or vacations in sunny places were less likely to develop <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=LRN&dt=32\">lymphoma</a> than people who stayed out of the sun. The other, led by researchers at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, found that people with <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=LRN&dt=39\">melanoma</a> were less likely to die from the disease if they had had lots of sun exposure.</p> <P>The findings were somewhat surprising because <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/ped_7_1_What_You_Should_Know_About_Ultraviolet_Exposure.asp?sitearea=PED\">ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sun exposure</a> is known to raise the risk of developing melanoma, and is also thought to play a role in the development of lymphoma. </p> <div class=T8>Vitamin D a Possible Explanation');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('729','6','	<p> <P>The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning eczema patients and their doctors that the eczema treatments Elidel (pimecrolimus) and Protopic (tacrolimus) may carry a risk of cancer.</p> <P>The drugs have been shown to raise the risk of <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=LRN&dt=51\">skin cancers</a> and <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=LRN&dt=32\">lymphoma</a> in animal studies, the agency said. There have also been a few reports of these cancers in children and adults using the medications.</p> <P>It\'s not certain that the medications are responsible for the cancers. The FDA said long-term human studies would be needed to know for sure. Until such studies are done, though, the agency said the two drugs should be used only after other treatments have failed, and then used only as directed.</p> <P>Novartis, which manufactures Elidel, and Fujisawa Healthcare, which makes Protopic, have agreed to conduct these studies, the FDA said. The companies must also add a black box warning to the drugs. These warnings alert doctors to potentially serious side effects of a drug.</p> <P>Elidel and Protopic are approved for use only for short periods of time and only in patients 2 years old or older.</p> <P>The drugs control eczema by suppressing the patient\'s immune system. It is known that people with a defective immune system are more prone to develop cancers, particularly lymphomas. </p> <P>In animal studies, higher doses of the drugs were associated with higher risk of cancer, the FDA said. In addition, skin tumors formed faster when the treated animals were exposed to sunlight. </p> <P>For these reasons, the FDA said patients should use as little of the creams as possible and limit their exposure to the sun, sun lamps, and tanning booths while using the drugs.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('730','6','');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('731','6','	<p> <p>The US Food and Drug Administration, on October 31, approved a new chemotherapy drug treatment for two rare forms of blood cancer. </p> <p>Arranon (nelarabine) was OK\'d to treat adults and children with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL), whose disease has not responded to or has relapsed following at least 2 chemotherapy regimens. This is the first drug to be approved for such advanced forms of these diseases. </p> <p>Arranon is a chemotherapy drug that works by blocking a cancer cell\'s ability to reproduce. It was approved under the FDA\'s accelerated approval program, which allows quick release of products for cancer and other serious or life-threatening diseases if there is early evidence the product is effective. Despite the fast-track approval, however, the FDA will still require drug manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline to complete further studies to verify the drug\'s clinical benefit. </p> <p>Arranon also received Orphan Drug designation, which is granted to products that treat rare diseases (those that affect fewer than 200,000 people in the United States). Approximately 1,600 people are diagnosed with T-ALL/T-LBL each year in the US. Of those, an estimated 500 have relapsed or refractory T-ALL/T-LBL, and of those about 200 are children.</p> <p><a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1X_What_is_adult_acute_leukemia_57.asp\">Acute lymphoblastic leukemia</a> (ALL) is an aggressive disease that progresses rapidly without effective therapy. Each year in the US an estimated 2,400 children and 1,200 adults are diagnosed with ALL, of whom about 700 have T-ALL. <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1x_What_is_childhood_non_Hodgkins_lymphoma_9.asp\">Lymphoblastic lymphoma</a> (LBL) represents about 30% of childhood and 3% of adult non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). </p> <p>An estimated 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with NHL each year -- about 900 of them have T-LBL. </p> <p>The safety and effectiveness of this product were demonstrated in two clinical studies, one conducted in children and the other in adults. Both studies enrolled patients with relapsed or refractory T-ALL/T-LBL. All patients received Arranon. Among the 39 children treated, 23% had a complete disappearance of their cancer. Complete disappearance lasted from 3.3 to 9.3 weeks. Of the 28 adults treated, the rate of complete disappearance was 21% and lasted from 4 to more than 195 weeks. </p> <p>Common side effects reported with Arranon treatment are fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('732','6','	<p> <P><b>Summary:</b> Adding monoclonal antibodies to chemotherapy appears to help patients with follicular lymphoma live longer. That\'s the conclusion of a study published recently in the <i>Journal of Clinical Oncology.</i> The researchers looked at the results of clinical trials performed in the last 30 years and found that patients given these new treatments are living longer and experiencing longer cancer-free periods.</p> <P><b>Why it\'s important:</b> <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=&dt=32\">Lymphomas</a> are diagnosed in about 64,000 people in the US each year. Of these, about 14,000 people will have follicular lymphoma. Although this type of lymphoma is considered to be incurable, it tends to be slow-growing and people can live many years with it. Between 60% and 70% of patients will survive at least 5 years after their diagnosis. Follicular lymphoma can be successfully treated with chemotherapy, but it invariably comes back. Over the years, clinical trials of different chemotherapy combinations have been conducted. No matter what drugs and combinations were used, patients inevitably relapsed at about the same time, usually within 7-10 years. </p> <P><b>What\'s already known:</b> In the past few years, a new type of drug called a <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4X_Biological_Therapy_32.asp?sitearea=\">monoclonal antibody</a> has proved successful in treating lymphomas. People naturally produce antibodies directed against viruses or bacteria to fight infections, but monoclonal antibodies are made in laboratories. They can be designed to kill lymphoma cells or other specific types of cancer cells. Some monoclonal antibodies kill cells by themselves, while others have a radioactive atom attached to help in the killing process. Studies with a common type of lymphoma, called large-cell lymphoma, found that adding monoclonal antibodies to chemotherapy cured more people than chemotherapy alone. But it wasn\'t known how successful this approach would be with follicular lymphomas.</p> <P><b>How this study was done:</b> This study reviewed several clinical trials of follicular lymphoma treatment that began in the early 1970s. Some of the studies used chemotherapy alone, while more recent ones added one of two monoclonal antibodies to the mix -- either rituximab (Rituxan, manufactured by Genentech and Biogen-Idec) or I-tositumomab (Bexxar, a radioactive antibody made by GlaxoSmithKline and Corixa). Several of the study authors have consulted for these companies, or received honoraria or research funds from them.</p> <P><b>What was found:</b> Patients who got the monoclonal antibody added to their chemotherapy tended to live longer. The 4-year survival rate for patients receiving chemotherapy alone ranged from 69% to 79%, compared to 91% for those who got chemotherapy plus a monoclonal antibody. The authors pointed out that it wasn\'t clear if Bexxar worked better than Rituxan. They are proposing a clinical trial to study this.</p> <P><b>The bottom line:</b> Adding a monoclonal antibody to chemotherapy increased the lifespan of patients with follicular lymphoma. Some experts caution that this kind of a study is not positive proof because patients treated more recently may have done better thanks to modern advances in supportive treatments. Nevertheless, the evidence from these studies, and others, has led to the acceptance of monoclonal antibodies and chemotherapy as the standard treatment for patients with follicular lymphoma.</p> <DIV align=center><IMG height=1 alt=\"\" src=\"/images/health/story/www_cancer_org/common/images/rule.gif\" width=440 vspace=10 name=rule></DIV> <P><b>Citation:</b> \"New Treatment Options Have Changed the Survival of Patients With Follicular Lymphoma.\" Published in the Nov. 20, 2005, <i>Journal of Clinical Oncology</i> (Vol. 23, No. 33: 8447-8552). First author: Richard I. Fisher, MD, James P. Wilmot Cancer Center.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('733','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533112--> <p>SUNDAY, June 4 (HealthDay News) -- Breakthrough molecular therapies like Gleevec are dramatically increasing survival rates for patients with certain blood cancers.</p> <p>That good news, delivered Sunday at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting in Atlanta, raises the possibility that bone marrow transplants, once the last hope for these patients, will become a thing of the past.</p> <p>&quot;These therapies will force transplants to adapt to changing paradigms,&quot; said Dr. Mark H. Kirschbaum, director of new drug development for hematology malignancies at City of Hope, in Duarte, Calif. &quot;This is the big revolution. Now you can treat with a pill, and it holds up.&quot;</p> <p>These agents, which include Gleevec (imatinib) and Thalomid (thalidomide), offer the promise of starkly more effective therapies for other cancers in the future as well, according to the new research.</p> <p>In the largest follow-up study on Gleevec, which has been called a wonder drug, five-year data showed that overall survival for people with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) was 89 percent (95 percent if only deaths related to CML were considered). At the same time, 93 percent still had not progressed from the chronic to the acute phase of the illness.</p> <p>&quot;This study confirms Gleevec as the standard first-line therapy for patients with CML,&quot; said study author Dr. Brian J. Druker, a professor of medicine at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland.</p> <p>Gleevec blocks the activity of a gene that plays a significant role in the disease, thereby reversing the malignancy process.</p> <p>The 1,106 participants in this trial, which was funded by the drug\'s maker Novartis, were randomized to receive either Gleevec or the standard treatment, interferon plus cytarabine arabinoside. Patients in the interferon arm were allowed to cross over to the Gleevec arm at any time during the trial. So many switched that by the end of the study, only 3 percent remained in the standard treatment arm. Only 5 percent of participants had to discontinue Gleevec because of side effects.</p> <p>Rate of side effects and of progression to the acute phase of the disease continued to decline the longer the person was on the drug.</p> <p>Of the 553 patients originally assigned to Gleevec, 96 percent to 98 percent saw their blood counts return to normal. At one year, 69 percent saw a correction of the genetic mutation. By the end of five years, that number had risen to 87 percent.</p> <p>The best five-year survival previously reported was 65 percent, Druker said, although overall survival generally was in the 45 percent to 65 percent range.</p> <p>Druker and his research team are in the final stages of comparing Gleevec with another targeted agent, dasatinib. He is currently using Gleevec for some of his patients.</p> <p> &quot;Given the high response rate and good tolerability and long-term data, I\'m starting with imatinib for now,&quot; he said. &quot;We have not yet cured CML. Our patients remain on therapy and remain on therapy long-term.&quot;</p> <p>Two other studies looked at the role of thalidomide in the treatment of multiple myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow which is considered incurable.</p> <p>Thalidomide has a checkered history, having caused birth defects in the babies of women who were taking it as a sleep aid in the 1960s. It has been used experimentally to treat multiple myeloma since the late 1990s.</p> <p>In one of the new studies, elderly patients (aged 65 to 75) who took 400 milligrams of Thalomid daily had longer overall survival (53.6 months) than those taking the standard treatment (32.2 months) or the standard treatment plus stem cell transplantation (38.6 months). The results were encouraging enough that the study was halted so all patients could benefit from Thalomid.</p> <p>&quot;This study was the first and only study to evaluate thalidomide in combination with standard therapy vs. both standard therapy and stem cell transplantation,&quot; said study author Dr. Thierry Facon, a professor of hematology at the University of Lille in France. &quot;The thalidomide arm had a significant survival advantage.&quot;</p> <p>Side effects were considerably higher in the thalidomide group, however, and included blood clots and neuropathy.</p> <p>The second study, from the same university, looked at a lower dose of thalidomide. This 100-milligram dose appeared to be just as effective with fewer side effects, said study author Dr. Ibrahim Yakoub-Agha, a hematologist at the university.</p> <p>&quot;In the old chemotherapy-based model, more was better and, increasingly, we are learning with molecular agents that less is more,&quot; Kirschbaum said.</p> <p>Finally, a study showed that a specific molecular marker may help predict whether patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) will experience a relapse after treatment. </p> <p>But thanks to the onward roll of new treatments, the patients who do not respond to conventional chemotherapy may well benefit from new molecular treatments, Kirschbaum noted.</p> <p>&quot;This is how the world is going to look,&quot; he said.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The <a href=\" http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=274059\" target=\"_new\">Leukemia and Lymphoma Society</a> has more on blood cancers. </p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('734','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:535138--> <p>MONDAY, Sept. 25 (HealthDay News) -- People whose stomach cancers are not staged correctly may die sooner, according to a new study.</p> <p>It is important to correctly stage stomach cancer to identify the most effective treatment for it. A cornerstone of staging is finding out if it has spread to the lymph nodes.</p> <p>In 1997, the guidelines for staging stomach cancer were modified in hopes of improving lymph node assessments. The definition of adequate lymph node assessments (ALNA) changed from distance from primary tumor to the number of lymph nodes with cancer out of at least 15 removed.</p> <p>In a study appearing in the Nov. 1 issue of <i>Cancer</i>, researchers from Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto and their colleagues reviewed data from 10,807 patients with stomach cancers to determine whether physicians are complying with the new guidelines and how staging effects cancer survival.</p> <p>The researchers found that compliance with the new guidelines is poor.</p> <p>After 1997, the median number of lymph nodes removed increased from nine to only 10, and only 29 percent of the participants had at least 15 lymph nodes removed.</p> <p>Inadequate staging was found to compromise the quality of patient care.</p> <p>In the region with the highest ALNA rate, the participants survived for an average of 33 months, compared with just 17 months in the participants in the region with the lowest ALNA rate.</p> <p>ALNA improved survival at every stage, with the most significant benefit seen in patients with early stage disease.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about <a href=\"http://familydoctor.org/817.xml\" target=\"_new\">stomach cancer</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('735','6','	<p><p> (HealthDay News) -- Between the ages of 3 months and 3 years, your child will be cutting his baby teeth -- a momentous occasion for parents, but a painful one for your child. The Nemours Foundation offers a few suggestions on what to do for your cranky teething tot:</p> <ul> <li>Give your baby something cold to chew on -- but be sure it\'s big enough that he can\'t swallow it. A wet rag that has been in the freezer for about 30 minutes will feel good on sore gums.</li> <li>Teething rings may also be used, but be careful that the liquid-filled ones don\'t break in your baby\'s mouth, and make sure they are removed from the freezer before they become completely frozen.</li> <li>Rub on your baby\'s gums gently with a clean finger.</li> <li>Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, may help reduce pain and make your baby less fussy, but consult with your doctor before administering.</li> <li>When your baby is sleeping, place a cloth under his head to catch drool. When your baby is awake, be sure to keep his face wiped clean of drool to avoid rashes.</li> </ul> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('736','6','	<p><p> (HealthDay News) -- Periodontitis is a gum disease in which plaque, a bacteria-ridden film that covers the teeth, moves below the gum line. The bacteria cause inflammation of the gums, which ultimately causes damage to dental tissue and the bones supporting the teeth. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, this can lead to permanent damage, including tooth loss.</p> <p>Regular dental cleanings, brushing, and flossing are the best ways to reduce plaque on your teeth and prevent periodontitis. Some people are genetically predisposed to periodontitis, even with proper dental care. Genetic testing can identify people at greater risk, and early preventive measures can help improve their dental health.</p> <p>Some lifestyle factors can raise a person\'s risk of periodontitis, including smoking, stress, diabetes, and improper diet. Teeth grinding and clenching of the teeth may also promote destruction of the gums and surrounding tissues.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('737','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:534207--> <p>THURSDAY, Aug. 3 (HealthDay News) -- Americans will be able to phone in and receive free dental advice and get answers to questions about oral health this Friday, Aug. 4, during the 15th annual SmileLine. </p> <p>More than 100 dental experts will take part in the nonprofit, toll-free national dental health hotline, offered by the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). SmileLine takes place on Dental Awareness Day.</p> <p>Callers can dial 1-800-764-5333 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EDT to speak one-on-one with a dental expert.</p> <p>&quot;Each year, a network of our members volunteer their medical expertise to field questions about dental health at all stages of life, and the AGD\'s SmileLine has fielded questions from more than 16,500 consumers to date,&quot; Julie Ann Barna, AGD Foundation president, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>Here are some examples of questions asked in previous years:</p> <ul> <li>Does kissing cause or spread gum disease? </li> <li>I wear dentures. Do I need to see the dentist if nothing bothers me? </li> <li>Is it safe to receive dental X-rays if I\'m pregnant? </li> <li>My tongue turned black after I drank pink medication. Why? </li> <li>Could cold medicine cause cavities in my four-year-old? </li> <li>I had my tongue pierced and now it looks like I have a second tongue. Why? </li> </ul> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>If you miss the Aug. 4 phone-in SmileLine, you can go to the AGD\'s <a href=\"http://www.agd.org\" target=\"_new\">SmileLine Online</a>, where you can post dental health questions and have them answered by an AGD member dentist.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('738','6','	<p><p>(HealthDay News) -- Taking care of your dentures will help reduce the bacteria in your mouth and will help prevent those false teeth from becoming stained.</p> <p> Dentures should be cleaned at least once a day with the appropriate cleaners and utensils.</p> <p>Always use a soft-bristled brush made specifically for cleaning dentures, suggests the American Dental Association. Regular toothbrushes may also be used, but avoid any hard-bristled brush that may damage dentures. Your dentist can recommend an ADA-approved cleaning solution, but a gentle handsoap or dishwashing liquid is also safe to use.</p> <p>Your dentures should first be thoroughly rinsed, then the entire surface brushed using the cleanser. You should be careful to brush gently to avoid breaking the dentures.</p> <p> When not in use, the dentures should always be stored in water or in a soaking solution to prevent them from drying out and cracking.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('739','6','	<p><p>(HealthDay News) -- If you sweat excessively for no apparent reason in cool temperatures and without exertion, your overactive sweat glands may be responsible for a condition known as hyperhidrosis.</p> <p>Hyperhidrosis often affects the hands, feet and armpits, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM). Other health conditions and use of certain drugs can contribute to the disorder.</p> <p>There are a number of ways to control hyperhidrosis, including using a strong antiperspirant, using drugs that inhibit sweat production, and Botox injections. Another FDA-approved therapy passes a gentle current of electricity through the hands or feet to temporarily turn off an overactive sweat gland, the NLM says.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('740','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:534485--> <p>FRIDAY, Aug. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Just two weeks of flossing, added to regular tooth brushing, can significantly reduce bleeding gums and bad breath, a U.S. study finds.</p> <p>The study included 51 sets of twins, aged 12 to 21, divided into two groups. One group brushed their teeth and tongue twice a day, while the other group did the same, along with flossing twice a day.</p> <p>After two weeks, the group that brushed and flossed had a 38 percent reduction in gingival bleeding and also had less halitosis (bad breath). In contrast, participants who just brushed experienced a 4 percent increase in gingival bleeding.</p> <p>The study was published in the current issue of the <i>Journal of Periodontology</i>.</p> <p>&quot;Gingival bleeding and halitosis is often the first sign of poor oral hygiene that may eventually lead to further periodontal problems. A good way to prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay is through at-home oral hygiene care and routine dental visits,&quot; study mentor Walter Bretz, of the department of Cariology and Comprehensive Care, New York University College of Dentistry, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The American Dental Association has more about <a href=\"http://www.ada.org/public/topics/cleaning_faq.asp\" target=\"_new\">oral hygiene</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('741','6','	<p><p>(HealthDay News) -- There are many over-the-counter toothpastes, gels and strips that can help brighten and whiten your teeth. There are also several procedures that your dentist can perform to remove stains and discoloration from your not-so-pearly whites.</p> <p>Before you invest in any of these solutions, the American Dental Hygienists\' Association (ADHA) recommends that you have a complete dental checkup to be sure your dental health is good.</p> <p>Some tooth whitening methods have side effects, the ADHA says. Some may cause increased sensitivity in teeth or pain or irritation in the gums. Others may be particularly high in acid, which can damage the protective enamel on teeth.</p> <p>Before you begin any at-home tooth bleaching or whitening system, talk with your dentist, the ADHA advises.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('742','6','	<p><p>(HealthDay News) -- Sucking is a natural reflex for babies, and it often soothes an upset baby to suck on a pacifier. While it\'s safe up until the child is about 4 years of age, a pacifier shouldn\'t be used once his permanent teeth begin to grow.</p> <p>The Children\'s Hospital of Wisconsin says if a child still uses a pacifier after about age four, his permanent teeth may grow improperly.</p> <p>While many children voluntarily stop sucking on a pacifier, some may have a tougher time breaking the habit. And thumb sucking, which could cause similar dental problems, may be an even harder habit to break.</p> <p>If your child\'s permanent teeth have begun emerge and he\'s still sucking on a pacifier or his thumb, talk with a pediatric dentist on the damage the child may be causing. Ask the dentist for suggestions on how to get your child to stop.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('743','6','	<p><p>THURSDAY, Sept. 7 (HealthDay News) -- Federal health advisers have rejected a government report suggesting that mercury-containing amalgam dental fillings are safe, saying instead that further study is needed. </p> <p>The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel\'s decision is not a declaration that the widely used fillings are unsafe, the <i>Associated Press</i> reported late Thursday. However, in a 13-7 vote, the panel said a large federal review of data fails to clearly and objectively present the current body of knowledge on the subject. </p> <p> In a second vote, also 13-7, the panelists said the report\'s conclusion that amalgam fillings are safe is not reasonable, according to the <i>AP</i>.</p> <p>The announcement came after FDA committee meetings held Wednesday and Thursday --the first public hearings in more than a decade on the safety of these fillings.</p> <p>The FDA is not compelled to act on the advice of its advisory committees, although it frequently does.</p> <p>Dental amalgam contains elemental mercury combined with other metals such as silver, copper, tin and zinc. The fillings, about 50 percent mercury, have been used for generations to stabilize decaying teeth. Dental experts contend that when mercury is bound to the other metals it\'s encapsulated and doesn\'t pose a health risk. Consumer groups, however, contend that mercury, a known neurotoxin, does leak out in the form of mercury vapor and then gets into the bloodstream.</p> <p>According to the American Dental Association (ADA), the use of amalgam is declining. In 1990, dental amalgams made up 67.6 percent of all dental restorations, by 1999 45.3 percent and, in 2003, an estimated 30 percent. Cavities that previously would have been treated with dental amalgam are now mostly filled with a resin composite. </p> <p>Several European and other countries, including Canada, Norway, Sweden, Britain, Germany and Denmark, currently advise dentists against using mercury fillings in pregnant women.</p> <p>The ADA, however, said the recommendation was made despite there being no scientific evidence of systemic health problems or toxic effects. </p> <p>The ADA maintains its position that dental amalgam should remain an option for patients. </p> <p>&quot;Our position is one of looking at the scientific evidence and believing it\'s safe and effective and that dentists and patients should have the option,&quot; said Dr. Ron R. Zentz, senior director of the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs. </p> <p>Zentz pointed, in particular, to two studies (the Children\'s Amalgam Trials) published in the April issue of the <i>Journal of the American Medical Association</i>. Those trials compared the use of amalgam to composite dental fillings in children.</p> <p>The studies found no differences in IQ, memory, attention, kidney function or other measures between children with amalgam fillings and children with composite fillings.</p> <p>The fillings may even be superior to other materials in certain instances, such as in the back of the mouth where the forces and stress on the fillings are stronger, Zentz said.</p> <p>According to the <i>Associated Press</i>, officials at the FDA also asked committee members to carefully review findings from an internal agency &quot;meta-analysis&quot; of 34 recent studies. That review found &quot;no significant new information&quot; that might change the FDA\'s conclusion that amalgam fillings pose no harm to the vast majority of patients.</p> <p>Earlier on Thursday, one consultant to the panel said the review fell short. &quot;Just by looking at this paper, we are in a sense really limiting ourselves. I am not convinced we are doing justice to the topic at hand,&quot; Vanderbilt University professor of pediatrics and pharmacology Michael Aschner told the <i>AP</i>. </p> <p>Several groups are vehemently opposed to the use of these fillings.</p> <p>On Sept. 5, a consortium of organizations including Consumers for Dental Choice, the Mercury Policy Project and the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology filed a petition to the FDA to immediately ban mercury fillings for pregnant women so as to protect their unborn children. The FDA has six months to respond to the petition.</p> <p>&quot;We\'re doing this primarily as a precautionary measure to protect unborn children from unnecessary exposure to mercury,&quot; said Michael Bender, director of the Mercury Policy Project, located in Montpelier, Vt. &quot;We\'re very concerned that our government is not doing what it should to protect the unborn.&quot;</p> <p>&quot;Why isn\'t the FDA joining Health Canada and the other countries in banning the placement in expectant mothers?&quot; he continued. &quot;FDA silence over mercury is the same kind of silence our government once had for tobacco.&quot;</p> <p>Still, any ban could have consequences. A study by dentist Howard Bailit and colleagues at the University of Connecticut found that a ban on amalgam fillings would boost costs, cut down on cavities filled and hurt America\'s oral health.</p> <p>&quot;Our recommendation is, do not ban the use of dental amalgams,&quot; Bailit told the <i>Associated Press</i>.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To learn more about amalgam fillings, visit the <a href=\"http://www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/factsheets/amalgam.htm\" target=\"_new\">U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('744','6','	<p><p>THURSDAY, Sept. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Researchers are exploring a promising treatment for severe periodontal disease in which a biodegradable gum implant slowly releases medicines that fight infection.</p> <p>Word of the new procedure -- designed to be less invasive and more effective then current surgical treatments -- came Thursday at the American Chemical Society\'s annual meeting in San Francisco.</p> <p>&quot;I\'m extraordinarily confident that this technology will work,&quot; said study co-author Kathryn E. Uhrich, a professor of chemistry and chemical biology at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.</p> <p>Although animal and human trials have yet to begin, Uhrich said that the laboratory work already conducted with co-author Michelle L. Johnson -- one of Uhrich\'s graduate students -- indicates that the plastic implant appears to be both effective and safe.</p> <p>&quot;We\'re using antibiotic anti-bacterial properties, which everyone already knows about, alongside aspirin-like, anti-inflammatory properties, which everyone also already knows about,&quot; she explained. &quot;So it\'s pretty easy to make, and I see no real significant technical obstacles.&quot;</p> <p>&quot;What\'s unique here, however, is our plan to treat periodontal disease by combining these properties with a polymer -- or plastic -- implant structure that enables delivery of the drugs with minimal invasiveness,&quot; she added.</p> <p>According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, approximately 80 percent of men and women have gum disease of one kind or another.</p> <p>The authors note that between 8 percent and 12 percent of Americans have an advanced stage of periodontal disease, requiring invasive interventions such as surgery to prevent tooth loss.</p> <p>Periodontal disease -- literally meaning disease from &quot;around the tooth&quot; -- is a chronic bacterial infection of the gums and bones surrounding the teeth. The disease originates in the bacteria-laden plaque, which routinely forms a sticky film on tooth surfaces.</p> <p>Poor hygienic habits, poor nutrition, stress, smoking, diabetes, genetic predisposition and certain medications can raise the risk for developing gum disease.</p> <p>In its less serious stages, the condition can provoke relatively painless gum swelling and bleeding. However, if left untreated gum tissue and bone can literally disintegrate over an extended period of time.</p> <p>Treatment for advanced gum disease traditionally begins with a dentist removing infected organisms lodged deep in the pockets that develop between teeth and gums -- a process known as &quot;deep scaling.&quot;</p> <p>The elimination of remaining bacteria is sometimes further aided by the placement of topical anti-microbials in the cleaned-out pockets.</p> <p>If significant bone loss has occurred, the current standard for the second phase of treatment involves the surgical implantation of barrier materials -- such as Teflon -- to separate the gum from the bone and teeth and promote bone regeneration and tissue healing. The barrier is then surgically removed after approximately six weeks.</p> <p>According to Uhrich, the proposed new procedure would cut the need for invasive surgery in half by relying on an implant that would release both anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory medications over a prescribed time. Meanwhile, the barrier itself slowly disintegrates.</p> <p>The researchers say patients benefit because the barrier doesn\'t have to be removed with surgery, and gum tissues are healed with the use of salicylic acid -- the active anti-inflammatory ingredient found in aspirin.</p> <p>&quot;This is absolutely a unique process, &quot; said Uhrich. &quot;There\'s nothing out there like this right now.&quot;</p> <p>Uhrich said the procedure could be available to patients in as little as two years, depending on U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval following animal and human trials. Primate trials are already being set up.</p> <p>However, Robert Genco, a distinguished professor of oral biology, periodontology, and microbiology in the school of dental medicine at the State University of New York at Buffalo, had some reservations about the procedure.</p> <p>&quot;The proof in the pudding is going to be the human trials,&quot; he said. &quot;It might be a useful adjunct treatment to the deep-scaling needed to remove tenaciously attached bacteria,&quot; he said. &quot;But there is also a possible negative aspect in that the anti-inflammatory impact of this procedure could theoretically reduce the body\'s ability to cope with the infection by undermining the body\'s ability to get rid of the most difficult-to-remove bacteria. It\'s not been shown for sure that this would be a problem, but it\'s something that would have to be dealt with.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For additional information on gum disease, visit the <a href=\"http://www.perio.org/consumer/2a.html\" target=\"_new\">American Academy of Periodontology</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('745','6','	<p><p>(HealthDay News) -- Vitamin D is needed to help the body absorb calcium and build strong, healthy bones. The vitamin is particularly important for growing children, who need plenty of calcium for good bone health.</p> <p>Lack of vitamin D can lead to rickets, a condition characterized by soft or weak bones, pain or tenderness in the limbs or spine, and bone deformities such as bowlegs. A child with rickets may also have dental problems including abnormal tooth formation and cavities.</p> <p>The U.S. National Library of Medicine says treatment usually involves dietary changes to include more vitamin D-rich foods -- such as fish, liver and milk -- and increased exposure to sunlight. Braces on the legs or spine may be needed to counter bone deformities.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('746','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533024--> <p>WEDNESDAY, May 31 (HealthDay News) -- Could iron deficiency be key to baldness?</p> <p>The answer is yes, according to researchers at the Cleveland Clinic, who reviewed scientific literature on the connection published over the past 40 years.</p> <p>&quot;If doctors can understand fully the relationship between iron deficiency and hair loss, then they can help people regrow hair more effectively,&quot; study leader Dr. Wilma Bergfeld, head of clinical research in the department of dermatology, said in a prepared statement. &quot;We believe that iron deficiency may be related to many forms of hair loss and that people may need higher levels of iron stores than previously thought to regrow hair.&quot;</p> <p>The review of data suggests that iron deficiency may be linked to several of the most common kinds of hair loss. However, there is not enough evidence to suggest universal screening for iron deficiency in hair-loss patients and further research is required, the researchers said.</p> <p>The findings appear in the May issue of the <i>Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology</i>.</p> <p>Iron deficiency is the world\'s most common nutritional deficiency. It can be caused by inadequate dietary intake of iron, excessive menstrual bleeding, and other forms of blood loss. Treatment includes adequate dietary intake of iron and, when appropriate, iron supplements.</p> <p>Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic routinely screen for iron deficiency in patients with hair loss. If iron deficiency is detected and treated in the early stages, patients may be able to grow hair more effectively, the researchers said.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more about <a href=\"http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003246.htm\" target=\"_new\">hair loss</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('747','6','	<p><p>MONDAY, June 5 (HealthDay News) -- The osteoporosis drug raloxifene is as effective as the cancer drug tamoxifen in reducing the risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women, new research shows.</p> <p>But the two drugs vary in &quot;side-effect profiles,&quot; meaning each may be appropriate for a different set of women. This is somewhat at odds with previous proclamations, which had labeled raloxifene a &quot;clear winner&quot; over tamoxifen.</p> <p>The latest results of the STAR (Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene) trial were announced Monday at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, in Atlanta.</p> <p>&quot;Basically it\'s good news,&quot; said the study\'s lead author, Dr. D. Lawrence Wickerham, associate chairman of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project. &quot;Postmenopausal women with an increased risk for breast cancer have a new and effective option for chemoprevention of invasive disease.&quot; </p> <p>Dr. Robert Morgan, a medical oncologist with City of Hope Cancer Center in Duarte, Calif., added, &quot;This is important data. Both are very excellent drugs.&quot; </p> <p>Although tamoxifen has been on the market for 30 years and has a proven effect, many women and doctors have been hesitant to use the drug because of side effects, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, decreased sex drive and nausea.</p> <p>Raloxifene is already used by 500,000 women for osteoporosis prevention and treatment. Although it is not yet approved to prevent breast cancer, experts hope gynecologists and primary-care physicians, who have experience with raloxifene, will start prescribing it for breast-cancer prevention. </p> <p>&quot;We would expect that the STAR results would increase the numbers taking the drug and decrease breast cancer occurring in the U.S. and around the world,&quot; Wickerham said. &quot;The STAR results are an important next step in the elimination of breast cancer.&quot; </p> <p>&quot;It\'s obviously an important study. Not only does it add to our knowledge but it provides another option for women at high risk of getting breast cancer to consider,&quot; added Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society. &quot;If it gets more women into a prevention strategy, then that\'s good news. It\'s important that both women and their physicians recognize that a preventive strategy is available, and it\'s important for women and their physicians to have conversations with each other to determine which approach is best for them.&quot; </p> <p>The STAR trial enrolled almost 20,000 postmenopausal women with an increased risk for breast cancer. Participants were randomly selected to take either 20 milligrams of tamoxifen or 60 milligrams of raloxifene daily for five years. </p> <p>Both drugs reduced the risk of breast cancer by about 50 percent, to about four per 1,000 women a year, from eight per 1,000 women per year.</p> <p>However, raloxifene was not as effective in preventing non-invasive breast cancers as tamoxifen. &quot;This is biologically intriguing, but we haven\'t been able to define this,&quot; Wickerham said. </p> <p>Women on tamoxifen had more uterine cancers, blood clots and cataracts. There were no significant differences with regard to the incidence of other cancers, heart problems, stroke, bone fracture or death, the study found. </p> <p>The STAR findings were also released online Monday in the <i>Journal of the American Medical Association</i>, and will appear in the journal\'s June 21 print issue.</p> <p>Another report released Monday at the ASCO meeting that was culled from STAR data found that quality of life, based on both mental and physical indicators, was about the same between women in the raloxifene group and those in the tamoxifen group. </p> <p>There was slightly greater decline in sexual function among women in the tamoxifen group, particularly younger women.</p> <p>&quot;It was a very subtle, statistically significant difference, but whether it is clinically significant and meaningful is hard to say,&quot; said Dr. Patricia A. Ganz, the study\'s lead author and director of the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control at the University of California, Los Angeles\' Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center. </p> <p>Tamoxifen seemed to do better in the areas of musculoskeletal pain, weight gain and painful intercourse, while raloxifene came out ahead in vasomotor symptoms, leg cramps and gynecological symptoms, the study found.</p> <p>&quot;We now have two equally effective drugs to be used in preventing breast cancer,&quot; Ganz said. &quot;We can start woman on one drug and if, after three months, she\'s having a symptom that she feels is not tolerable, we can switch to the other drug. But we want women to be able to take a drug to prevent or reduce incidence of breast cancer. It does us no good if she doesn\'t take the medication.&quot; </p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more on the STAR trial, visit the U.S. <a href=\"http://www.cancer.gov/star\" target=\"_new\">National Cancer Institute</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('748','6','	<p><p>TUESDAY, June 6 (HealthDay News) -- Thorough preventive screening measures for lung cancer may be identifying too many abnormalities as cancerous, a new study says.</p> <p>Participants in the Mayo Lung Project who had been previously diagnosed with lung cancer were interviewed about their diagnosis, overall health, and smoking history. Researchers also reviewed the results of the patients\' chest scans. Patients were divided into two groups -- one where patients were screened with multiple chest X-rays, and one where spectrum tests were used.</p> <p>Of the 7,118 patients studied, 585 in the X-ray group were identified as having cancer, and 500 were identified in the spectrum test group. The researchers said the additional cancers identified in the X-ray group point to an overdiagnosis of lung cancer.</p> <p>&quot;Although the magnitude of overdiagnosis in chest X-ray screening appears to be modest, the very real and deleterious role that overdiagnosis plays in mass screening cannot be discounted,&quot; Pamela M. Marcus, a researcher with the National Cancer Institute, said in a prepared statement. &quot;The newest imaging technologies can detect very small lung abnormalities, but these abnormalities may be clinically unimportant. The question remains as to whether early detection of lung cancer through mass screening results in a net benefit to the public\'s health.&quot;</p> <p>Overdiagnosis can lead to unnecessary tests and treatment of a disease that may result in exposure to harmful toxins, the researchers said.</p> <p>The study results appear in the June 7 issue of the <i>Journal of the National Cancer Institute</i>.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more on lung cancer, head to the <a href=\"http://www.lungcanceralliance.org/&quot;target =\">Lung Cancer Alliance</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('749','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533227--> <p>MONDAY, June 12 (HealthDay News) -- While folic acid is more commonly known as the nutrient that can help prevent birth defects, new research suggests that folic acid supplements may also help prevent cancer of the larynx.</p> <p>In a study of people with precancerous lesions called leukoplakia, Italian researchers found the lesions disappeared in 28 percent of participants, and 44 percent experienced at least a partial shrinking of their lesions. All of the study participants took 5 milligrams of folic acid three times a day for six months. </p> <p>While that would seem to be encouraging news, Dr. Jay Brooks, chairman of hematology/oncology at Ochsner Health System in Baton Rouge, La., said the finding may not lead to significant rewards.</p> <p>&quot;It\'s an early study. It appears to benefit a very small number of people, and in some people with leukoplakia, it naturally goes away anyway. I really can\'t tell you if it\'s good for you or bad for you,&quot; Brooks said. </p> <p>The study authors said the new research is just an initial look at folic acid\'s possible cancer-preventing properties. </p> <p>&quot;The present work was aimed at a preliminary evaluation of folic acid as a novel chemopreventive agent. Definitive conclusions are far from being drawn because reliable data about spontaneous regression of leukoplakia are lacking,&quot; wrote the authors, from Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, in Rome.</p> <p>Results of the study appear in the July 15 issue of the journal <i>Cancer</i>.</p> <p>Each year, nearly 40,000 Americans are diagnosed with head and neck cancers, including cancer of the larynx, according to the U.S. National Cancer Institute. These types of cancer are most common in people older than 50, and tobacco use is the number-one risk factor for these malignancies, according to the NCI. Unlike most other cancers, laryngeal cancer hasn\'t seen any improvement in five-year survival rates during the past 30 years, according to background information in the study. </p> <p>For the study, the researchers recruited 43 people who had been diagnosed with laryngeal leukoplakia. Most -- 88 percent -- were smokers, and all but three were men. </p> <p>Because prior studies had shown that people with head and neck cancers and laryngeal leukoplakia often have low blood levels of folate, the natural form of folic acid, the researchers wanted to learn if folic acid could help prevent the progression of leukoplakia to cancer. </p> <p>So, each study participant was asked to take 5 milligrams of folic acid three times a day for six months. </p> <p>Blood tests were done periodically to ensure the volunteers were taking their supplements as requested. The researchers also measured the leukoplakias once a month. </p> <p>Twelve people -- 28 percent -- showed no response to the folic acid regimen. Nineteen people -- 44 percent -- experienced a partial shrinkage of their leukoplakia, and 12 people -- 28 percent -- had a &quot;complete response,&quot; meaning their leukoplakia disappeared. </p> <p>&quot;Such results open intriguing perspectives, considering also the fact that hypofolatemia [low folate levels] has been reported in 2001 to be the most frequent vitamin deficiency in the U.S. population,&quot; wrote the authors, who are planning on conducting a larger, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to better assess folic acid\'s benefits. </p> <p>In the meantime, Ochsner\'s Brooks said he wouldn\'t recommend folic acid supplements. &quot;Few people are folic-acid deficient now that it\'s being added to breads and cereals. I think this study, once again, teaches us that we need to do large, randomized studies to see if things really work before we start taking them.&quot; </p> <p>Samantha Heller, a senior clinical nutritionist at New York University Medical Center, said, &quot;It\'s a very small study, and even the authors say that conclusions can\'t be drawn from this study.&quot;</p> <p>&quot;But, the bottom line is that folate is a very important B vitamin, and low levels may be involved in certain carcinogenic processes,&quot; she added. &quot;I would like to see people getting folate from vegetables, fruits and legumes, rather than from a folic acid supplement. These foods have other cancer-fighting properties and can help protect against other chronic diseases.&quot;</p> <p>Heller recommended daily consumption of 400 micrograms of folate or folic acid, preferably folate from food sources.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To learn more about leukoplakia, visit the <a href=\"http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001046.htm\" target=\"_new\">U.S. National Library of Medicine</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('750','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533297--> <p>THURSDAY, June 15 (HealthDay News) -- A boom in gastric bypass surgery could lead to an unwelcome trend: an increase in vitamin A deficiency among patients that raises their risk for vision loss.</p> <p>So conclude U.S. researchers who studied the medical histories of patients who were nearly blind or had very poor eyesight but no family history of blindness.</p> <p>The study, published in the current issue of the <i>British Journal of Ophthalmology</i>, focused on three patients over age 65 who had been diagnosed with vitamin A deficiency. Each of the patients had also undergone major intestinal surgery in the last 20 to 35 years.</p> <p>Vitamin A is needed to maintain healthy tissues and functions of the eye. Blindness or poor eyesight is one of the first symptoms of vitamin A deficiency, which results from malnutrition and is the primary cause of blindness in children in less affluent countries.</p> <p>But researchers at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston note that vitamin A is absorbed through the small intestine. So, with gastric bypass surgeries on the rise, vitamin A deficiency may also increase in developed countries -- even though it\'s been predominantly an issue for underdeveloped countries until now.</p> <p>Patients in the study had either intestinal bypass or gallbladder surgery, or surgery to remove tissue damaged by inflammatory bowel disease. Each patient had also taken vitamin A supplements, but still maintained poor eyesight. Two of the patients received intramuscular injections of vitamin A, and saw improvements in their vision within just a few days.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The Ohio State University has more information on <a href=\" http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/5000/5551.html &quot;target =\">vitamin A in the diet</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('751','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533344--> <p>MONDAY, June 19 (HealthDay News) -- If you love your arteries, eat your vegetables.</p> <p>So say researchers who found that mice fed a vegetable-rich diet cut their risk for atherosclerosis -- hardening of the arteries -- by 38 percent.</p> <p>&quot;There is some epidemiological evidence that people who eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, probably more than five servings a day, have a lower risk of coronary heart disease than people who don\'t,&quot; added lead researcher Michael Adams, a professor of pathology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, N.C.</p> <p>However, &quot;there are a lot of problems with epidemiological [population-based] studies, a lot of factors that can\'t be controlled for,&quot; he said. For instance, &quot;those who eat a lot of fruits and vegetables are healthier in other ways,&quot; such as exercising more, he added.</p> <p>So, Adams and his team decided to look at the physiological level for how vegetable intake might affect blood vessel health.</p> <p>Their study is published in the July issue of the <i>Journal of Nutrition</i> and is funded by food maker General Mills, whose brands include Green Giant vegetables.</p> <p>Adams\' team fed a control group of 53 mice a vegetable-free diet. Another group of 54 mice got the same base diet, but with vegetables added to make up 30 percent of the total diet. Vegetables included freeze-dried broccoli, peas, green beans, corn and carrots. </p> <p>After 16 weeks, they assessed the animals\' health and found those who ate the vegetable-rich diet had lower total cholesterol levels, lower levels of the so-called &quot;bad&quot; cholesterol or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and a 7 percent lower average body weight.</p> <p>&quot;The mice who consumed 30 percent of their diet as vegetables developed atherosclerotic plaques that were 38 percent smaller than those of the mice who consumed no vegetables,&quot; he said.</p> <p>They didn\'t track exercise as a variable, but the mice all lived in the same environment and so probably got about the same amount of activity, Adams said.</p> <p>&quot;We looked at the accumulation of a marker of inflammatory activity,&quot; he said. &quot;Inflammation is known to be an integral part of the development of atherosclerotic plaque.&quot; The vegetables may work, he said, by their anti-inflammatory properties.</p> <p>The study is &quot;interesting and encouraging,&quot; said Alice Lichtenstein, chair of the nutrition committee for the American Heart Association.</p> <p>&quot;The observation has been made in humans that people who eat fruits and vegetables have less coronary artery disease and less heart disease,&quot; she said. But to her knowledge, no one knows the mechanism.</p> <p>&quot;It may be a direct effect, or people eating a lot of fruits and vegetables may have a diet [that is also] healthy in other ways,&quot; added Lichtenstein, who is director of the Cardiovascular Nutrition Lab at the U.S. Department of Agriculture\'s Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging.</p> <p>As for advice, Adams said boosting vegetable and fruit intake is always wise. &quot;The average consumption in this country of green and yellow vegetables and of fruits is two to three servings a day. If people just ate 2 or 3 more servings a day, odds are they would be much healthier for it.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To learn more about nutrition, visit the <a href=\"http://www.eatright.org\" target=\"_new\">American Dietetic Association</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('752','6','	<p><p>WEDNESDAY, May 31 (HealthDay News) -- Ever notice that hunger can sharpen your senses, while a full, satisfying meal leaves you yearning for a nap?</p> <p>The key to this response is the simple sugar glucose, and British researchers have discovered how it works its neural magic.</p> <p>In experiments with mice, the researchers determined how glucose blocks neurons -- brain cells -- that regulate wakefulness. They found that a class of potassium ion channels made up of proteins in the cell membrane affects the cells\' responses by controlling the amount of potassium getting into the cells.</p> <p>Then they wanted to find out how glucose inhibits a particular class of glucose-sensing neurons that produce tiny proteins called orexins, which regulate states of consciousness.</p> <p>&quot;The firing of consciousness-regulating brain cells is sensitive to changes in glucose that occur between normal meals,&quot; said lead researcher Denis Burdakov, a research fellow at the University of Manchester. &quot;Now we know how glucose can stop neurons from firing, something which eluded neuroscientists for the last 30 years.&quot;</p> <p>The findings appear in the June 1 issue of the journal <i>Neuron</i>.</p> <p>Burdakov said it was known that glucose inhibits the activity of orexin neurons; malfunction of these cells can lead to narcolepsy and obesity. &quot;Recently, it was discovered that these brain cells promote wakefulness and when lost, lead to narcolepsy. But how glucose does this was unknown,&quot; he added.</p> <p>In its experiments, Burdakov\'s team used engineered mice to produce a fluorescent protein only in orexin neurons. This allowed the researchers to isolate the neurons in brain slices from the mice and perform precise biochemical and electrophysiological studies to explore how glucose acted on those neurons.</p> <p>Then the researchers did experiments exposing the neurons to the subtle changes in glucose levels known to occur in daily cycles of hunger and eating. They found that activation of a type of potassium in the membrane of orexin neurons is responsible for glucose\'s inhibitory action.</p> <p>&quot;This previously unknown mechanism of glucose-sensing is so sensitive, it can detect minute changes in glucose levels that occur, for example, between normal breakfast and lunch,&quot; Burdakov said.</p> <p>It seems that the activity of orexin neurons, which regulate appetite and reward feelings, as well as wakefulness, can be controlled by normal, daily changes in brain glucose levels, Burdakov said. &quot;This may provide a candidate explanation for after-meal sleepiness and for why it is difficult to sleep when hungry,&quot; he said.</p> <p>The finding may also have implications for designing new drugs that target this potassium channel, Burdakov said. &quot;This could be a treatment for disorders that involve orexin neurons and/or brain glucose sensing, such as disorders of sleep and body weight like obesity, anorexia, diabetes and narcolepsy,&quot; he said.</p> <p>Christopher M. Sinton, an assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, said, &quot;This [glucose] mechanism is unexpected because it is unusual, and the paper is a careful and exceptional description of its discovery.&quot;</p> <p>&quot;Perhaps more importantly, however, we now know why orexin cells can be so exquisitely sensitive to very small changes in circulating glucose levels, and also how they respond very rapidly to these changes,&quot; Sinton said. &quot;Hence the activity of orexin cells will be increased even by the relatively small changes in glucose that occur for short periods between meals.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The Sleep Foundation offers <a href=\"http://www.sleepfoundation.org/hottopics/index.php?secid=9&amp;id=31\" target=\"_new\">healthy sleep tips</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('753','6','	<p><p>FRIDAY, June 9 (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests that if your baby cries too much or can\'t sleep through the night, it might have something to do with how often you hold her.</p> <p>Babies held for a whopping 15 hours to 16 hours a day cried the most at night and had more trouble sleeping when they were 3 months old, while those held the least were heavier criers at two weeks and five weeks. Parents who took an in-between approach, meanwhile, had quieter babies in both early and later weeks in the first months of life.</p> <p>The approaches each have &quot;different costs and benefits,&quot; said study author Ian St. James-Roberts, a researcher at the University of London.</p> <p>St. James-Roberts and colleagues studied three groups of parents -- 275 total -- who treated their babies differently in the first weeks of life. </p> <p>One group of parents chose to stay very close to their babies at the age of 10 days, holding them 80 percent of the time between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., and responding immediately to crying. Many of these parents slept with their babies.</p> <p>The second group of parents lived in London and was the most distant from their babies: They held them an average of 8.5 hours a day. According to St. James-Roberts, this is similar to the behavior of American parents.</p> <p>The third group, made up of parents from Copenhagen, Denmark, held their babies an average of 9.75 hours.</p> <p>The researchers then examined the crying and sleeping habits of the babies.</p> <p>The study findings appear in the June 2006 issue of <i>Pediatrics</i>.</p> <p>The London babies fussed and cried 50 percent more each 24 hours than the other two groups at 10 days and five weeks. The study authors wrote that this supports suspicions that British child-rearing habits lead to more crying in infants.</p> <p>At 12 weeks, the parents who held their infants the most were more likely to report that they slept for five hours or more a night without waking or crying. They reported an average of five nights of smooth sleeping in the previous week. The parents who held their babies the least reported an average of 4.6 nights of carefree sleep, vs. a lower 3.4 average nights among the mid-range group.</p> <p>Overall, the study authors report that babies still cried quite a lot no matter what their parents did. This adds &quot;to evidence that bouts of unsoothable crying, which are common in early infancy, are not much affected by variations in parenting, providing reassurance that this aspect of infant crying is not parents\' fault.&quot;</p> <p>Dr. George J. Cohen, a pediatrician and editor-in-chief of the American Academy of Pediatrics\' &quot;Guide to Your Child\'s Sleep,&quot; said the findings sound reasonable, although the research only looked at select groups of babies and parents and &quot;may not be universally applicable.&quot;</p> <p>What to do? Be flexible about your baby\'s sleeping patterns, Cohen advised. &quot;Parents\' most common \'mistakes\' are not knowing the variety of normal patterns and therefore trying to push the baby into sleep patterns that the baby may not be ready for,&quot; he said.</p> <p>Also, he said, while &quot;different parenting styles may produce different infant behaviors,&quot; babies still have individual differences. &quot;Parents should not blame themselves if their infants seem not to adapt to parent desires for sleeping,&quot; he added.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>Learn more about babies and sleeping from the <a href=\"http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/sleep/sleepnewborn.html\" target=\"_new\">Nemours Foundation</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('754','6','	<p><p> (HealthDay News) -- If you\'re struggling with getting your child to go to sleep or stay asleep, the National Sleep Foundation recommends setting a nightly routine.</p> <p>Children should have a standard bedtime that you stick to every night of the week. Leave plenty of time for them to get ready for bed and to finish the preparatory routine.</p> <p>You may want to give your child a light snack after dinner and before bed, according to the foundation. After snack time should be bath time, then it\'s time to put on pajamas and brush his teeth. A bedtime story is a good way to wind down and prepare your child for sleep. When it\'s time for him to go to sleep, make sure the room is quiet and dark, then leave the room.</p> <p>The NSF also recommends that you do not go into the child\'s room every time he wakes in the middle of the night. Your child will begin to expect you to come to his room and will not learn to go back to sleep by himself, the foundation warns.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('755','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533448--> <p>FRIDAY, June 23 (HealthDay News) -- Drowsy drivers may be responsible for as many as 3 percent to 33 percent of all motor vehicle accidents, experts say. And a new French study suggests that many people keep driving even though they know they\'re overtired.</p> <p>Researchers at the Universite Victor Segalen conducted a study of French car crashes in order to determine whether or not drivers recognized their behavior when driving impaired by fatigue.</p> <p>Reports filed from nearly 13,300 serious road traffic accidents were analyzed, along with a compilation of answers to a series of questions about fatigue and driving habits. Participants responded to a question that asked if they had driven while sleepy within the last 12 months. </p> <p>Sixty-three percent of respondents said they never drove while fatigued, 36 percent said a few times, 0.8 percent said about once a month, and 0.3 percent and 0.2 percent responded about &quot;once a week&quot; and &quot;more than once a week,&quot; respectively. </p> <p>Participants who said they sometimes drove in a self-described state of sleepiness were more likely to be involved in a serious car accident over the next three years, the researchers found. </p> <p>The accident risk rose along with the frequency of self-reported sleepy driving. For example, drivers who admitted to having driven while sleepy a few times within the past year were 1.5 times more likely to have an accident than drivers who said they did not drive while they were sleepy. Drivers who answered that they drove while sleepy about once a month had a three-fold higher risk of a serious accident. </p> <p>The bottom line, according to the researchers: Even though some drivers recognize they may be too sleepy to drive, they rarely pull over and rest to avoid an accident. More preventive measures are needed to educate motorists of the potential dangers of driving while sleepy, the French team said.</p> <p>Drowsy drivers are a real hazard in the United States, as well. According to a report released in April by the Institute of Medicine, motor vehicle accidents involving tired drivers cost at least $48 billion a year.</p> <p>The French study appeared Friday in the online edition of <i>British Medical Journal</i>.</p> <p><b>More information</b> </p> <p>The National Safety Council has more information on <a href=\" http://www.nsc.org/issues/drivsafe.htm&quot;target =\">driving safety</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('756','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533474--> <p>MONDAY, June 26 (HealthDay News) -- As if they weren\'t already unpleasant enough, menopause-linked hot flashes may also cause insomnia, a large new study shows.</p> <p>&quot;Severe hot flashes are associated with chronic insomnia in women aged 35 to 65 years. The dramatic increase in insomnia in women with severe hot flashes indicates that severity of hot flashes should be routinely assessed in all studies of menopause,&quot; researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine wrote in a prepared statement.</p> <p>Knowing that women usually experience hot flashes at night, the Stanford team decided to study 982 women to better understand the relationship between hot flashes and sleep.</p> <p>The women were interviewed by phone between June 2003 and April 2004, and asked about their age, stage of menopause, severity of hot flashes and sleep habits. Participants were between 35 and 65 years old, and 57.2 percent were premenopausal. Another 20.5 percent were postmenopausal, with no period within the last year, and 22.3 percent had experienced at least one irregular menstrual cycle in the last year, making them perimenopausal. </p> <p>Thirty-three percent of the women interviewed said they had experienced hot flashes. Women in the perimenopausal group were most likely to have had a hot flash, with 79 percent reporting the symptom. Half of the women who reported hot flashes classified them as mild, meaning that they usually did not cause sweating. One-third reported moderate hot flashes that did cause sweating but did not cause them to stop their activity, and 15 percent said they experienced hot flashes that caused so much sweating that they had to stop what they were doing.</p> <p>Of the women who reported having severe hot flashes, 81 percent also reported symptoms of insomnia, including problems falling asleep or staying asleep, or poor quality of sleep. Women who experienced mild hot flashes were no more likely to have insomnia than women who did not have hot flashes, but, as the severity of hot flashes increased, so too did symptoms of insomnia.</p> <p>&quot;Treating hot flashes could improve sleep quality and minimize the deleterious consequences of chronic insomnia,&quot; the researchers concluded.</p> <p>The findings appear in the June 26 issue of the <i>Archives of Internal Medicine</i>.</p> <p><b>More information</b> </p> <p>Head to the North American Menopause Society to read more about <a href=\" http://www.menopause.org/default.htm&quot;target =\">menopause</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('757','6','	<p><p>TUESDAY, June 27 (HealthDay News) -- While popping a sleeping pill may be the solution for an occasional sleepless night, people with chronic insomnia can get more and deeper sleep if they receive cognitive behavioral therapy to treat their sleep disorder. </p> <p>That\'s the conclusion of a Norwegian study that found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was better at treating long-term insomnia than the sleep medication zopiclone, which is very similar to the widely advertised drug Lunesta, the researchers said.</p> <p>&quot;The findings showed that CBT was superior to sleep medications for older individuals suffering from chronic insomnia. In fact, zopiclone did not perform better than placebo pills,&quot; said the study\'s lead author, Dr. Borge Sivertsen, an associate researcher at the Norwegian Competence Center for Sleep Disorders. </p> <p>Additionally, &quot;CBT increased the patients\' slow-wave sleep (deep sleep) compared to a significant <i>decrease</i> caused by zopiclone. This finding is especially important, as a lack of slow wave sleep may be responsible for impaired daytime functioning and next-day sleepiness,&quot; he said. </p> <p>Results of the study appear in the June 28 issue of the <i>Journal of the American Medical Association</i>.</p> <p>Sleeplessness is a big problem in America. According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), almost six of 10 Americans report having insomnia at least a few nights weekly. Insomnia becomes chronic if you have trouble either falling asleep or staying asleep for longer than one month. </p> <p>As many as 25 percent of people in the United States use medications to help them sleep at least once every year, according to the NSF. The use of prescription sleep medications, such as Ambien, Lunesta and Sonata, has been increasing, and while these drugs are effective for short-term sleeping problems, users can build up a tolerance to them and they lose their effectiveness, according to Susan Zafarlotfi, clinical director for the Institute for Sleep-Wake Disorders at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey.</p> <p>For the new study, 46 people over 55 years of age were recruited for the study; to be included, the volunteers had to have had insomnia for three months or longer. </p> <p>Eighteen participants received cognitive behavioral therapy, which included six weekly individual treatment sessions in which they were given information on relaxation techniques, how to control their sleeping environment to reduce stimuli, and how to restrict sleeping hours so it\'s easier to fall asleep at bedtime. Sixteen people were given 7.5 milligrams of zopiclone nightly for six weeks. This medication is very similar to Lunesta, according to Zafarlotfi. The remaining 12 volunteers received a placebo. </p> <p>Study results were measured at six weeks and then again at six months for the medication and cognitive behavioral therapy group. </p> <p>Those receiving CBT improved their &quot;sleep efficiency&quot; from 81.4 percent to 90.1 percent by the end of the 6-month study, while the zopiclone group decreased from 82.3 percent to 81.9 percent. While total sleep time was similar for all three groups at six months, people who received CBT spent more time in slow-wave sleep and woke up less during the night than people in the other two groups, according to the study. </p> <p>&quot;We are concerned with the growing consumption of sleep medications seen in most Western countries. The most important message from this study is that this non-pharmacological alternative based on CBT is the better choice for treating chronic insomnia in older adults,&quot; Sivertsen said. </p> <p>&quot;In addition to having superior treatment efficacy, CBT produces no adverse effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness, headaches or next-day sleepiness, which are commonly experienced after use of sleep medications,&quot; he added. </p> <p>Both Sivertsen and Zafarlotfi said there\'s still a place for medications in treating short-term insomnia, but their use should be limited to a few weeks. Zafarlotfi likens the use of sleep medications to needing crutches after you break your leg. For a short time, you need the crutches, but then if you want your leg to truly get better, you have to put the crutches away and start exercising your leg. </p> <p>&quot;Once you can stand back on your feet, you need to give up the crutches,&quot; she explained. And, she added, cognitive behavioral therapy helps people to give up the crutch of sleep medications. &quot;CBT is a specific tool you give patients. It works much better than any type of medication because there is never a golden drug that is always going to work forever.&quot;</p> <p>Sivertsen said if you\'re having trouble sleeping, don\'t stay in bed. He said this can inhibit your body\'s sleep drive. Get up and do something non-stimulating until you feel as if you can sleep. He said it\'s very important to get up at the same time everyday, including on the weekends and to avoid taking daytime naps. </p> <p>Other things that can help you sleep are avoiding alcohol, caffeine and nicotine in the hours before bedtime. </p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To learn more about insomnia, visit the <a href=\"http://www.4woman.gov/faq/insomnia.htm\" target=\"_new\">National Women\'s Health Information Center</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('758','6','	<p><p>TUESDAY, June 27 (HealthDay News) -- People whose blood pressure doesn\'t go down a bit at night may be at high risk of developing congestive heart failure, a potentially fatal condition, a Swedish study found.</p> <p>&quot;Our data indicate that non-dipping is a strong risk factor, with high relative risk (approximately 2.3 times) after adjustment for established risk factors,&quot; said Dr. Erik Ingelsson, a research fellow at Uppsala University and lead author of the report in the June 28 <i>Journal of the American Medical Association</i>.</p> <p>Previous studies have shown that the absence of the nighttime dip in blood pressure that occurs in most people as they sleep is associated with medical problems, Ingelsson said.</p> <p>&quot;This study adds to the current knowledge about the importance of nighttime blood pressure patterns by adding heart failure to the outcomes predicted by an increased nighttime blood pressure,&quot; he said.</p> <p>Congestive heart failure, in which the heart loses its ability to pump blood, is one of the deadliest cardiac conditions, with patients facing a two-in-three chance of dying within five years, the researchers noted. High blood pressure is known to be a major risk factor for the condition.</p> <p>The Swedish project included 951 older men who were free of major heart problems and whose blood pressure was monitored for 24 hours when they entered the study between 1990 and 1995. By 2002, 70 of the men had developed heart failure. An analysis that accounted for other risk factors, such as smoking, diabetes and cholesterol levels, found the greatest increased risk was among men whose blood pressure did not dip at all during the night.</p> <p>But it\'s not at all certain that one possible preventive measure -- 24-hour blood pressure monitoring -- would be an effective step in spotting and preventing the problem, Ingelsson said.</p> <p>&quot;Since a non-dipping blood pressure pattern is not very common in the population -- approximately 6 percent in our population -- the importance on a population level obviously is lower than some of the main risk factors of heart failure,&quot; he said.</p> <p>Dr. Deepak L. Bhatt, associate director of the Cleveland Clinic Cardiovascular Coordinating Center, said that, &quot;from a research point of view [the study results] are fascinating. But it is important to see if we could identify people who had this pattern, then try to do something to fix it and see if it makes a difference.&quot;</p> <p>Devices are available for 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, Bhatt said, adding, &quot;I wore one of them myself for a couple of days.&quot; But they do involve &quot;some degree of cost and some degree of inconvenience,&quot; he said. Studies are needed to determine whether that cost and inconvenience would be justified, he said.</p> <p>Ingelsson agreed, in virtually the same language. &quot;There already are several reasons for using 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, and this study adds to that. However, cost-effectiveness and interventional studies need to be done before starting to screen patients on a large scale.&quot;</p> <p>Dr. Margaret Redfield, director of the Mayo Clinic Heart Failure Clinic in Rochester, Minn., added that the study &quot;is important and is consistent with the growing awareness that what happens at night matters. I\'m not sure whether we are moving to 24-hour monitoring for all patients. Perhaps this study will lead to recommendations about how important it is to measure blood pressure at night. It certainly indicates that it is.&quot;</p> <p>Meanwhile, the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association are calling for greater prevention and treatment efforts for those respective diseases, focusing on such risk factors as high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol.</p> <p>&quot;It is long past time to start getting these risk factors under control through lifestyle changes and medication,&quot; Dr. Robert H. Eckel, president of the heart association, said in a statement.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The importance of nighttime blood pressure is described by the <a href=\"http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3027471\" target=\"_new\">American Heart Association</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('759','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:534648--> <p>TUESDAY, Aug. 29 (HealthDay News) -- Within about 30 minutes of a smoker\'s last cigarette, the first signs of nicotine withdrawal appear, a U.S. study finds.</p> <p>The study included 50 people who smoked a pack of cigarettes a day. Half of them were told to continue smoking, while the other half were asked to abstain from smoking for four hours. Both groups were tested every 30 minutes for signs of nicotine withdrawal.</p> <p>After the first half hour, the abstaining smokers reported greater cravings for cigarettes. After one hour, they reported greater anger than the smokers. Within the first three hours, the abstainers showed increases in anxiety, sadness and difficulty concentrating.</p> <p>Within the first 30 minutes, the abstainers also did more poorly on a task that required sustained attention. Their heart rate also slowed within the first hour -- another symptom of nicotine withdrawal, the study said.</p> <p>This is the first study to show how early withdrawal symptoms can begin, the researchers said. The findings were published in the current issue of <i>Psychopharmacology</i>.</p> <p>&quot;This study suggests that the typical smoker begins to feel somewhat out-of-sorts within an hour of his or her last cigarette,&quot; study senior author Thomas H. Brandon, director of the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center &amp; Research Institute\'s Tobacco Research &amp; Intervention Program in Tampa, Fla., said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>&quot;Although they are not yet in the throes of full withdrawal that they would experience after a day without nicotine, they can already perceive that they are not feeling quite right, and that a cigarette would offer temporary relief,&quot; Brandon said.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The American Cancer Society offers a <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_10_13X_Guide_for_Quitting_Smoking.asp\" target=\"_new\">guide to quitting smoking</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('760','6','	<p><p>FRIDAY, Sept. 1 (HealthDay News) -- Women on long-term oxygen therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are 54 percent more likely to die than male patients, a new study shows.</p> <p>Brazilian researchers monitored 184 female and 251 male oxygen-dependent COPD patients for seven years. After accounting for factors such as age, smoking history, lung function test results, and weight, the study authors found that female patients were much more likely to die from COPD.</p> <p>&quot;The only therapeutic regimen that has been shown to improve life expectancy in these patients is oxygen therapy,&quot; researcher Dr. Maria-Christina L. Machado, of the State Public Hospital of Sao Paulo, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>&quot;Interestingly, we found that men and women exhibited similar survival rates during the initial follow-up period. Differences in survival became more apparent only after three years of follow-up. The clinical management for COPD for both groups was similar and was based on the latest treatment guidelines,&quot; Machado said.</p> <p>Smoking is the primary risk factor for COPD, which is characterized by chronic bronchitis and severe emphysema, resulting in obstructed airflow to the lungs and difficulty breathing.</p> <p>Machado noted that previous research found that women smokers had a greater decrease in basic lung function tests than male smokers. This suggests that women may be more susceptible to the development of COPD.</p> <p>The findings were published in the September issue of the <i>American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine</i>. </p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The American Medical Association has more about <a href=\"http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/290/17/2362\" target=\"_new\">COPD</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('761','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:534763--> <p>MONDAY, Sept. 4 (HealthDay News) -- Even though tobacco advertising on television has been banned in the United States since 1971, many American children still see images of smoking in televised ads for movies, a new study finds.</p> <p>The researchers analyzed all 216 movie ads (trailers) aired on U.S. television from August 2001 through July 2002, and found that 31 ads (14.4 percent) depicted tobacco use.</p> <p>The researchers also studied television viewing data from Nielson Media Research, and concluded that 95 percent of American children aged 12 to 17 saw at least one movie trailer with tobacco use during the year-long study period, and 89 percent saw at least one of the trailers three or more times.</p> <p>Over the course of the year, these movie trailers were seen 270 million times by children in this age group, or an average of about 111 times per youth.</p> <p>&quot;Trailers pair tobacco use with popular movie stars and edgy action shots. These images translate into positive images of tobacco that are conveyed to a broad audience, including a large population younger than 18 years,&quot; the study authors wrote.</p> <p>They suggested the public health officials urge the movie industry to stop using images of smoking in movie trailers and to pressure television stations to refuse to air movie trailers that depict tobacco use.</p> <p>The study was published in the September issue of the <i>Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine</i>.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The Nemours Foundation has more about <a href=\"http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/talk/smoking.html\" target=\"_new\">kids and smoking</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('762','6','	<p><p>WEDNESDAY, Sept. 6 (HealthDay News) -- Levels of a protein linked to cellular DNA repair can predict how well non-small-cell lung cancer patients will respond to cisplatin, a common chemotherapy.</p> <p>So concludes a French study published in the Sept. 7 <i>New England Journal of Medicine</i>.</p> <p>Patients with low levels of the protein marker, called ERCC1, &quot;will have a very significant level of benefit from adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy,&quot; said lead researcher Dr. Jean-Charles Soria, from the Department of Medicine, Institute Gustave Roussy, Villejuif.</p> <p>Cisplatin is a standard component of chemotherapy for lung and other cancers; however, not everyone benefits from the drug. This new study suggests that screening for levels of the ERCC1 protein in lung biopsies can help doctors determine who will benefit from the treatment and who will not.</p> <p>According to the American Cancer Society, lung cancer accounts for 13 percent of all new cancers and is the leading cancer killer of American men and women. Non-small cell cancers comprise 85 percent of the nearly 175,000 new cases of lung cancer diagnosed in the United States each year.</p> <p>In their study, Soria\'s group looked at 761 lung cancer tumors. Of these, 44 percent had high levels of ERCC1, and 56 percent had low levels of the protein.</p> <p>They found that patients who had low levels of ERCC1 benefited from cisplatin treatment, which helped extend life for these patients.</p> <p>However, this was not the case among patients with high levels of ERCC1.</p> <p>These patients &quot;do not derive benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy, and if not treated, they do have a better \'spontaneous\' prognosis than those who are ERCC1-negative,&quot; Soria said.</p> <p>The French researcher believes that ERCC1 screening could spot those most likely to benefit from cisplatin treatment. &quot;In our study, ERCC1 expression was evaluated by means of immunohistochemistry&quot; of tissues in the laboratory, he said. &quot;This is a simple technique, reliable, cheap and widely applicable,&quot; he added.</p> <p>Screening patients might also help determine individual reaction to treatment, he added. &quot;The goal of providing individualized chemotherapy based on different genetic traits, such as polymorphisms, gene mutations, and overexpression of drug target proteins, is on the verge of becoming clinical practice for the benefit of cancer patients,&quot; Soria said.</p> <p>Two other experts agreed that ERCC1 screening should become part of a standard assessment of how patients might react to platinum-based chemotherapy, such as cisplatin.</p> <p>&quot;In my view, it\'s time to begin to think about whether or not we should begin to use this information to screen patients,&quot; said Dr. Eddie Reed, the director of the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the author of an accompanying journal editorial.</p> <p>Reed believes that ERCC1 screening for other cancer where cisplatin is commonly used -- such as ovarian and colorectal cancer -- needs to be examined, as well. &quot;It\'s time to consider whether or not we should use this strategy,&quot; he said.</p> <p> Dr. Norman Edelman, chief medical officer for the American Lung Association, agreed.</p> <p>ERCC1 screening &quot;is something that could save a substantial number of patients a substantial amount of discomfort,&quot; he said.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>Find out more about lung cancer at the <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=LRN&amp;dt=26\" target=\"_new\">American Cancer Society</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('763','6','	<p><p>WEDNESDAY, Sept. 13 (HealthDay News) -- Inhaled corticosteroid drugs can significantly reduce the death risk for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Canadian researchers report.</p > <p>Published in the September issue of <i>Chest</i>, the study included nearly 5,000 patients who were followed from 90 days to a year after being discharged from the hospital.</p> <p>The researchers found an overall 25 percent reduced risk of death among those who took inhaled corticosteroids. The cardiovascular death rate alone was reduced by 38 percent among patients who used corticosteroids paired with another class of drugs, beta-agonists.</p> <p>&quot;COPD is an under-treated lung disease that has associated heart disease,&quot; researcher Dr. Christine Macie, of Cambridge Hospital in Ontario, explained in a prepared statement. &quot;Controversy exists with respect to the effect of inhaled corticosteroids on mortality. Our study examined the effect of inhaled corticosteroids on survival, and results suggest that the survival is longer in patients using inhaled corticosteroids.&quot;</p> <p>The death rate for COPD patients age 65 and older who started to take inhaled corticosteroids within 90 days of hospital discharge was 11.7 percent, compared to 13.1 percent for patients who did not. Among patients younger than 65, the death rate was 3 percent for those who took inhaled corticosteroids and 6 percent for those who did not. That\'s a 53 percent difference in death risk.</p> <p>The study also concluded that the use of inhaled corticosteroids with bronchodilators was associated with a 23 percent reduced risk of death in patients 65 and older.</p> <p>&quot;Our results indicate that the effect of inhaled corticosteroids is relatively short-term, and that those currently using it are relatively better protected,&quot; Macie said. &quot;Inhaled corticosteroids should be prescribed as soon as clinically indicated. By treating COPD with inhaled corticosteroids, we have the potential to reduce the effect and prolong life.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The American Medical Association has more about <a href=\"http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/290/17/2362\" target=\"_new\">COPD</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('764','6','	<p><p>MONDAY, Sept. 18 (HealthDay News) -- A study of Texas residents suggests that tiny metallic bits of air pollution could account for some cases of lung cancer.</p> <p>The researchers aren\'t sure exactly how dangerous the particles are, nor do they fully understand their potential relationship to tobacco smoke.</p> <p>Still, &quot;It\'s disturbing that there might be something in the environment causing the problem,&quot; said study author Dr. Yvonne Coyle, an associate professor of internal medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. &quot;It could be these metals, and we need to look at that further.&quot;</p> <p>According to Coyle, 10 percent to 15 percent of lung cancer cases occur among nonsmokers. One possible explanation: Inhalation of air pollution, especially fine particulate matter -- bits of metal that are too small to be seen with the naked eye but can still enter the lungs. </p> <p>Mining, smelting and petroleum production all produce this type of pollution, Coyle said, as can motor vehicle exhaust.</p> <p>But while air pollution has been directly linked to respiratory disorders and heart disease, its role in lung cancer is still under debate.</p> <p>In the new study, Coyle and her colleagues tried to determine if exposure to metallic bits of air pollution was associated with higher levels of lung cancer. To find the answer, they compared lung cancer rates in 254 Texas counties from 1995-2000 to federal reports that companies filed when they released pollution between 1988 and 2000. </p> <p>The researchers found an &quot;association&quot; between various types of lung cancer and releases of zinc, chromium and copper. When the study results were adjusted to take into account the effects of factors such as gender and race, zinc was still linked to lung cancer.</p> <p>The findings of the federally funded study appear in the September issue of the <i>Journal of Thoracic Oncology</i>.</p> <p>The study doesn\'t say how much more likely it is for people to develop lung cancer if they\'re exposed to higher levels of the pollutants. </p> <p>Also, the role of smoking is unclear because the county-by-county statistics didn\'t reveal whether the individual lung cancer patients smoked. However, Coyle said smoking levels were consistent across the counties studied. </p> <p>More research needs to be done to confirm the results and &quot;determine who is at the greatest risk, given this exposure,&quot; Coyle said. </p> <p>Dr. Michael Thun, head of epidemiologic research for the American Cancer Society, suggested that the value of the study is limited because it didn\'t take into account smoking by the lung cancer patients. </p> <p>&quot;It\'s clear that smoking is such a powerful cause of lung cancer that it\'s very difficult in wealthy countries to identify any separate contributions from air pollution,&quot; Thun said. &quot;It\'s extremely hard to measure, and this study doesn\'t solve that problem.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>Learn more about air pollution from the U.S. <a href=\"http://www.epa.gov/air/basic.html\" target=\"_new\">Environmental Protection Agency</a>. </p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('765','6','	<p><p>MONDAY, June 12 (HealthDay News) -- Countering recent reports that they might boost suicide risk in users, a major new study finds that antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have actually saved thousands of lives by preventing suicides since they were introduced in 1988.</p> <p>The benefits of SSRIs were particularly pronounced among females, said the authors of an independent study appearing in the June issue of the journal <i>PLoS Medicine</i>. </p> <p>&quot;As the number of [SSRI] prescriptions go up, the number of suicides are going down,&quot; said Dr. Julio Licinio, chairman of the department of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. &quot;I don\'t see how these drugs could be causing suicide if the rates [of suicide] are actually going down.&quot; </p> <p>Licinio was lead author of the study, which was conducted while he was at the University of California, Los Angeles. </p> <p>The findings seemed to dovetail with other psychiatric workers\' clinical experience. </p> <p>&quot;I\'ve seen the SSRIs help people tremendously,&quot; said Helen Stavros, a clinical social worker in the department of psychiatry at Ochsner Health System in New Orleans. &quot;I\'ve never seen anyone become suicidal as a result of being on antidepressants.&quot; Stavros started working at Ochsner in 1987, shortly before the first-ever SSRI, Prozac, was approved. </p> <p>Another expert called the finding interesting, but added a caution.</p> <p>&quot;The results of this study are consistent with previous reports. Fortunately, suicide rates have been declining since the early 1990\'s. While this correlates with the increased use of SSRI antidepressants, including fluoxetine, this finding does not, by itself, demonstrate a causal relationship,&quot; said Dr. David Fassler, a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Vermont College of Medicine in Burlington.</p> <p> He added, &quot;There are numerous other intervening variables, including socioeconomic factors, access to drugs, alcohol and firearms, and improvements in emergency medical care.&quot;</p> <p>The past few years have witnessed a prolonged debate about the safety of antidepressant use, especially in children and teens. </p> <p>In October 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration directed manufacturers of SSRIs to revise their labeling to include a &quot;black box&quot; warning that alerts health-care providers to an increased risk of suicidality in children and teens.</p> <p>In July 2005, the FDA issued a public health advisory that raised the possibility that the risk of suicidality also applied to adults taking SSRIs, after several studies pointed to that possibility.</p> <p>Meanwhile, the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) ruled Thursday that children as young as eight can be given Prozac.</p> <p>The group said that the drug was safe for young people to take, despite concerns that it can trigger suicidal feelings in patients. The ruling added that Prozac should only be given to children with moderate to severe depression who have not responded to several sessions of psychological therapy. It also said the drug should only be given in small doses and must be used alongside counseling.</p> <p>British health authorities have also declared that all antidepressants except Prozac should not be used by children or adolescents.</p> <p>Major depressive disorder, for which SSRIs are often diagnosed, afflicts about 10 percent of American men and 20 percent of American women during their lifetimes. At any one point in time, 3 percent of the population has the disorder (10 percent of the elderly). </p> <p>For this study, the authors analyzed federal data on suicide rates since 1960, along with sales of fluoxetine (Prozac) since it became available in 1988. Analysis was continued through 2002. </p> <p>&quot;We used Prozac as a benchmark for the class of drugs,&quot; Licinio explained. </p> <p>Between the early 1960s and 1988, suicide rates held relatively steady, fluctuating between 12.2 per 100,000 and 13.7 per 100,000. </p> <p>Since 1988, however, suicide rates have been on a gradual decline, with the lowest point being 10.4 per 100,000 in 2000. During the same time frame, Prozac prescriptions rose, from 2,469,000 in 1988 to 33,320,000 in 2002. </p> <p>Using mathematical modeling, the investigators estimated the rates of suicide if the pre-1988 trends had continued. </p> <p>&quot;On average, we estimated that there would have been an additional 33,600 suicides if the pre-1988 trends had been maintained,&quot; Licinio said. &quot;We think that this [SSRIs] has had a substantial impact on the number of suicides.&quot; </p> <p>With that in mind, moves to restrict the use of SSRI antidepressants could have a harmful effect, the authors stated.</p> <p>&quot;I don\'t think these claims that antidepressants increase suicide have a solid base,&quot; Licinio said. &quot;If you have a drug that\'s supposed to be causing something, the more of the drug that\'s used, the more of the bad outcome you would have. What we show is the converse.&quot; </p> <p>One troubling trend noted by the authors of the article is that the number of antidepressant prescriptions seem to be declining as a result of the recent controversy. That bothered other experts as well. &quot;I see a lot of people being afraid of taking drugs when they could be really helpful to them,&quot; Stavros said. </p> <p>Licinio is now planning a study to observe the effect of anti-depressants on suicidal thoughts and behaviors, because much of the available data comes from studies whose primary objective was something other than suicidality.</p> <p>&quot;Nobody, to my knowledge, has done this,&quot; he said. &quot;Usually in science, the best idea is to test the point and not treat it as a by-the-way. Suicidality has [up until now] been assessed as a secondary factor.&quot; </p> <p>Fassler agreed that more study is needed. &quot;The finding is interesting, and somewhat reassuring, given the frequency with which these medications are currently used,&quot; he said. &quot;Clearly, this is an area where additional research is warranted.&quot;</p> <p>According to the authors, Eli Lilly -- the maker of Prozac -- was unaware of and not involved in the study, which was funded by a grant from the U.S. National Institutes of Health and the Dana Foundation. Licinio did, however, accept an offer to consult for Lilly after this research was accepted for publication. </p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more on depression, head to the <a href=\"http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=By_Illness&amp;template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&amp;ContentID=7725\" target=\"_new\">U.S. National Alliance on Mental Illness</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('766','6','	<p><p>MONDAY, June 12 (HealthDay News) -- People whose mood seems to drop with the hours of daylight may find help with Monday\'s U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of the first drug to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Wellbutrin XL (bupropion HCL extended release) is already sanctioned to treat major depressive disorder.</p> <p>SAD is characterized by recurring bouts of major depression that usually coincide with the shorter daylight hours of autumn and winter. Though a person with SAD may have depressive episodes at other times, the number of seasonal episodes significantly outnumber the non-seasonal ones, the FDA said.</p> <p>A major depressive episode includes five or more of these core symptoms for at least two consecutive weeks:</p> <ol> <li>Depressed mood.</li> <li>Loss of interest.</li> <li>Weight loss.</li> <li>Insomnia.</li> <li>Agitation.</li> <li>Feelings of worthlessness or guilt.</li> <li>Fatigue.</li> <li>Impaired concentration.</li> <li>Suicidal thinking or behavior.</li> </ol> <p>To be characterized as SAD, one of the five symptoms must be either depressed mood or loss of interest, the FDA said.</p> <p>In clinical testing, 84 percent of people who took Wellbutrin between September and March were depression free, versus 72 percent among those who took a non-medicinal placebo, the agency said.</p> <p>Wellbutrin XL, made by GlaxoSmithKline, includes a &quot;black box&quot; warning of an added risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior among children who use antidepressants.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To learn more about SAD, visit the <a href=\"http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/seasonalaffectivedisorder.html\" target=\"_new\">National Library of Medicine</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('767','6','	<p><p>MONDAY, June 12 (HealthDay News) -- For millions of overweight, couch-bound Americans, the word &quot;exercise&quot; conjures up visions of hectic aerobics classes, marathon running or hours-long workouts at the gym.</p> <p>It\'s all a bit daunting.</p> <p>But new research is beginning to change that view. Study after study is showing that small amounts of physical activity -- even walking the dog -- can boost health in unexpected ways.</p> <p>&quot;For some people, it\'s as simple as parking their car on the far side of the parking lot and walking, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. But the more you do, the better,&quot; said Dr. Gerald Fletcher, a cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., and a spokesman for the American Heart Association.</p> <p>More and more, fitness experts and physicians are discovering that exercise, like medicine, works on a dose-response basis -- even a little is good, moderate amounts are better, and vigorous exercise provides even more rewards.</p> <p>Some evidence from the recent literature:</p> <ul> <li>A Duke University study of 133 overweight people found that a moderate fitness regimen involving a brisk one- to two-mile walk, four or five days a week, offered big improvements in cardiovascular health;</li> <li>A similar study, this time from the University of Florida, Gainesville, found that walking just a half-hour a day for five or more days a week greatly boosted the heart health of middle-aged &quot;couch potatoes&quot;;</li> <li>In a Seattle study, an hour per week spent gardening cut cardiac arrest risk by 66 percent; an hour per week spent walking slashed that risk by 73 percent;</li> <li>People suffering from the painful condition peripheral arterial disease (PAD) also reaped real benefits from walking just three times a week, a Northwestern University study found;</li> <li>And a University of Missouri-Columbia study found that even our four-legged friends can help: Researchers found that overweight individuals who walked their dogs each day dropped an average of 14 pounds over the course of a year -- beating the results of most weight-loss plans.</li></ul> <p>Fletcher said it\'s important to get into a good exercise routine, preferably engaging in physical activity at the same time of day, each day. &quot;Also, if you try and exercise two or three times a week, but then take a few days off, that\'s not as good as doing something most days,&quot; he said.</p> <p>If walking a mile or two seems tough to visualize, he recommends driving it first in your car -- watching the odometer to see just how far a distance it is from your home. &quot;Then, walk to that point each day,&quot; he said. Often, a little bit of exercise feels so good it gradually turns into a little bit more, he said.</p> <p>&quot;You can get more vigorous as you go,&quot; Fletcher added. &quot;We consider (walking) a 20-minute mile \'moderate\' exercise. Walking or running that mile in 15 minutes gets into the area of \'vigorous exercise.\'&quot;</p> <p>Besides helping to shed pounds and bring a healthy elasticity to your step (and arteries), exercise can help clear the mind, too.</p> <p>&quot;What the studies are showing is that exercise, at least when performed in a group setting, seems to be at least as effective as standard antidepressants in reducing symptoms in patients with major depression,&quot; researcher James Blumenthal, a professor of medical psychology at Duke University in Durham, N.C., told <i>HealthDay</i>.</p> <p>Right now, just sitting on the sofa for long stretches is probably giving millions of Americans the blues, Fletcher pointed out. &quot;Only about 25 percent of us exercise properly, and about 20 percent do absolutely nothing. The rest are in the middle -- sometimes they do it, sometimes they don\'t.&quot;</p> <p>Before beginning any exercise routine, it\'s important to check with your doctor, particularly if you have a history of health problems. Then, once you get clearance, get moving.</p> <p>The key, Fletcher said, is to start your physical-activity routine with small steps -- literally.</p> <p>&quot;Walk a little, bike,&quot; he said. &quot;Remember, anything you do is better than nothing at all.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>Learn more about the benefits of exercise at the <a href=\"http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/physical/\" target=\"_new\">U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('768','6','	<p><p>MONDAY, June 12 (HealthDay News) -- For millions of overweight, couch-bound Americans, the word &quot;exercise&quot; conjures up visions of hectic aerobics classes, marathon running or hours-long workouts at the gym.</p> <p>It\'s all a bit daunting.</p> <p>But new research is beginning to change that view. Study after study is showing that small amounts of physical activity -- even walking the dog -- can boost health in unexpected ways.</p> <p>&quot;For some people, it\'s as simple as parking their car on the far side of the parking lot and walking, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. But the more you do, the better,&quot; said Dr. Gerald Fletcher, a cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., and a spokesman for the American Heart Association.</p> <p>More and more, fitness experts and physicians are discovering that exercise, like medicine, works on a dose-response basis -- even a little is good, moderate amounts are better, and vigorous exercise provides even more rewards.</p> <p>Some evidence from the recent literature:</p> <ul> <li>A Duke University study of 133 overweight people found that a moderate fitness regimen involving a brisk one- to two-mile walk, four or five days a week, offered big improvements in cardiovascular health;</li> <li>A similar study, this time from the University of Florida, Gainesville, found that walking just a half-hour a day for five or more days a week greatly boosted the heart health of middle-aged &quot;couch potatoes&quot;;</li> <li>In a Seattle study, an hour per week spent gardening cut cardiac arrest risk by 66 percent; an hour per week spent walking slashed that risk by 73 percent;</li> <li>People suffering from the painful condition peripheral arterial disease (PAD) also reaped real benefits from walking just three times a week, a Northwestern University study found;</li> <li>And a University of Missouri-Columbia study found that even our four-legged friends can help: Researchers found that overweight individuals who walked their dogs each day dropped an average of 14 pounds over the course of a year -- beating the results of most weight-loss plans.</li></ul> <p>Fletcher said it\'s important to get into a good exercise routine, preferably engaging in physical activity at the same time of day, each day. &quot;Also, if you try and exercise two or three times a week, but then take a few days off, that\'s not as good as doing something most days,&quot; he said.</p> <p>If walking a mile or two seems tough to visualize, he recommends driving it first in your car -- watching the odometer to see just how far a distance it is from your home. &quot;Then, walk to that point each day,&quot; he said. Often, a little bit of exercise feels so good it gradually turns into a little bit more, he said.</p> <p>&quot;You can get more vigorous as you go,&quot; Fletcher added. &quot;We consider (walking) a 20-minute mile \'moderate\' exercise. Walking or running that mile in 15 minutes gets into the area of \'vigorous exercise.\'&quot;</p> <p>Besides helping to shed pounds and bring a healthy elasticity to your step (and arteries), exercise can help clear the mind, too.</p> <p>&quot;What the studies are showing is that exercise, at least when performed in a group setting, seems to be at least as effective as standard antidepressants in reducing symptoms in patients with major depression,&quot; researcher James Blumenthal, a professor of medical psychology at Duke University in Durham, N.C., told <i>HealthDay</i>.</p> <p>Right now, just sitting on the sofa for long stretches is probably giving millions of Americans the blues, Fletcher pointed out. &quot;Only about 25 percent of us exercise properly, and about 20 percent do absolutely nothing. The rest are in the middle -- sometimes they do it, sometimes they don\'t.&quot;</p> <p>Before beginning any exercise routine, it\'s important to check with your doctor, particularly if you have a history of health problems. Then, once you get clearance, get moving.</p> <p>The key, Fletcher said, is to start your physical-activity routine with small steps -- literally.</p> <p>&quot;Walk a little, bike,&quot; he said. &quot;Remember, anything you do is better than nothing at all.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>Learn more about the benefits of exercise at the <a href=\"http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/physical/\" target=\"_new\">U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('769','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533507--> <p>TUESDAY, June 27 (HealthDay News) -- Doctors have typically only been able to diagnose fetal exposure to alcohol through the admission of the mother. But researchers may have discovered a more accurate way to determine a baby\'s exposure.</p> <p>When alcohol is consumed, it binds with the body\'s fatty acids to create fatty acid ethyl esters. These FAEEs build up in the tissue of adults, but in newborn babies, they are expelled in meconium, or the first stool an infant passes after birth.</p> <p>&quot;There are only a few biomarkers that indicate if an infant has been exposed to alcohol during pregnancy, and most of them are <i>not</i> strictly associated with alcohol use,&quot; study author Enrique M. Ostrea Jr., professor of pediatrics at Wayne State University in Detroit, said in a prepared statement. &quot;In this study, we have found a direct association between the presence of certain FAEEs and alcohol use,&quot; he said.</p> <p>Mothers and their newborn babies were studied to compare FAEEs in the baby\'s meconium to the mother\'s response to alcohol use while pregnant. Of the 124 mothers questioned, 93 admitted to alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Positive chemical ionization gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to analyze the FAEEs in the newborns\' stools, and compared to the mothers\' answers.</p> <p>&quot;The incidence of ethyl linoleate in meconium was found to be significantly higher in the alcohol-exposed group when compared to the control group,&quot; said Ostrea. &quot;There was also a significant association between alcohol exposure and group concentrations of ethyl linoleate. Furthermore, the highest ethyl-linoleate concentration was only found in the alcohol-exposed infants,&quot; he added.</p> <p>The study findings appear in the July issue of <i>Alcoholism: Clinical &amp; Experimental Research</i>.</p> <p>The researchers concluded that testing for FAEEs is a significant advancement in diagnosing and treating infants exposed to alcohol in the womb.</p> <p>Testing for FAEEs &quot;would allow early identification and treatment for children born with fetal alcohol effects who might otherwise not be recognized, particularly if the mother does not admit to drinking,&quot; Ostrea said.</p> <p><b>More information</b> </p> <p>The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more information on <a href=\"http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fas/&quot;target =\">fetal alcohol syndrome</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('770','6','	<p><p>WEDNESDAY, June 28 (HealthDay News) -- A new analysis of a heart study whose original results puzzled cardiologists now identifies reduced kidney function as a health threat for people with stable coronary disease.</p> <p>But, the research also identifies a specific medication that can reduce the risk.</p> <p>The first results of the PEACE -- Prevention of Events With an ACE inhibitor -- trial were a surprise, because they showed no benefit from ACE inhibitor treatment for people with blocked coronary arteries, a previous heart attack or similar chronic problems, said Dr. Scott D. Solomon. He is director of noninvasive cardiology at Brigham and Women\'s Hospital, in Boston, and lead author of a report on the new analysis in the June 27 issue of the journal <i>Circulation.</i></p> <p>&quot;That was in contrast to two similar trials, so there was a lot of confusion about why they were positive and the PEACE trial was not,&quot; Solomon said. Both of those earlier trials had found a significant survival advantage from ACE inhibitor treatment for people with stable coronary disease.</p> <p>The new analysis did find such a benefit for ACE inhibitor treatment in terms of reduced incidence of new heart disease and death, but only for the 16 percent of participants with impaired kidney function, he said.</p> <p>The PEACE trial used one ACE inhibitor, trandolapril (Mavik), but &quot;given that there have been so many studies with ACE inhibitors showing similar findings for a number of indications, it is likely that this applies to all ACE inhibitors,&quot; Solomon said.</p> <p>ACE inhibitors prevent the formation of angiotensin II, a molecule that constricts blood vessels. The drugs are often prescribed for high blood pressure.</p> <p>The drug used in the trial was donated by the manufacturer, but the study was financed by the U.S. National Institutes of Health, Solomon said.</p> <p>For people who met the definition of reduced kidney function, treatment with the ACE inhibitor reduced the death rate from all causes by 27 percent, as compared to participants given a placebo. The reduction for people with adequate kidney function was 6 percent.</p> <p>One reason for the different finding was that the second analysis used a more detailed measurement of kidney function than the relatively crude method used in the initial report, the researchers said.</p> <p>Another complicating factor was that the participants in the PEACE trial had less severe heart disease than those in the trials that found a benefit from ACE inhibitors, Solomon said. &quot;It was a less sick and less risky population,&quot; he said.</p> <p>Further studies are needed to fully determine the value of ACE inhibitor treatment for people with stable heart disease and reduced kidney function. But, the PEACE results indicate that &quot;we can use renal [kidney] function to identify patients at greatest risk and who will therefore benefit from an ACE inhibitor,&quot; Solomon said. &quot;Renal function is a very potent marker. Even a slight reduction puts patients at risk,&quot; he said.</p> <p>Other studies have hinted at a role of kidney function in heart disease, &quot;but this may be the first study to suggest a treatment differential in patients with reduced kidney function,&quot; Solomon said. &quot;It can help guide therapy,&quot; he added.</p> <p>Tests of kidney function already have begun to enter medical practice, said Dr. Nieca Goldberg, chief of women\'s cardiac care at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, and a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association.</p> <p> &quot;For the last few years, we have been looking at kidney function as a risk factor,&quot; Goldberg said. &quot;We treat people who have kidney disease to the same level as those with other risk factors. For example, in individuals with chronic kidney disease, we try to get LDL cholesterol down to 100,&quot; she said.</p> <p> LDL cholesterol is the bad kind that clogs arteries. A reading of 100 for LDL cholesterol is well below that recommended for most individuals. </p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To learn more about ACE inhibitors, visit the <a href=\" http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/uspdi/202044.html \" target=\"_new\">National Library of Medicine</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('771','6','	<p><p>THURSDAY, June 29 (HealthDay News) -- People who take their medicines regularly as prescribed are at less risk of dying than those who don\'t -- even if the &quot;drugs&quot; they use are just placebos.</p> <p>That\'s the conclusion of new Canadian research being reported in the July 1 issue of the <i>British Medical Journal</i>.</p> <p>The finding suggests there\'s something about &quot;healthy adherers&quot; that keeps them healthier than others, beyond the effects of the drugs they so conscientiously take, according to the researchers.</p> <p>People who are good at taking their medicines may be healthy in other ways, concluded the team from the University of Alberta in Edmonton.</p> <p>Researchers there analyzed results from 21 different studies involving more than 46,000 participants.</p> <p>People who showed good adherence to drug regimens had a death risk that was half of those who didn\'t always follow doctor\'s orders, they said.</p> <p> &quot;Our findings support the tenet that good adherence to drug therapy is associated with positive health outcomes,&quot; the Edmonton team wrote.</p> <p>Another theory as to why adherers are healthier than non-adherers may lie in the fact that people who fail to take their drugs as prescribed may be depressed, or purposefully choose to take lower doses.</p> <p>In an accompanying commentary in the journal, Betty Chewning, of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, hypothesized that good adherers may do better for psychological reasons, as well. They may have a better sense of &quot;feeling cared for&quot; and &quot;caring for oneself&quot; than people who neglect their medications, she wrote.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more on managing your medicines, head to the <a href=\"http://www.ahrq.gov/CONSUMER/safemeds/safemeds.htm\" target=\"_new\">U.S. Agency for HealthCare Research and Quality</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('772','6','	<p><p>THURSDAY, June 29 (HealthDay News) -- Alcohol abuse by minors results in almost 3,200 deaths a year -- four times more than deaths due to all illegal drug use combined, a new study finds.</p> <p>Underage drinking also costs the United States $62 billion each year, the researchers found.</p> <p>Despite these numbers, policymakers remain focused on the impact and prevention of drug use in minors, rather than alcohol, the study\'s authors said. The budget for anti-drug use by America\'s youth is nearly 25 times that of public funds earmarked for the prevention of alcohol use.</p> <p>&quot;Alcohol-related traffic crashes, violence, teen pregnancies, STDs, burns, drownings, alcohol poisoning, property damage and other risks take a human and economic toll that\'s much greater than illegal drugs. Yet, we spend so much more on youth drug abuse,&quot; study author Ted Miller, director of the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE), said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>Miller\'s team at the PIRE Public Services Research Institute in Calverton, Md., found that a large number of minors are drinking great quantities of alcohol. In fact, the study showed that underage youth consume at least 16 percent of all alcohol sold in the United States, a number the researchers called conservative.</p> <p>The costs of underage drinking come from a variety of sources, with expenses linked to traffic accidents alone totaling roughly $13.7 billion per year. </p> <p>&quot;Drinks in bars, drinks in cars, drinks stolen form Mom\'s liquor cabinet: The average harm from a kid\'s illegal drink is $3,&quot; said Miller. &quot;That\'s far more than the 85-cent price tag those drinks carry. It dwarfs the 10 cents in taxes we collect or the 40 cents in profit the alcohol industry reaps,&quot; he said.</p> <p>Miller said poor legal enforcement is a major factor in the underage drinking epidemic, and that stricter regulations and inspections of institutions where alcohol is sold would cut the amount of alcohol getting into minors\' hands. Improvements in identification and age-verification, driving curfews, zero-tolerance laws and regulations placing liability on parents who allow underage drinking in their home would also help control the problem, he said.</p> <p>The study is published in the July issue of <i>Journal of Studies on Alcohol</i>.</p> <p><b>More information</b> </p> <p>The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has more information on <a href=\"http://www.health.org/govpubs/rpo990/&quot;target =\">underage drinking</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('773','6','	<p><p>THURSDAY, June 29 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. regulators gave accelerated approval Wednesday to a new targeted therapy to treat people with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).</p> <p>The drug, Sprycel (generic name dasatinib), was also given regular approval to treat adults with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), a more serious form of leukemia. </p> <p>The approvals are only for patients who are resistant or intolerant to other therapies, including Gleevec (imatinib), now considered the gold-standard drug therapy for these conditions.</p> <p>The arrival of Sprycel, which was developed by drug maker Bristol-Myers Squibb, solidifies an era of targeted molecular therapies for conditions such as CML.</p> <p>&quot;Gleevec is the poster child for targeted therapies and this approval represents a continued interest in looking into and changing the therapy for this disease,&quot; Dr. Richard Pazdur, director of the Office of Oncology Drug Products at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration\'s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said at a press conference Thursday. &quot;Prior to 2001, one of the only major drugs available was interferon, which was a very toxic drug with very poor responses and minimal impact.&quot; </p> <p>&quot;These targeted therapies really represent major advances, both in initial treatment of the disease (with Gleevec) and those with refractory disease with Sprycel,&quot; Pazdur continued. &quot;We\'re seeing continued interest to continue the progress that we\'ve seen.&quot; </p> <p>Targeted or molecular therapies such as Gleevec and Sprycel are very specific in the way they work, delivering maximal treatment impact with minimal side effects. </p> <p>Wednesday\'s Sprycel approvals were based on evidence from four studies involving more than 400 patients who had stopped responding or were intolerant to Gleevec. </p> <p>Almost half (45 percent) of patients with the earliest stage of CML (chronic phase) had a response to Sprycel. Response was defined as the proportion of patients who had no detectable leukemia cells or a significant reduction in leukemia cells. </p> <p>In patients with advanced phases of CML and for those with Philadelphia-chromosome-positive ALL, response rates ranged from 31 percent to 9 percent. Most of the patients who had a response maintained that response after six months. The Philadelphia chromosome is a genetic abnormality characteristic of this condition. </p> <p>Sprycel did produce side effects, including diarrhea, nausea, fever, headache, fluid retention and even hemorrhaging. </p> <p>Studies are continuing to see if the improved white blood cell counts seen in these patients ultimately translate into improved survival or improvement in leukemia-related symptoms. </p> <p>&quot;We\'re looking at the maturation of clinical trial data,&quot; Pazdur said. </p> <p>CML, a rare cancer marked by the uncontrolled growth of white blood cells, affects about 4,600 people every year in the United States.</p> <p>By all accounts, the success rate of Gleevec has been astounding. Data presented at this month\'s meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncologists showed that overall five-year survival for people with CML on the drug was 89 percent (95 percent if only deaths related to CML were considered). At the same time, 93 percent of patients taking the drug had still not progressed from the chronic to the acute phase of the illness. </p> <p>But while the relapse rate for Gleevec in newly diagnosed patients taking it as front-line therapy is low -- about 4 percent per year -- patients who started on a different drug before getting Gleevec tend to relapse earlier, the researchers found. Not everyone will benefit indefinitely. </p> <p>&quot;Gleevec is great, there\'s no question,&quot; said Dr. Charles L. Sawyers, senior author of a Sprycel trial and an investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles\' Jonsson Cancer Center, at the time. &quot;There is a reason to have a second drug, and the second drug [Sprycel] looks good.&quot;</p> <p>An FDA advisory panel recommended approval of Sprycel in early June. And scientists presenting research earlier this month at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncologists predicted that approval would come in as little as two weeks.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>Visit the <a href=\"http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=8501\" target=\"_new\">Leukemia and Lymphoma Society</a> for more on CML. </p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('774','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533593--> <p>FRIDAY, June 30 (HealthDay News) -- The more bars that open their doors for business in a neighborhood, the greater the likelihood that violence will follow.</p> <p>That\'s the conclusion of a study in the July issue of the journal <i>Alcoholism: Clinical &amp; Experimental Research</i> in which researchers analyzed the relationship between alcohol outlets and overnight hospital stays due to assaults.</p> <p>&quot;We have believed that is true, but we have never had a longitudinal study that provides us with a causal argument,&quot; said Paul J. Gruenewald, a senior research scientist at the Prevention Research Center, in Berkeley, Calif. &quot;Before this study, we have known that areas with larger numbers of bars have more violence. Now, we know that increasing the number of bars will increase the violence,&quot; he said.</p> <p>To do the study, Gruenewald used hospital discharge data from the state of California that is carefully tracked and classified by injury cause. About one in 10 assaults recorded by police are serious enough to require hospitalization, he said, so by looking at hospital discharge data on assaults, he knew he could capture for analysis the most severe incidences of violence against people.</p> <p> Gruenewald collected six years\' worth of data from 581 different ZIP code areas. He correlated household size and retail businesses with the hospital admission data for violent assaults.</p> <p>While Gruenewald can\'t yet answer the question of how many bars is too many, he did find that the addition of one bar to the average ZIP code area would produce about 0.17 more hospitalized assaults each year, or one assault for every six bars.</p> <p>Until now, he said, &quot;there has been no evidence that increasing or decreasing the number of bars will affect the level of violence in a community. This demonstrates that increasing the number of bars will lead to an increase in violence.&quot;</p> <p>Violence also increased in areas with large male populations, the researchers found, and in areas with a greater percentage of minorities and lower-income households.</p> <p>While the study just looked at California data, Gruenewald said, &quot;it\'s probably true in all states.&quot;</p> <p>One of the next areas of research, he said, should be: &quot;How can we decide how to reduce the number of outlets, and what is the best regulatory strategy?&quot;</p> <p>Gruenewald said the alcohol industry typically supports &quot;server intervention,&quot; in which a server doesn\'t supply an inebriated patron with any more liquor, as well as adhering to designated-driver practices to reduce drunkenness and violence.</p> <p>But, of the strategies, he said, &quot;There is very little evidence they work at all to stop drinking and driving.&quot;</p> <p>In another study in the same journal, researchers from the University of Minnesota found that bars with managers with more than one year of employment are more likely to sell liquor to intoxicated patrons.</p> <p>One possible explanation: It may be they feel comfortable on the job and less bound to follow the rules. The researchers also found that bars that hold regular staff meetings and have full liquor licenses are less likely to sell to intoxicated patrons, but the rates are still high -- 59 percent.</p> <p>The Minnesota researchers hired professional actors to pretend they were drunk and try to purchase alcohol at 231 bars and restaurants. Then, the researchers did a phone survey of the establishment owners and managers. &quot;Drunk&quot; patrons were able to buy alcohol in 65 percent of the attempts.</p> <p>Neither of the two studies surprised Dr. Wally Ghurabi, chief of emergency services at Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center, in Santa Monica, Calif. &quot;Alcohol disturbs our clear thinking. You become euphoric, you think you are king of the road,&quot; he said.</p> <p>Ghurabi and other emergency-room doctors know that when bars close, &quot;then you see all the cuts and bruises.&quot; </p> <p>In his experience running an emergency department, Ghurabi said, &quot;the more people have access to alcohol, which correlates with the number of outlets, the more assaults. There\'s no question in my mind that this [study] correlates very well with what I have seen over the years.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To learn more about alcohol and alcohol abuse, visit the <a href=\"http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/FAQs/General-English/\" target=\"_new\">National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('775','6','	<p><p>FRIDAY, June 30 (HealthDay News) -- Social pressure and other environmental factors are more likely to trigger smoking in women, while genetic factors play a larger role in determining whether or not men pick up the habit, U.S. research suggests.</p> <p>However, the study of thousands of California twins found no difference between men and women in terms of why they had trouble quitting smoking. In that case, genetics seems to be key for both sexes, the University of Southern California researchers said.</p> <p>&quot;Of those who smoke, it seems that there\'s a resistance to stopping that has a genetic component,&quot; study lead author Ann Hamilton, assistant professor of preventive medicine, Keck School of Medicine, USC, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>&quot;The study suggests that society can have the most impact in preventing people from smoking in the first place. It may be possible to modify the stronger genetic effect in men starting smoking with some programs that provide the proper type of peer influence or having a more connected social structure,&quot; Hamilton said.</p> <p>Examples of environmental factors that may influence smoking include peer pressure, social networks, concern about weight gain, and how tobacco is portrayed in the media. Examples of genetic factors include genes that affect nicotine metabolism and/or genes that affect brain sensitivity to nicotine and to components of tobacco smoke.</p> <p>The findings were published in the journal <i>Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention</i>.</p> <p>Public health education programs can also play an important role in preventing people from starting to smoke, Hamilton noted.</p> <p>&quot;Because quitting smoking is so difficult for some people, it is more effective to prevent them from becoming addicted smokers in the first place,&quot; Hamilton said. Once a person does start to smoke, &quot;the genetic factors that are related to continued smoking are much less able to be affected by interventions,&quot; she added.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more about <a href=\"http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/prevention/control-of-tobacco-use/patient\" target=\"_new\">smoking prevention</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('776','6','	<p><p>TUESDAY, July 4 (HealthDay News) -- The drug Chantix (varenicline) quadruples a smoker\'s odds of kicking the habit, and is twice as effective as another smoking-cessation drug, Zyban (bupropion), according to three studies published in the July 5 <i>Journal of the American Medical Association</i>.</p> <p>Chantix, which won U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval May 11, also greatly decreases smokers\' likelihood of relapse in the first six months after quitting, one of the studies found.</p> <p>The research -- much of which was presented in November at an American Heart Association meeting and all of which was funded by the drug maker, Pfizer Inc. -- is encouraging, experts said, because smokers have little that\'s pharmacologically useful in helping them to quit.</p> <p>But an editorial that accompanies the three <i>JAMA</i> studies warns that much of the hype around the new drug may be unwarranted, because Chantix remains a far-from-perfect means of quitting smoking.</p> <p>Whenever a new smoking-cessation aid gets FDA approval, &quot;there is often unbridled enthusiasm regarding the potential to solve the problems associated with smoking,&quot; wrote Robert Klesges and colleagues at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, in Memphis.</p> <p>That enthusiasm may not be merited, they added. While Chantix does appear to perform better than either a placebo or Zyban, high rates of both side effects and treatment failure mean the drug &quot;definitely is not a panacea for smoking cessation,&quot; the Tennessee experts concluded.</p> <p>Chantix works in a way that\'s distinct from either nicotine-replacement methods -- such as the popular patches or gums -- or Zyban, which helps inhibit the reuptake by neurons of addiction-linked brain chemicals such as dopamanine and norepinephrine. Instead, the pill works by stimulating the release of dopamine, to reduce cravings, while simultaneously blocking brain cell receptors that help sustain addiction.</p> <p>In one of the two studies, researchers led by David Gonzales at the Oregon Health &amp; Science University, in Portland, compared the effectiveness of Chantix, Zyban and a placebo in helping 1,025 adult smokers quit over the course of one year.</p> <p>At the 12-week point, 44 percent of those taking Chantix had remained smoke-free for at least the prior month, the researchers reported, compared to 29.5 percent of those taking Zyban and just under 18 percent of those on a placebo.</p> <p>Long-term quit rates were lower. According to the study, the rate of &quot;continuous abstinence&quot; from weeks nine to 52 was lower for people using all three interventions: just under 22 percent for Chantix, about 16 percent for Zyban, and 8.4 percent for those on a placebo.</p> <p>A second, similar trial of 1,027 smokers, this one led by Douglas Jorenby of the University of Wisconsin, found almost identical results.</p> <p>Finally, a third trial of more than 1,900 smokers living in seven countries looked specifically at the issue of relapse.</p> <p>All of the smokers first underwent 12 weeks of Chantix therapy. About two-thirds of that group (1,236) were deemed to have kicked the habit by the end of the three-month period.</p> <p>The researchers then gave these new &quot;quitters&quot; either Chantix or a placebo daily for the next 12 weeks.</p> <p>By the end of the full 24-week study period, 70.5 percent of people who continued on Chantix remained non-smokers, the researchers reported, compared to just under half (49.6 percent) of those who stopped using the drug at week 12.</p> <p>&quot;An additional 12 weeks of treatment was more beneficial than placebo, both to the end of treatment and to one year,&quot; study lead researcher Dr. Serena Tonstad, an attending physician in the department of preventive cardiology at Ulleval University Hospital in Oslo, Norway, told <i>HealthDay</i> at the AHA meeting.</p> <p>The authors of the <i>JAMA</i> editorial -- which is subtitled <i>Definite Promise, But No Panacea</i> -- were reserved in their praise for the new drug.</p> <p>&quot;Several issues temper some of the enthusiasm for this agent,&quot; they wrote. One is the relatively high level of side effects noted in the trials, with almost 30 percent of participants reporting nausea, and many others experiencing &quot;abnormal dreams&quot; while on Chantix.</p> <p>Drop-out rates were also high (35 percent in the Wisconsin trial), although this rate is similar to that usually seen in smoking-cessation trials. However, the editorialists pointed out that in the Norwegian trial, only those smokers who had quit by 12 weeks were allowed to enter the second, relapse-focused phase of the trial.</p> <p>Because about one-third of the original participants did <i>not</i> succeed in quitting within three months, &quot;the authors have eliminated [from their analysis] approximately one third of individuals for whom this drug does not appear to be effective,&quot; the Tennessee experts noted.</p> <p>Finally, they said, all of these Pfizer-funded trials took place under the very best conditions, at academic research centers where smokers were closely monitored and instructed on proper use of the drugs. </p> <p>That\'s a far cry from a &quot;real world&quot; situation where the average smoker is left more or less on his own after receiving a prescription from a doctor, they added.</p> <p>So, while the results of these trials are promising, the editorialists pointed out that nicotine addiction remains an impossibly tough challenge for most smokers -- in fact, &quot;the majority of participants in these three studies did not quit smoking, even with varenicline,&quot; they wrote.</p> <p>The resilience of the smoking habit against all interventions suggests that &quot;patients currently cannot and probably never will simply be able to \'take a pill\' that will make them stop smoking,&quot; the editorialists concluded.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For help on quitting smoking, head to <a href=\"http://www.smokefree.gov/\" target=\"_new\">Smokefree.gov</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('777','6','	<p><p>(HealthDay News) -- Beer drinking may lead to more than just a beer belly.</p> <p>According to the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, beer contains high levels of an ingredient that helps deposit calcium and other minerals into bone tissue.</p> <p>And a recent study found the antioxidants present in dark beer help prevent clogged arteries, which should reduce the risk of heart disease.</p> <p>Most research showed the optimum benefits can be reaped with up to one drink a day for women and up to two a day for men.</p> <p>Still, it\'s a good idea to take a look at the size of your beer belly before you knock back a pint or two. The extra calories found in beer may cancel out any health benefits.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('778','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533180--> <p>THURSDAY, June 8 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. researchers say they\'ve developed a noninvasive procedure that helps correct presbyopia -- blurred vision that occurs when focusing on close objects.</p> <p>The procedure, which was successfully tested on lenses in pigs, involves using tiny bubbles to reshape and improve the flexibility of the eye\'s lens. This improves its ability to focus, particularly on near objects.</p> <p>Right now, &quot;there are no noninvasive or minimally invasive procedures for presbyopia,&quot; Matthew O\'Donnell, professor and chairman of the University of Michigan Department of Biomedical Research, noted in a prepared statement. O\'Donnell developed the procedure with Kyle Hollman, assistant research scientist and adjunct lecturer, and Todd Erpelding, a graduate student.</p> <p>The procedure, a laser surgery, uses ultrasound and ultra-fast optics technology, in addition to the gas bubbles, to measure the lens. This tool allows the surgeon to safely reshape the lens by measuring its thickness and flexibility.</p> <p>&quot;The bubbles show you where the laser should cut,&quot; O\'Donnell explained. &quot;If it\'s still too hard, you cut some more. If it\'s soft enough, you stop.&quot;</p> <p>The gas bubbles, infused with high-frequency sound waves, push against the fibers of the intraocular lens.</p> <p>&quot;Part of the sound is reflected, and from the characteristic of the reflection, you know where the bubble is,&quot; said O\'Donnell. &quot;It uses exactly the same technology as ultrasound imaging.&quot;</p> <p>Presbyopia causes many people to need reading glasses, beginning as early as age 40. Around that age, fibers in the intraocular lens begin to stiffen, and the lens loses some flexibility. As the lens loses flexibility, the eye loses its ability to change its shape and focus on close objects.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The Mayo Clinic has more information on <a href=\"http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/presbyopia/DS00589&quot;target=\">presbyopia</a> .</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('779','6','	<p><p>MONDAY, June 12 (HealthDay News) -- Cases of a dangerous fungal eye infection that sparked the May 15 market recall of Bausch &amp; Lomb\'s ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens solution may be more widespread than previously thought, researchers report.</p> <p>This infection, called <i>Fusarium</i> keratitis, involves a swelling and inflammation of the cornea that can be harmful to the structure of the eye and the patient\'s vision. In many cases, scarring is so severe that patients must undergo full corneal transplant.</p> <p>Now, a new study finds 34 cases of the infection appearing over the past two years in the Miami area alone, compared to just five cases occurring between 1982-1992.</p> <p>These cases may be just the tip of the iceberg in a worldwide problem, one expert said.</p> <p>&quot;These articles are just a few case reports representative of the <i>Fusarium</i> corneal infection epidemic in the United States and other parts of the world,&quot; said Dr. Robert Cykiert, a clinical associate professor of ophthalmology at New York University School of Medicine.</p> <p>Cykiert was not connected to the new study, which appears in the June 12 online edition of the <i>Archives of Ophthalmology</i>.</p> <p>Some 30 million Americans wear contact lenses, and about 2.3 million used MoistureLoc, according to the <i>Associated Press</i>.</p> <p>Bausch &amp; Lomb also makes ReNu MultiPlus, ReNu Multi-Purpose and various generic brands.</p> <p>In the new study, lead researchers Dr. Eduardo C. Alfonso and colleagues at the University of Miami\'s Miller School of Medicine, reported on 34 cases of fungal keratitis, from January 2004 to April 2006, seen in people who wear soft contact lenses.</p> <p>Alfonso noted that at the University of Miami there were only three cases of fungal keratitis linked to contact lenses between 1969 and 1977, two between 1977 and 1982, and five between 1982 and 1992.</p> <p>A review of the patients\' medical records showed that none of them had a history of disease that would predispose them to fungal eye infections. Twelve of 13 patients who could identify the type of contact lens solution they used said that they used some type of ReNu brand solution.</p> <p>Two had used ReNu MoistureLoc, the solution implicated in recent <i>Fusarium</i> outbreaks in the United States and Singapore. Nine others used the ReNu brand without specifying a particular product.</p> <p>After being diagnosed with fungal keratitis, patients were treated for over two months with topical or systemic antifungal medication. Two patients required surgery.</p> <p>Alfonso\'s team found that those treated earlier had a faster recovery and did not need surgery. &quot;Based on treatment experience in this series, it is our clinical impression that earlier correct diagnosis with institution of proper specific antifungal therapy resulted in a speedier resolution of the keratitis,&quot; the authors said.</p> <p>Based on their findings, the authors concluded that &quot;Ulcerative keratitis in a soft contact lens wearer should suggest possible <i>Fusarium</i> or other fungal species in addition to bacteria, parasites or viruses as causative organisms. Clinicians should conduct the necessary clinical and laboratory investigations to establish a specific diagnosis promptly to initiate the most specific, efficacious therapy.&quot;</p> <p>In a second report in the same journal issue, Dr. Maria D. Bernal and colleagues at the University of California, San Francisco, reported on four more cases of <i>Fusarium</i> infection among soft contact lens wearers seen during five weeks in early 2006.</p> <p>&quot;Our report strongly suggests that the current cluster represents an unusual spike over the background incidence of <i>Fusarium</i> keratitis seen during the prior 30 years at our institution,&quot; the authors wrote.</p> <p>&quot;We, other laboratories, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are currently investigating the fungicidal properties of the contact lens solutions used by these patients and the genotype characteristics of the <i>Fusarium</i> isolates in an effort to determine the underlying cause of the current apparent outbreak and whether the <i>Fusarium</i> species from these cases originate from a common strain,&quot; they concluded.</p> <p>According to the CDC, there have been over 130 documented cases in the United States in the last six months, Cykiert said. &quot;Approximately 30 percent of the cases have required corneal transplantation. There are probably many more that have not been reported to the CDC, or have not been tabulated yet. Many more patients will need corneal transplants in the future, since these infections often leave severe scarring,&quot; he said.</p> <p>The CDC and Bausch &amp; Lomb have agreed that the infections are directly related to the use of Bausch &amp; Lomb MoistureLoc contact lens solution, Cykiert said. &quot;Somehow, this solution is not adequately killing or eradicating this species of fungus from contact lenses and/or contact lens cases. Bausch &amp; Lomb has appropriately recalled all MoistureLoc solution worldwide,&quot; he said.</p> <p>Cykiert said many consumers might also be wondering if ReNu MositureLoc might be sold in chain stores in a generic form.</p> <p>&quot;For example, I am fairly certain that Bausch &amp; Lomb manufactures Wal-Mart contact lens solutions,&quot; he said. &quot;There has not been any mention, to my knowledge, as to whether the generic contact lens solutions are equivalent to or the same as MositureLoc.&quot;</p> <p>In response, Bausch & Lomb spokeswoman Meg Graham said ReNu MoistureLoc has never been available at Wal-Mart or any other outlet under another name.</p> <p>&quot;ReNu MoistureLoc was never sold as a private-label item,&quot; said Bausch &amp; Lomb spokeswomen Meg Graham. Any supply of the product at these stores was part of the announced recall, she added.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more on fungal keratitis, head to the <a href=\"http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001032.htm\" target=\"_new\">U.S. National Institutes of Health</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('780','6','	<p><p>TUESDAY, June 20 (HealthDay News) -- A five-year study of people who took cholesterol-lowering statin drugs found they had a 40 percent lower incidence of the most common kind of cataract.</p> <p>And the incidence of nuclear cataracts, in which the lens of the eye grows cloudy as a person ages, was 60 percent lower in statin users who never smoked and didn\'t have diabetes, the researchers said.</p> <p>The best explanation is that the benefit is linked to statins\' antioxidant activity, said Kristine Lee, a statistician at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, who was involved with the study.</p> <p>&quot;Part of the reason we looked at statins is that oxidative stress is related to cataract development,&quot; Lee said.</p> <p>No relationship was found between statin use and two less common forms of the eye condition, cortical and posterior subcapsular cataracts.</p> <p>The findings appear in the June 21 issue of the <i>Journal of the American Medical Association</i>.</p> <p>The Wisconsin researchers examined data from the Beaver Dam Eye Study, which followed 1,299 persons who were first examined between 1998 and 2000. In the five-year follow-up period 12.2 percent of the statin users developed nuclear cataracts, compared to 17.2 percent of people who weren\'t taking the drugs.</p> <p>Because smoking and diabetes are known to increase the risk of nuclear cataracts, the researchers did a further analysis. That\'s where they discovered the 60 percent lower risk in nonsmokers without diabetes who took statins.</p> <p>The results support a similar study reported in 2001 in the <i>Annals of Internal Medicine,</i> said Dr. Hershel Jick, associate professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine, and the author of the earlier report.</p> <p>That study was done because animal trials indicated that members of the chemical class that includes statins might increase the risk of cataracts. But data from a large-scale British health survey found no such association, Jick said.</p> <p>The Wisconsin study adds a new dimension &quot;because they were able to separate out one type of cataract from another,&quot; Jick said. But, he added, &quot;It\'s an observational study and not definitive&quot; because it lacked the controls that are hallmarks of gold-standard medical research.</p> <p>&quot;But it is something I personally take seriously,&quot; Jick said.</p> <p>Lee said it\'s too soon to recommend that people take statins to reduce their risk of cataracts. &quot;Further research is definitely needed,&quot; she said. &quot;Other statin studies should add this dimension to their findings.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more on cataracts, visit the U.S. <a href=\"http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cataract.html\" target=\"_new\">National Library of Medicine</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('781','6','	<p><p>FRIDAY, June 23 (HealthDay News) -- Until recently, doctors treating high blood pressure limited their concern to blood pressure that exceeded a reading of 140 systolic (the upper number) and 90 diastolic (the lower number).</p> <p>About two-thirds of Americans over age 65 have this level of high blood pressure, according to federal health statistics.</p> <p>But now medical experts say the damage done by elevated blood pressure starts at levels much lower than that, when people are experiencing a less severe condition known as &quot;prehypertension.&quot; That\'s the term given to blood pressure ranging from 120/80 to 139/89, higher than normal but not within the traditional danger zone.</p> <p>&quot;There\'s always been this ambiguity about this blood pressure that\'s not normal, but not high blood pressure either,&quot; said Dr. Adnan I. Qureshi, director of the cerebrovascular program in the Zeenat Qureshi Stroke Research Center at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. &quot;But we now know that when you have prehypertension, you have a three-times greater risk of having a heart attack than people with normal blood pressure.&quot;</p> <p>Blood pressure is the force exerted by blood against the walls of arteries. High blood pressure is dangerous because it makes the heart exert itself too hard and contributes to atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, according to the National Institutes of Health.</p> <p>High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, which are the first- and third-leading causes of death among Americans. It also can result in other conditions, such as congestive heart failure, kidney disease and blindness.</p> <p>Nearly one of every three American adults, some 65 million people, has high blood pressure. People tend to develop high blood pressure as they get older, with middle-aged Americans facing a 90 percent chance of having it during their lives.</p> <p>African-Americans are at greater risk of developing high blood pressure and have been shown to get it earlier in life and more often than whites. Others at risk for developing high blood pressure are people who are overweight, those with a family history of hypertension and those with prehypertension.</p> <p>Recent studies have shown that people with prehypertension are three times more likely to have a heart attack and 1.7 times more likely to develop heart disease. An estimated 59 million Americans have prehypertension.</p> <p>It\'s important to detect and treat high blood pressure early, to limit the condition\'s effects on the body, said Dr. Jeffrey Cutler, a senior advisor for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.</p> <p>&quot;Over the years, the higher pressure damages and aggravates diseases of the arteries,&quot; Cutler said.</p> <p>Luckily, blood pressure is a condition that receives regular medical attention. &quot;When you go see a doctor for anything, you get your blood pressure checked,&quot; Cutler said.</p> <p>He recommended that people not rely on automatic blood-pressure machines, like those found in drug stores or supermarkets. &quot;Those cuffs are not well-maintained or very accurate, and we discourage dependence on them for reassurance that your blood pressure\'s OK,&quot; Cutler said.</p> <p>Once you\'ve got high blood pressure, or prehypertension, a range of treatments are available.</p> <p>Lifestyle changes are the first line of defense -- keeping your weight down, exercising regularly, reducing salt in your diet, cutting down on drinking, quitting smoking, and following a healthy eating plan that emphasizes fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy foods.</p> <p>But that only goes so far, Cutler said.</p> <p>&quot;Studies have shown that the majority of patients will need some medication,&quot; he said. &quot;Some well-motivated people can get there with lifestyle changes, but not many.&quot;</p> <p>The problem with prehypertension is that it falls within a gray area where medicine will not necessarily help, Qureshi said.</p> <p>&quot;With hypertension, we know that medication may be beneficial. With prehypertension, we don\'t know that yet,&quot; he said.</p> <p>&quot;It\'s still an evolving body of knowledge,&quot; Qureshi added. &quot;We know prehypertension needs to be addressed, but we don\'t know what to do with these patients, and there are so many of them that we can\'t ignore the problem. Whatever we come up with will have true public impact.&quot;</p> <p>For now, doctors are recommending that prehypertensive patients follow the same lifestyle changes as people will full-blown high blood pressure, Qureshi said.</p> <p>&quot;The real message for the public is that if you are prehypertensive, do not ignore it,&quot; he said. &quot;You do have something to worry about.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To learn more about prehypertension, visit the <a href=\"http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/hbp/whathbp.htm\" target=\"_new\">National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('782','6','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533527--> <p>TUESDAY, June 27 (HealthDay News) -- Health concerns focused on a recalled contact lens solution are continuing, with a report of 66 cases of a potentially blinding eye infection in Singapore.</p> <p>It was outbreaks in Asia and the United States of cases of the fungal infection, called <i>Fusarium</i> keratitis, that sparked the May 15 market recall of Bausch &amp; Lomb\'s lens solution ReNu with MoistureLoc.</p> <p>A detailed report of the Singapore cases -- which stretch from March 2005 through May of this year -- appears in the June 28 <i>Journal of the American Medical Association</i>.</p> <p>That study also revealed that Bausch &amp; Lomb, in a letter last month, had pretty much pinpointed what in the solution could be causing the <i>Fusarium</i> keratitis. </p> <p>According to Bausch &amp; Lomb, the combination of moisturizing agents exclusive to MoistureLoc could increase the risk of <i>Fusarium</i> infections in unusual circumstances. In a letter to the American Academy of Opthalmology in May, company vice president Angela Panzarella said, &quot;While our investigation has confirmed that alexidine is a safe and effective disinfecting agent, the data suggest that under certain extreme conditions the concentration of polymers included in the formula to enhance comfort may make the solution more likely to be contaminated with <i>Fusarium</i> in the environment.&quot;</p> <p><i>Fusarium</i> keratitis is usually a rare infection, but cases in Singapore have increased sharply since March 2005, according to doctors who wrote the new report. Recently, 122 cases have been reported in the United States and 33 in Hong Kong, suggesting that there may be a worldwide outbreak of the infection among contact lens wearers.</p> <p>In their study, a team led by Dr. Wei-Boon Khor of the Singapore Eye Research Institute looked at all cases of fungal keratitis among contact lens wearers from March 2005 through May 2006. The researchers took biopsy samples of the patients\' corneas as well as contact lenses, lens cases and contact lens solutions. They also interviewed patients by phone.</p> <p>The researchers found that during the 15-month period, 66 contact lens wearers (68 affected eyes) were diagnosed with <i>Fusarium</i> keratitis -- a big jump from the one or two cases per year that doctors there usually see.</p> <p>Using this data, the researchers estimated the annual incidence of <i>Fusarium</i> keratitis in Singapore rose to 2.35 cases for every 10,000 contact lens wearers.</p> <p>Among the patients, 98.5 percent wore soft, disposable contact lenses, and close to 94 percent said they used ReNu brand cleaning solution. This included 42 patients (63.6 percent) who used ReNu with MoistureLoc. Six patients said they used another Bausch &amp; Lomb brand, Renu MultiPlus, while 11 said they used some type of (unspecified) ReNu multipurpose cleaning solution.</p> <p>Forty-four of the Singapore patients suffered sight-threatening lesions severe enough for them to be hospitalized for an average of 6.5 days. In addition, five patients had to undergo corneal transplantation.</p> <p>Outbreaks like these have led Bausch &amp; Lomb to investigate the link between the lens solution and fungal keratitis. In her letter, Panzarella said the polymers included in ReNu with MoistureLoc could boost the risk for <i>Fusarium</i> contamination, especially when users don\'t take recommended precautions.</p> <p>&quot;This may occur under conditions, for example, where the solution is allowed to evaporate, the solution is not regularly replaced in the lens case, or when the case is not cleaned properly. This may lead to the contact lens becoming contaminated with <i>Fusarium</i> and could create an environment for potential infection,&quot; Panzarella said .</p> <p>Bausch &amp; Lomb spokeswoman Meg Graham told <i>HealthDay</i> that no other reasons for the outbreaks have been found.</p> <p>The Singapore team agreed that poor contact lens care may have played a role in the infections.</p> <p>Close to 82 percent of the patients had poor lens hygiene habits, they said, including wearing daily contacts overnight, wearing expired lenses and wearing contacts while swimming. However, these habits do not fully explain the outbreak, Khor\'s group stressed.</p> <p>The researchers note that seven U.S. patients who developed the infection had also used products from Advanced Medical Optics or Alcon, and some of them had used several products.</p> <p>One manufacturer noted that its products were not involved in the current outbreak. &quot;Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) has never had a confirmed case of fungal keratitis attributed to any of its products,&quot; said spokesman Steve Chesterman. &quot;AMO conducts a full battery of pre-clinical testing in the development of its contact lens care products to ensure that they meet all applicable U.S. and international standards for antimicrobial effectiveness, preservative effectiveness, and sterility,&quot; he added.</p> <p>Calls to Alcon for comment were not returned.</p> <p>&quot;By highlighting this series of <i>Fusarium</i> keratitis among contact lens wearers in Singapore, we hope to alert physicians and other eye care clinicians worldwide to maintain a high index of suspicion for fungal infection when evaluating and treating patients with contact lens-associated microbial keratitis,&quot; the researchers concluded.</p> <p>One expert thinks the MoistureLoc solution is only part of the problem.</p> <p>Dr. Robert Cykiert, a clinical associate professor of ophthalmology at New York University School of Medicine, said proper contact lens hygiene is key to keeping eyes safe.</p> <p>This increase in <i>Fusarium</i> keratitis infections is due to Bausch &amp; Lomb\'s ReNu with MoistureLoc and to poor contact lens hygiene among patients, Cykiert said. &quot;There have always been problems with patients not caring for their contact lenses. So, you have an underlying low percentage of infection,&quot; he said.</p> <p>&quot;They don\'t properly care for their contact lenses, they don\'t wash their hands properly, they don\'t replace solution daily, and they sometimes sleep with their lenses, which increases the risk of getting an infection,&quot; Cykiert said.</p> <p>The MoistureLoc solution adds to the problem, because it creates a film on contact lenses and on contact lens cases, Cykiert said. &quot;This film puts a protective coating over the fungus, so it allows the <i>Fusarium</i> to adhere to the contact lens and to the contact lens case,&quot; he said.</p> <p>&quot;If you have poor hygiene, poor handling, poor disinfecting techniques, and you combine it with a solution like that, you suddenly get a huge number of infections,&quot; Cykiert said.</p> <p>Cykiert cautions patients not to use Bausch &amp; Lomb\'s ReNu with MoistureLoc solution. &quot;The problem is that there are still some people out there who have that solution at home and haven\'t discarded it,&quot; he said. &quot;Not using it dramatically reduces the chances of getting the infection,&quot; he added.</p> <p>To reduce further the chance of getting an infection, Cykiert recommends that people wash their hands before handling their contact lenses and replace their contact lens solution every day.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more on fungal keratitis, head to the <a href=\"http://aao.org/public/fungal_keratitis.cfm\" target=\"_new\">American Academy of Ophthalmology</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('783','6','	<p><p>WEDNESDAY, July 5 (HealthDay News) -- A new drug that\'s been shown to prevent a major form of blindness among the elderly has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.</p> <p>Genentech\'s Lucentis (ranibizumab), dosed monthly, was approved to treat wet age-related macular degeneration. Wet AMD, a retinal disease that causes irreversible vision loss, affects about 155,000 Americans annually, the FDA said in a statement.</p> <p>The disease is caused when abnormal blood cells in the retina leak, eventually damaging the portion of the eye responsible for central vision. In clinical testing of Lucentis, nearly 95 percent of users maintained vision after 12 months, compared with 60 percent of participants who did not take Lucentis.</p> <p>Another Genentech medication, the cancer drug Avastin, is increasingly prescribed &quot;off-label&quot; to treat AMD, the <i>Associated Press</i> reported. While both inhibit the protein that\'s believed responsible for the disease, Avastin costs about $17 a dose, while Lucentis is likely to cost upwards of $2,000 a dose, the wire service said.</p> <p>At least 10,000 people with macular degeneration have been legally prescribed Avastin off-label, meaning that the FDA hasn\'t sanctioned the drug for that purpose, the <i>AP</i> reported. Genentech has said it has no plans to test Avastin\'s safety and effectiveness for AMD, the wire service said.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To learn more about age-related macular degeneration, visit <a href=\"http://www.amd.org/site/PageServer?pagename=What_Is_AMD\" target=\"_new\">amd.org</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('784','6','	<p><p>(HealthDay News) -- Psoriasis, a chronic skin condition that affects some 4.5 million American adults, is characterized by red, scaly skin patches. Psoriasis can appear on any part of the body, including the scalp, face, hands and feet.</p> <p>Stress can be a major trigger for psoriasis, the National Psoriasis Foundation says. Taking time to relax and manage stress can help alleviate flare-ups. Any damage to the skin, including scratches or sunburn, can also trigger an outbreak.</p> <p>The foundation also notes that certain medications can contribute to psoriasis symptoms, including lithium, antimalarial drugs, and certain drugs used to treat high blood pressure and arthritis. Allergies, weather and diet can also impact psoriasis.</p> <p>Discuss with your doctor how to best control your symptoms.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('785','6','	<p><p>WEDNESDAY, Sept. 20 (HealthDay News) -- A new anti-inflammatory drug may help treat people suffering from a certain type of psoriasis, a new German study suggests.</p> <p>Reporting in the September issue of the <i>Archives of Dermatology</i>, researchers from Ruhr University in Bochum, and their colleagues studied the effects of four treatments -- 1 percent pimecrolimus (a new, steroid-free anti-inflammatory drug), 0.005 percent calcipotriol (a nonsteroidal treatment), 0.1 percent betamethasone (a topical corticosteroid) and a placebo cream -- in 80 people who had been diagnosed with &quot;intertriginous&quot; psoriasis.</p> <p>Intertriginous psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease that affects the skin folds of the underarms, breasts, groin, buttocks and genitals. It is usually treated with topical corticosteroids, but the medications may have adverse effects when used for long periods.</p> <p>The researchers found that after four weeks of treatment, all four creams -- even the placebo -- resulted in significant decreases in the severity of psoriasis. </p> <p>The 0.1 percent betamethasone was significantly more effective than the 1 percent pimecrolimus. Pimecrolimus was associated with an increase in itching and burning shortly after application, but most of these reactions lasted less than 30 minutes and resolved in a few days.</p> <p>The study\'s authors concluded that since betamethasone was more effective than pimecrolimus, topical corticosteroids are still the most effective treatment for intertriginous psoriasis. But, they suggest, a short-term application of topical steroids followed with treatment by a less potent agent, such as pimecrolimus or calcipotriol, may help avoid the long-term effects of corticosteroid use.</p> <p>This study was supported by a financial grant from Novartis Pharma GmbH, the pharmaceutical company that manufactures pimecrolimus.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The American Academy of Dermatology has more about <a href=\" http://www.skincarephysicians.com/psoriasisnet/whatis.html \" target=\"_new\">psoriasis</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('786','6','	<p> <P>Although treatment will cure most men with <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=&dt=41\">testicular cancer</a>, it can leave as many as one-third of them sterile, according to French researchers. Men facing this disease should be counseled to consider banking their sperm for future use, they wrote in the journal <i>Cancer</i> (Vol. 100, No. 4: 732-737).</p> <P>Testicular cancer is one of the most curable of cancers, even when it is widespread. American cyclist <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4x_The_Lance_Armstrong_Story.asp?sitearea=\">Lance Armstrong</a>, for instance, has won 5 Tour de France races since being successfully treated for advanced testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and brain. But because this cancer typically strikes men between the ages of 15 and 40 who may not have had a family yet, fertility after treatment is a significant concern for survivors.</p> <P>The French study is one of the largest to examine this issue, involving 446 patients who had treatment for testicular cancer. </p> <P>The researchers sent each man a questionnaire asking whether he had tried to father a child before developing cancer, and whether he had tried -- and been successful -- after treatment. Of the men who had tried to conceive before getting cancer, more than 91% were successful. After treatment, however, just 67% of those who tried to conceive were able to father a child.</p> <P>The researchers found that the type of treatment a man received made a significant impact on his future fertility.</p> <P>Only a small percentage of the men who got chemotherapy -- about 10%-15% -- were unable to father a child after treatment. The researchers said chemotherapy-induced infertility is often temporary and reverses with time. But nearly half of all men who were treated with radiation therapy became infertile.</p> <P>Most of these men had a kind of testicular cancer called seminoma, which is often confined to the testicle and, sometimes, nearby pelvic lymph nodes. Doctors often treat these lymph nodes with radiation after the cancerous testicle has been surgically removed. Radiation may reach the remaining testicle during this procedure, destroying its ability to produce sperm.</p> <P>Another cause of infertility, aside from treatment, was cryptorchidism, or having an undescended testicle. This condition puts men at higher risk of developing testicular cancer, and at higher risk of being infertile, even if they don\'t develop cancer. In the French study, men with a history of this condition were almost always infertile after testicular cancer, regardless of treatment. </p> <P>The findings of the French team confirm those of several previous, smaller studies, which also found that fertility was reduced in men treated for testicular cancer. The American Cancer Society advises men with the disease to discuss fertility concerns with their doctor before treatment begins.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('787','6','	<p> <P><b>Summary:</b> A large European study of men with stage I seminoma, a form of <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=&dt=41\">testicular cancer</a>, has shown that treating them with a single injection of the drug carboplatin prevents recurrence just as well as radiation therapy. The study appears in <a href=#citation><i>The Lancet</i></a>.</p> <P><b>Why it\'s important:</b> Radiation therapy, the standard treatment for men with this cancer, is time-consuming for the patients, expensive, and caries the risk of long-term side effects, including the development of other cancers. Avoiding these problems without lowering the cure rate would be an advantage.</p> <P><b>What\'s already known:</b> Stage I seminoma is the most common testicular cancer, occurring in around 40%-45% of men with the disease. In stage I cancers, there is no apparent spread of the cancer, but in about 20% of men with stage I seminoma, the cancer does come back after surgery, usually in lymph nodes in the abdomen and pelvis. Doctors have taken two approaches to this recurrence risk. One approach is to carefully examine the men with frequent CT scans and treat any recurrence with full-dose chemotherapy. The problem with this strategy has been that the young men who this disease mainly affects sometimes do not return for the necessary tests. For this reason, many doctors have recommended radiation to the lymph nodes to prevent any recurrence. But studies have shown that many years later these men have a higher than expected death rate, mainly due to second cancers or cardiovascular disease linked to the radiation. This study was done to see if using chemotherapy instead of radiation could help men avoid these problems.</p> <P><b>How this study was done:</b> Men with stage I seminoma who had their cancerous testicle removed were recruited from 70 hospitals in 14 European countries. Of the 1,477 men recruited, 1,455 received treatment with either radiation therapy (885 men) or a single injection of the drug carboplatin (560 men). They were then followed for an average of 4 years to look for cancer recurrence and assess any side effects of treatment.</p> <P><b>What was found:</b> Recurrence rates did not differ significantly. Around 5% of the men receiving carboplatin and 4% of those who got radiation saw their cancer return. There were no major side effects in either group, although a higher proportion of men who received carboplatin were able to return to work sooner. The authors of the study caution that it is still too early to comment on final results and the men continue to be followed for recurrence and side effects.</p> <P><b>The bottom line:</b> A single dose of carboplatin is probably as effective as radiation therapy in preventing recurrence in men with stage I seminoma. These men may also develop fewer long-term complications, although it is too early to tell. But it isn\'t known if this approach has any advantage over careful observation with frequent CT scans.</p> <DIV align=center><IMG height=1 alt=\"\" src=\"/images/health/story/www_cancer_org/common/images/rule.gif\" width=440 vspace=10 name=rule></DIV> <a name=citation></a> <P><b>Citation:</b> \"Radiotherapy versus single-dose carboplatin in adjuvant treatment of stage I seminoma: a randomised trial.\" Published in <i>The Lancet</i> (Vol. 366, No. 9482: 293-300). First author RTD Oliver, MD, of St. Bart\'s and the London Hospital, London. </p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('788','6','	<p> <P><b>Summary:</b> <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=&dt=41\">Testicular cancer</a> survivors have about twice the risk of developing some other form of cancer in their lifetime than men who never had testicular cancer, according to a study in the <a href=#citation><i>Journal of the National Cancer Institute</i></a>.</p> <P><b>Why it\'s important:</b> More than 80% of men with testicular cancer are younger than 45 when diagnosed. Fortunately, around 95% of all patients are cured. That means most men can expect to live a long life even after treatment. Testicular cancer survivors and their doctors need to be aware of the higher risk of second cancers and be <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/ped_2.asp?sitearea=PED\">alert to any new symptoms</a>. These survivors also have even more reason to avoid unhealthy behaviors, such as <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/ped_10.asp?sitearea=PED\">smoking</a>, that can raise the risk of cancer. </p> <P><b>What\'s already known:</b> Several reports in the past have suggested that testicular cancer survivors have a higher risk of other cancers. But those studies didn\'t always include a long-term follow-up of patients or provide enough information on which to gauge risk. Because this study is so large and because it reports on patients who were followed for as many as 30 years in some cases, it is able to better quantify the risk, how long it lasts, and the types of cancers most likely to develop.</p> <P><b>How this study was done:</b> The researchers, from the US, Canada, and several Scandinavian countries, reviewed cancer registries in their countries, some of which went as far back as 1943. After identifying 40,576 survivors of testicular cancer, the researchers then looked to see if any of those men had subsequently developed other cancers. The registries contained information on the kind of testicular cancer these men had and most also recorded the type of treatment they received.</p> <P><b>What was found:</b> Overall, the men had a risk that was 1.9 times that of men of comparable age who did not have testicular cancer. This higher risk began to show around 10 years after treatment. The risk was highest for men diagnosed in their 20s and lower for those diagnosed later in life. The most common second cancers to develop were <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=&dt=40\">stomach</a>, <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=&dt=34\">pancreas</a>, <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=LRN&dt=44\">bladder</a>, and connective tissue disease, along with <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=&dt=29\">mesothelioma</a> (cancer of the pleura, or outer lining of the lung). </p> <P>The type of treatment the men had received (radiation, chemotherapy, or both) did not affect this risk. The researchers also didn\'t see much difference between men who had seminoma and those who had non-seminoma cancer, except that men with non-seminoma treated after 1975 did not have as high a risk of second cancers.</p> <P>Although most doctors (as well as the study authors) think that treatment of the testicular cancer is the major cause of the later cancers, this study couldn\'t prove it. Radiation, which most of the men received, is known to cause cancers, particularly in the area that is exposed to the radiation. Chemotherapy is generally thought to be a less likely cause of second cancers, but even men treated with only chemotherapy had a higher risk of getting new cancers. The study authors say more research needs to be done to find out if specific treatments (particular radiation doses or certain chemotherapy drugs) are more or less likely to increase a man\'s risk of secondary cancers.</p> <P>Another theory that couldn\'t be proven is that perhaps men who develop testicular cancer have a greater propensity to develop cancer in general .</p> <P><b>The bottom line:</b> Testicular cancer survivors and their physicians need to be vigilant and take note of any symptoms that appear unusual and that might be caused by a new cancer. Survivors should be especially sure to follow <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_2_3X_ACS_Cancer_Detection_Guidelines_36.asp?sitearea=PED\">cancer screening guidelines</a>. And it\'s even more important for them to lead a healthy lifestyle -- exercising, eating right, and avoiding risky behaviors like smoking that might increase their risk of cancer even further. </p> <DIV align=center><IMG height=1 alt=\"\" src=\"/images/health/story/www_cancer_org/common/images/rule.gif\" width=440 vspace=10 name=rule></DIV> <a name=citation></a> <P><b>Citation:</b> \"Second cancers among 40576 testicular cancer patients: Focus on long-term survivors.\" Published in the September 21, 2005, <i>Journal of the National Cancer Institute</i> (Vol. 97, No. 18: 1354-1365). First author: Lois B Travis, MD, of the National Cancer Institute.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('789','7','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">Genetic link found in Nevada cancer cluster</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>Cause of 17 cases of child leukemia still unknown, federal investigators say</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceAP.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"><p></p></font><p>FALLON, Nev. - Children in a northern Nevada leukemia cluster are more likely to have a variation in a gene that helps combat unsafe chemicals, and more research is needed to learn why, federal researchers said Thursday.</p><p>The study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the latest to suggest genetics and toxins play a role in the cancer cluster plaguing the agricultural community.</p><p>Since 1997, 17 children with ties to Fallon have been diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia. Three have died. Health officials say about one leukemia case in five years would be expected.</p><p>\"All we can say is we saw a difference but we don\'t know what that means yet. The significance is that researchers need to investigate this,\" said Dr. Karen Steinberg, chief science officer of the CDC\'s Coordinating Center for Health Promotion.</p><p>\"It might mean that it alters susceptibility (to leukemia) but it doesn\'t cause leukemia,\" she said at a media briefing Wednesday, adding there would have to be other factors to alter susceptibility.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><p><a href=\"/id/15253992/site/newsweek/\">Newsweek: Panel finds potential cancer cluster in California</a></p></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>An earlier study headed by CDC failed to find an environmental cause for the cluster. It found Fallon-area residents had higher levels of tungsten and arsenic in their blood and urine, but there was no evidence the substances caused leukemia.</p><p>The latest DNA study revealed that all 11 children with leukemia who were tested had a variation in the SUOX gene, which tells the body how to make sulfite oxidase. Sulfite oxidase is an enzyme that normally helps convert substances called sulfites to sulfate for excretion. Lack of this enzyme because of genetic defect can cause major neurological problems and early death.</p><p>By comparison, 10 of 24 healthy Fallon-area children who were tested had the gene variation. Sulfite oxidase changes an unsafe chemical into a safer one.</p><p>CDC officials said even if the variation in the SUOX gene adds to the risk for leukemia, other factors must be involved. Researchers have not identified those factors or the cause of the Fallon cluster, they said.</p><p><b><strong>Cause still unknown</strong></b><br>Scientists must determine the effect of variations in the SUOX gene and whether the variation makes it more or less likely that a child will get leukemia, they added.</p><p>\"The genetics test took it (research) to the next logical level and what we have to do is build on it,\" said Dr. Carol Rubin, chief of the CDC\'s health studies branch. \"We\'re hoping this leads to other genetics research.\"</p><p>The call for more research was immediately embraced by incoming Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.</p><p>\"While the exact cause of the cancer cluster is still unknown, I remain committed to finding answers,\" Reid said.</p><p>Jeff Braccini of Fallon, whose 8-year-old son, Jeremy, was diagnosed with leukemia in 2001, said he was pleased with the CDC\'s latest study.</p><p>He\'s treasurer of Families in Search of Truth, which has secured $750,000 in federal funding through Reid\'s help for research projects.</p><p>\"Any time we get sound science I fully applaud it,\" Braccini said. \"My goal now is to tie the CDC and what they have done into our grant process that we have going on.\"</p><p>Richard Jernee of College Place, Wash., whose 10-year-old son, Adam, became the first child to die in the cluster in 2001, said CDC waited too long to do DNA testing.</p><p>\"It should have been conducted right away,\" he said. \"I certainly hope it can be used as a stepping stone to get to the truth.\"</p><p>CDC officials insisted their work in Fallon reflects the most thorough study of any leukemia cluster in the nation. But they have no plans to take more samples in Fallon, they said.</p><p>\"We\'re now waiting for results of outside research and we\'re working with researchers to look at larger groups of children with leukemia,\" Rubin said. \"We\'re learning the pieces of the puzzle, but it\'s going to take a lot of research to unravel the mystery of pediatric leukemia.\"</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i><em>?2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</em></i></div><br>');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('790','7','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">Study shows how chemo damages brain cells</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>Cancer treatment may permanently harm young children, studies show</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><a href=\"http://www.reuters.com/\"><a href=\"http://www.reuters.com/\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceReuters.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"></a></a><p></p></font><p>WASHINGTON - Chemotherapy damages brain cells, according to two studies published this week, leading to memory loss and confusion in cancer patients - and possibly permanent damage in young children.</p><p>Cancer patients have long complained of \"chemobrain\" - a nickname for loss of memory and inability to solve problems and in general think clearly often seen after chemotherapy.</p><p>While the effects may wane in adults after a few years, one expert pointed out that the effects may be more permanent in children with growing brains.</p><p>Dr. Masatoshi Inagaki of the Breast Cancer Survivors\' Brain MRI Database Group in Japan and colleagues tested more than 200 breast cancer patients, some who had chemotherapy along with surgery and some who did not.</p><p>They used magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, to take detailed pictures of the patients\' brains one and three years after treatment.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><p><a href=\"/id/15136453/\">Chemobrain can last up to 15 years</a></p></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>A year after 51 patients had chemotherapy, the researchers found significant regions of the brain were smaller -- notably those important to cognition. Cognition includes learning, some types of memory and the ability to understand the surrounding world clearly.</p><p>But in 73 patients screened three years after chemotherapy, there were no such differences, Inagaki\'s team reported in the journal Cancer.</p><p>\"Results lead to the idea that adjuvant chemotherapy could have a temporary effect on brain structure,\" the researchers wrote.</p><p>\"These findings can provide new insights for future research to improve the quality of life of cancer patients,\" they added.</p><p><b><strong>Deadly damage</strong></b><br>A second study showed that drugs used to treat cancer may damage normal, healthy brain cells more than the cancer cells they are meant to target.</p><p>Joerg Dietrich and colleagues at the University of Rochester in New York worked with human brain cells in lab dishes, exposing them to common chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin, carmustine and cytarabine. They also soaked cells from real human tumors in the drugs.</p><p>The drugs killed more brain cells than tumor cells, they report in Thursday\'s issue of the Journal of Biology, published by BioMed Central.</p><p>Low doses of the chemotherapy drugs killed 60 percent to 90 percent of brain cells called oligodendrocyte precursor cells and neuron precursor cells, but had little effect on most of the cancer cells.</p><p>To kill 80 percent of cancer cells, doses that killed 70 percent to 100 percent of the brain cells were required.</p><p>When they treated live mice with the drugs, Dietrich\'s team found that brain cells in the mice continued to die for at least six weeks after the end of treatment.</p><p>Dr. Patricia Duffner, a neurologist at the University of Buffalo School of Medicine in New York, said radiation therapy on the head had long been known to affect intelligence.</p><p>\"Cranial irradiation can be so devastating to the brains of young children (under three to five years) that, by the mid-1980s, many families opted not to treat babies and very young children who had malignant brain tumors,\" she wrote in a commentary in the same journal, published on the Internet at http://jbiol.com/content/5/7/22.</p><p>\"Very high-dose chemotherapy, requiring bone marrow transplantation or peripheral stem cell support, is now standard therapy for children with certain brain tumors, especially for the very young,\" she added.</p><p>\"There are no easy answers. We must balance the need for survival with quality of life.\"?</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i><em>Copyright 2006 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.</em></i></div><br>');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('791','7','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">Abortion drug may thwart breast cancer</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>Compound in RU-486 blocks growth of tumors in mice</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><a href=\"http://www.reuters.com/\"><a href=\"http://www.reuters.com/\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceReuters.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"></a></a><p></p></font><p>WASHINGTON - The chemical compound in the abortion pill RU-486 blocked formation in mice of breast tumors caused by a mutant gene blamed in many women\'s breast and ovarian cancers, researchers found.</p><p>The study, published on Thursday in the journal Science, suggests a potential new path to protect women genetically predisposed to these cancers by using drugs to interfere with a hormone called progesterone, the researchers said.</p><p>A team led by University of California at Irvine scientist Eva Lee found that the compound, mifepristone, prevented breast tumors by blocking progesterone in mouse breast tissue cells.</p><p>They said they found that progesterone, which is involved in the female reproductive cycle, stimulates the proliferation of breast cells carrying a gene linked to breast cancer, possibly feeding tumor growth.</p><p>Women with a mutated version of the gene, known as BRCA-1, face a much higher risk of breast and ovarian cancers. By age 70, more than half of them end up with one of the two types of cancer.</p><p><b><strong>Hope of nonsurgical option<br></strong></b>Some of these women opt to have their breasts or ovaries surgically removed to lower the risk. This study raises hope that they might have another option - using drugs rather than surgery to guard against cancers linked to the mutated gene.</p><p>In its normal form, BRCA-1 protects against cancer, suppressing tumor formation by assisting cells to repair DNA damage that could lead to cancer-causing mutations.</p><p>In this study, the researchers focused on how mifepristone influences the way the mutated gene functions in tissue, using mice with the rodent version of the mutated gene.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><ul><li><a href=\"/id/15970939/\">Study shows how chemo damages brain cells</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/15970604/\">Pregnant women warned about antidepressant</a></li></ul></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>Mice given mifepristone were tumor-free by the time they were a year old, while the mice that did not get it all developed tumors by the time they were 8 months old, the researchers found.</p><p>Progesterone stimulates the development of tumors when the mutated gene is present because it accelerates cell division, but mifepristone interfered with a process needed for progesterone to spur the division of cells, the study found.</p><p>\"By targeting the progesterone receptor, it\'s very possible that we can prevent the breast cancer, especially in the high risk BRCA-1 area,\" Lee said in a telephone interview.</p><p>Mifepristone is the chemical compound present in RU-486, sold as Mifeprex and made by Danco Laboratories LLC. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved it in 2000 for medical abortions in women pregnant as long as seven weeks.</p><p><b><strong>Part of abortion-inducing combo<br></strong></b>Mifeprex blocks production of progesterone, which keeps a fertilized egg implanted in the uterus. Mifeprex is taken with another drug called misoprostol to trigger an abortion. It is unrelated to emergency contraception sold by Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc. under the name Plan B.</p><p>Lee noted that mifepristone may not be the best treatment for long-term cancer prevention because it affects things other than progesterone and might cause unacceptable side effects like suppressing the body\'s immune system.</p><p>\"Mifepristone may not be the best for prevention purposes. The reason is that mifepristone actually has very broad activities, and we are aware that there are other compounds that are more specific. Those kind of compounds probably have greater potential in terms of prevention,\" Lee said.</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i><em>Copyright 2006 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.</em></i></div><br>');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('792','7','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">\'Elastogram\' instantly diagnoses breast cancer</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>Experimental ultrasound method could mean fewer biopsies for women</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceAP.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"><p></p></font><p>CHICAGO  - An experimental ultrasound technique that measures how easily breast lumps compress and bounce back could enable doctors to determine instantly whether a woman has cancer or not without doing a biopsy.</p><p>In a small study of 80 women, the technique - called \"elastography\" - distinguished harmless lumps from malignant ones with nearly 100 percent accuracy.</p><p>If the results hold up in a larger study, elastography could save thousands of women from the waiting, cost, discomfort and anxiety of a biopsy, in which cells are removed from the breast - sometimes with a needle, sometimes with a scalpel - and examined under a microscope.</p><p>\"There\'s a lot of anxiety, a lot of stress, a lot of fear involved\" with biopsies, said Susan Brown, manager of health education for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. \"And there\'s the cost of leaving work to make a second appointment. If this can be done instead of a biopsy, there would be a real cost reduction.\"</p><p>Up to 1 million biopsies are performed each year on suspicious breast tissue detected by mammograms and self-exams, but as many as eight out of 10 of these biopsies find that the lumps are benign.</p><p><b><strong>Rapid results<br></strong></b>Biopsies can cost $200 to $1,000, depending on whether some fluid or an entire lump is removed, and it can take days or weeks to get the results. The cost of elastography is not yet clear, but some experts said the procedure might run $100 to $200. And it can yield results in minutes.</p><p>When checked against biopsies of women\'s breast tissue, the ultrasound technique correctly identified 17 out of 17 cancerous tumors, and 105 out of 106 harmless lesions. The findings were reported at a national radiology meeting in Chicago this week.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"1%\"><tr><td><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Art/HEALTH/2006/Nov/061129/AP_Cancer.gif\" align=\"Right\" height=\"199\" width=\"367\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"></td></tr></table></p><p>Scientists said the approach may also be used someday to rapidly diagnose damaged hearts and guide the treatment of prostate cancer.</p><p>The technique was pioneered during the 1990s at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston by Jonathan Ophir and his colleagues.</p><p>Ophir describes elastography as a way to measure and picture the elasticity of body tissue. In effect, it is an extension of one of the oldest tools in medicine, palpation, in which a doctor feels the shape and firmness of body tissue.</p><p>To explain elastography, Ophir likens the body to a box-spring mattress, but \"a crazy mattress made out of millions of small springs and each one is a little different. Each is moving around at a different rate, depending on their individual stiffness.\" Cancerous tumors are like stiff springs. Normal tissue and benign lesions compress more easily.</p><p>Both traditional ultrasound and elastography use echoes from high-frequency sound waves to create pictures of what is going on inside the body, but elastography goes a step further.</p><p>In traditional ultrasound, a doctor or technician places a handheld device on the skin that sends high-frequency sound waves into the body. Organs and tissue reflect the sound back as echoes, which are sent to a computer that turns them into a picture. Many people have seen ultrasound images of fetuses in the womb.</p><p><b><strong>Echos and movement<br></strong></b>Elastography, though, also gauges movement. As the doctor moves the handheld device against the breast, the device collects echoes before and after the compression or movement of the breast tissue. The resulting images show stiff tissues as dark areas and soft tissues as light areas.</p><p>Breast cancer shows up larger on an elastogram than it does on a traditional ultrasound image, perhaps because the elastogram can \"see\" the scar tissue around the cancer, Ophir said.<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"20\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/ColorBoxes/Styles/ColorBoxImages_GlobalOnlyPlease/interactive_icon.gif\" height=\"14\" width=\"24\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"></td><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#FFFFFF\">Test yourself </b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#a4abc1\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-right:solid 1px #a4abc1;border-bottom:solid 1px #a4abc1;border-left:solid 1px #a4abc1;background-color:#f3f3f6;\" bgcolor=\"#f3f3f6\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"><tr valign=\"top\"><td><a href=\"/id/3296963/\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Art/HEALTH/031107/Quiz_TZ152.jpg\" height=\"110\" width=\"150\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"></a></td><td style=\"padding:10px;\"><font color=\"#000000\"><table><tr><td rowspan=\"2\" width=\"15\"><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><b><a href=\"/id/3296963/\">Breast cancer</a></b></td></tr><tr><td><p class=\"textMed\">How much do you know?\n</p></td></tr></table></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>\"It\'s like finding a marble in Jell-O,\" said Dr. Richard Barr, a professor of radiology at Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine who reported his findings at the Radiological Society of North America annual meeting. Germany-based Siemens AG provided the ultrasound equipment and software for Barr\'s study.</p><p>Ophir and other researchers said breast cancer diagnosis will be elastography\'s first real-world application.</p><p>\"If it doesn\'t fly there, it won\'t fly anywhere,\" said Elisa Konofagou of Columbia University, who is testing elastography on animals and humans to determine the extent of damage after a heart attack. Uses in prostate cancer and thyroid cancer also are under study elsewhere.</p><p>Dr. Constantine Godellas, a cancer surgeon at Rush University Medical Center, said some patients and doctors would have trouble giving up biopsies, even if further research confirmed elastography\'s accuracy. Doctors may fear lawsuits if they do not order biopsies, he said.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><ul><li><a href=\"/id/15972032/\">Abortion pill may fight breast cancer</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/15994223/site/newsweek/\">Black women have longest delays in breast cancer diagnosis</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/15241918/\">Healthy Dose: This week in health news</a></li></ul></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>\"With the medical legal climate the way it is, that\'s a tough call to make,\" Godellas said. \"It won\'t be until a lot more research has been done that people will really buy into it.\"</p><p>Dr. Ellen Mendelson, chief of breast imaging at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, predicted the technique will be used, but may not supplant biopsies, which are becoming less invasive.</p><p>\"The goal of reducing unnecessary biopsies is laudable, but you don\'t want to miss a cancer,\" Mendelson said.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><SCRIPT language=javascript src=\"http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/components/interactives/_prod/BreastCancerFacts/data.js\"></SCRIPT><SCRIPT language=javascript src=http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/components/interactives/tools/interactive.js></SCRIPT><SCRIPT>if (window.BreastCancerFacts) { displayApp(BreastCancerFacts); }</SCRIPT></td></tr></table></p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i><em>?2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</em></i></div><br>');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('793','7','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">Cell phones don\'t cause cancer, huge study says</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>Findings on 420,000 people in Denmark give gadget a clean bill of health</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/061205/061205_cellphone_hlg_1p.hlarge.jpg\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\" alt=\"Image: Cell phone\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"><font size=\"-2\">Mario Tama / Getty Images file</font><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"-1\">Cell phones beam radiofrequency energy that can penetrate the brain\'s outer edge, which has raised questions about cancers of the head and neck, brain tumors or leukemia. Most research has found no risk.</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceAP.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"><p></p></font><p>WASHINGTON - A huge study from Denmark offers the latest reassurance that cell phones don\'t trigger cancer.</p><p>Scientists tracked 420,000 Danish cell phone users, including 52,000 who had gabbed on the gadgets for 10 years or more, and some who started using them 21 years ago.</p><p>They matched phone records to the famed Danish Cancer Registry that records every citizen who gets the disease - and reported Tuesday that cell-phone callers are no more likely than anyone else to suffer a range of cancer types.</p><p>The study, published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, is the largest yet to find no bad news about the safety of cell phones and the radiofrequency energy they emit.</p><p><b><strong>No end to the debate<br></strong></b>But even the lead researcher doubts it will end the debate.</p><p>\"There\'s really no biological basis for you to be concerned about radio waves,\" said John Boice, a Vanderbilt University professor and scientific director of the International Epidemiology Institute in Rockville, Md. \"Nonetheless, people are.\"</p><p>So Boice and colleagues at Copenhagen\'s Danish Cancer Society plan to continue tracking the Danish callers until at least some have used the phones for 30 years.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><ul><li><a href=\"http://boards.msn.com/MSNBCboards/thread.aspx?BoardID=476&amp;ThreadID=145981&amp;BoardsParam=HIPDelay%3d1\">Message Board: Do you worry about cell phone safety?</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/14832639/\">Hooked on your cell? Study says it can happen</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/15485694/\">Fertile? Cell phone rings when it\'s baby time</a></li></ul></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>This so-called Danish cohort \"is probably the strongest study out there because of the outstanding registries they keep,\" said Joshua Muscat of Pennsylvania State University, who also has studied cell phones and cancer.</p><p><b><strong>Reassurance ... for now<br></strong></b>\"As the body of evidence accumulates, people can become more reassured that these devices are safe, but the final word is not there yet,\" Muscat added.</p><p>Cell phones beam radiofrequency energy that can penetrate the brain\'s outer edge, raising questions about cancers of the head and neck, brain tumors or leukemia. Most research has found no risk, but a few studies have raised questions. And while U.S. health officials insist the evidence shows no real reason for concern, they don\'t give the phones a definitive clean bill of health, either, pending long-term data on slow-growing cancers.</p><p>For the latest study, personal identification numbers assigned to each Dane at birth allowed researchers to match people who began using cell phones between 1982 and 1995 with cancer records.</p><p>Among 420,000 callers tracked through 2002, there were 14,249 cancers diagnosed - fewer than the 15,001 predicted from national cancer rates. Nor did the study find increased risks for any specific tumor type.</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i><em>?2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</em></i></div><br>');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('794','7','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">Daily exercise cuts bowel cancer risk</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>Strenuous workouts can make a difference, large European study finds</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><a href=\"http://www.reuters.com/\"><a href=\"http://www.reuters.com/\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceReuters.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"></a></a><p></p></font><p>LONDON - Whether is it jogging around the park, pumping iron or swimming, an hour of vigorous exercise a day can lower the risk of bowel cancer, a study said on Monday.</p><p>Even cleaning the house, or two hours of less strenuous activity can make a difference, according to the study of more than 413,000 people in 10 European countries.</p><p>\"This study is significant because of its very large sample size and the different levels of activity that were observed across the European countries,\" said Dr Christine Friedenreich, lead author of the research, from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in Lyon, France.</p><p>\"This allowed a more in-depth analysis of how physical activity influences colon cancer risk,\" she added.</p><p>The research was published by scientists working for the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), which was designed to investigate the relationships between diet, nutrition, lifestyle and environmental factors and cancer. </p><p>A team of international scientists analyzed the impact of physical activity on the risk of colon cancer and found people with the highest levels of exercise were 22 percent less likely to develop it. The reduced risk was higher, up to 35 percent, for tumors on the right side of the colon.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><p><a href=\"/id/15970939/\">Chemotherapy damages brain cells</a></p></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>Although exercise had the biggest impact in cutting cancer risk in people of normal weight, it was also beneficial to a lesser extent in men and women who were overweight or obese.</p><p>But exercise did not have a protective effect against rectal cancer.</p><p>Colon and rectal are among the most common cancers in developed countries. More than 940,000 cases are diagnosed each year and about 492,000 people die from the illness, according to IARC.</p><p>Health experts estimate about 70 percent of cases could be prevented by changes in diet and exercise.</p><p>Professor Elio Riboli, the coordinator of EPIC from Imperial College London, said the large number of people included in the research was important.</p><p>\"We were particularly interested in the results that we found for different parts of the colon and rectum which were not feasible in previous studies because of the smaller sample sizes and lack of data on the position of the tumors,\" he said in a statement.</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i><em>Copyright 2006 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.</em></i></div><br>');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('795','7','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">Action may beat waiting for prostate cancer</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>Older men live longer if early-stage disease is treated, study finds</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><a href=\"http://www.reuters.com/\"><a href=\"http://www.reuters.com/\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceReuters.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"></a></a><p></p></font><p>Older men with early-stage, localized prostate cancer live longer if the disease is treated with radiation or surgery instead of simply waiting and watching it as is often recommended, a study said on Tuesday.</p><p>Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia said they found that patients whose cancer was treated had a 31 percent lower risk of death during the 12 years they were tracked than those who did nothing.</p><p>Even though the disease is considered a slow-developing one, the study \"suggests a reduced risk of mortality associated with active treatment for low and intermediate risk prostate cancer in the elderly ... population examined,\" concluded the report published in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.</p><p>\"These results must be validated by rigorous randomized controlled trials of elderly men with localized prostate cancer before the findings can be used to inform treatment decisions,\" it added.</p><p>The disease is the most common cancer afflicting men in the United States. Because it can be detected by a blood test, increasing numbers of cases are being diagnosed, the study noted.</p><p>Waiting and monitoring the growth of tumors is considered one option, especially for older men who have a higher risk of dying from something else, given the fact that the disease progresses slowly. But the new study found that even men who were 75 to 80 benefited from treatment.</p><p>The report was based on the medical records of more than 44,000 men 65 to 80 who were diagnosed with the disease between 1991 and 1999 and who had survived more than a year past diagnosis. The study ended at the end of 2002.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><ul><li><a href=\"/id/15590751/\">New drug could keep prostate from swelling</a></li><li><a href=\"http://boards.msn.com/MSNBCboards/board.aspx?BoardID=702\">Message Board: Discuss prostate cancer news</a></li></ul></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>Tumors can be treated with radiation or by surgical removal of the gland. Once the cancer has gone beyond the gland hormone treatments are used to slow its spread. Patients who received that kind of treatment were not included in the study.</p><p>In an editorial in the same issue commenting on the study, Mark Litwin and David Miller, two physicians at the University of California, Los Angeles, noted that the findings are preliminary.</p><p>Doctors \"must remain steadfast in their efforts to reduce over-treatment and under-treatment by thoughtfully defining each patient\'s unique balance between the natural history of prostate cancer and that individual patient\'s life expectancy,\" they advised.</p><p>Until the matter is resolved, they said, \"physicians should apply these provocative findings judiciously and continue their concerted efforts to help patients make informed treatment decisions based not only on survival predictions but also on health status, functional concerns, and - most importantly - personal preference.\"</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i><em>Copyright 2006 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.</em></i></div><br>');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('796','7','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">Go slow, doc! Fast colonoscopies miss growths</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>Those who took most time on exam found 10 times the tumors, study says</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceAP.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"><p></p></font><p>Tell your doctor to take his time during your next colonoscopy. Those who spent less than the recommended six minutes on the crucial part of the exam found four times fewer precancerous growths than those who lingered longer with the scope, a study found.</p><p>It involved thousands of exams done by 12 doctors in a large private gastroenterology practice in Rockford, Ill. Doctors who spent the most time found 10 times more growths than those who zipped fastest through the procedure, said Dr. Robert Barclay, who led the study and published results in Thursday\'s New England Journal of Medicine.</p><p>\"We were surprised at the magnitude of the differences among the colonoscopists in our group,\" he said.</p><p>Most doctors are probably not tracking how long they take or how many growths they find, said Dr. Douglas Rex, chief of endoscopy at Indiana University and a spokesman for the American College of Gastroenterology.</p><p>\"It\'s a reasonable thing for people to start asking their doctor,\" he recommended. \"Say: \'I want you to be really careful and slow in examining my colon.\"\'</p><p>Colonoscopy is the gold standard test to screen for colon cancer, which will strike nearly 150,000 Americans this year and kill more than 55,000.</p><p>While the patient is sedated for the exam - typically less than half an hour - a doctor puts a thin, flexible tube into the bowel. As the lighted scope is slowly withdrawn, the doctor looks for growths called polyps. These can take a decade to form and turn cancerous, so finding them early is one of the best ways to prevent the disease and improve the odds of surviving it.</p><p>Barclay and others at the University of Illinois College of Medicine and Rockford Gastroenterology Associates analyzed 7,882 colonoscopies done on their patients over 15 months, including 2,053 first-time screening exams. They clocked how long doctors took to withdraw the scope and compared it to the number, size and type of polyps detected.<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"120\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"20\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/ColorBoxes/Styles/ColorBoxImages_GlobalOnlyPlease/interactive_icon.gif\" height=\"14\" width=\"24\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"></td><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#FFFFFF\">Test yourself </b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#a4abc1\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-right:solid 1px #a4abc1;border-bottom:solid 1px #a4abc1;border-left:solid 1px #a4abc1;background-color:#f3f3f6;\" bgcolor=\"#f3f3f6\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"><tr><td><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Art/HEALTH/031107/Quiz_TZ152.jpg\" height=\"110\" width=\"150\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"></td></tr><tr><td style=\"padding:10px;\"><font color=\"#000000\"><table><tr><td><b>What\'s your?isk for colon cancer?</b></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr></table></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>Polyps were found in more than 28 percent of patients whose doctors took an average of six minutes or more but in only 12 percent of patients whose doctors went faster. Detection of the most serious types of growths also differed - 6 percent in slower exams versus almost 3 percent.</p><p>Previous research suggests that at least 25 percent of men and 15 percent of women ages 50 and older will have one or more polyps, Rex said. Guidelines he helped write for several professional associations recommend that doctors spend at least six minutes on scope withdrawal to help ensure they are not missing a potential cancer.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><ul><li><a href=\"/id/15517484/\">Colon cancer tumors more common in men</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/14304511/\">Exercise can benefit colon cancer survival</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/11727306/\">Most still skip colon cancer screening</a></li></ul></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>In an editorial in the journal, Dr. David Lieberman of Oregon Health and Science University in Portland praised the Rockford doctors for examining their own practice to try to improve performance of an important cancer test.</p><p>\"There is a lesson here for every practitioner in every specialty,\" he wrote. Research on quality of care should not just be done by big universities, \"but also needs to be part of the culture of everyday clinical practice.\"</p><p>Cancer specialists recommend colonoscopies every 10 years for people 50 and older at average risk of colon cancer. Medicare and most insurers cover the exam. Other tests that look for blood in the stool and an exam called flexible sigmoidoscopy also can be used for cancer screening, but must be done more often.</p><p>Symptoms of colon cancer can include blood in the stool, changes in bowel habits, or unexplained weight loss or abdominal pain.</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i><em>?2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</em></i></div><br>');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('797','7','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">Breast cancer drop tied to less hormone therapy</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>Sharp decline in 2003 when older women stopped drugs, research shows</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><div class=\"textMedBlack\">MSNBC News Services</div><p></p></font><p>SAN ANTONIO - In a startling turnaround, breast cancer rates in the United States dropped dramatically in 2003, and experts said they believe it is because many women stopped taking hormone pills. </p><p>The 7.2 percent decline came a year after a big federal study linked hormone replacement therapy used at menopause to a higher risk of breast cancer, heart disease and other problems. Within months, millions of women stopped taking estrogen and progestin pills. </p><p>A new analysis of federal cancer statistics, presented Thursday at a scientific conference called the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, revealed the drop in tumors. </p><p>About 200,000 cases of breast cancer had been expected in 2003; the drop means that about 14,000 fewer women actually were diagnosed with the disease in 2003 than in 2002. </p><p>\"It is the largest single drop in breast cancer incidence within a single year I am aware of,\" said Dr. Peter Ravdin, a research professor in the Department of Biostatistics at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, where the analysis was conducted. </p><p>\"Something went right in 2003, and it seems that it was the decrease in the use of hormone therapy, but from the data we used we can only indirectly infer that is the case,\" he said in a statement.</p><p>The researchers stressed that because their analysis is based on po pulation statistics, the reasons for the drop are not completely certain. But evidence showed that the steepest decline in breast cancer diagnosis, at 12 percent, occurred in women between the ages 50 to 69 with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. These types of tumors are fueled by the hormone estrogen.</p><p>Because breast cancer takes years to form, experts think the hormones mostly caused small tumors that had been growing to stop or shrink, making them no longer detectable on mammograms. Whether this is true or will result in fewer cases over the long run will take more time to tell. </p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><ul><li><a href=\"http://boards.msn.com/MSNBCboards/thread.aspx?BoardID=761&amp;ThreadID=151401&amp;BoardsParam=HIPDelay%3d1\">Discuss: Did you take hormone therapy? Share your experiences</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/9600023/\">What you need to know about breast cancer</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/3296963/\">Quiz: Test your knowledge</a></li></ul></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p><b><strong>Alarm over HRT</strong></b><br>A big study in 2002 suggested that the combination of estrogen and progestin raised the risk of breast cancer and brought a premature halt to a Women\'s Health Initiative study of more than 16,600 women between 50 and 79 who were taking hormones. The news caused widespread alarm and confusion. </p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"1%\"><tr><td><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia4.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Art/HEALTH/061214/AP_MAMMOGRAMS.gif\" align=\"Right\" height=\"256\" width=\"334\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"></td></tr></table>More analysis of the Women\'s Health Initiative also showed that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) could raise the risk of heart disease and especially strokes, and HRT was abandoned except as a way to relieve the most debilitating and stressful symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and insomnia.</p><p>Ravdin said about 30 percent of American women over the age of 50 had been taking HRT in the early years of this decade but about half of the women stopped in the later part of 2002 after the results of this link were made public.</p><p><b><strong>\'Source of fuel is cut\'<br></strong></b>\"Research has shown that ER-positive tumors will stop growing if they are deprived of the hormones, so it is possible that a significant decrease in breast cancer can be seen if so many women stopped using HRT,\" Ravdin said.</p><p>\"It takes breast cancer a long time to develop, but here we are primarily talking about existing cancers that are fueled by hormones and that slow or stop their growing when a source of fuel is cut,\" added Donald Berry, an M.D. Anderson professor who helped lead the study.</p><p>\"Incidence of breast cancer had been increasing in the 20 or so years prior to July 2002, and this increase was over and above the known role of screening mammography. HRT had been proposed as a possible factor, although the magnitude of any HRT effect was not known.\"?</p><p>The next set of cancer statistics is due out in April. </p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i>The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.</i></div><br><table width=\"100%\" style=\"background-color:#ffffee\" cellPadding=\"2\" cellSpacing=\"0\"><tr><td width=\"50%\"><font size=\"1\"><img src=\"/images/msnbc/print02.gif\" width=\"25\" height=\"20\" align=\"absmiddle\"> <a href=\"javascript:printThis(\'16206352\')\" class=\"linkBlack\">Print this</a></font></td><td><font size=\"1\"><img src=\"/images/msnbc/email02.gif\" width=\"25\" height=\"20\" align=\"absmiddle\"> <a href=\"javascript:emThis(\'16206352\')\" class=\"linkBlack\">Email this</a></font></td></tr></table></td><td width=\"10\"></td></tr></table><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#ffffff\">&nbsp;MORE FROM CANCER</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"1\" style=\"border:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\"><tr valign=\"bottom\"><td style=\"padding:10px;\" width=\"15%\"><a onmouseover=\"swapImage(\'next_links\',\'/images/buttons/next/buttonNextOver.gif\')\" onmouseout=\"swapImage(\'next_links\',\'/images/buttons/next/buttonNext.gif\')\" onmousedown=\"swapImage(\'next_links\',\'/images/buttons/next/buttonNextDown.gif\')\" href=\"/id/16190782/\"><img src=\"/images/buttons/next/buttonNext.gif\" border=\"0\" width=\"53\" height=\"19\" id=\"next_links\"></a></td><td class=\"textMedBlackBold\" style=\"padding:10px;\" width=\"85%\">Docs shouldn\'t rush colonoscopies</td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td style=\"padding:0px;\"><font color=\"#000000\"><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"><tr valign=\"top\"><td width=\"20\"></td><td><font class=\"bulletRedSmall\">. </font><font class=\"headlineList2\"><a class=\"linkBlack\" href=\"/id/16564573/\">Studies: Drugs slow kidney cancer growth</a></font></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td width=\"20\"></td><td><font class=\"bulletRedSmall\">. </font><font class=\"headlineList2\"><a class=\"linkBlack\" href=\"/id/16527425/\">Weight tied to prostate cancer death</a></font></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td width=\"20\"></td><td><font class=\"bulletRedSmall\">. </font><font 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tumors</a></font></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td width=\"20\"></td><td><font class=\"bulletRedSmall\">. </font><font class=\"headlineList2\"><a class=\"linkBlack\" href=\"/id/16253494/\">Menopause to ward off breast cancer?</a></font></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\" bgcolor=\"#dddddd\"><td width=\"20\"><img src=\"/images/arrowCurrentStory.gif\" border=\"0\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\"></td><td><font class=\"bulletRedSmall\">. </font><font class=\"headlineList2\">Breast cancer drop tied to less HRT</font></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td width=\"20\"></td><td><font class=\"bulletRedSmall\">. </font><font class=\"headlineList2\"><a class=\"linkBlack\" href=\"/id/16190782/\">Docs shouldn\'t rush colonoscopies</a></font></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td width=\"20\"></td><td><font class=\"bulletRedSmall\">. </font><font class=\"headlineList2\"><a class=\"linkBlack\" href=\"/id/3034576/\">Cancer Section Front</a></font></td></tr></table><font class=\"textSmall\">?/font></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr></table><br><table width=\"98%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"20\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/msnbc/Test-Dev/donna/msnbc10/Launch%20images/top_msnbc.gif,standard.jpg\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"></td><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#26386b\"></b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#FFF;\" bgcolor=\"#FFF\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"5\"><tr><td style=\"padding:5px;\"><font color=\"#000000\"><table><tr><td valign=\"top\"><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><a href=\"/id/16607683/\"><font color=\"33527A\">Families revel in sons\' safe return</font></a></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><a href=\"/id/16611409/\"><font color=\"33527A\">Bush to skeptics: What\'s your plan?</font></a></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><a href=\"/id/16593084/\"><font color=\"33527A\">WP: Battling for Iraqi soldiers\' hearts</font></a></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><a href=\"/id/16603277/\"><font color=\"33527A\">Tsunami fears ease in Japan</font></a></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><a href=\"/id/16606866/\"><font color=\"33527A\">Rice: U.S. won\'t quit on Iraq</font></a></td></tr><tr><td width=\"15\"></td><td width=\"405\"></td></tr></table></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"20\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/j/msnbc/Test-Dev/donna/msnbc10/Launch%20images/tv_highlights.gif,standard.jpg\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"></td><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#26386b\"></b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#FFF;\" bgcolor=\"#FFF\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"5\"><tr><td style=\"padding:5px;\"><font color=\"#000000\"><table><tr><td valign=\"top\"><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><a href=\"/id/16583889/\"><font color=\"33527A\">Olbermann: The president who cried wolf</font></a></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><a href=\"javascript:OCW(\'http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/11/30328.aspx\', \'_blank\',\'resizable=yes,status=yes,scrollbars=yes,fullscreen=no,location=yes,menubar=yes,titlebar=yes,toolbar=yes,\');\"><font color=\"33527A\">Deconstructing Bush\'s speech</font></a></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><a href=\"javascript:OCW(\'http://hardblogger.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/10/29301.aspx\', \'_blank\',\'resizable=yes,status=yes,scrollbars=yes,fullscreen=no,location=yes,menubar=yes,titlebar=yes,toolbar=yes,\');\"><font color=\"33527A\">Hardblogger; Back to you, al-Maliki</font></a></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><a href=\"javascript:msnvDwd(\'00\',\'539c3715-b095-4309-92ec-aed1d0f0591b\',\'us\',\'Source_Scarborough_Country\',\'c1151\',\'msnbc\',\'\',\'16586937\',\'Justin, Cameron split?\')\"><font color=\"33527A\">Video: Cameron, Timberlake split?</font></a></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><a href=\"/id/16596041/\"><font color=\"33527A\">Barry Bonds sells out teammate</font></a></td></tr><tr><td width=\"15\"></td><td width=\"405\"></td></tr></table></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr></table></td></tr></table><script src=\"/js/std.js\"></script><div style=\"padding-bottom:20;\"><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#FFFFFF\">&nbsp;Q &amp; A Library</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#a4abc1\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-right:solid 1px #a4abc1;border-bottom:solid 1px #a4abc1;border-left:solid 1px #a4abc1;background-color:#f3f3f6;\" bgcolor=\"#f3f3f6\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"><tr valign=\"top\"><td></td><td style=\"padding:10px;\"><font color=\"#000000\"><table><tr><td><b><strong>Click on a topic to learn more:</strong></b></td></tr><tr><td><p class=\"textMed\"><table width=\"100%\" ID=\"Table3\"><tbody><tr valign=\"top\"><td width=\"50%\"><table cellspacing=\"3\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" ID=\"Table1\"><tr valign=\"top\"><td><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><font color=\"black\">\n<a href=\"/id/6852960/\">Breast cancer</a>\n</font></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><font color=\"black\">\n<a href=\"/id/3486562/\">Colon cancer</a>\n</font></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><font color=\"black\"><a href=\"/id/3371615/\">Melanoma</a></font></td></tr></table></td><td width=\"1\" bgcolor=\"#cccccc\"></td><td width=\"50%\"><table cellspacing=\"3\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" ID=\"Table1\"><tr valign=\"top\"><td><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><font color=\"black\"><a href=\"/id/3370701/\">Ovarian cancer</a></font></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><font color=\"black\"><a href=\"/id/3296183/\">Prostate cancer</a> </font></td></tr></table></td></tr></tbody></table></p></td></tr></table></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr></table></div><div style=\"padding-bottom:20;\"><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#FFFFFF\">&nbsp;Related Stories&nbsp;</b></font></td></tr><tr><td align=\"right\" colspan=\"2\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\" color=\"#ffffff\">| <a href=\"/id/3303511/#Related Stories\">What\'s this?</a>&nbsp;</font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#a4abc1\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-right:solid 1px #a4abc1;border-bottom:solid 1px #a4abc1;border-left:solid 1px #a4abc1;background-color:#f3f3f6;\" bgcolor=\"#f3f3f6\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\"><tr><td style=\"padding:10px;\"><font color=\"#000000\"><table><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"3\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" ID=\"Table1\"><tr valign=\"top\"><td><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><font color=\"black\"><a href=\"/id/16499522/site/newsweek/\">Midlife Guide for Women: Cancer?n</a></font></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><font color=\"black\"><a href=\"/id/16229821/\">Breast cancer drop has women fearing menopause hormones again</a></font></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><font color=\"black\"><a href=\"/id/16222926/\">Breast cancer rate 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INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('798','7','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">Feigning menopause to ward off breast cancer</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>Young patients test hormone treatment to boost survival,?preserve fertility</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/061217/061217_breastcancer_hmed_11a.hmedium.jpg\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\" alt=\"Image: Robin Khadduri\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"><font size=\"-2\">Lisa Poole / AP</font><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"-1\">Breast cancer survivor Robin Khadduri greets her son, Leo, 4, as she poses for a portrait at their home, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006 in Needham, Mass. Robin is pictured below in a June 2006 family photo with her children Azanah, 7, Max, 10, and Leo at a time when she was in chemotherapy treatment. </font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceAP.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"><p></p></font><p>SAN ANTONIO - Robin Khadduri gets monthly shots of a drug that blocks the male hormone testosterone and is often used to treat prostate cancer.</p><p>But Khadduri doesn\'t have a prostate or much testosterone either. She and many other young women are getting the drug for breast cancer as part of a super-hormone treatment that new research suggests may improve their survival odds.</p><p>This chemical equivalent of ovary removal has one big advantage over surgery: it\'s not permanent, so it may preserve a woman\'s ability to have children.</p><p>In premenopausal women, the drugs suppress the pituitary gland, which produces hormones that control the ovaries and cause a woman to have a period every month. Side effects of this induced early menopause are similar to those of natural menopause - hot flashes, night sweats, etc., according to new research presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, which ended Sunday.</p><p><b><strong>Small price to pay for some women<br></strong></b>Women like Khadduri, who fear cancer\'s return, consider that a small price to pay.</p><p>The drugs include triptorelin, goserelin, leuprolide and buserelin, sold as Lupron, Zoladex, Prostap and other brands.</p><p>Such drugs have been around for 20 years and are used more in Europe than in the United States, where attention has focused more heavily on chemotherapy, said V. Craig Jordan of Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, the scientist who developed tamoxifen, a mainstay hormone drug for preventing cancer recurrence.</p><p>\"This has been like tumbleweed slowing gaining momentum,\" he said of ovarian suppression.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><ul><li><a href=\"/id/16229091/\">Despite cancer risk, some women need hormones</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/16206352/\">Breast cancer drop tied to fewer hormones</a></li></ul></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>The drugs are most often used in two situations:</p><ul><li class=\"textBodyBlack\">As an alternative to chemotherapy for women who have had surgery for small, hormone-fueled tumors and are considered at relatively low risk for recurrence.</li><li class=\"textBodyBlack\">As a way to keep the ovaries suppressed in women whose periods return after temporarily stopping during chemotherapy.</li></ul><p><b><strong>Temporary menopause<br></strong></b>\"They call it \'chemopause,\"\' said Khadduri, who is getting triptorelin shots now. The 37-year-old mother of three from Needham, Mass., was found in January to have two small tumors that had spread to at least one lymph node but not extensively.</p><p>\"The thing I liked about it is, it was not permanent,\" she said of the treatment. \"It wasn\'t like I was having surgery to have my ovaries removed. If the side effects were too much, I could stop.\"</p><p>Her physician, Dr. Eric Winer of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, enrolled her in one of three large experiments currently under way to test this approach.</p><p>\"It\'s the oldest of all treatments,\" but doctors still do not know how much benefit it gives or how best to use it, Winer said.</p><p>In the latest research, Jack Cuzick of the Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine in London combined results from more than a dozen studies involving 9,000 women from 1987 to 2001.</p><p>Those that tested ovary-suppressing drugs on top or in place of chemotherapy and standard hormone therapy with tamoxifen found a lower risk of recurrence after an average of seven years - 24 percent versus 29 percent - among women given the more intense treatment.</p><p>Such women also had a smaller risk of death - 11 percent versus 13 percent.</p><p>A second report at the cancer conference reinforced the value of ovarian suppression.</p><p>Dr. Michael Gnant of the Medical University of Vienna in Austria reported that women whose periods did not return after chemotherapy had lower cancer relapse rates than those resuming menstruation.</p><p>\"Additional hormone suppression may be advisable\" to keep periods from returning, he said.</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i><em>?2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</em></i></div><br>');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('799','7','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">Experimental cancer drug attacks tumors </font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>New treatment could be effective in fighting difficult types of the disease</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><a href=\"http://www.reuters.com/\"><a href=\"http://www.reuters.com/\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceReuters.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"></a></a><p></p></font><p>LONDON - Scientists said on Wednesday they were developing new experimental drugs that block the blood supply to tumors in a novel way which could be effective for treating difficult types of cancer.</p><p>Unlike other drugs that starve tumors of blood by preventing the growth of blood vessels, or angiogenesis, the new treatment takes a different approach.</p><p>It increases the formation of blood vessels but they do not work well so the tumor cannot grow and survive.</p><p>\"You seem to end up with more blood vessels but they are less functional,\" Dr Gavin Thurston, of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals In Tarrytown, New York, said in an interview.</p><p>\"This approach of blocking tumor vessels is still in its early stages. There are drugs out there that are already helping patients but there is still more to be learned in this particular area. This is another step along that path,\" he added.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><ul><li><a href=\"/id/16267155/\">Health stories to watch in 2007</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/16190782/\">Doctors need to take their time with colonoscopies</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/16206352/\">Breast cancer rates decline sharply</a></li></ul></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>Avastin, developed by San Francisco-based Genentech and sold by Roche is a leading anti-angiogenic drug. It targets a protein called vascular endothelia growth factor (VEGF) which tells cells to grow new blood vessels.</p><p>Several other anti-VEGF drugs have been developed but they are not effective against all tumors.</p><p>In two separate reports in the science journal Nature, Thurston and his team and scientists at Genentech, led by Minhong Yan, describe how the new approach targets a different molecule called Delta-like ligand 4 (Dll4).</p><p>\"Contrary to conventional wisdom, the extra blood vessels formed through the blockade of Dll4 served to choke the tumors rather than feed them,\" Thurston explained.</p><p>He added that having both approaches, which may be mixed and combined, could be more powerful than just one.</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i><em>Copyright 2006 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.</em></i></div><br>');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('800','7','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">Losing 11 pounds lowers prostate cancer risk</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>Study: Men who lost weight cut odds of getting aggressive form of disease</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceAP.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"><p></p></font><p>ATLANTA - Here\'s another reason for men to avoid packing on extra pounds over the holidays: A new study has found that losing weight reduces the risk of an aggressive form of prostate cancer.</p><p>After tracking the weight of nearly 70,000 men between 1982 and 1992, researchers from the American Cancer Society and the Duke University Prostate Center found that men who lost more than 11 pounds had a lower risk for aggressive prostate cancer than men whose weight remained the same over a decade.</p><p>Previous studies have found that obese men have a higher risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer. This study appears to be the first to indicate that recent weight loss can decrease that risk.</p><p>In the study reported this month in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers &amp; Prevention, researchers analyzed the height and weight of the men in 1982 and 1992 and every three years after that until 2003. At that time, more than 5,200 of the men - more than 7 percent - had prostate cancer.</p><p>Among those cases, about one in eight had a form of cancer that was aggressive but had not spread to other areas of the body. The study\'s major finding focused on those aggressive cases, with researchers concluding that those who lost 11 or more pounds were 42 percent less likely to develop that form of prostate cancer than those whose weight remained the same.</p><p>\"Whether it\'s exactly 40 percent, we don\'t know, but they lower their risk when they lose 11-plus pounds. We feel confident, at least in this population, that was real,\" said lead researcher Dr. Carmen Rodriguez.</p><p>More than seven times as many men whose weight remained the same developed aggressive prostate cancer compared to those who lost 11 or more pounds.</p><p>\"No significant associations\" were found regarding the effect of weight gain or loss on the most severe forms of prostate cancer, those that spread throughout the body, the study said.</p><p>The number studied was small, the researchers acknowledged, because fewer than 15,000 men lost weight over the time period, and only 1,000 of those developed some form of prostate cancer.</p><p>The 69,991 participants were part of a bigger cancer society study of 1.2 million Americans that began in 1982.</p><p>Rodriguez said men should avoid putting on extra weight as they get older.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><ul><li><a href=\"/id/16173553/\">Action may beat waiting for prostate cancer treatment</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/15590751/\">New drug could prevent prostate gland swelling</a></li></ul></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>\"The main message for men is to not get overweight. If they are overweight, that\'s another reason to try to lose weight, just to decrease the risk for prostate cancer,\" said Rodriguez, who works for the Atlanta-based cancer society.</p><p>Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer for men, and about one in six will get it during his lifetime. It is the second leading cause of cancer death for U.S. men.</p><p>The study is considered the first of its kind to examine the role of weight change in the development of prostate cancer, said Dr. Ronald Ennis, director of radiation oncology at St. Luke\'s-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York, who was not involved in the study.</p><p>\"This is one of the best studies\" examining the role of weight on prostate cancer, Ennis said. \"It does seem to be true that if you are overweight, you are at risk of getting more aggressive forms of prostate cancer and if you lose weight, you can decrease the risk.\"</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i>Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</i></div><br><table width=\"100%\" style=\"background-color:#ffffee\" cellPadding=\"2\" cellSpacing=\"0\"><tr><td width=\"50%\"><font size=\"1\"><img src=\"/images/msnbc/print02.gif\" width=\"25\" height=\"20\" align=\"absmiddle\"> <a href=\"javascript:printThis(\'16359572\')\" class=\"linkBlack\">Print this</a></font></td><td><font size=\"1\"><img src=\"/images/msnbc/email02.gif\" width=\"25\" height=\"20\" align=\"absmiddle\"> <a href=\"javascript:emThis(\'16359572\')\" class=\"linkBlack\">Email this</a></font></td></tr></table></td><td width=\"10\"></td></tr></table><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#ffffff\">&nbsp;MORE FROM PROSTATE CANCER</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"1\" style=\"border:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\"><tr valign=\"bottom\"><td style=\"padding:10px;\" width=\"15%\"><a onmouseover=\"swapImage(\'next_links\',\'/images/buttons/next/buttonNextOver.gif\')\" onmouseout=\"swapImage(\'next_links\',\'/images/buttons/next/buttonNext.gif\')\" onmousedown=\"swapImage(\'next_links\',\'/images/buttons/next/buttonNextDown.gif\')\" href=\"/id/16173553/\"><img src=\"/images/buttons/next/buttonNext.gif\" border=\"0\" width=\"53\" height=\"19\" 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color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><a href=\"/id/16596041/\"><font color=\"33527A\">Barry Bonds sells out teammate</font></a></td></tr><tr><td width=\"15\"></td><td width=\"405\"></td></tr></table></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr></table></td></tr></table><script src=\"/js/std.js\"></script><div style=\"padding-bottom:20;\"><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#FFFFFF\">&nbsp;Q &amp; A Library</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#a4abc1\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-right:solid 1px #a4abc1;border-bottom:solid 1px #a4abc1;border-left:solid 1px #a4abc1;background-color:#f3f3f6;\" bgcolor=\"#f3f3f6\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"><tr valign=\"top\"><td></td><td style=\"padding:10px;\"><font color=\"#000000\"><table><tr><td><b><strong>Click on a topic to learn more:</strong></b></td></tr><tr><td><p class=\"textMed\"><table width=\"100%\" ID=\"Table3\"><tbody><tr valign=\"top\"><td width=\"50%\"><table cellspacing=\"3\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" ID=\"Table1\"><tr valign=\"top\"><td><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><font color=\"black\">\n<a href=\"/id/6852960/\">Breast cancer</a>\n</font></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><font color=\"black\">\n<a href=\"/id/3486562/\">Colon cancer</a>\n</font></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><font color=\"black\"><a href=\"/id/3371615/\">Melanoma</a></font></td></tr></table></td><td 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INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('801','7','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">Losing 11 pounds lowers prostate cancer risk</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>Study: Men who lost weight cut odds of getting aggressive form of disease</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceAP.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"><p></p></font><p>ATLANTA - Here\'s another reason for men to avoid packing on extra pounds over the holidays: A new study has found that losing weight reduces the risk of an aggressive form of prostate cancer.</p><p>After tracking the weight of nearly 70,000 men between 1982 and 1992, researchers from the American Cancer Society and the Duke University Prostate Center found that men who lost more than 11 pounds had a lower risk for aggressive prostate cancer than men whose weight remained the same over a decade.</p><p>Previous studies have found that obese men have a higher risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer. This study appears to be the first to indicate that recent weight loss can decrease that risk.</p><p>In the study reported this month in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers &amp; Prevention, researchers analyzed the height and weight of the men in 1982 and 1992 and every three years after that until 2003. At that time, more than 5,200 of the men - more than 7 percent - had prostate cancer.</p><p>Among those cases, about one in eight had a form of cancer that was aggressive but had not spread to other areas of the body. The study\'s major finding focused on those aggressive cases, with researchers concluding that those who lost 11 or more pounds were 42 percent less likely to develop that form of prostate cancer than those whose weight remained the same.</p><p>\"Whether it\'s exactly 40 percent, we don\'t know, but they lower their risk when they lose 11-plus pounds. We feel confident, at least in this population, that was real,\" said lead researcher Dr. Carmen Rodriguez.</p><p>More than seven times as many men whose weight remained the same developed aggressive prostate cancer compared to those who lost 11 or more pounds.</p><p>\"No significant associations\" were found regarding the effect of weight gain or loss on the most severe forms of prostate cancer, those that spread throughout the body, the study said.</p><p>The number studied was small, the researchers acknowledged, because fewer than 15,000 men lost weight over the time period, and only 1,000 of those developed some form of prostate cancer.</p><p>The 69,991 participants were part of a bigger cancer society study of 1.2 million Americans that began in 1982.</p><p>Rodriguez said men should avoid putting on extra weight as they get older.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><ul><li><a href=\"/id/16173553/\">Action may beat waiting for prostate cancer treatment</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/15590751/\">New drug could prevent prostate gland swelling</a></li></ul></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>\"The main message for men is to not get overweight. If they are overweight, that\'s another reason to try to lose weight, just to decrease the risk for prostate cancer,\" said Rodriguez, who works for the Atlanta-based cancer society.</p><p>Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer for men, and about one in six will get it during his lifetime. It is the second leading cause of cancer death for U.S. men.</p><p>The study is considered the first of its kind to examine the role of weight change in the development of prostate cancer, said Dr. Ronald Ennis, director of radiation oncology at St. Luke\'s-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York, who was not involved in the study.</p><p>\"This is one of the best studies\" examining the role of weight on prostate cancer, Ennis said. \"It does seem to be true that if you are overweight, you are at risk of getting more aggressive forms of prostate cancer and if you lose weight, you can decrease the risk.\"</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i>Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</i></div><br><table width=\"100%\" style=\"background-color:#ffffee\" cellPadding=\"2\" cellSpacing=\"0\"><tr><td width=\"50%\"><font size=\"1\"><img src=\"/images/msnbc/print02.gif\" width=\"25\" height=\"20\" align=\"absmiddle\"> <a href=\"javascript:printThis(\'16359572\')\" class=\"linkBlack\">Print this</a></font></td><td><font size=\"1\"><img src=\"/images/msnbc/email02.gif\" width=\"25\" height=\"20\" align=\"absmiddle\"> <a href=\"javascript:emThis(\'16359572\')\" class=\"linkBlack\">Email this</a></font></td></tr></table></td><td width=\"10\"></td></tr></table><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#ffffff\">&nbsp;MORE FROM PROSTATE 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color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><a href=\"/id/16596041/\"><font color=\"33527A\">Barry Bonds sells out teammate</font></a></td></tr><tr><td width=\"15\"></td><td width=\"405\"></td></tr></table></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr></table></td></tr></table><script src=\"/js/std.js\"></script><div style=\"padding-bottom:20;\"><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#FFFFFF\">&nbsp;Q &amp; A Library</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#a4abc1\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-right:solid 1px #a4abc1;border-bottom:solid 1px #a4abc1;border-left:solid 1px #a4abc1;background-color:#f3f3f6;\" bgcolor=\"#f3f3f6\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"><tr valign=\"top\"><td></td><td style=\"padding:10px;\"><font color=\"#000000\"><table><tr><td><b><strong>Click on a topic to learn more:</strong></b></td></tr><tr><td><p class=\"textMed\"><table width=\"100%\" ID=\"Table3\"><tbody><tr valign=\"top\"><td width=\"50%\"><table cellspacing=\"3\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" ID=\"Table1\"><tr valign=\"top\"><td><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><font color=\"black\">\n<a href=\"/id/6852960/\">Breast cancer</a>\n</font></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><font color=\"black\">\n<a href=\"/id/3486562/\">Colon cancer</a>\n</font></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><font color=\"black\"><a href=\"/id/3371615/\">Melanoma</a></font></td></tr></table></td><td 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INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('802','7','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">Fighting cancer costs $2.3 billion in lost time</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>100s of hours are spent waiting for treatment in just first year, study says</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceAP.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"><p></p></font><p>WASHINGTON - The hours spent sitting in doctors\' waiting rooms, in line for the CT scan, watching chemotherapy drip into veins: Battling cancer steals a lot of time - at least $2.3 billion worth in the first year of treatment alone.</p><p>So says the first study to try to put a price tag to the time that people spend being treated for 11 of the most common cancers.</p><p>Even more sobering than the economic toll are the tallies, by government researchers, of the sheer hours lost to cancer care: 368 hours in that first year after diagnosis with ovarian cancer; 272 hours being treated for lung cancer, 193 hours for kidney cancer.</p><p>That doesn\'t count the days spent home in bed recovering from surgery or weak from chemo, just time spent actively getting care - chemo or radiation therapy, blood tests or cancer scans, surgery or checkups, driving to medical appointments and waiting your turn.</p><p>It\'s a study, to be published Wednesday in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, that sheds new light on the human costs of cancer.</p><p>\"What we see here is a measure of the patient\'s burden of commitment,\" wrote Drs. Larry Kessler of the Food and Drug Administration and Scott Ramsey of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, in an accompanying editorial.</p><p>\"Cancer is more than the just the dollars and cents for the medicines and the treatments and the doctors. It\'s also the lost opportunities for the patients,\" added Dr. Len Lichtenfeld of the American Cancer Society, who praised the research for attempting to quantify that often overlooked reality.</p><p><b><strong>Value of a patient\'s time<br></strong></b>How much a disease costs society plays an important role in policy-making, such as how much to invest in medical research, but it\'s hard to calculate the value of a patient\'s time spent getting care.</p><p>NCI epidemiologist Robin Yabroff and colleagues culled the records of 763,000 cancer patients covered by Medicare, the government\'s insurance program for those 65 and older, and estimated the time involved in traveling to, waiting for and receiving both in-hospital and outpatient care.</p><p>Although most of these patients were retired, the researchers assigned a monetary value to their time - $15.23 an hour, the median U.S. wage rate in 2002. Then they estimated the national toll by including the number of patients diagnosed with cancer in 2005.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><ul><li><a href=\"/id/15970939/\">Study shows how chemo damages brain cells</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/15003000/\">Young cancer survivors write their way to hope</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/16297736/\">Experimental cancer drug attacks tumors</a></li></ul></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>It is almost certainly an underestimate, the researchers said, noting that younger cancer patients often receive more intensive treatment.</p><p><b><strong>Less treatment time for cancers caught early<br></strong></b>Whatever the dollar figure, the study showed something important to patients\' day-to-day lives, Lichtenfeld noted: Cancers that often are diagnosed early, when they\'re more curable, require less treatment time.</p><p>Men with prostate cancer spent 55.3 more hours getting medical care in the first year after diagnosis, compared with similar people without cancer. Breast cancer patients spent 66.2 hours. Also, both groups spent about four days in the hospital.</p><p>Compare that to cancers with worse survival rates, largely because they\'re usually caught late: Ovarian cancer patients struggled the most, spending about 21 days in the hospital that first year and 368 hours overall getting care. Gastric cancer and lung cancer patients fared almost as badly, spending about 21 days and 15 days in the hospital, respectively, and 351 and 272 overall hours in treatment.<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"1%\"><tr><td><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Art/HEALTH/070102/ap_CancerTimeLost.gif\" align=\"Right\" height=\"466\" width=\"195\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"></td></tr></table></p><p>The difference shows that investing in research for better early detection of cancer \"has real benefits,\" Lichtenfeld stressed.</p><p>The study also highlights the importance of newer \"targeted\" cancer treatments that promise fewer severe side effects and often allow patients to be treated with pills at home instead of in a clinic, added Kessler and Ramsey. The pair called on manufacturers to do research on patients\' time toll, and for insurers to better cover new drugs that reduce it.</p><p>One puzzling finding: The shortest treatment time was for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, at 17.8 hours the first year. Early-stage melanoma can be surgically removed with good survival, but it\'s often discovered late. The study didn\'t address if the shorter treatment time was because melanoma patients had fewer treatments to try, or some other reason.</p><p>Differences in patients\' treatment times persisted during their last year of life, largely because of increased hospitalization, longest for gastric, lung and ovarian cancers - 35.4, 32.4 and 31.9 days, respectively.</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i><em>?2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</em></i></div><br>');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('803','7','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">Cancer returns in teen caught in custody battle</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>Parents fought with state over medical treatment for their daughter</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceAP.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"><p></p></font><p>HARLINGEN, Texas - A young cancer patient whose parents fought a bitter custody battle with the state over their daughter\'s treatment was told the disease has aggressively returned, the girl\'s father said Wednesday.</p><p>In October, Katie Wernecke\'s family Web site reported her cancer was in remission nearly a year after a judge returned the teen to her parents to resume her treatment for Hodgkin\'s disease, a cancer of the lymph nodes.</p><p>\"The last time it was gone,\" Edward Wernecke said. \"Now it\'s already back.\"</p><p>Katie, 14, has a large mass near her lower ribs, her father said.</p><p>The state had seized Katie from her parents in June 2005 after they refused radiation treatments. The Werneckes had argued chemotherapy already killed the cancer and they feared the radiation would do more harm than good.</p><p>In November 2005, Katie was returned to her parents, who took her to several states for various treatments, including intravenous vitamin C in Kansas and ultimately radiation.</p><p>Ed Wernecke said his daughter - a top student - had missed about a month of school to travel for treatments but was getting assignments and was expected to return to school on Thursday. He said both chemotherapy and radiation have failed and that she was currently undergoing immunology treatments.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><ul><li><a href=\"/id/8243545/\">Girl with cancer to continue as ward of state</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/14371567/\">Starchild Cherrix, court reach agreement over cancer care</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/16441782/\">Fighting cancer costs $2.3 billion in lost time</a></li></ul></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>\"That\'s where we\'re at. She\'s trying to boost her immune system that she has left,\" he said.</p><p>The family\'s most recent Web site posting rails against some of Katie\'s medical treatment at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston when she was in foster care.</p><p>Hospital spokeswoman Julie Penne declined to comment \"out of protecting her privacy.\"</p><p>In a similar case, a Virginia judge in July ruled that 16-year-old Starchild Abraham Cherrix could reject chemotherapy for his Hodgkin\'s disease in favor of alternative treatments. A doctor in September said Cherrix appeared to be improving.</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i><em>?2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</em></i></div><br>');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('804','7','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">Weight gain linked to prostate cancer death</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>Obese men less likely to get disease but more likely to die of it, study says</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><a href=\"http://www.reuters.com/\"><a href=\"http://www.reuters.com/\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceReuters.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"></a></a><p></p></font><p>NEW YORK - Excess weight may not raise a man\'s risk of developing prostate cancer, but it may make him more likely to die of the disease, researchers reported Monday.</p><p>In a study of nearly 288,000 U.S. men, researchers found that obese men were actually less likely than their thinner counterparts to develop prostate cancer during the five-year study period.</p><p>However, the heavier a man was, the greater his risk of dying from the disease.</p><p>Dr. Margaret Wright and colleagues at the National Cancer Institute report the findings in the journal Cancer.</p><p>Past studies have come to conflicting conclusions about the role of excess weight in prostate cancer. While some have suggested that increased weight is a risk factor for the disease, most have found no relationship.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"120\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"20\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><img src=\"/images/icons/interactive.gif\" width=\"20\" height=\"14\"></td><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#ffffff\">INTERACTIVE</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"1\" style=\"border:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#eeeeee;background-image:url(\'/images/backgrounds/component_grey.gif\');\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#cccccc\" background=\"/images/backgrounds/component_dkgrey.gif\" width=\"100%\"><tr valign=\"top\"><td align=\"middle\"><a href=\"http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13301486&#xA;\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Art/HEALTH/PROJECTS/LowBlow_ProstateCancer/TZ152_Prostate.jpg\" height=\"110\" width=\"148\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"></a></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td align=\"middle\"><div class=\"scalAd\"><input type=\"button\" class=\"mbox w77\" value=\"Launch\" title=\"Launch\" onmouseover=\"swapbtn(this, 1)\" onmouseout=\"swapbtn(this, 0)\" onclick=\"javascript:window.location.replace(\'http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13301486\');\"></div></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td style=\"padding:10px;\"><font color=\"#000000\"><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font><font class=\"textMedBlackBold\"><a href=\"http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13301486&#xA;\">Prostate cancer: What you need to know</a></font><br></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr></table></td></tr></table>The new study followed 287,760 men 50 to 71 starting in 1995. At the outset, the men completed a questionnaire about their overall health, diet and lifestyle habits, height and weight.</p><p>Over the next five years, 9,986 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer. Severely obese men had the lowest risk of developing the disease.</p><p>When it came to prostate cancer deaths, however, the risk climbed in tandem with a man\'s weight. Overweight men were 25 percent more likely than thin men to die, while obese men were 46 percent more likely.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;ALSO ON THIS TOPIC</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><ul><li><a href=\"/id/16437638/\">Drink a day?ay help male high blood pressure</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/3296520/\">Are you at risk for prostate cancer?</a></li></ul></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>Similarly, the amount of weight a man gained through adulthood was unrelated to his prostate cancer risk. But greater weight gain was linked to a higher risk of death from the disease.</p><p>According to the researchers, hormones might help explain why excess fat would be linked to prostate cancer death, but not development. Obesity lowers levels of testosterone, which helps fuel prostate cancer, so excess weight may help prevent the disease in the first place.</p><p>On the other hand, Wright and her colleagues explain, heavy men have higher levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 and leptin - two hormones that may aid the progression of tumors. So once an overweight man develops prostate cancer, it may be more likely to prove fatal.</p><p>The findings, they conclude, suggest that prostate cancer progression could be added to list of health consequences of obesity.</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i><em>Copyright 2006 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.</em></i></div><br>');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('805','7','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">Two new drugs slow growth of kidney cancer</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>Company research shows up-to-6-month delay in deadly form of disease</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><a href=\"http://www.reuters.com/\"><a href=\"http://www.reuters.com/\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceReuters.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"></a></a><p></p></font><p>BOSTON - Two new drugs developed by Bayer AG , Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Pfizer Inc.?help slow the growth of the most common form of kidney cancer, two studies published by the companies said Wednesday.</p><p>The biotech drugs, called Sutent and Nexavar, \"are a major step forward in our struggle against kidney cancer,\" said Dr. James Brugarolas of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.</p><p>\"Both (drugs) delay the growth of kidney cancer by three to six months,\" Brugarolas wrote in a commentary on the results, to be published in Thursday\'s New England Journal of Medicine.</p><p>About 30,000 cases of renal cell carcinoma, involving the outer cells of the kidney, are diagnosed in the United States each year. It is responsible for up to 90 percent of all kidney cancers, and accounts for 1.5 percent of cancer deaths.</p><p>Patients typically survive for just a year.</p><p>Interleukin-2 and interferon alfa are often given to treat it. But they work only in about 5 percent of patients whose tumors have spread. Only interleukin is approved for that use in the United States.</p><p>In the test of sunitinib, a drug marketed under the brand name Sutent, the response rate was 31 percent versus a rate of 6 percent for treatment with interferon alfa, said the team led by Robert Motzer of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.</p><p>The 375 who received the Pfizer drug as part of the test involving researchers from the United States, France and Poland typically went for 11 months without having their tumor progress, compared with five months for an equal number of volunteers receiving interferon. </p><p>However, the drug also produced more side effects such as diarrhea and vomiting, and initial results showed no clear increase in survival.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;RELATED CONTENT</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><p><a href=\"/id/16527425/\">Weight gain linked to prostate cancer death</a></p></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>Motzer called treatment with Sutent a new standard of care for advanced kidney cancer.</p><p>The test of sorafenib, sold as Nexavar, did not compare the drug to any established treatment. Half of the 903 volunteers in 19 countries received a placebo instead.</p><p>Response to the drug was so strong that the research team, headed by Bernard Escudier of the Gustave Roussy Institute in Villejuif, France, allowed placebo recipients to begin taking Nexavar.</p><p>While patients who received the placebo went an average of 2.8 months without their tumor progressing, the delay was 5.5 months for those getting Nexavar.</p><p>The drug affected the tumors of 10 percent of the volunteers, compared with just 2 percent among placebo recipients.</p><p>But, once again, the initial results did not yet show that patients given the drug lived any longer, and Nexavar produced side effects such as skin problems and diarrhea.</p><p>Brugarolas said the side effects of both drugs can be severe in 10 percent of patients. He said until the two drugs are compared in a head-to-head test, nobody will know which is better.</p><p>Both drugs work by inhibiting tumor growth and limiting the amount of blood going to a tumor.</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i><em>Copyright 2007 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters.</em></i></div><br>');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('806','7','	<p><p>TUESDAY, June 6 (HealthDay News) -- Premenopausal black women are twice as likely to get basal-like breast tumors -- a particularly virulent form of breast cancer -- than other women, either black or white, a new study found.</p> <p>Premenopausal black women also have a lower incidence of less-aggressive tumors.</p> <p>Both discoveries may help explain why black women under age 50 have a 77 percent higher death rate from breast cancer than white women of the same age, the researchers said.</p> <p>The findings, in the June 7 issue of the <i>Journal of the American Medical Association</i>, represent a major step in the drive to identify different breast cancers and find appropriate individual therapies. </p> <p>&quot;What we thought was one disease is actually multiple, different diseases,&quot; said Dr. Jay Brooks, chairman of hematology/oncology at Ochsner Health System in Baton Rouge, La., who was not involved with the new study. &quot;We\'re beginning to learn and characterize the cancers in better ways so that we can then predict who needs more or less treatment.&quot; </p> <p>Eventually, this understanding should translate into better, more targeted therapies. &quot;This is the beginning of characterizing, and then we need to be able to translate characterizing into better therapeutic options,&quot; Brooks said.</p> <p>Although black women have a lower incidence of breast cancer, their mortality rate is much higher than white women. And the disparity is even more striking in younger, black women. </p> <p>&quot;Black women at younger ages have a higher mortality,&quot; said Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer at the American Cancer Society.</p> <p>In 2005, scientists from the same research team published data first identifying the basal-like subtype. &quot;Now, in essence, we had a new type of breast cancer,&quot; said Charles Perou, second author of the new study and an assistant professor of genetics and pathology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and a member of the school\'s Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. </p> <p>For the new study, the researchers used data from the Carolina Breast Cancer Study, one of the largest black, breast cancer databases in the United States, to see if certain segments of women had a higher incidence of the basal-like subtype. </p> <p>Perou and his colleagues used immunohistochemistry (IHC) profiling to identify breast cancer subtypes in tissue from 496 tumors available from the database.</p> <p>Basal-like breast cancers represented 39 percent of all breast cancers among pre-menopausal black women, compared to only 14 percent among post-menopausal black women and 16 percent among Caucasians of any age. </p> <p>&quot;This aggressive and newly described subtype of breast tumor was about twice as frequent in younger African-American women,&quot; Perou said. </p> <p>On the other hand, a less aggressive form of breast cancer, the luminal A subtype, was less prevalent among pre-menopausal black women -- 36 percent, compared to 59 percent in post-menopausal black women and 54 percent in Caucasians. </p> <p>&quot;This is something truly biologically different,&quot; Lichtenfeld said. &quot;They\'re finding genetic patterns that are different in younger African-American women. It\'s an important step. It answers a question that\'s real.&quot;</p> <p>Unfortunately, basal-like breast cancer does not respond to some of the newer targeted therapies for breast tumors. Treatment is still centered on surgery and chemotherapy. But researchers are hoping that more targeted therapies in development will prove to be effective against this particular subtype of the disease. </p> <p>&quot;In the past we had a one-size-fits-all approach to cancer,&quot; Lichtenfeld said. &quot;The ultimate goal is to be able to take all of these observations and be able to target them specifically for treatment.&quot; </p> <p>Perou said his laboratory has already identified a potential target and therapy that is currently in early trials. </p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more on black women and breast cancer, visit <a href=\"http://www.celebratinglife.org/\" target=\"_new\">Celebrating Life</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('807','7','	<p> <P>An innovative new drug combination may help women with advanced <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=LRN&dt=5\">breast cancer</a> that no longer responds to trastuzumab (Herceptin), researchers report. The investigational drug lapatinib (Tykerb) slows cancer growth by about 50% when given with the drug capecitabine (Xeloda), researchers from Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh announced .</p> <P>They presented findings from their phase III clinical trial at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, in Atlanta.</p> <P>The study involved 321 women with breast cancer that expressed HER2/neu, a protein that makes tumors especially aggressive. About 20%-25% of breast cancers are HER2-positive. The drug Herceptin, which targets HER2, is very effective at treating these advanced cancers, but women eventually develop resistance to it and it stops working.</p> <P>That was the case with the women in this study. All had tumors that had continued growing or spread, even though they had been treated with chemotherapy and Herceptin. </p> <div class=T8>\'Exciting Results\'');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('808','7','	<p> <P> <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_4X_Hormone_Therapy_5.asp?sitearea=\">Aromatase inhibitors</a> can cause significant bone loss over the long term, according to new research presented in Atlanta at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. </p> <P>Although researchers have known that this new class of hormone therapy for <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=LRN&dt=5\">breast cancer</a> is harder on bones than tamoxifen, the new results are helping them understand how serious the differences are -- and will lead to ways to better manage this side effect.</p> <P>The new findings come from a large international clinical trial known as ATAC (Arimidex and Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination), which in 2004 showed that the aromatase inhibitor Arimidex (anastrozole) was better than tamoxifen at <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_Aromatase_Inhibitor_Anastrozole_Beats_Tamoxifen.asp\">preventing breast cancer recurrences</a> in women past menopause. The current study involved about 300 women from the original trial. </p> <P>The researchers measured bone density in the women on both drugs at the beginning of the trial and after 5 years of hormone therapy. They found that women in the tamoxifen group had slightly improved bone density. </p> <P>But women in the Arimidex group had about 6% reduced bone density in the lower back (lumbar spine) and about 7% reduced bone density in the hip. Normal bone loss for women in this age group over this period of time is only about 2%-3%, said lead study author Robert Coleman, MD, professor of medical oncology at Weston Park Hospital in Sheffield, England.</p> <div class=T8>Strong Bones Resist Damage Better');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('809','7','	<p> <P>Every night before bed, retired school teacher Paul Graves takes 4 pills that help keep him alive. The medication is Gleevec (imatinib), and it has kept Graves\' <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=&dt=83\">chronic myeloid leukemia</a> in remission for 4 years with virtually no side effects.</p> <P>\"I say, \'This is my surgery, this is my radiation, this is my chemotherapy,\'\" said Graves, who turns 67 next month. \"It\'s absolutely amazing when you think of people losing their hair and losing body parts -- it\'s a miracle drug.\" </p> <P>Graves is living the promise of so-called targeted therapy, a new approach to taming cancer. Its goal: to kill cancer cells while leaving healthy cells relatively unharmed. Gleevec is just one of a slew of targeted therapy drugs being developed to tackle some of the most difficult and deadly cancers.</p> <P>Targeted therapy is \"one of the most exciting new themes in cancer therapy,\" according to Jos? Baselga, MD, chief of the medical oncology service and director of medical oncology, hematology, and radiation oncology at Barcelona\'s Vall d\'Hebron University Hospital. Baselga discussed advances in the field at the recent meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Atlanta.</p> <div class=T8>Blocking Critical Pathways');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('810','7','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533369--> <p>TUESDAY, June 20 (HealthDay News) -- Switching the order in which treatments were administered did not improve survival for patients with aggressive inflammatory breast cancer, a new study found.</p> <p>Inflammatory breast cancer affects about 2.5 in every 100,000 women and is characterized by rapid tumor growth and earlier metastasis (spread). Doctors treating this cancer often combine surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and hormone therapy to battle the disease.</p> <p>Recent studies have suggested that the order in which these therapies are given might impact patient survival.</p> <p>In this study, researchers at the Mayo Clinic studied the medical records of 128 patients with inflammatory breast cancer treated at the clinic between 1985 and 2003. Average patient age was 53, and 57 percent of women studied were post-menopausal. The study excluded any women whose cancer had metastasized at the time of their first visit to the clinic.</p> <p>Chemotherapy was the first line of treatment in 83 percent of the patients, while surgery was performed first on another 17 percent.</p> <p>Within five years of treatment, survival rates were 42 percent, with 21 percent surviving with no signs of cancer.</p> <p>After all factors were considered and calculated, the researchers did <i>not</i> find a greater likelihood of survival by having either surgery or chemotherapy as an initial treatment.</p> <p>&quot;Although the combined-modality regimen clearly provides the best outcome for patients with inflammatory breast cancer, further research is necessary to delineate subsets of patients who may benefit from alterations in the approach to improve survival from this aggressive disease,&quot; the researchers said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>The findings appear in the June issue of <i>Archives of Surgery</i>.</p> <p><b>More information</b> </p> <p>To read more about inflammatory breast cancer, head to the <a href=\"http://www.ibchelp.org/&quot;target =\">Inflammatory Breast Cancer Association</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('811','7','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533374--> <p>TUESDAY, June 20 (HealthDay News) -- Older American women are not getting as many mammograms as they say -- or think -- they are, new research finds. The study also found that black, Asian-American and Hispanic women are receiving even fewer screenings than white women.</p> <p>While experts say it\'s no surprise that women remember having more mammograms than they actually do, the findings do have troubling policy implications. </p> <p>&quot;When we are making policy decisions [on breast-cancer screening], simply asking people is not enough,&quot; said Dr. Christopher Kagay, lead author of the study and a radiology resident at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. </p> <p>Annual mammograms to detect possible tumors are recommended for women aged 40 and over. Breast cancer is the second leading cancer killer among women in the United States. The odds of developing breast cancer increase as a woman gets older. </p> <p>Overall, breast-cancer screening rates have risen over the past 15 years, but they have dipped during the last five. </p> <p>For the new study, which appears in the August issue of the <i>American Journal of Preventive Medicine</i>, the investigators analyzed Medicare claims data on 146,669 women in 11 metropolitan areas around the country. These statistics were then compared with what the women themselves had reported. </p> <p>Seventy percent to 80 percent of women aged 65 to 69 reported getting at least one mammogram every two years. But the data showed that only 61.1 percent of the women actually received regular screening, with the lowest rates among black, Asian-American and Hispanic women. </p> <p>Overall, the biennial screening rate in 2000-2001 was 50.6 percent for non-Hispanic white women, 40.5 percent for black women, 34.7 percent for Asian-American women, 36.3 percent for Hispanic women and only 12.5 percent for Native-American women. </p> <p>According to Dr. Alan Astrow, director of hematology/oncology at Maimonides Medical Center in New York City, it\'s not unusual for patients to think they are taking better care of themselves than they actually are, whether it\'s pills, screening or other procedures. One possible limitation of this study, he added, is that the researchers can\'t be sure that the Medicare claims data and the ensuing analysis tell the full story. </p> <p>But for Kagay, the results point up the need to keep hammering home awareness and education messages regarding breast-cancer screening. </p> <p>&quot;The data is important for people who are basically interested in asking, \'Are we meeting our goals for getting elderly women screened?\' And that can range from an individual doctor evaluating his own practice patterns to a policy maker trying to allocate money for public-health resources,&quot; Kagay said. </p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more on breast cancer, head to the <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=&dt=5\" target=\"_new\">American Cancer Society</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('812','7','	<p><p>MONDAY, June 26 (HealthDay News) -- Exposure to chest X-rays may put women who are genetically susceptible to breast cancer at an even greater risk for the disease, a European study finds.</p> <p>And being exposed to any X-rays before the age of 20 may boost that risk even more, according to the research, published in the June 26 issue of the <i>Journal of Clinical Oncology</i>. </p> <p>The retrospective study, the first to look at the BRCA gene mutation and low-level X-rays, involved more than 1,600 women who have mutations in the BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 genes, which raise lifetime risk for breast malignancy. All were asked to recall whether they had ever had a chest X-ray, and those participants who reported having one were 54 percent more likely to develop breast cancer than women who had not, the researchers found. </p> <p>But the lead author of the study, David E. Goldgar, cautioned that the findings were preliminary and that more studies are needed before the relative risks and benefits of mammography, which relies on X-ray technology, could be weighed.</p> <p>&quot;We do not want to get into making specific recommendations about whether a woman should or should not have this particular screening without knowing what the benefits and risks are,&quot; said Goldgar, who was chief of the genetic epidemiology group at the International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, France, when the study was conducted. </p> <p>For the study, Goldgar and his colleagues asked 1,601 female BRCA 1/2 carriers to fill out questionnaires regarding previous exposure to chest X-rays. Not all women had developed breast cancer at the time of the study. </p> <p>Participants with BRCA 1/2 mutations who reported ever having a chest X-ray were 54 percent more likely to develop breast cancer than women who reported never having had a chest X-ray. </p> <p>And women who had had chest X-rays before the age of 20 had a 2.5 times increased risk of developing breast cancer before they turned 40, compared with women who had never been exposed to such X-rays. </p> <p>Goldgar, who is now at the University of Utah, pointed out that most of the chest X-ray risk in the study affected younger women, and that even high-risk women don\'t start having mammograms until they are in their 30s. &quot;Most of the risk is from exposure at younger ages,&quot; he said. &quot;I don\'t think a woman should stop having mammograms at age 35.&quot;</p> <p> Goldgar added, however, &quot;It does bring up a lot of issues. That\'s for sure.&quot;</p> <p>Other experts expressed similar concern.</p> <p>&quot;This is interesting, but I\'m not quite sure what it means yet,&quot; said Dr. Jay Brooks, chairman of hematology/oncology at the Ochsner Health System in Baton Rouge, La. &quot;This is a study where people recalled what X-rays they had had, and that\'s always a study fraught with problems,&quot; he said.</p> <p>&quot;We clearly know that there is a group of patients who are more susceptible to radiation than others,&quot; Brooks added. &quot;This underscores the fact that doing unnecessary radiology tests should be avoided at all costs, but I still would not change the way I practice yet,&quot; he said. </p> <p>Experts have long known that women who carry mutations in either the BRCA 1 or 2 genes are at increased risk (65 percent and 45 percent, respectively, by age 70) for developing breast cancer. </p> <p>And several studies have shown that moderate to high doses of radiation can also increase the risk for breast cancer. </p> <p>The authors of the current study speculated that BRCA carriers might be even more sensitive to radiation than other women, because BRCA proteins play a role in repairing damage to DNA, such as that caused by X-rays. </p> <p>If their findings are confirmed, the authors added, women at high risk may want to use MRI or other alternatives to mammographic screening. </p> <p>For now, however, there isn\'t enough evidence to replace the &quot;gold standard,&quot; mammography, with breast MRI, they said. </p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more on breast cancer screening, visit the <a href=\"http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/screening/breast/patient\" target=\"_new\">U.S. National Cancer Institute</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('813','7','	<p> <P>The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first vaccine against <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6x_What_Every_Woman_Should_Know_About_Cervical_Cancer_and_the_Human_Papilloma_Virus.asp?sitearea=\">human papillomavirus, or HPV</a>, the virus responsible for most cases of cervical cancer. It gave the green light to Merck\'s Gardasil Thursday, just a few weeks after an advisory panel recommended the action.</p> <P>Cancer experts hailed the decision as an important step toward reducing death and suffering from <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=&dt=8\">cervical cancer</a>. The disease kills more than 288,000 women worldwide each year, according to the World Health Organization. In the US, cervical cancer is expected to strike more than 9,700 women in 2006, and kill about 3,700.</p> <P>\"FDA approval of the HPV vaccine, the first vaccine targeted specifically to preventing cancer, is one of the most important advances in women\'s health in recent years,\" said gynecologic cancer expert Carolyn Runowicz, MD, president of the American Cancer Society and director of the Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington. </p> <P>\"I don\'t think you can overestimate the impact this vaccine will have,\" said Robert F. Ozols, MD, PhD, senior vice president of the medical science division of Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. </p> <P>Ozols moderated a press conference Saturday at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology that announced new findings about the vaccine. Finnish researchers reported that Gardasil also prevents many <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=&dt=55\">vaginal</a> and <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=&dt=45\">vulvar</a> cancers. </p> <P> The FDA has approved the vaccine in women ages 9-26. Now that the vaccine is FDA-approved, a separate federal panel will decide what the immunization schedule should be. That announcement could come later in June.</p> <div class=T8>Vaccine Highly Effective ');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('814','7','	<p><p>THURSDAY, June 8 (HealthDay News) -- U.S. health officials approved on Thursday the first vaccine that protects against the human papillomavirus (HPV), known to cause most cervical cancers.</p> <p>The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Merck &amp; Co.\'s Gardasil for girls and women aged 9 to 26. An FDA advisory panel had signed off on the vaccine in May.</p> <p>The National Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will now decide whether to include the vaccine in routine vaccination schedules.</p> <p>The FDA action was hailed by experts.</p> <p>&quot;It\'s huge,&quot; said Dr. Michael A. Bookman, director of medical gynecologic oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center, in Philadelphia. &quot;The thing that is incredible is the global possibilities. In the U.S., we have done a good job of implementing screening and testing. In the rest of the world, this is a much more serious problem.&quot;</p> <p>&quot;Today is an important day for public health and for women\'s health, and for our continued fight against serious life-threatening diseases like cervical cancer,&quot; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Alrex Azar said in a prepared statement Thursday.</p> <p>Cervical cancer is the second most common malignant disease in women globally, causing an estimated 290,000 deaths worldwide each year. In the United States, some 10,400 new cases will be diagnosed this year, and 3,700 women will die from the disease.</p> <p>The main cause of cervical cancer is continuous infection with HPV, especially HPV 16 and 18, which are spread by sexual contact. The virus also causes precancerous and benign cervical lesions and genital warts, and may be implicated in some anal and oral cancers. An estimated 20 million men and women in the United States are infected with HPV but, for most, the virus shows no symptoms and goes away on its own.</p> <p>In a two-year study involving more than 12,000 women, the vaccine was found to be 100 percent effective against four types of human papillomavirus: 16 and 18, which are responsible for about 70 percent of cervical cancer cases, and 6 and 11, which cause 90 percent of genital wart cases.</p> <p>Merck has said the vaccine has the potential to reduce the annual number of new cervical cancer cases around the world from 500,000 to about 150,000, and cut deaths by more than two-thirds, to about 90,000.</p> <p>At last weekend\'s annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Atlanta, scientists reported that the Gardasil vaccine was also 100 percent effective against vulvar and vaginal precancerous lesions caused by HPV types 16 and 18.</p> <p>&quot;This study shows that the prophylactic vaccine developed to prevent cervical cancer could actually also prevent vulvar and vaginal cancer as well,&quot; study author Dr. Jorma Paavonen, chief physician in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Helsinki in Finland, said at an ASCO press briefing on Monday.</p> <p>Most experts feel that the earlier the vaccine is given, the better.</p> <p>&quot;Young kids respond better to vaccines. They\'re immunologically poised to respond better,&quot; Bookman explained. &quot;You also want to get the vaccine into girls and boys before they are sexually active, not just intercourse but oral sex and any way the virus might spread.&quot; </p> <p>Merck officials have said the vaccine could be used for females between 9 and 26 years old, but would work best when given to girls before they become sexually active.</p> <p>However, some critics have expressed concern that giving the vaccine to children could encourage underage sex.</p> <p>Like many other vaccinations, Gardasil will require three shots over six months.</p> <p>Even with the vaccine, women would still need to be screened for cervical cancer caused by other types of HPV, experts noted. This is most often accomplished by having a Pap test, which is still a very accurate indicator of a woman\'s cervical condition.</p> <p>Phase III results of a second experimental cervical cancer vaccine, Cervarix, were presented Monday at the ASCO meeting. In this trial, 100 percent of women across all age groups represented (15 to 55) had an antibody response against HPV 16 and 18. This vaccine, made by GlaxoSmithKline, is similar to Gardasil.</p> <p>&quot;This is an opportunity to get in and educate people at an early age, have them accept the vaccine as part of their culture,&quot; Bookman said.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more on cervical cancer, visit the U.S. <a href=\"http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/types/cervical\" target=\"_new\">National Cancer Institute</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('815','7','	<p><p>THURSDAY, June 15 (HealthDay News) -- The first combination of drugs to treat late-stage cervical cancer received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval Thursday.</p> <p>Hycamtin (topotecan hydrochloride) -- already approved to treat cancers of the ovaries and lungs -- is newly sanctioned in combination with cisplatin to treat cervical cancer that\'s too advanced or is unlikely to respond to treatments including surgery and radiation, the agency said.</p> <p>Some 10,000 U.S. women are diagnosed annually with cervical cancer, leading to 3,700 deaths each year. In clinical trials involving 293 women, participants who used the combination survived an average of 9.4 months, versus 6.5 months among those who took cisplatin alone, the FDA said</p> <p>Hycamtin, made by GlaxoSmithKline, was approved in 1996 for ovarian cancer and in 1998 for small-cell lung cancer. People who take it are at risk for neutropenia, a drop in white blood cell count that boosts a person\'s risk of infections. Users are also at risk for a decrease in blood platelets, which could lead to excessive bleeding and anemia, the FDA said.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To find out more about cervical cancer, visit <a href=\"http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cervicalcancer.html\" target=\"_new\">Medline Plus</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('816','7','	<p> <P><b>Summary:</b> The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of topotecan (Hycamtin) along with cisplatin for the treatment of women who have very advanced <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=&dt=8\">cervical cancer</a>. The decision was based on a randomized, multi-center trial that found treatment with these 2 drugs is better than treatment with cisplatin alone. </p> <P><b>Why it\'s important:</b> Although the death rate from cervical cancer has been dropping steadily since the introduction of the <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_2_3X_Pap_Test.asp?sitearea=PED\">Pap test</a>, the disease is still deadly. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2006, 3,700 American women will die of cervical cancer. Although chemotherapy cannot cure this cancer, it can prolong life and often improve its quality. The new drug combination is a small step along the road to longer and better survival. </p> <P><b>What\'s already known:</b> Most women with cervical cancer can be cured with surgery as long as the disease hasn\'t spread outside the cervix (the lower, narrow portion of the uterus). But in about 43% of women the cancer has already spread to nearby lymph nodes or other sites by the time it is first diagnosed. These women are less likely to be cured with surgery and often find the cancer coming back in either their pelvis or distant organs. Once this stage of the disease is reached, cure is not possible. But chemotherapy can prolong the lives of these women and often relieve some of their symptoms. In the past, the single best treatment was with the drug cisplatin. Clinical trials that added other drugs to the cisplatin didn\'t find any benefit until this study was done.</p> <P><b>How this study was done:</b> Women with advanced cervical cancer (stage IV) were entered into this clinical trial, which tested the benefit of treatment with cisplatin alone versus treatment with cisplatin and a second drug, topotecan. The women were not able to have surgery or radiation to treat their cancer because it had spread throughout their pelvis or to distant sites. About 15% of women in each group had cancer that had spread both throughout the pelvis and to distant sites. This trial enrolled 293 women, who were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups -- a cisplatin-only group and topotecan/cisplatin group.</p> <P><b>What was found:</b> Women who got the combination of topotecan and cisplatin lived longer than those who only got cisplatin. Women on both drugs lived, on average, 9.4 months compared with a survival of 6.5 months for the women who received only cisplatin. Women who received the combination had more bad side effects, such as lower blood counts, nausea, and vomiting. But when the women were asked to assess their quality of life, there was no difference between the 2 groups.</p> <P><b>The bottom line:</b> Adding topotecan to cisplatin lengthens survival in women with advanced cancer of the cervix, although the benefit is small. Regular Pap tests are one way to reduce the death toll from this disease. Cervical cancer grows slowly and can be detected in Pap testing and cured well before it becomes lethal. The ACS recommends that all women begin having Pap tests from about 3 years after starting vaginal intercourse or by age 21 at the latest. A <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_HPV_Vaccine_Approved_Prevents_Cervical_Cancer.asp\">newly approved vaccine against HPV</a> (human papillomavirus) will also help cut cervical cancer deaths by protecting vaccinated women from 2 strains of HPV that cause most cases of cervical cancer.</p> <DIV align=center><IMG height=1 alt=\"\" src=\"/images/health/story/www_cancer_org/common/images/rule.gif\" width=440 vspace=10 name=rule></DIV> <P><b>Citations:</b> \"Randomized Phase III Trial of Cisplatin With or Without Topotecan in Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix: A Gynecologic Oncology Group Study.\" Published in the July 20, 2005, <i>Journal of Clinical Oncology</i> (Vol. 23, No. 21:4626-4633). First author Harry J. Long III, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN.</p> <P>\"Quality of Life Outcomes From a Randomized Phase III Trial of Cisplatin With or Without Topotecan in Advanced Carcinoma of the Cervix: A Gynecologic Oncology Group Study.\" Published in the July 20, 2005, <i>Journal of Clinical Oncology</i> (Vol. 23, No. 21:4617-4625). First author: Bradley J. Monk, University of California Irvine Medical Center.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('817','7','	<p> <P>People with two types of leukemia now have a new treatment option when other therapies fail. The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Sprycel (dasatinib) for people with <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=&dt=83\">chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)</a> who are resistant to Gleevec (imatinib) or can\'t tolerate the drug, and for people with Philadelphia chromosome-positive <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=&dt=57\">acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)</a> who are no longer being helped by their treatment. </p> <P>Sprycel is made by Bristol-Myers-Squibb. The company said it should be available throughout the US within a few days. It comes as a tablet patients take twice a day. </p> <P>CML is a fairly uncommon disease in the US. It is expected to strike about 4,500 people in 2006 and kill about 600. The pill Gleevec is very effective for CML and has helped many people live longer with this disease. However, some people cannot tolerate the drug, and others eventually develop resistance to it. </p> <P>ALL is also uncommon. About 3,930 new cases and 1,490 deaths are expected in the US in 2006. Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL is a more serious form of the disease, and people who have it typically develop treatment resistance sooner. </p> <P>Now, people in these situations have another treatment they can try. Sprycel is a <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_Targeted_Therapies_Aim_for_Cancers_Achilles_Heel.asp\">targeted therapy</a> that works by blocking the activity of proteins that cause leukemia cells to grow. </p> <div class=T8>Survival Benefit Unknown');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('818','7','	<p><p>THURSDAY, June 29 (HealthDay News) -- A U.S. advisory panel recommended Thursday that 11- and 12-year-old girls be routinely vaccinated against the virus that causes cervical cancer.</p> <p>The National Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices also recommended that the vaccine, called Gardasil, be administered to girls as young as 9, at the provider\'s discretion, and for women up to age 26 who have not previously been vaccinated against the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV). </p> <p>&quot;The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices made a historic vote today to recommend routine use of HPV vaccine for girls aged 11 to 12,&quot; Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center for Immunizations and Respiratory Diseases at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said at a Thursday news conference. &quot;It\'s a very important day -- a breakthrough for women\'s health.&quot;</p> <p>Some religious conservatives and other critics have expressed concern that giving the vaccine to children could encourage underage sex. But, according to Schuchat, no controversy arose at the panel\'s recent public meetings. </p> <p>The panel\'s recommendation was hailed by health experts.</p> <p>&quot;It\'s a wonderful thing. It\'s good news all around,&quot; said Dr. Connie L. Trimble, associate professor of gynecology and obstetrics and pathology at Johns Hopkins\' Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, in Baltimore. Trimble is working on a therapeutic vaccine for people already infected with the virus. </p> <p>The advisory committee also recommended that the vaccine be included in the Vaccines for Children Program, which provides free vaccines for children up to age 18 who are eligible for Medicaid, are uninsured or are Native American or Alaskan Native. </p> <p>The recommendations will be passed along to the head of the CDC and to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for review, and are expected to be accepted. </p> <p>Gardasil, manufactured by Merck &amp; Co., is the first vaccine to protect against HPV, known to cause most cervical cancers. </p> <p>The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Gardasil earlier this month for girls and women aged 9 to 26. An FDA advisory panel had signed off on the vaccine in May. </p> <p>Cervical cancer is the second most common malignant disease in women globally, causing an estimated 290,000 deaths worldwide each year. In the United States, some 10,400 new cases will be diagnosed this year, and 3,700 women will die from the disease. </p> <p>The main cause of cervical cancer is continuous infection with HPV, especially HPV 16 and 18, which are spread by sexual contact. The virus also causes precancerous and benign cervical lesions and genital warts, and may be implicated in some anal and oral cancers. An estimated 20 million men and women in the United States are infected with HPV but, for most, the virus shows no symptoms and goes away on its own. </p> <p>In a two-year study involving more than 12,000 women, Gardasil was found to be 100 percent effective against four types of human papillomavirus: 16 and 18, which are responsible for about 70 percent of cervical cancer cases, and 6 and 11, which cause 90 percent of genital wart cases. </p> <p>Merck has said the vaccine has the potential to reduce the annual number of new cervical cancer cases around the world from 500,000 to about 150,000, and cut deaths by more than two-thirds, to about 90,000.</p> <p>At the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology earlier this month in Atlanta, scientists reported that the Gardasil vaccine was also 100 percent effective against vulvar and vaginal precancerous lesions caused by HPV types 16 and 18. </p> <p>Like many other vaccinations, Gardasil will require three shots over six months. Even with the vaccine, women would still need to be screened for cervical cancer caused by other types of HPV, experts noted. This is most often accomplished by having a Pap test, which is still a very accurate indicator of a woman\'s cervical condition. </p> <p>In fact, Schuchat stressed, the vaccine &quot;will not replace other prevention strategies, such as cervical cancer screening for women or protective sexual behaviors. Women should continue to get Pap tests as a safeguard against cervical cancer.&quot;</p> <p>It\'s unclear whether insurance providers will pay for the cost of the vaccine -- estimated to be $120 -- for children not covered under the Vaccines for Children Program.</p> <p> &quot;We are hopeful that managed care will pick this up,&quot; Schuchat said. &quot;Working on ensuring access is very important.&quot; </p> <p>More information</p> <p>Visit the <a href=\"http://www.cdc.gov/nip/recs/child-schedule.htm\" target=\"_new\">National Immunization Program</a> for more on childhood immunizations.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('819','7','	<p><p>THURSDAY, June 29 (HealthDay News) -- Bristol-Myers Squibb\'s Sprycel (dasatinib) has received accelerated approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat a rare cancer called chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).</p> <p>CML, characterized by uncontrolled growth of white blood cells, affects about 4,600 people each year in the United States, the FDA said in a prepared statement. Sprycel was also approved to treat Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a more serious form of the disease.</p> <p>The drug is intended for people who cannot tolerate or are no longer responding to Gleevec, the standard therapy for people with these diseases. Bristol-Myers is conducting post-approval studies to demonstrate the drug\'s long-term effects and its potential to improve survival, the agency said.</p> <p>In clinical testing, 45 percent of participants with early-stage CML who took Sprycel showed a significant reduction or elimination in detectable leukemia cells, the FDA said.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To learn more about CML, visit the <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_3x_How_Is_Chronic_Myeloid_Leukemia_CML_Diagnosed.asp?rnav=cri\" target=\"_new\">American Cancer Society</a>. </p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('820','7','	<p> <P>People who have come to the United States from Asian countries may have an especially high risk of <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=&dt=25\">liver cancer</a> because many are infected with hepatitis B, according to a recent report. Researchers from New York University (NYU) found that 15% of newly tested immigrants in New York City -- or about 1 in 7 -- had chronic (long-term) hepatitis B infections, which can progress into liver cancer in some cases.</p> <P>The findings were published in a recent issue of <i>Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report</i>, a publication of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).</p> <P>Making people aware of the findings is important, American Cancer Society experts say, because liver cancer takes a severe toll among Asian populations, though it is not as common among other racial and ethnic groups in the US. </p> <P>\"Its incidence rate is No. 4 in Asian males, and in mortality for Asian males, liver cancer is No. 2, right behind lung cancer,\" said Ming-der Chang, PhD, vice president of Asian Initiatives in the Flushing, New York, office of the American Cancer Society\'s Eastern Division. \"Every one of us in our community knows someone who died of liver cancer.\"</p> <P>The American Cancer Society estimates that about 18,510 people in the US will be diagnosed with liver cancer or intrahepatic bile duct cancer in 2006, and 16,200 will die from these conditions. </p> <div class=T8>Vaccinations Can Prevent Hepatitis B Infection');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('821','7','	<p><p>FRIDAY, June 30 (HealthDay News) -- A warm blanket may not only make patients undergoing a PET or CT scan more comfortable, it may even make their results more accurate, new research suggests.</p> <p>The reason: Adipose tissue, or &quot;brown fat,&quot; can cause false-positive readings in scans aimed at detecting cancer. This fat helps warm the body, but it can also appear as a malignancy in scans.</p> <p>However, researchers at Missouri\'s Saint Louis University School of Medicine found that keeping a warm blanket over patients until the time of the scan reduced these inaccuracies by 62 percent.</p> <p>&quot;A warm blanket is more than twice as effective, and patients don\'t have to worry about negative drug interactions -- or how they\'re going to get home after their scan,&quot; Dr. Medhat Osman, assistant professor of nuclear medicine and PET director at the university, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>Previous studies have shown that caffeine and exercise shortly before PET or CT scans may also cause inaccuracies in scans. Now, the researchers said, patients have one more thing to do to prepare for the test.</p> <p>&quot;We always call our patients 24 hours before their appointment as a reminder,&quot; said Osman. &quot;Now, we can give them a checklist: Don\'t drink coffee, take it easy and try to stay warm to ensure the most accurate scan.&quot;</p> <p>The researchers presented their findings this month at a meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine in San Diego.</p> <p><b>More information</b> </p> <p>The Cedars-Sinai Medical Center has more information on <a href=\" http://www.csmc.edu/6953.html&quot;target =\">PET and CT scans</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('822','7','	<p> <P>The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a new use for the drug Revlimid (lenalidomide). It will now be available to people with <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=LRN&dt=30\">multiple myeloma</a> that has not responded to other treatments. The drug is already approved to treat a certain type of <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=&dt=65\">myelodysplastic syndrome</a>, a bone marrow disorder that can sometimes lead to leukemia.</p> <P>Revlimid, made by Celgene Corporation, is given along with the steroid drug dexamethasone. In 2 clinical trials, this combination was better than dexamethasone alone in delaying cancer progression. Patients on Revlimid plus dexamethasone went about 37 weeks before their cancer started growing again, compared to 20 weeks for those on dexamethasone alone.</p> <P>Multiple myeloma causes plasma cells in the blood to grow out of control. The disease is expected to strike about 16,500 people in the US in 2006 and kill more than 11,000. Standard treatment often includes chemotherapy and stem cell transplant. The drug thalidomide is also used. </p> <P>Revlimid is similar to thalidomide. Because both drugs can cause severe birth defects, their use is strictly monitored, and patients of childbearing age must agree to use birth control measures to assure they do not become pregnant or cause a pregnancy during treatment.</p> <P>Revlimid can also have other severe side effects, including low white blood cell count (neutropenia) and low platelet count (thrombocytopenia). The drug also raises the risk of blood clots in the legs and lungs. Less serious side effects may include constipation, fatigue, muscle cramps, and diarrhea.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('823','7','	<p><p>SUNDAY, April 2 (HealthDay News) -- Preliminary research suggests that nicotine can cripple chemotherapy in lung cancer patients, even if it comes in a patch or gum designed to help a smoker quit the life-threatening habit.</p> <p>The researchers only looked at a sampling of human cells in the laboratory, and they don\'t know if nicotine could potentially derail chemotherapy for other types of cancer.</p> <p>Still, the findings suggest a simple message: &quot;If you have cancer, stay away from nicotine -- smoking or patches or gum,&quot; said study co-author Srikumar Chellappan, an associate professor at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in Tampa, Fla.</p> <p>While nicotine is a major player in making tobacco addictive, its role in causing cancer is unclear. Other substances that make up tobacco smoke are considered more dangerous, which is why doctors consider it acceptable to use nicotine-based gum and patches to help smokers quit.</p> <p>However, nicotine isn\'t entirely in the clear, with some research suggesting it could counteract cancer treatment. Chellappan and fellow researchers decided to see if it weakens chemotherapy, which targets tumor cells with poisonous chemicals.</p> <p>In their new study, the researchers tested the effect of nicotine on lung cancer cells exposed to three types of chemotherapy drugs -- gemcitabine, cisplatin and taxol.</p> <p>They report their findings in this week\'s issue of the <i>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</i> and were scheduled to present them Sunday at the American Association for Cancer Research\'s annual meeting, in Washington, D.C.</p> <p>The researchers discovered that the level of nicotine found in a typical smoker was enough to disrupt the chemotherapy drugs\' ability to kill off the cancer cells. </p> <p>By how much? &quot;That we don\'t know, but in the studies, it\'s a major difference, a significant difference,&quot; Chellappan said.</p> <p>According to him, nicotine appears to boost the levels of two proteins that protect cancer cells.</p> <p>What\'s next? &quot;There should be human studies to finally establish that this is a major red flag,&quot; Chellappan said.</p> <p>For now, however, the research is very preliminary, cautioned Dr. Norman Edelman, chief medical officer of the American Lung Association. &quot;There are so many differences between a living, walking human and a dish full of cells in a laboratory.&quot;</p> <p>And while the study is &quot;provocative and could be very important,&quot; Edelman added, it\'s important to consider that people who use nicotine patches or gum instead of cigarettes avoid taking in a variety of other poisons. This complicates the picture of just how harmful nicotine is in those forms -- especially since the patches and gums help people quit smoking in the first place. </p> <p>Do people actually continue to smoke while they\'re undergoing treatment for lung cancer? Absolutely, said Edelman, adding, &quot;It\'s not uncommon for smokers to continue smoking, especially those who are told they have cancer that\'s not really curable.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>Learn more about chemotherapy from the <a href=\"http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/chemotherapy-and-you/page2/?page=2988\" target=\"_new\">National Cancer Institute</a>. </p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('824','7','	<p><p>TUESDAY, April 11 (HealthDay News) -- The benefit of breast cancer chemotherapy may depend on the status of estrogen receptors lying on the surface of tumor cells, according to a new analysis of three clinical trials.</p> <p>&quot;Chemotherapy is helping [treat] estrogen receptor-negative tumors much more than estrogen receptor-positive,&quot; said study lead author Donald Berry, chairman of the department of biostatistics and applied mathematics at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, in Houston.</p> <p>That\'s been suspected for a long time, experts said, but this new analysis lends more credence to the theory.</p> <p>Breast tumors are classified as either estrogen receptor-positive or negative, depending on cellular receptivity to the hormone. &quot;An estrogen receptor-positive tumor has lot of receptors for estrogen, and estrogen is the fuel that drives the breast cancer,&quot; Berry explained. Typically, he said, women with cancers that have spread to nearby lymph nodes are given chemotherapy. Those with estrogen receptor-positive tumors are also prescribed tamoxifen, which inhibits estrogen uptake by cancer cells.</p> <p>Berry\'s team analyzed data from three clinical trials conducted over the past 20 years with a total of 6,644 patients.</p> <p>The researchers found that 22.8 percent more estrogen receptor (ER)-negative patients were disease-free after five years if they got chemotherapy, compared with 7 percent of the ER-positive patients.</p> <p>Improvements in survival were 16.7 percent for patients with ER-negative tumors, versus 4 percent for ER-positive. Put another way, &quot;one in six women with ER-negative are alive after five years because of the improvement in chemo,&quot; Berry said, whereas just &quot;one in 25 women who are ER-positive are alive after five years because of the improvements.&quot;</p> <p>Dr. Kent Osborne, director of the Cancer Center at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, called the new analysis good news. &quot;This is a little bit stronger data than some of the earlier studies published a long time ago, which were sort of anecdotal series.&quot; </p> <p>However, Osborne pointed out that, due to a lack of data, Berry\'s team &quot;only looked at whether the tumor was ER-positive or ER-negative. There are degrees of being positive.&quot;</p> <p>The new analysis should help women and their doctors make important treatment decisions, the experts said.</p> <p>&quot;There is a growing body of evidence, and this is one, that suggests the chemotherapy benefit to patients in those with estrogen receptor-positive is much less,&quot; Osborne said. &quot;When patients are trying to decide whether to take chemotherapy or not, they need to be aware [that] yes, there may be a benefit, but it is likely to be very small if they are estrogen receptor-positive, particularly if they are strongly estrogen receptor-positive.&quot;</p> <p>&quot;It\'s a very clear decision to get more intensive chemotherapy for estrogen receptor-negative [tumors],&quot; said Berry. &quot;It is less clear for estrogen receptor-positive.&quot;</p> <p>&quot;About 60 to 65 percent of breast cancers are estrogen receptor-positive but it depends on age,&quot; Berry said. &quot;The older the woman, the more likely she is to be ER-positive.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more on breast cancer, head to the <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=&dt=5\" target=\"_new\">American Cancer Society</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('825','7','	<p><p>SATURDAY, June 3 (HealthDay News) -- Primary-care physicians tend to send lung cancer patients to specialists less often than they do breast cancer patients, and those same doctors are less likely to think chemotherapy helps lung cancer patients live longer when compared to breast cancer patients.</p> <p>However, whether or not the lung cancer patient smoked did not affect referral patterns, according to new research presented Friday at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting, in Atlanta.</p> <p>&quot;Lung cancer patients may be receiving less aggressive care compared to breast cancer patients,&quot; said study author Dr. Timothy R. Wassenaar, of the University of Wisconsin, Madison. &quot;This is an excellent opportunity to educate primary-care physicians.&quot;</p> <p>Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in the United States, causing more deaths each year than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined. At the same time, people seem to view the disease differently.</p> <p>&quot;Historically, lung cancer has been stigmatized,&quot; explained Dr. Corey Langer, medical director of thoracic oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center, in Philadelphia. &quot;It\'s viewed as a self-inflected illness and, at least partially, it is.&quot;</p> <p>&quot;When you look at National Institutes of Health research dollars spent per diagnosis and per patient death, lung cancer is woefully below breast cancer and AIDS,&quot; he added.</p> <p>To see if this stigma influenced the way primary-care physicians managed their patients, Wassenaar and his colleagues mailed surveys to 1,132 primary-care physicians and general internists in Wisconsin. Of that number, 672 physicians returned their surveys.</p> <p>Half of the doctors received a survey describing a 53-year-old woman with a new diagnosis of breast cancer, while the other half received a survey regarding a 53-year-old woman with a new diagnosis of lung cancer. The surveys were further subdivided into patients who did and did not smoke.</p> <p>Referrals were similar for patients with early stage disease, Wassenaar said. But fewer physicians referred patients with advanced disease to medical oncologists. In all cases, referrals were lower for lung cancer patients than for breast cancer patients.</p> <p>&quot;Primary-care physicians were less likely to refer lung cancer patients to medical oncologists,&quot; Wassenaar said. &quot;The reasons are unclear, but there may be a subconscious bias or lack of knowledge of advances in treatment.&quot;</p> <p>Survey respondents, on the other hand, said that type of cancer did not affect their decision.</p> <p>Only 24 percent and 11 percent of physicians felt that chemotherapy would improve survival for early stage breast and lung cancer, respectively.</p> <p>And only 41 percent and 31 percent of physicians believed chemotherapy would help the breast and lung cancer patients, respectively, live longer.</p> <p>&quot;We do a lousy job of publicizing our own advancements,&quot; Langer said. &quot;Chemotherapy does perturb the natural history of lung cancer, but that message is not getting through to primary-care physicians.&quot;</p> <p>The referral numbers for both types of cancer should be higher, he added.</p> <p>&quot;This is not a lung cancer misperception. It\'s also a breast cancer misperception,&quot; Langer emphasized. &quot;It should be 100 percent. The knowledge deficit about adjuvant therapy is truly astounding.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>Visit the <a href=\"http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/lung\" target=\"_new\">National Cancer Institute</a> for more on lung cancer.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('826','7','	<p><p>FRIDAY, June 2 (HealthDay News) -- Don\'t ignore the elderly when it comes to giving chemotherapy after lung cancer surgery, new research suggests.</p> <p>&quot;Adjuvant chemotherapy can be given safely to elderly patients and, despite receiving less chemo, elderly patients clearly derive a substantial survival benefit from this treatment,&quot; study author Dr. Carmela Pepe said Friday during a press conference on the opening day of the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting, in Atlanta. &quot;Adjuvant chemotherapy should not be withheld from elderly patients on the basis of age alone.&quot;</p> <p>But some cancer treatments may go too far. A second study featured at the meeting found continuation of a trend begun in the early 1990s: Aggressive treatment for cancer patients may persist up to two weeks before death.</p> <p>Platinum-based chemotherapy after surgery for early lung cancer is now the standard of care, with one trial showing a 15 percent survival benefit.</p> <p>But experts say the role of chemotherapy in elderly patients has not been well-studied, even though they bear a disproportionate burden of this disease.</p> <p>&quot;Little is known about how well elderly patients tolerate chemotherapy,&quot; Pepe confirmed.</p> <p>Physicians may also have a tendency to think older patients won\'t tolerate standard therapies. &quot;There is a perception of a higher risk of treatment in older patients,&quot; said press conference moderator Dr. Yolanda Colson, of Brigham &amp; Women\'s Hospital in Boston.</p> <p>To fill in the knowledge gap, Pepe, of Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, conducted a retrospective review of 327 lung cancer patients aged 65 or younger and 155 lung cancer patients who were older than 65. The patients had participated in a landmark study of adjuvant chemotherapy.</p> <p>Virtually none of the patients received the full schedule of chemotherapy, with the older group receiving even fewer doses than their younger counterparts. The dose intensity was also significantly less for the elderly participants.</p> <p>There were no differences in side effects between the two groups, and only one chemotherapy-related death per age group.</p> <p>In the younger group, patients taking chemotherapy had 12 percent better overall survival odds, which was not considered statistically significant. Older participants taking chemotherapy, however, had a 20 percent overall survival benefit, which Pepe characterized as &quot;striking.&quot;</p> <p>&quot;This is important data,&quot; said Dr. Corey Langer, medical director of thoracic oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center, in Philadelphia. &quot;Overall survival for the elderly is cracking right along. Chemotherapy should not be arbitrarily withheld.&quot;</p> <p>At the same time, there are some older patients who are more frail and who need to be looked at separately, Langer added.</p> <p>&quot;Doctors need to realize that older patients can still benefit,&quot; he said. &quot;By the same token, they need to be forewarned that we don\'t have much data for people 75 and over.&quot;</p> <p>More studies need to be done in patients over the age of 75 before any conclusions can be drawn, Pepe agreed.</p> <p>The second study, out of Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, found that the trend toward increased use of chemotherapy and intensive hospital treatment for cancer patients at the end of life continued into the late 1990s.</p> <p>Researchers had first noted a move toward more aggressive cancer treatment in the early 1990s. After looking at Medicare records for more than 200,000 patients, the Harvard investigators confirmed the practice has continued. In 1993, nearly 10 percent of cancer patients were given chemotherapy in the final two weeks of their lives. By 1999, that had risen to 12 percent, the <i>Associated Press</i> reported.</p> <p>&quot;Patients are significantly more likely to be receiving chemotherapy within 14 days of the end of life,&quot; said study author Dr. Craig C. Earle, of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.</p> <p>And while there are considerable regional variations, the &quot;reliability [of the data] over time suggests these are stable properties of the health system,&quot; he added.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>Visit the <a href=\"http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/lung\" target=\"_new\">National Cancer Institute</a> for more on lung cancer.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('827','7','	<p><p>SATURDAY, June 3 (HealthDay News) -- An experimental drug delayed breast cancer progression in women who were no longer responding to Herceptin and facing certain decline, researchers reported Saturday. </p> <p>When given in combination with chemotherapy, Tykerb (lapatinib) did a better job of curtailing cancer growth than did the chemo drug alone. </p> <p>&quot;Based on these results, we believe this represents an effective new regimen for women with advanced HER2 breast cancer, and should be considered the new standard of care,&quot; said study author Dr. Charles E. Geyer Jr., director of breast medical oncology at Allegheny General Hospital, in Pittsburgh.</p> <p>Tykerb, which comes in pill form, is made by GlaxoSmithKline, which funded the Phase III trial. The results were announced at a news conference at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting, in Atlanta.</p> <p>Announcement of an expanded-access program for the drug while U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval is pending should be made sometime over the weekend or early next week, added Dr. Julie Gralow, a medical oncologist at the University of Washington in Seattle, and moderator of the news conference.</p> <p>&quot;This is an exciting advance for those with HER2 cancers,&quot; she said.</p> <p>Some 20 percent to 25 percent of breast cancers have abnormally high levels of the HER2/neu receptor and, as a result, are generally more aggressive. Herceptin (trastuzumab) blocks activity of the receptor by binding to the part of the receptor outside the cell. Tykerb, by contrast, binds to a part of the receptor inside the cell.</p> <p>&quot;Herceptin has completely changed the outlook for women with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer,&quot; Geyer explained, but some patients never respond to the drug and those who do respond become resistant at some point. &quot;Basically, women with metastatic breast cancer eventually derive potential benefit from lapatinib.&quot;</p> <p>Starting in March 2004, 321 women were randomly assigned to receive Tykerb plus Xeloda (capecitabine) or Xeloda alone. All of the participants had metastatic breast cancer that was not responding to taxane, a standard chemotherapy drug, and Herceptin. All participants also had HER2/neu positive breast cancer.</p> <p>The trial included a plan for an independent data monitoring committee to analyze data at the halfway point to see if the benefits were larger than anticipated, in which case the committee would recommend the study be closed.</p> <p>On March 20, 2006, the committee made a unanimous recommendation to terminate the trial because the results were so encouraging.</p> <p>Women in the combined therapy group had almost double the time to disease progression as did women receiving Xeloda alone: 36.9 weeks vs. 19.7 weeks. </p> <p>&quot;This correlates to a 50 percent reduction in the risk of progressive disease, which met the criteria specified before the trial,&quot; Geyer said.</p> <p>Side effects were roughly the same, but only four women in the Tykerb group experienced brain metastases compared to 11 in the other group. The drug also did not appear to have any negative cardiovascular effects, which was somewhat surprising because experts believe HER2 has a protective effect on the heart muscle. &quot;If that is correct, then one might expect problems with drugs that block HER2,&quot; Geyer said.</p> <p>Three other trials highlighted at the meeting Saturday concerned aromatase inhibitors, a relatively new class of compounds that block estrogen production in the body. Tamoxifen, which has been the gold standard of care in breast cancer treatment for 20 years, hinders the body\'s ability to use estrogen.</p> <p>Investigators have shown for the first time that postmenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer who switched to Aromasin (exemestane) after first taking tamoxifen for two to three years had a 15 percent to 17 percent lower risk of dying than those who continued to take tamoxifen for the full five years. Aromasin also reduced the risk of breast cancer recurrence and spread, as well as the development of cancer in the other breast.</p> <p>A second study found that taking the aromatase inhibitor Arimidex (anastrozole) for five years resulted in a higher degree of bone loss than taking tamoxifen for the same amount of time. Previous research had shown that Arimidex was more effective than tamoxifen in preventing breast cancer recurrence. </p> <p>Bone health at the beginning of the study seemed to matter, however.</p> <p> &quot;There wasn\'t a single patient in this cohort who started with a normal bone-mass density who became osteoporotic over the five-year treatment,&quot; said study author Dr. Robert E. Coleman, a professor of medical oncology at Weston Park Hospital in Sheffield, U.K. &quot;The few who did develop low osteoporosis had low bone-mass density to begin with.&quot;</p> <p>Arimidex resulted in a 6 percent to 7 percent loss per year; normal in this age group is 2 percent to 3 percent. To develop osteoporosis, a woman needs to lose 15 percent to 20 percent or more of her normal peak bone mass, Coleman stated.</p> <p>Finally, a third trial, by Norwegian researchers, found that low levels of vitamin D may actually worsen the bone loss associated with taking Aromasin.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>Visit the <a href=\" http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/breast\" target=\"_new\">National Cancer Institute</a> for more on breast cancer.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('828','7','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533115--> <p>SUNDAY, June 4 (HealthDay News) -- The treatment of kidney cancer, a notoriously difficult disease to overcome, is moving into a new era, oncologists reported Sunday.</p> <p>Results of two phase III trials of targeted therapies, presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Atlanta, showed significant improvements for patients with advanced forms of the malignancy. </p> <p>&quot;These drugs and more which are in development really do hold promise for longer survival for people with kidney cancer,&quot; said Dr. Gary R. Hudes, director of the genitourinary malignancy program at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. &quot;It\'s been a refractory disease. Even two to three years ago, there weren\'t many options for these patients.&quot; </p> <p>Hudes was lead author of one trial that found an investigational drug named temsirolimus used as first-line treatment improved survival for advanced kidney cancer patients. </p> <p>&quot;We are absolutely entering a new era,&quot; added Dr. Robert J. Motzer, attending physician at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and lead author of the second trial. &quot;These drugs are resulting in a complete shift towards targeted therapies.&quot; </p> <p>Temsirolimus targets mTOR, a protein that regulates cell growth and angiogenesis, the growth of blood vessels that supply tumors. </p> <p>More than 600 patients were randomized to receive temsirolimus, or the standard treatment, interferon, or a combination of the two. All participants had kidney cancer that had spread to other parts of the body and had such a poor prognosis they would not qualify for most other clinical trials. </p> <p>&quot;That\'s what makes this study different,&quot; Hudes said. &quot;This was a much sicker group of patients. They had the most adverse features of the disease.&quot; </p> <p>Overall survival in the temsirolimus group was 10.9 months, compared to 7.3 months in the interferon group and 8.4 months in the combination group. Progression-free survival was 3.7 months in the temsirolimus group and in the combination group and 1.9 months in the interferon group. </p> <p>Typically, such patients, who comprise 20 percent of all those with metastatic kidney cancer, live only six months or less. </p> <p>&quot;We were able to improve survival by almost 50 percent,&quot; Hudes said. &quot;We think this is worthy of attention and worthy of further development in other people with kidney cancer.&quot; </p> <p>The study was funded by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, which makes the drug. </p> <p>A second study found that Sutent (sunitinib), a pill already approved for both advanced kidney cancer and a rare type of stomach cancer, increased survival for people with metastatic renal cell carcinoma, the most common type of kidney cancer. </p> <p>The international Phase III trial involved 750 patients with advanced clear cell carcinoma (representing about 90 percent of all renal cell cancers) who had not undergone chemotherapy, although some had had surgery. </p> <p>Patients on Sutent had progression-free survival of 47.3 weeks versus 24.9 weeks for those on interferon in what was the first head-to-head comparison of the two drugs. </p> <p>&quot;There was a substantial improvement in progression-free survival and quality of life,&quot; Motzer said. &quot;It should be offered as a first-line treatment. It\'s an option, and it\'s available to patients.&quot; </p> <p>On Saturday, other researchers at the meeting reported that Sutent shrank tumors or prevented disease progression in about half the test patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who were not responding to standard therapy. </p> <p>FDA approval of the drug was based on separate Phase II trials of people for whom chemotherapy had failed. The drug is made by Pfizer, which funded the current study. </p> <p>Yet a third Phase III trial showed that the addition of the chemotherapy agent Taxotere (docetaxel) to the standard initial chemotherapy for head and neck cancer reduced the risk of death by 30 percent. Overall survival at three years was 62.1 percent for those in the Taxotere group versus 48.1 percent for those in the control group. </p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>Visit the <a href=\"http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/kidney\" target=\"_new\">National Cancer Institute</a> for more on kidney cancer. </p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('829','7','	<p><p>(HealthDay News) -- People undergoing chemotherapy to treat cancer have a tough road ahead, but there things they can do to minimize side effects and feel better. Here are suggestions from the National Cancer Institute:</p> <ul> <li>Maintain a proper diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods.</li> <li>Even though you may feel nauseous or not have an appetite, try to drink plenty of water or juice, and try eating soup. Even small snacks throughout the day will help improve your energy. You may also want to try eating with friends or family to stimulate your appetite.</li> <li>Get as much exercise as you can -- light walks may help improve your mood, appetite, and energy.</li> <li>Get plenty of sleep, rest often, and don\'t overexert yourself.</li> <li>Avoid people who are sick -- especially with contagious illnesses like colds or flu.</li> <li>Make sure you get plenty of emotional support by talking to friends, family or counselors about what you\'re experiencing and feeling. Doctors, nurses and other health-care providers may also lend an ear and be good sources of advice.</li> </ul> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('830','7','	<p><p>MONDAY, Aug. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Heart problems remain a real but largely manageable problem for women undergoing different treatments for breast cancer.</p> <p>Two studies appearing online Aug. 14 in the <i>Journal of Clinical Oncology</i> underscore the need to carefully monitor patients taking the drug Herceptin as well as those undergoing radiation therapy. </p> <p>The first study found that women receiving long-term Herceptin have a risk of heart problems, but that the risk is reversible. </p> <p>&quot;We looked at long-term use of Hercpetin and found that, even though cardiac toxicity was considerable, the side effects can be successfully treated, which was not clearly known,&quot; said Dr. Francisco Esteva, senior author of the paper and an associate professor of medicine at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. &quot;In many patients who were responding to the treatment, the cardiac toxicity was reversible. It is something that can be managed and the patients can go back on Hercptin -- and many of them did.&quot; </p> <p>Some 20 percent to 25 percent of breast cancers have abnormally high levels of the HER2/neu receptor and, as a result, are generally more aggressive. Herceptin (trastuzumab) blocks activity of the receptor by binding to the part of the receptor outside the cell. The drug has radically changed the prognosis for women with this type of breast cancer, especially when used in combination with chemotherapy. The drug is now standard therapy for those with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. </p> <p>This study focused on 218 patients with metastatic breast cancer who had been given Herceptin for at least one year (median time was 21.3 months). Of those, 173 could be assessed for cardiac problems. The median follow-up was 32.6 months. </p> <p>Twenty-eight percent of the patients experienced a cardiac event, many of which caused no symptoms and all of which were reversible. One patient died of congestive heart failure. </p> <p>&quot;I find the drug in certain situations to be simply amazing, but it does have a dark side in terms of its heart failure,&quot; said Dr. Jay Brooks, chairman of hematology/oncology at Ochsner Health System in Baton Rouge, La. &quot;The good news is that most of the time, when heart failure is recognized, the drug is withdrawn, the woman is treated and, in many cases, depending on the clinical situation, Herceptin can be reinstituted.&quot; </p> <p>&quot;It\'s prudent to be very careful in administering these drugs,&quot; he added.</p> <p>&quot;We advise every patient to have a baseline cardiac assessment before starting treatment and be followed by a cardiologist who is familiar with this,&quot; Esteva added.</p> <p>The second study found that women with early stage breast cancer who received radiation on the left side of the chest were more likely to develop heart disease over the next 20 years than women who received radiation on the right side of the chest. But even those women who received left-sided radiation did not have an increased risk of death from heart-related problems. </p> <p>The University of Pennsylvania researchers compared the incidence of heart disease in 477 women who had had early stage breast cancer on the right side and 484 women who had had early stage breast cancer on the left side. All had been treated with current radiation techniques between 1977 and 1994 and were followed for a median of 12 years. </p> <p>At 20 years, 6.4 percent of patients with left-sided cancer had died from heart-related problems, versus 3.6 percent of those with right-sided cancer.</p> <p>One-quarter of women who received radiation on the left side of the chest developed coronary artery disease, versus 10 percent of those in the right-sided group. Also, 15 percent of those in the left group had a heart attack, compared with only 5 percent in the other group. Women who had high blood pressure before they started therapy on the left side had an even higher risk of heart disease. </p> <p>Because radiation is continually getting more focused, it\'s likely that this risk will be reduced even further in the future, experts said. </p> <p>&quot;The use of current radiation techniques has really gone a long way to eliminating the risk of cardiac toxicity,&quot; Brooks said. &quot;The chances of having side effects from radiation for left-sided lesions is small, but it\'s real.&quot;</p> <p>Women should reduce and preferably eliminate other modifiable risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure, obesity and smoking.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>Visit <a href=\"http://www.plwc.org/breast\" target=\"_new\">People Living with Cancer</a> for more on breast cancer.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('831','7','	<p><p>TUESDAY, Aug. 15 (HealthDay News) -- The side effects and added costs of chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer patients are probably higher than thought, new research suggests.</p> <p>A study in the Aug. 18 issue of the <i>Journal of the National Cancer Institute</i> found the number of adverse events related to chemotherapy, and the associated costs, may be underestimated when chemotherapy moves from clinical trial patients to the general population.</p> <p>&quot;When we looked at the rates of side effects commonly associated with chemotherapy, we found women experienced more hospitalizations or emergency room visits for these side effects than previous clinical trials would have estimated,&quot; said study author Dr. Michael Hassett, a clinical instructor in medicine at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, in Boston.</p> <p>Breast cancer is the most common reason American women receive chemotherapy, according to the study. Hospitalizations due to chemotherapy side effects are thought to be rare, but the current study notes that only one study has been done to measure the side effects of chemotherapy in the general population.</p> <p>&quot;We wanted to understand how frequently these side effects occur in the general community, because what happens in the community may be different from what we observe in clinical trials,&quot; explained Hassett.</p> <p>To better assess the incidence of side effects, Hassett and his colleagues gathered data from a pool of 12,239 women who had been recently diagnosed with breast cancer. All were under the age of 63. In this group, 4,075 women received chemotherapy.</p> <p>The researchers looked at hospitalizations and emergency room visits in the year following the initial diagnosis for both women who received chemotherapy and those who did not.</p> <p>Women on chemotherapy were much more likely to visit the emergency room or be hospitalized for any cause than women who didn\'t have chemotherapy -- 61 percent compared to 42 percent.</p> <p>Fever and infection were the most common causes women were hospitalized or visited the emergency room. Low blood cell counts were the next most common reason, followed by dehydration or an electrolyte imbalance.</p> <p>Women who received chemotherapy also had more than $1,200 in additional health-care expenditures related to chemotherapy and more than $17,000 in additional costs for ambulatory care than women who didn\'t receive chemotherapy.</p> <p>When asked to explain the finding, Hassett said, &quot;There are a number of possible explanations. Clinical trials may not detect all of the side effects that occur. People enrolled in clinical trials may be less likely than those treated in the general community to experience serious side effects of chemotherapy. Clinical trials may not have enough power to detect rare side effects. Or, our study could have overestimated the likelihood of experiencing serious side effects of chemotherapy, because we used hospital bills rather than medical records to identify these events.&quot;</p> <p>&quot;This study was a bit surprising, although it\'s been known for a time that following adverse events is very difficult, and the systems used are somewhat imperfect. This study really quantified in young women what the experience may be like,&quot; said Dr. John Erban, director of the breast cancer program at Tufts New England Medical Center, in Boston. Erban also co-authored an editorial in the same issue of the journal.</p> <p>&quot;Chemotherapy that\'s offered is likely to be very helpful,&quot; said Erban. &quot;Women should not be afraid to take chemotherapy if they\'re offered it, but should ask questions about how much of a benefit to expect and what types of side effects they may experience. And women need to recognize that this information may be changing more and more as the drugs change. This is a very rapidly changing field, but it takes a long time to understand the ultimate risks and benefits of any one agent,&quot; he added.</p> <p>&quot;Hopefully, women with breast cancer who hear about this study will understand that deciding whether or not to have chemotherapy must be made on an individual basis,&quot; Hassett said. &quot;Women should talk with their doctors about both the benefits and risks of chemotherapy. For women with small cancers, the benefits may not outweigh the risks. On the other hand, for women with larger or higher-risk cancers, the benefits usually outweigh the risks.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more information on chemotherapy\'s side effects, visit the <a href=\"http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancertopics/chemotherapy-and-you/page4\" target=\"_new\">National Cancer Institute</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('832','7','	<p><p>THURSDAY, Sept. 21 (HealthDay News) -- While more kidney cancers are being diagnosed and treated early, the number of deaths from the disease continues to increase, University of Michigan researchers report.</p> <p>The fact that the number of cases has been growing is largely due to the detection of small, presumably curable, tumors, so the scientists said they aren\'t exactly sure why so many are still dying.</p> <p>However, one expert noted the trend might be explained by the lack of effective chemotherapy drugs to give kidney cancer patients once they have had surgery to remove tumors.</p> <p>Kidney cancer is the third most common cancer of the reproductive and urinary systems. There will be some 38,890 new cases of kidney cancer in the United States this year, and some 12,840 people will die from the disease, the American Cancer Society estimates.</p> <p>The latest research was published in the Sept. 20 issue of the <i>Journal of the National Cancer Institute</i>.</p> <p>&quot;With increased early detection and treatment of small tumors, we would expect to see a decrease in mortality associated with kidney cancer,&quot; study senior author Dr. Brent K. Hollenbeck said in a statement. &quot;Surprisingly, that\'s not what we found. Our research shows that an increase in detection and treatment is not leading to a reduction in the kidney cancer mortality rate.&quot;</p> <p>In the study, Hollenbeck\'s team collected data on 34,503 patients who had kidney cancer.</p> <p>They found that from 1983 to 2002, the incidence of kidney cancer increased 52 percent, from 7.1 to 10.8 cases per 100,000 people. The biggest increase was seen in the number of people with small tumors, roughly 2 centimeters to 4 centimeters in size.</p> <p>However, death rates also went up, most notably among those with tumors larger than 7 centimeters. Overall, deaths from kidney cancer rose from 1.2 to 3.2 per 100,000 people, the researchers noted.</p> <p>These findings are partly explained by increasing incidence of larger, more lethal tumors. &quot;While more and more small, detectable kidney tumors are being treated, the absolute number of patients with larger, lethal masses has not decreased. And it is these larger, lethal masses that seem to mainly affect mortality,&quot; study co-author Dr. John M. Hollingsworth said in a statement.</p> <p>In addition, some of the smaller tumors may not need surgical removal, the researchers speculated.</p> <p>&quot;We\'re not saying that surgery for patients with small renal masses is inappropriate,&quot; Hollingsworth said. &quot;Our findings, however, show that their increased treatment has not diminished kidney cancer mortality. This calls to question the effectiveness of our current treatment strategy. Perhaps there are some patients with small kidney tumors for whom surgery is not the best option.&quot;</p> <p>However, one expert thinks the high death rate can be attributed to a lack of chemotherapy drugs to treat patients after they have surgery.</p> <p>Dr. Herman Kattlove, a medical editor at the American Cancer Society, disagreed that patients with small kidney tumors shouldn\'t have surgery. &quot;The procedure is safe, and often the kidney can be preserved,&quot; he said.</p> <p>&quot;The problem is that there aren\'t any good drugs for kidney cancer. It is not a tumor that is very responsive,&quot; Kattlove said. &quot;We need to find better drugs to deal with this disease in the postoperative state, before it spreads.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The American Cancer Society can tell you more about <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2_1x.asp?dt=22\" target=\"_new\">kidney cancer</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('833','7','	<p><!--Spanish ID:532188--> <p>MONDAY, April 17 (HealthDay News) -- Simple reminder phone calls from health workers can boost breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening rates among minority and low-income women, a new study shows.</p> <p>The study included more than 1,400 women, aged 50 to 69, who were patients at 11 community health centers in New York City. Their records indicated they were overdue for cancer screening. Sixty percent of the women were Spanish-speaking and several were recent immigrants to the United States.</p> <p>Some of the women were assigned to receive telephone calls from bilingual prevention-care managers while other women did not receive any phone calls. The women in the intervention group received an average of four calls.</p> <p>Eighteen months later, screening rates had increased 12 percent for mammographies, 7 percent for Pap tests, and 13 percent for colorectal screenings among women who had received the phone calls, which the researchers said were low-cost and highly effective.</p> <p>&quot;This study represents a promising step toward addressing the clear-cut disparity in cancer screening rates and death rates for certain low-income and minority groups,&quot; study author Dr. Allen Dietrich, a professor of community and family medicine at Dartmouth Medical School, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>&quot;Our team found that telephone support can increase the historically low cancer screening rates for minority women. We are hopeful that this model can be transferred to other populations who could benefit from this type of outreach,&quot; he said.</p> <p>&quot;What makes this study so exciting is that we reached a population that has always had access problems and we showed that with the right care, attention and support, we were able to substantially reduce their barriers to cancer screening,&quot; study co-author Dr. Jonathon Tobin, head of the Clinical Directors Network in New York City, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>These barriers include lack of information on how to ask for a screening or schedule it. Many of the women in the study staid they had trouble communicating with their doctor.</p> <p>The findings were published in the April 18 online edition of the <i>Annals of Internal Medicine</i>.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more about <a href=\"http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/screening/overview\" target=\"_new\">cancer screening</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('834','7','	<p> <P>Low-income women got more of the <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_2_3X_ACS_Cancer_Detection_Guidelines_36.asp?sitearea=PED\">cancer screenings</a> they needed when encouraged and assisted by trained \"care managers\" who called them on the phone, researchers report in <i>Annals of Internal Medicine</i>. The care managers talked to the women about why screening was important, urged them to get tests they\'d missed, and helped them schedule appointments.</p> <P>The study involved 1,413 women who were regular patients at 1 of 11 community and migrant health centers in New York City. It was led by Allen Dietrich, MD, of Dartmouth Medical School and the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, and Jonathan N. Tobin, PhD, of Clinical Directors Network, Inc., a clinical research network and clinician education organization.</p> <P>The women were primarily from low-income neighborhoods. More than 78% were enrolled in Medicaid and more than 60% listed Spanish as their primary language. All were overdue for at least one cancer screening test, including <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6X_Mammography_and_other_Breast_Imaging_Procedures_5.asp?sitearea=\">mammograms</a>, <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_2_3X_Pap_Test.asp\">Pap tests</a>, or <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_8_Should_I_Be_Tested_for_Colon_and_Rectum_Cancer.asp?sitearea=\">colorectal screening</a>, according to their medical records.</p> <P>The women were randomly divided into 2 groups at the beginning of the study. All of the women got a brochure with information on recommended cancer screening tests, and women in the control group got 1 phone call advising them to get the tests they needed. </p> <div class=T8>Personalized Follow-up');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('835','7','	<p><p>TUESDAY, April 25 (HealthDay News) -- Conventional wisdom has indicated that high levels of folate cut risks for colorectal cancer, but a new study suggests low levels may do the trick, too.</p> <p>Folate is a B vitamin found in fruits such as bananas and oranges, leafy green vegetables, asparagus, broccoli, liver, and many types of beans and peas.</p> <p>Outside experts called the findings intriguing but preliminary, stressing that caution needs to be exercised when interpreting the conclusions.</p> <p>&quot;In a lot of ways, it\'s counterintuitive, but it may have validity,&quot; said Dr. Howard Manten, an associate professor of medicine and pediatrics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. &quot;We need confirmatory studies.&quot;</p> <p>&quot;It\'s an interesting study, but with relatively small numbers of patients,&quot; added Dr. Jay Brooks, chairman of hematology/oncology at Ochsner Health System in Baton Rouge, La.</p> <p>This advice does not necessarily pertain to pregnant women, he added, since there is good evidence that extra folate in the diet greatly cuts the risk for having children with neural tube defects such as spina bifida.</p> <p>Indeed, folic acid has long been known for its effect on reducing certain birth defects when taken in sufficient quantities by pregnant women. That was the rationale behind the U.S. Food and Drug Administration\'s 1998 order for folic-acid fortification of enriched grain products such as cereals and breads. Canada made fortification mandatory that same year.</p> <p>According to the study, which appears in the April 25 online issue of <i>Gut</i>, there are also initiatives now in Europe to fortify food with folate.</p> <p>Previous research had found that folate might protect against colorectal cancer. But many of those studies had looked at dietary intake rather than how much folate was circulating in the body, the authors stated.</p> <p>In the current study, the biggest-ever prospective look at circulating levels of folate and colorectal cancer risk, researchers at Umea University, Sweden, looked at 226 people with colon cancer and 437 controls from the Northern Sweden Health and Disease Cohort.</p> <p>Participants completed questionnaires on lifestyle, including diet, and also submitted blood samples for analysis.</p> <p>People with either the lowest or highest levels of circulating folate were the least likely to develop bowel cancer, the researchers found. Those in the middle were almost twice as likely to develop the disease.</p> <p>People with a common mutation in the MTHFR gene, which lowers a person\'s circulating folate levels, also had a lower risk of developing the cancer.</p> <p>There was no apparent link between homocysteine, an amino acid which may play a role in atherosclerosis, and folate. B vitamins, including folate, tend to keep homocysteine levels down.</p> <p>If nothing else, the findings should make people think twice before they supplement their diet with large amounts of any one nutrient.</p> <p>&quot;The study shows us that before we start adding extra things into our diet, we may want to really study them carefully, as we may be doing more harm than good,&quot; Brooks said. </p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To learn more about folic acid, visit the <a href=\"http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/home_4168_ENU_HTML.htm\" target=\"_new\">American Dietetic Association</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('836','7','	<p><p>WEDNESDAY, May 3 (HealthDay News) -- Physical weakness, treatment complications, and a lack of social and psychological support can keep elderly patients with stage III colon cancer from finishing chemotherapy after surgery, a new U.S. study finds.</p> <p>Researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle analyzed data from nearly 3,200 stage III colon cancer patients who opted for chemotherapy after they\'d had surgery for their cancer. Of those, 2,497 (78.2 percent) completed the chemotherapy treatment, which studies show can reduce the risk of death.</p> <p>Among the patients who did not complete their chemotherapy treatment, physical frailty, treatment complications, and a lack of social/psychological support were cited as factors. The patients\' doctors\' characteristics did not play a role in failure to complete treatment, the study said. Black patients were as just likely as whites to finish chemotherapy.</p> <p>&quot;From these findings, interventions to improve social and physical support throughout the treatment course could be implemented, to test whether such support improves rates of chemotherapy completion in elderly colon cancer patients,&quot; the study authors wrote.</p> <p>The findings appear in the May 3 issue of the <i>Journal of the National Cancer Institute</i>.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more about <a href=\"http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/treatment/colon/patient/\" target=\"_new\">colon cancer</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('837','7','	<p><p>TUESDAY, May 23 (HealthDay News) -- For people under the age of 80, a colonoscopy might provide benefits that last beyond the 10 years now recommended as the interval between procedures, a new study finds.</p> <p>On the other hand, a second study finds the screen may only provide minimal benefit to people aged 80 or older.</p> <p>While both findings provide valuable guidance to patients and doctors, the decision to undergo a potentially lifesaving colonoscopy &quot;is best determined by the individual and the physician. Anyone who is not being screened should have that conversation with their doctor,&quot; said Timothy R. Church, a professor of environmental health sciences at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health in Minneapolis.</p> <p>Church wrote an editorial that accompanies both studies, which are reported in the May 24/31 issue of the <i>Journal of the American Medical Association</i>.</p> <p>A colonoscopy looks for colon polyps that could become cancerous over time. One of the studies was done by researchers at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada. They found that the benefit of a colonoscopy, in terms of reducing the risk of developing cancer, may last beyond the 10 years now recommended as the interval between procedures.</p> <p>The second study, done at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, found that colonoscopy provides minimal benefit in terms of extended life expectancy for people over 80.</p> <p>Both studies were observational -- that is, they simply looked at the medical records of people who underwent the procedure in clinical practice, instead of following people over time, as might happen in a controlled trial.</p> <p>The Manitoba study involved data on nearly 35,000 Canadians whose colonoscopies turned up no polyps. Over the next 10 years, the incidence of colon cancer in those individuals was 72 percent lower than in the general population, the researchers found.</p> <p>What\'s more, the duration of the interval of decreased colorectal cancer risk persisted for more than 10 years. The Canadian team did not call for a change in the recommended interval, but did say the &quot;findings suggest that screening colonoscopies do not need to be performed at intervals shorter than 10 years.&quot;</p> <p>The Seattle study took a similar look at 1,244 people who underwent colonoscopies, in three age groups: 50 to 54, 75 to 79, and 80 and older.</p> <p>The incidence of the cancer was much higher in the oldest participants -- 14 percent for the 80-and-up group -- compared to 3.2 percent for the 50-to-54 group. However, the benefit in terms of extended lifespan from colonoscopy was very small for the oldest group -- about 45 days, compared to more than 10 months for those aged 50 to 54.</p> <p>The results &quot;suggest that the benefit of screening colonoscopy in very elderly patients may be smaller than what is commonly believed,&quot; the researchers wrote. They add that the information might &quot;help avoid its use in patients who are unlikely to benefit substantively.&quot;</p> <p>Neither study is definitive, Church said. He agreed that the Canadian finding &quot;doesn\'t give us any reason to change the currently recommended interval of 10 years. It does leave open the possibility that an even longer interval might be possible.&quot;</p> <p>On the other hand, he said, the Seattle study &quot;raises a legitimate question: What should be the determination of when you no longer screen for colorectal cancer?&quot;</p> <p>Any answer would involve more factors than simply age and colonoscopy frequency, he said. Other, less uncomfortable screening techniques, such as fecal blood tests and flexible sigmoidoscopy, are known to be effective, Church said.</p> <p>&quot;The decision needs to be based not strictly on age, but the health of the individual,&quot; he said. &quot;Some older people are in good shape and will live for 20 years or more. Others have multiple health problems, their hearts or other organs may be failing. They are likely to die of something other than colorectal cancer, so we definitely need to take into account what a person\'s health status is before making a screening decision.&quot;</p> <p>Robert Smith, director of screening for the American Cancer Society, said the Manitoba findings support the current recommendation for frequency of screening. &quot;Some people have questioned the 10-year period,&quot; Smith said.</p> <p>As for screening the elderly, &quot;the big issue is identifying those people in whom the benefit outweighs the risk,&quot; he said.</p> <p>&quot;For this age group we have to be extra careful,&quot; agreed Dr. Stephen Shibata, director of the gastrointestinal program at the City of Hope Cancer Center, in Duarte, Calif. &quot;We need to know what the patient\'s health is, what the patient wishes. Patient and physician need to have a discussion before they have a procedure.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>Learn more about colorectal cancer at the <a href=\"http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/screenforlife/\" target=\"_new\">U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('838','7','	<p><p>WEDNESDAY, May 24 (HealthDay News) -- A new, better-controlled colonoscopy system could take much of the discomfort out of the potentially life-saving procedure, developers say.</p> <p>The advance could also boost screening rates, said experts gathered Tuesday at the annual Digestive Disease Week 2006 meeting in Los Angeles.</p> <p>&quot;One of the reasons we aren\'t doing enough colonoscopies is reluctance [on the part of patients] to undergo them,&quot; said Dr. Jacques Van Dam, professor of medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine. &quot;It\'s an invasive procedure and it\'s uncomfortable.&quot;</p> <p>But, according to its developers, the new system prevents an uncomfortable &quot;bunching up&quot; of the flexible colonoscope as it is inserted into the colon.</p> <p>Another team said a new sedating-drug regimen can also relieve colonoscopy discomfort, compared to methods of sedation currently in use. This new form of sedation promises a faster recovery -- even enabling patients to drive themselves home after the procedure.</p> <p>The American Cancer Society and other organizations recommend that individuals at average risk for colon cancer be screened for the disease with colonoscopy or other methods beginning at age 50.</p> <p>In a typical colonoscopy, patients first consume a liquid diet and take laxatives to cleanse the bowel. During the actual procedure, they lie on their side on the exam table, usually sedated, and the doctor inserts a long, flexible lighted tube into the rectum and then guides it into the colon. This tube transmits an image of the interior of the colon to a video screen, which the doctor uses to check for cancer-linked polyps.</p> <p>The exam takes 15 to 30 minutes.</p> <p>In a conventional colonoscopy, Van Dam said, the colonoscope &quot;is akin to a garden hose.&quot; The tip of it can be controlled, but as it is inserted and makes its way into the colon, it can form loops, which can produce discomfort.</p> <p>&quot;With NeoGuide Colonoscopy system, as the endoscopist steers the head, a computer maps where that tip is going and controls the tube behind it,&quot; said Van Dam, who is also chairman of the scientific advisory board for NeoGuide Systems, based in Los Gatos, Calif. &quot;It\'s like a snake following its head.&quot;</p> <p>Last year at the same meeting, &quot;bench-top testing&quot; of the device was presented, showing that the amount of force in the model was less than half that of a standard colonoscope, Van Dam said.</p> <p>The tubing has &quot;articulated hinges,&quot; he said, making it more flexible and less likely to form loops. It\'s an entirely new system, not simply software that can be added to an existing colonoscopy system.</p> <p>In the first trial, conducted in Germany, 10 patients who underwent colonoscopy with the new system reported no complications when contacted up to 30 days later. All said they would undergo it again. However, Van Dam stressed that larger studies are needed to confirm these early results.</p> <p>The new system is due to become available in the United States next spring, he said. The cost difference between a traditional colonoscopy and one performed by the NeoGuide system is unknown at this point, according to the company. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted NeoGuide its approval to market the system this past February.</p> <p>The drugs doctors use to sedate patients for colonoscopy may also be improving.</p> <p>Use of Entonox -- an inhaled mixture of 50 percent nitrous oxide and 50 percent oxygen -- resulted in less pain for colonoscopy patients than conventional sedation with fentanyl and midazolam (Versed), according to Dr. Sushil Maslekar, a researcher at the University of Hull, in England.</p> <p>He assigned 131 patients to receive either Entonox, or traditional sedation. Entonox patients reported less pain and were discharged more quickly after the procedure was over -- 26 minutes with Entonox vs. 44 minutes with traditional sedation.</p> <p>The Entonox mixture has &quot;been around a while,&quot; Maslekar said, and doctors sometimes use it for pain relief. In the study, patients undergoing colonoscopy showed no complications from the sedative and could &quot;drive home after the procedure,&quot; he said.</p> <p>Entonox is administered through a mask, so lighter sedation is a plus, according to Dr. Kenneth Wang of the Mayo Clinic, who moderated the panel. &quot;If [patients] become too sedated, the mask falls off their face.&quot;</p> <p>In related news, a study published this week in the <i>Journal of the American Medical Association</i> concluded that for people under age 80, a colonoscopy probably does not have to be performed at intervals any briefer than every 10 years, and that the benefit of screening those over age 80 may be smaller than experts have previously believed.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To learn more about colonoscopy, visit the U.S. <a href=\"http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colonoscopy/\" target=\"_new\">National Institutes of Health</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('839','7','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533389--> <p>WEDNESDAY, June 21 (HealthDay News) -- Examining a colon cancer patient\'s lymph nodes may help doctors decide on the best treatment while helping them avoid unnecessary therapies, a new study shows.</p> <p>Doctors routinely remove the nodes during surgery to determine if the cancer has spread to the nodes or not. If the cancer has not yet spread to the lymph nodes, surgery alone may be a sufficient treatment.</p> <p>&quot;One-third of patients with tumor-free lymph nodes have recurrences, and therefore, adjuvant (supplemental) chemotherapy may be beneficial in these patients,&quot; researchers at the John Wayne Cancer Institute and Saint John\'s Health Center in California explained in a prepared statement. &quot;However, if all node-negative patients are treated, 70 percent will be subjected to unnecessary chemotherapy because surgery alone is curative.&quot;</p> <p>Investigating further, the researchers studied 132 colon cancer patients to see whether analyzing lymph nodes could better predict effective therapy.</p> <p>The patients in the study had dye injected near their tumors to stain the sentinel (first) lymph nodes. This dye showed the doctors the path by which lymph fluids, which can contain cancer cells, drain from the body\'s tissues. Then the lymph nodes were removed and studied.</p> <p>&quot;The sentinel lymph node is the first node to receive lymphatic drainage from a primary anatomical site and is therefore the most likely node to harbor a metastasis,&quot; the study authors explained.</p> <p>Thirty percent of the patients studied had stage I cancer, 41 percent stage II and 29 percent stage III cancer. By analyzing the sentinel nodes, 23.6 percent of the patients had their status changed to a more severe stage. Of the 51 patients whose cancer had metastasized to the lymph nodes, researchers found tumors in the sentinel nodes of 45 patients, and found tumors in a total of 18 percent of the sentinel nodes. Only 6 percent of other lymph nodes were diagnosed with tumors. There was a false-negative rate of only 7.4 percent.</p> <p>The researchers concluded that &quot;lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node techniques are feasible and accurate in colon cancer... avoiding the unnecessary toxic effects and expense for those cured by surgery alone.&quot;</p> <p>Results of the study are published in the June issue of <i>Archives of Surgery</i>.</p> <p><b>More information</b> </p> <p>The American Cancer Society has more information on <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=LRN&dt=10&quot;target =\">colon cancer</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('840','7','	<p><p>WEDNESDAY, June 28 (HealthDay News) -- Scottish researchers say they\'ve developed a method that can better identify people at risk of certain types of hereditary colon cancer, as well as help guide treatment choices for those already diagnosed with colon cancer.</p> <p>In a study in the June 29 issue of the <i>New England Journal of Medicine</i>, the University of Edinburgh researchers detailed the two-stage screening model they developed to genetically identify those with hereditary cancers and the results of the study used to validate their model.</p> <p>&quot;The method [we developed] allows rapid assessment of predicted likelihood that any given patient newly diagnosed with bowel cancer has a mutation,&quot; said one of the study\'s authors, Dr. Malcolm G. Dunlop, a professor of coloproctology and head of the Colon Cancer Genetics Group at Western General Hospital at the University of Edinburgh.</p> <p>More than 100,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Colon cancer is the third most common cancer, and more than 55,000 Americans die each year from the disease.</p> <p>Finding the genes that cause colon cancer isn\'t always easy, said Dr. Jay Brooks, chairman of hematology/oncology for the Ochsner Health System in Baton Rouge, La. For some cancers, such as breast cancer, genetic screening is more clear-cut than it is for colon cancer. </p> <p>&quot;In colon cancer, there are more complicated molecular changes that occur,&quot; Brooks said. And, those changes, he added, aren\'t always easy to detect. </p> <p>Several models to assess risk have been developed in the past -- the so-called Amsterdam criteria and the Bethesda criteria. These models are commonly used to decide if someone should undergo more detailed and more expensive genetic testing. </p> <p>However, since some hereditary cancers are missed even when these tests are used, the Scottish researchers hoped to improve upon the existing screening techniques. </p> <p>The first part of the newly developed model includes information about a person\'s age, gender, family history of cancer, age of affected family members when diagnosed with cancer and the patients\' tumor location. This information is fed into a computer model, which then assesses risk.</p> <p>Those at high-risk for familial colon cancer then move into the second stage, which involves lab analysis of tumor biopsies. </p> <p>To develop the current model, the researchers recruited 870 people newly diagnosed with colon cancer. All were under age 55 at the time of diagnosis, which meant they were at a higher-than-average risk of hereditary colon cancer. According to the ACS, more than 90 percent of colon cancers are diagnosed in people over age 50. </p> <p>Then, without knowing family history, age, and other personal details, the researchers examined blood and tumor samples to look for mutations in the study volunteers\' DNA that would increase the risk of colon cancer. They found that 4 percent of those in the study had such mutations. </p> <p>Using that information, the researchers were able to develop the two-stage model. Then, using a sample of 155 people, the researchers found 62 percent of the known genetic mutations responsible for hereditary cancers.</p> <p>&quot;The performance of the model was robust among a wide range of cutoff probabilities and was superior to that of the Bethesda and Amsterdam criteria for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer,&quot; the authors wrote.</p> <p>Knowing who has the genetic mutations common in familial colon cancer can help physicians to guide treatment. However, in this study, survival rates didn\'t differ between groups. </p> <p>But, Brooks pointed out, these tests weren\'t used until after people had been diagnosed with colon cancer. The real benefit from this model would likely come from its ability to assess an increased risk in people who have not yet been diagnosed. </p> <p>&quot;Survival rates would change if people were diagnosed earlier,&quot; said Brooks. He added that it\'s extremely important for anyone over age 50 to get a colonoscopy, but anyone with a family history of early colon cancer should start colonoscopy screenings earlier. </p> <p>&quot;Colonoscopy should begin 10 to 15 years before the age of the first known colon cancer in the family. So, if your father had it at age 50, you should start getting screened at 35,&quot; Brooks said.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>To learn more about detecting colon cancer early, visit the <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_6X_Colorectal_Cancer_Early_Detection_10.asp\" target=\"_new\">American Cancer Society</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('841','7','	<p><!--Spanish ID:532998--> <p>TUESDAY, May 30 (HealthDay News) -- A new MRI technique spotted emphysema early in smokers who otherwise showed no symptoms, U.S. researchers report.</p> <p>The MRI procedure identified signs of the disease that CT scans, the current primary test for emphysema, didn\'t. And, unlike CT, it also spared patients exposure to radiation.</p> <p>&quot;With this technology, we have shown that it is possible to measure the severity of emphysema and its progression through time without the radiation exposure of lung CT tests,&quot; said study author Sean B. Fain, an assistant professor of medical physics and radiology at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.</p> <p>In the study, which was supported by the National Institutes of Health, 19 volunteers inhaled &quot;hyperpolarized&quot; helium, and then had their lungs screened with two different MRI tests. The first test showed areas of the lungs where oxygen could not pass. The second test, called an &quot;apparent diffusion coefficient&quot; (ADC) map, showed the size of the air sacs in the lungs. Since emphysema causes air sacs to grow, the ADC map indicates the stage and location of the disease.</p> <p>&quot;The ADC maps are very sensitive to changes in the lung structure,&quot; Fain said. &quot;With this tool, it was shown that even smokers that appear healthy have enlarged lung airspaces that suggest emphysema is already developing.&quot;</p> <p>Eleven of the volunteers smoked, but had no symptoms of emphysema. The other eight volunteers did not smoke. The more the volunteers had smoked, the more damage to the lungs the map showed. Damage was far worse in smokers with more than 18 pack years, or the equivalent of one pack of cigarettes per day for 18 years, than in nonsmokers.</p> <p>&quot;On average, smoking accelerates emphysema-like changes at about twice the normal rate found with aging,&quot; Dr. Fain explained.</p> <p>The study appears in the June issue of <i>Radiology</i>.</p> <p>Researchers also conducted CT scans on the same volunteers after the MRI, but the CT did not pick up the damage found by the MRI. The MRI and hyperpolarized helium technique was two and a half times more accurate than the CT, and 10 times more accurate than standard MRI.</p> <p>Emphysema is a chronic lung disease that affects more than 3 million people in the United States, and millions more may have the disease but have not yet been diagnosed.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more on emphysema, head to the <a href=\"http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35014\" target=\"_new\">American Lung Association</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('842','7','	<p><p>SATURDAY, June 3 (HealthDay News) -- A number of new cancer drugs are showing encouraging results against such obstinate adversaries as lung and kidney cancers.</p> <p>Researchers from around the world presented the promising findings Saturday at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting, in Atlanta.</p> <p>The investigational drug Tykerb {lapatinib} improved survival and slowed cancer growth in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma, a form of kidney cancer that has not responded to conventional therapy.</p> <p>Earlier Saturday, scientists announced that Tykerb, when given in conjunction with chemotherapy, also delayed breast cancer progression in women who were no longer responding to Herceptin.</p> <p>Only about 15 percent of patients with this type of kidney cancer respond to standard immunotherapy treatment.</p> <p>Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is one of the major growth factors fueling renal cell carcinoma, explained study author Dr. Alain Ravaud, of University Hospital of Bordeaux and University Victor Segalen, in Bordeaux, France. </p> <p>Tykerb, which is taken orally, works on two enzymes that are part of the EGFR pathway.</p> <p>This study involved more than 400 patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma who were not responding to traditional immunotherapy. Participants were randomized to receive either a hormonal therapy or Tykerb daily for 12 weeks.</p> <p>Although overall survival between the two groups did not differ, patients with high levels of EGFR (60 percent of the patient population) saw a &quot;dramatic&quot; increase in survival with Tykerb, Ravaud said. Time to progression of disease was 15.1 weeks in the Tykerb group and 10.9 weeks in the control group; overall survival in the Tykerb group was 46 weeks vs. 37.9 weeks in the other group.</p> <p>Side effects were mostly mild and reversible, he added.</p> <p>&quot;This drug does work in a select group of people with a modest improvement in response rate and survival,&quot; said Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society. &quot;But we have to remember that progress is built on small steps, and this small step appears to be real.&quot;</p> <p>&quot;We\'re also becoming more refined in targeting and, as we go forward, we are going to find more focused treatments,&quot; he added. &quot;This is an example of a focused treatment as we improve our science.&quot;</p> <p>More positive news came in the form of Sutent {sunitinib}, a drug that shrank tumors or prevented disease progression in about half the test patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who were not responding to standard therapy.</p> <p> Approximately 85 percent of lung cancer patients have this form of the disease. And the prognosis is notoriously poor.</p> <p> &quot;New therapies are needed because the average patient with lung cancer diagnosed with metastases outside the lung survives about one year,&quot; said study author Dr. Mark A. Socinski, of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.</p> <p>Sutent, which also comes in pill form, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration earlier this year to treat advanced kidney cancer, as well as a rare type of stomach cancer. It was the first cancer drug to be approved for two indications simultaneously.</p> <p>All of the 63 patients included in the lung cancer trial had run through the gamut of available therapies. About 10 percent had shrinkage of their tumors, and 40 percent saw their tumors stabilize after eight weeks. Three patients died, possibly from complications of the disease, not therapy.</p> <p>Other trials presented at ASCO looked at even more novel ways to curb the devastation of several different cancers.</p> <p>Apo2L, a new drug that trips the &quot;suicide&quot; mechanism in cancer cells, halted cancer growth in more than half of the patients assessed.</p> <p>Although this was only a Phase I trial, one 59-year-old patient had a 70 percent response within eight weeks of receiving the drug. Overall, about 56 percent of patients in eight weeks had stabilized their disease, a response characterized as &quot;reasonably good,&quot; by study author Dr. Roy Herbst, of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, at the University of Texas in Houston.</p> <p>In all likelihood, if developed and approved, the drug will be combined with other agents to treat patients.</p> <p>Another anti-cancer drug, YM155, shrank tumors in some patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and hormone-refractory prostate cancer that had not responded to conventional chemotherapy.</p> <p>&quot;It showed impressive anti-tumor activity for a phase I drug,&quot; said study author Dr. Anthony W. Tolcher, director of clinical research at the Institute for Drug Development, in San Antonio.</p> <p> One patient had an almost complete response and, after undergoing more chemo and a bone marrow transplant, remains disease-free after 18 months. Two more non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients are still responding to the therapy after more than 10 and 15 months. Two of nine prostate cancer patients showed more than a 50 percent reduction in their PSA levels, a marker of prostate cancer.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more on targeted cancer therapies, visit the <a href=\"http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/targeted\" target=\"_new\">National Cancer Institute</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('843','7','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533264--> <p>WEDNESDAY, June 14 (HealthDay News) -- Radiation therapy after surgery may need to be reconsidered as a treatment option for certain types of lung cancer, a new study suggests.</p> <p>Following surgery with radiation therapy may prolong survival rates, concludes a study that analyzed data on 7,000 lung cancer patients from the U.S. Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Database (SEER).</p> <p>The study, reported in the current <i>Journal of Clinical Oncology</i>, found that the five-year survival rate for certain lung cancer patients treated with surgery and radiation therapy was 7 percent higher than patients treated only with surgery -- a 27 percent survival rate compared to just 20 percent.</p> <p>&quot;Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer in this country and even with the best therapy, survival is poor; so an increase of this level can be considered significant,&quot; study author Dr. Brian Lally, a radiation oncologist at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>Although the surgery-plus-radiation combo had been a standard treatment in the past, studies repeatedly showed a decrease in survival rates linked to the radiation therapy. The current standard treatment typically includes surgery followed by chemotherapy. Less than one-third of lung cancer patients receive radiation treatment today.</p> <p>However, improvements in radiation technology may mean more effective results from the therapy, Lally said.</p> <p>&quot;Post-operative radiation therapy has failed to demonstrate a survival benefit in the past, likely because previous studies used older equipment,&quot; he said. &quot;Our study, which examines the results using modern equipment, shows survival benefit in select patients.&quot;</p> <p>The patients who received the most survival benefit from the radiation therapy were those whose cancer had spread to the lymph nodes.</p> <p>&quot;For the patients who received surgery and radiation therapy, their survival was better than patients who received surgery alone,&quot; said Lally.</p> <p>Lally noted that the data studied did not include details on some factors that may have had an impact on the findings, such as any microscopic disease that may have developed as a result of the surgery. Additional studies are needed to understand radiation therapy as treatment, according to Lally.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>Visit the National Cancer Institute to read more about <a href=\"http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/radiation-therapy-and-you&quot;target =\">radiation therapy</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('844','7','	<p><!--Spanish ID:533427--> <p>THURSDAY, June 22 (HealthDay News) -- A naturally occurring protein called HLJ1 may slow down or even stop the progression of tumors in non-small-cell lung cancer, a new study finds. </p> <p>Non-small-cell lung cancers comprise about 85 percent of lung malignancies, according to the American Cancer Society.</p> <p>The new study included 71 patients diagnosed with non-small-cell lung cancer. Researchers at National Taiwan University analyzed levels of HLJ1 in the patients\' cancer cells, as well as the reaction of those cells to exposure to the protein.</p> <p>They found that when HLJ1 was increased or eliminated in lung cancer cells, differences emerged in terms of tumor proliferation.</p> <p>If the cell received increased exposure to the protein, the tumor experienced a decrease in cell division, as well as slower movement to other cells. This suggests that the protein may be a natural tumor-suppressor, the team concluded in the June 21 issue of the <i>Journal of the National Cancer Institute</i>. In some cases, HLJ1 appeared to prevent the cancer cells from reproducing at all, they said.</p> <p>The researchers also noted that in 55 of the patients studied, the cancer cells contained far lower concentrations of HLJ1 than non-cancerous cells. Patients whose tumors were exposed to high concentrations of HLJ1 maintained higher survival rates and lower rates of cancer reappearance.</p> <p>&quot;These findings may identify a subgroup of non-small-cell lung cancer patients who may benefit from adjuvant therapy and facilitate the design of individualized therapies for lung cancer,&quot; the study authors wrote in a prepared statement.</p> <p>In a related editorial, Adriana Albini and Ulrich Pfeffer of the National Cancer Research Institute in Genova, Italy, said the finding &quot;will further stimulate scrutiny of the (proteins in the same family as HLJ1) and put cancer invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis back on the list of functions inhibited by oncosuppressor genes in lung and perhaps other organs.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b> </p> <p>The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more information on <a href=\" http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/non-small-cell-lung/patient&quot;target =\">non-small-cell lung cancer</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('845','7','	<p><p>TUESDAY, June 27 (HealthDay News) -- No amount of secondhand smoke is safe.</p> <p>And the <i>only</i> way to protect nonsmokers is through smoke-free environments. Separating smokers and nonsmokers within the same air space or relying on sophisticated ventilation systems just doesn\'t work.</p> <p>That\'s the conclusion of a new U.S. Surgeon General\'s report issued Tuesday, which determined that nonsmokers who were exposed to secondhand smoke at home or work had a 25 percent to 30 percent increased risk of developing heart disease and a 20 percent to 30 percent increased risk for lung cancer. </p> <p>&quot;Science has proven that there is no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Let me say that again: There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke,&quot; Dr. Richard H. Carmona, U.S. Surgeon General, said in prepared remarks. &quot;Only smoke-free environments effectively protect nonsmokers from secondhand smoke exposure in indoor spaces,&quot; he said.</p> <p>Paul G. Billings, the American Lung Association\'s vice president of national policy and advocacy, added: &quot;Essentially, the Surgeon General slammed the book on any scientific debate on secondhand smoke. The evidence is clear. Secondhand smoke is harmful and needs to be eliminated.&quot;</p> <p>The sweeping report, <i>The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke</i>, was based on the latest research on the topic. The last comprehensive review of secondhand smoke by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services came out in 1986; that report concluded that secondhand smoke causes lung cancer in nonsmokers. </p> <p>Some 126 million Americans are still exposed to secondhand smoke. The risks are well documented and include heart disease and lung cancer in nonsmoking adults as well as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), respiratory problems, ear infections and asthma attacks in infants and children. Slightly more than 20 percent of children are exposed to secondhand smoke at home. </p> <p>&quot;Breathing secondhand smoke for even a short time can damage cells and set the cancer process in motion,&quot; Carmona said. &quot;Brief exposure can have immediate harmful effects on blood and blood vessels, potentially increasing the risk of a heart attack. Secondhand smoke exposure can quickly irritate the lungs, or trigger an asthma attack. For some people, these rapid effects can be life-threatening. People who already have heart disease or respiratory conditions are at especially high risk,&quot; he added. </p> <p>According to the report, nearly half of all nonsmoking Americans are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke. In 2005, an estimated 3,000 adult nonsmokers died from lung cancer as a result of exposure to secondhand smoke, 46,000 from coronary heart disease and 430 newborns from SIDS.</p> <p>Secondhand smoke contains more than 50 carcinogens and is a known human carcinogen, the report said.</p> <p>The report also found that living with a smoker increases a nonsmoker\'s risk of lung cancer and heart disease by up to 30 percent. The evidence linking secondhand smoke and breast cancer, at this point, is only suggestive. </p> <p>And while progress to control secondhand smoke has been made, it\'s not nearly enough, health officials said.</p> <p>&quot;The good news is that, unlike some public health hazards, secondhand smoke exposure is preventable,&quot; Carmona said. &quot;A proven method exists for protecting nonsmokers from the health risks associated with secondhand smoke exposure: Avoiding places where secondhand smoke is present,&quot; he said.</p> <p>According to the report, comprehensive smoking bans such as those in New York City and Boston have not hurt the hospitality industry. Also, restricting smoking in the workplace not only reduces secondhand smoke but also reduces active smoking. </p> <p>Such statements are likely to fuel legislative efforts to ban smoking indoors.</p> <p>&quot;The report is going to provide an additional tool and some very robust conclusions to support smoke-free laws and ordinances across the country,&quot; Billings said. &quot;If anything, the momentum and the pace of passing smoke-free air laws will increase as a result of the report,&quot; he said. </p> <p>&quot;Those are very powerful conclusions, because those are some of the arguments the foes of eliminating secondhand smoke try to use,&quot; Billings continued. &quot;I think this report will rebut those kinds of claims once and for all,&quot; he added. </p> <p>In the meantime, the Surgeon General has these tips on protecting yourself and your loved ones from the effects of secondhand smoke:</p> <ul> <li>Make your home and car smoke-free.</li> <li>Ask people not to smoke around you or your children. </li> <li>Make sure that your children\'s day-care center or school is smoke-free.</li> <li>Patronize restaurants and other businesses that are smoke-free.</li> <li>Teach children to stay away from secondhand smoke. </li> <li>Avoid secondhand smoke exposure especially if you or your children have respiratory conditions, if you have heart disease, or if you are pregnant.</li> </ul> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more on protecting yourself, your family and your friends from secondhand smoke, visit <a href=\"http://www.kidslivesmokefree.org/\" target=\"_new\">Smoke Free Homes</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('846','7','	<p><!--Spanish ID:534123--> <p>MONDAY, July 31 (HealthDay News) -- Prostate cancer cells can use three different signaling pathways to inactivate a protein that causes cell death and resist hormone treatment to stay alive, a Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center study concludes. </p> <p>By inactivating a protein called BAD, prostate cancer cells become resistant to treatment that lowers levels of male hormones, such as testosterone, that prostate cells normally need to survive.</p> <p>The finding, published in the July 28 issue of the <i>Journal of Biological Chemistry</i>, may help lead to more effective drug treatments for prostate cancer.</p> <p>&quot;The normal response of prostate cells when male hormones are blocked is cell death. The cancer finds a way to resist the treatment, and we wanted to discover the mechanism,&quot; senior researcher Dr. George Kulik, assistant professor of cancer biology, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>In prostate cancer cells, BAD is shut down by three signaling pathways activated by vasoactive intestinal peptide, epidermal growth factor and phosphoinositide 3-kinase. It appears that each of these three molecules is separately capable of inactivating BAD, which means that prostate cancer cells have three redundant survival mechanisms, Kulik said.</p> <p>&quot;Our findings suggest that BAD is an important switch in the development and growth of prostate cancer,&quot; he said.</p> <p>Kulik and his colleagues hope to conduct research in animals in order to test their findings.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more about <a href=\"http://nihseniorhealth.gov/prostatecancer/toc.html\" target=\"_new\">prostate cancer</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('847','7','	<p><p>WEDNESDAY, Aug. 9 (HealthDay News) -- An experimental gene-based drug is able to &quot;trick&quot; its way into prostate cancer cells and kill them, U.S. researchers report.</p> <p>The drug, which is the first of its kind, uses a type of genetic material called &quot;targeting RNA&quot; to enter cancer cells and another type, &quot;silencing RNA,&quot; to halt the expression of a protein called PLK1, which keeps prostate cancer cells alive.</p> <p>Researchers at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C., tested the drug in mice with prostate cancer and found that it shrank the size of their tumors by half and caused no side effects. Tumors in control mice that did not receive the drug continued to grow.</p> <p>The findings were published in the August issue of the journal <i>Nature Biotechnology</i>.</p> <p>&quot;This study represents the first step in creating an RNA-based drug for cancer. It provides a \'proof of principle\' that an entirely RNA-based drug can work with minimal side effects, and it shows it is possible to overcome many of the obstacles that have hampered the development of RNA-based drugs,&quot; study lead author James McNamara, a postdoctoral fellow in experimental surgery, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>Previous experimental RNA-based drugs were nonspecific. They targeted all cells in the body, not just cancer cells, resulting in unwanted side effects.</p> <p>Much more research is required before there\'s any possibility that this drug could be used in humans, the Duke team said.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The American Academy of Family Physicians outlines <a href=\"http://familydoctor.org/264.xml\" target=\"_new\">prostate cancer treatment options</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('848','7','	<p> <P>Many men let their fear of <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=LRN&dt=36\">prostate cancer</a> or stories from others guide their judgment when it comes to making decisions about treatment. Rather than carefully weighing the potential side effects and effectiveness of each option, a recent study in the journal <i>Cancer</i> found that many men based their choices on stories they\'d heard from other prostate cancer patients and notions they already held about specific treatments.</p> <P>Counteracting those fears is a tall order, acknowledges lead study author Thomas Denberg, MD, PhD. But he thinks helping men sort through their concerns point-by-point may be one way to help them make better treatment decisions.</p> <P>\"We need to be very explicit with men that certain beliefs aren\'t right and give very detailed explanations of why those beliefs aren\'t correct,\" said Denberg, who is assistant professor of internal medicine at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver. \"Giving them information isn\'t enough to get rid of these fears. We really need to address them directly and upfront.\"</p> <div class=T8>Preconceived Ideas About Treatment');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('849','7','	<p><p>TUESDAY, Aug. 15 (HealthDay News) -- To treat or not to treat?</p> <p>A new study finds that more than half the American men who got surgery or radiation treatment for their prostate cancer might have fared just as well with a &quot;wait and see&quot; program that didn\'t include active treatment.</p> <p>Because tumor progression can vary widely among patients, &quot;there is a great paradigm shift occurring in prostate cancer,&quot; said study co-researcher Dr. David C. Miller. &quot;There are some cancers for which treatment will clearly be beneficial,&quot; he said. &quot;In other cases, we can avoid aggressive treatment, with all its side effects.&quot;</p> <p>Doctors now are trying to determine which men would be better off without treatment, he said.</p> <p>His team published its findings in the Aug. 16 <i>Journal of the National Cancer Institute</i>.</p> <p>&quot;The motivation for the study was that we have learned more about how frequent side effects of treatment are, and what the best therapies are,&quot; explained Miller, who took part in the study while at the University of Michigan and is now a urological oncology fellow at the University of California, Los Angeles.</p> <p>The study was done on &quot;a big population level,&quot; looking at more than 64,000 men listed in a U.S. National Cancer Institute registry as having been diagnosed with early prostate cancer. They were divided into having either high-risk or low-risk cancers on the basis of factors affecting the aggressiveness of the cancer.</p> <p>From 2000 to 2002, more than half of the 24,835 low-risk men had undergone radiation treatment or surgery in the first months after diagnosis, the researchers reported.</p> <p>Age appeared to influence treatment options. Men under age 55 were most likely to be treated with surgery, instead of &quot;watchful waiting,&quot; the researchers reported. Low-risk men over 70 were most likely to receive radiation treatment -- even though they often have slow-growing tumors and will die of something other than their cancer.</p> <p>A large-scale study was needed because &quot;there are tens of thousands of men for whom this decision is relevant,&quot; Miller said. The American Cancer Society estimates that 234,000 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year and 27,350 will die of it.</p> <p>The trick, according to Miller, is to spot those men who require active treatment and those who can simply be followed over time.</p> <p>Several studies are under way trying to identify those men who are unlikely to die of their prostate cancers no matter what the treatment, as well as those who are less likely to benefit from treatment, Miller said.</p> <p>One such study is being conducted by a team at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. It\'s testing the concept of &quot;watchful waiting,&quot; whose definition has changed over the years, said Dr. Jeri Kim, an associate professor in the genitourinary medical oncology department.</p> <p>&quot;In the old days, we would follow a patient until symptoms developed,&quot; she said. &quot;Now, we talk about actively following the patient with different tools.&quot;</p> <p>Those tools include the patient\'s &quot;Gleason score,&quot; a measure of how cancerous prostate cells appear under the microscope; the standard prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test score; ultrasound examinations and biopsy reports, Kim said.</p> <p>The trial started in February. It will enroll 650 men with small, early prostate cancers for years, looking at what factors might make a tumor turn aggressive, Kim said. &quot;There really isn\'t a national set of guidelines for patients to be watched,&quot; she said. &quot;Were trying to define some and also come up with new markers to detect cancer growth.&quot;</p> <p>Several medical factors such as the Gleason score now can influence the decision between treatment and watchful waiting, Miller said. But a man\'s attitude is also important, he said.</p> <p>&quot;Are the men comfortable with the idea that they are going to live with a cancer diagnosis?&quot; he said. &quot;Some men have strong feelings about being treated. Men who have watchful waiting must come in for follow-ups and be comfortable with the idea that they have a cancer that is being monitored.&quot;</p> <p>The newly reported study &quot;doesn\'t propose to have the right answer to the question, but to say how big the problem is,&quot; Miller said.</p> <p>Another report in the same issue of the journal found that prostate cancer is more easily detectible in men taking finasteride, a drug prescribed for an enlarged prostate. Finasteride made a PSA test result more definitive, concluded the report by physicians at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>There\'s more on about prostate cancer at the <a href=\"http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancertopics/types/prostate\" target=\"_new\">U.S. National Cancer Institute</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('850','7','	<p><p>WEDNESDAY, Aug. 23 (HealthDay News) -- Two Los Angeles-area medical centers are seeking men with prostate cancer and their spouses/partners to take part in the creation of a database that may help lead to a better understanding of the disease.</p> <p>The Prostate Patient Profiles Project will collect blood and tissue samples, along with medical information, from prostate cancer patients and their spouses/partners. The data will be used in an effort to learn more about the genetics and biology of the disease and to study factors that affect how different kinds of prostate cancer respond to treatment.</p> <p>The project is a collaboration between Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Centinela Freeman Regional Medical Center. The researchers are seeking a wide cross-section of patients, including those who have difficulty gaining access to health care.</p> <p>&quot;This data collection project is being undertaken because very little is known about what causes some individuals to develop cancer while others don\'t,&quot; co-principal investigator Dr. David B. Agus, of the Louis Warschaw Prostate Cancer Center at Cedars-Sinai, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>&quot;Once we better understand the genetic and proteomic patterns of men with prostate cancer, we hope to be able to develop more targeted, more individualized -- and ultimately, more effective -- treatments for prostate cancer and other cancers,&quot; Agus said.</p> <p>Prostate cancer patients interested in taking part in the project can phone Cedars-Sinai Medical Center at 310-423-7600 or Centinela Freeman Regional Medical Center at 310-674-7050, ext. 4664.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The U.S. National Cancer Institute has more about <a href=\"http://nihseniorhealth.gov/prostatecancer/toc.html\" target=\"_new\">prostate cancer</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('851','7','	<p><p>WEDNESDAY, Aug. 23 (HealthDay News) -- New studies have found a genetic component to two health problems in blacks: premature birth and prostate cancer.</p> <p>The findings buttress previous research linking genetics to health problems in different racial and ethnic groups.</p> <p>In the case of premature birth and prostate cancer, knowing the increased risk may lead to new treatments, the researchers said. The findings were published in this week\'s edition of the <i>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</i>.</p> <p>In the first report, researchers pinpointed a gene that appears to be involved in the significantly increased risk of premature birth among black women. The researchers found that a variation in the SERPINH1 gene heightens the risk of an early break in the amniotic sac, resulting in premature delivery.</p> <p>&quot;We were interested in finding genetic contributors to preterm birth in African-Americans, because they have a substantially higher risk of delivering a preterm baby than non-black individuals,&quot; said lead researcher Dr. Jerome F. Strauss III, dean of Virginia Commonwealth University\'s School of Medicine.</p> <p>&quot;There are genetic factors that might predispose the \'bag of waters\' to break early and result in a preterm birth,&quot; Strauss said.</p> <p>In the study, Strauss and his colleagues studied this gene variation, called the minor &quot;T&quot; allele polymorphism, which is a marker of African ancestry. They found that this polymorphism leads to decreased levels of a protein that stabilizes collagen, which is needed to strengthen the membrane that contains the fluids that surround the fetus.</p> <p>&quot;The strength of that bag is determined by the amount of collagen,&quot; Strauss said.</p> <p>In two studies, Strauss\' team showed that this gene polymorphism was almost three times more common in premature babies born to black women. &quot;This points a finger at this gene as a contributor, a risk factor for pregnancies that will result in a preterm delivery,&quot; Strauss said. &quot;This could contribute to more than 12 percent of preterm deliveries in African-American women.&quot;</p> <p>Strauss thinks screening could identify those women at risk for premature delivery. In addition, he thinks there are ways to increase the amount of collagen that is produced.</p> <p>&quot;Just because you are carrying around a bad gene doesn\'t mean 100 percent of the time you are going to end up with a bad outcome,&quot; Strauss said. &quot;There are environmental factors that determine whether the gene actually causes the bad effect.&quot;</p> <p>For instance, vitamin C is needed to make collagen, Strauss said. &quot;If you could identify people at risk, you could make sure they had enough vitamin C early on and throughout pregnancy,&quot; he said. &quot;Interventions that reduce risk factors are, hopefully, going to be beneficial to people who carry the genetic risk factor.&quot;</p> <p>In the second study, researchers found that a part of chromosome 8 is linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer in black men, who have about 1.6 times greater risk of developing the disease than white men. Part of this increased risk is probably due to genetic factors, the researchers said.</p> <p>&quot;It appears that we found a genetic risk that predisposes to prostate cancer in the general population, but particularly in African-American men,&quot; said lead author Dr. Matthew L. Freedman, an instructor at Harvard Medical School. &quot;This is one of the first times that a genetic risk factor for prostate cancer has been found and confirmed in the general population.&quot;</p> <p>In the study, Freedman\'s team looked for genetic factors associated with prostate cancer in 1,597 black men who had the disease. The researchers found that a region of chromosome 8, called 8q24, increased prostate cancer risk in men of African ancestry.</p> <p>This increased risk was greater in men diagnosed with prostate cancer before the age of 72, which fits with data that show that prostate-cancer risk decreases with age in black men.</p> <p>DeCODE, an Icelandic company that does gene research, found the same genetic link to prostate cancer among Icelandic men, and in fact, replicated their results in a number of independent populations, Freedman noted.</p> <p>Freedman believes this finding could be used to screen those at risk for prostate cancer. There are three factors that are used to determine prostate cancer risk: age, family history and ethnicity, he said. &quot;To my mind, this serves as the fourth risk factor, because it has been replicated in diverse populations,&quot; he added.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The National Center for Biotechnology Information can tell you more about <a href=\"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/bv.fcgi?call=bv.View.ShowTOC&amp;rid=gnd.TOC&amp;depth=2\" target=\"_new\"> genes and disease</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('852','7','	<p><p>FRIDAY, Aug. 25 (HealthDay News) -- A chemical found in the harder plastics that make up CD cases, water-cooler jugs and other objects people handle might help promote breast cancer, researchers say.</p> <p>The chemical -- a &quot;pseudo-estrogen&quot; called bisphenol-A -- appears to be preferentially absorbed by breast tumor cells, according to a new study published in the Aug. 28 issue of <i>Chemistry &amp; Biology</i>.</p> <p>While the new research doesn\'t give any definitive answer on BPA\'s potential role in breast cancer, American researchers say they have uncovered a biological mechanism that allows the compound to concentrate in tumor cells.</p> <p>Healthy cells don\'t readily absorb bisphenol sulfate, one of the body\'s metabolized forms of BPA. So, many experts have assumed the chemical might be harmless.</p> <p>However, &quot;it turns out that breast tumor cells are different than normal cells,&quot; lead researcher Theodore Widlanski of Indiana University, said. &quot;We showed that breast tumor cells actually convert bisphenol sulfate back into bisphenol-A, which can then be taken up into tumor cells.&quot;</p> <p>&quot;These guys were aiming at what I\'d say was the \'missing link,\'&quot; added Patricia Hunt, a molecular bioscience professor at Washington State University who has conducted her own studies suggesting a link between BPA and birth defects in mice. &quot;This is a first step, and a really important first step,&quot; she said.</p> <p>The effects of BPA on human health -- if any -- have been hotly debated. Previous studies have linked even small exposures to prostate abnormalities in mice that suggest -- but do not prove -- a link between the plastics chemical and human prostate cancer.</p> <p>Other studies, including Hunt\'s, have theorized that embryonic and fetal exposures to BPA might trigger chromosomal changes that, in turn, could raise risks for mental retardation and birth defects.</p> <p>BPA is a raw material used in the manufacture of hard, clear plastic products -- everything from electronics parts to food-storage containers and baby bottles. It is not found in softer, more flexible products such as single-serving water bottles.</p> <p>The chemical is known a &quot;pseudo-estrogen&quot; because it is one of a number of natural or synthetic materials that can be taken into human cells and trigger estrogenic effects. But unlike estrogen, BPA undergoes chemical modifications as it enters the body, which makes its absorption by healthy human cells nearly impossible.</p> <p>Specifically, the addition of a sulfate molecule to BPA keeps it from permeating the healthy cell\'s outer membrane. But would the same phenomenon hold true for malignant cells, researchers wondered?</p> <p>In a laboratory study using human breast cancer cell lines, the Indiana researchers, along with scientists from the University of California at Berkley, found that BPA appeared to concentrate in tumor cells.</p> <p>&quot;We found no BPA in the medium the cells were grown in,&quot; Widlanski noted.</p> <p>The key, according to Widlanski, is that the breast tumor cell carries an enzyme on its surface that strips sulfate molecules away from BPA. &quot;Healthy cells don\'t have this property,&quot; he said. Once inside the tumor cell, BPA might encourage the cell\'s survival and proliferation, in the same way that estrogen does.</p> <p>Widlanski cautioned, however, that his team\'s study had only uncovered a potential mechanism linking BPA to the promotion of breast cancer. Whether this mechanism actually occurs in real life is tough to prove, he said, as is the notion that BPA exposure plays a significant role in breast cancer.</p> <p>The bottom line, according to Widlanski: &quot;If you weren\'t alarmed yesterday about BPA, then you shouldn\'t be alarmed today. Nothing we have shown changes the innate danger. We have just reported a mechanism.&quot;</p> <p>The plastics industry strongly defended its products.</p> <p>&quot;BPA has been extensively studied for its potential to cause cancer, including lifetime studies in rats and mice,&quot; said Steven Hentges, executive director of the Polycarbonate Business Unit at the American Plastics Council, which represents the industry.</p> <p>He added that governments around the world have also commissioned their own studies on BPA, &quot;and, in every case, have concluded that BPA is not likely to pose a carcinogenic risk to humans.&quot;</p> <p>Hentges said the study also has serious flaws.</p> <p>&quot;First of all, it\'s an in vitro study,&quot; he said. &quot;You can\'t extrapolate from a cell culture and say much of anything about breast cancer.&quot; And, he said, tests conducted recently by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found average levels of BPA in human urine to be infinitesimally small -- about one part per billion.</p> <p>Widlanski agreed that short-term, in vitro studies can never fully explain human disease. He also agreed that urine and blood concentrations of BPA metabolites in humans are much, much smaller than exposures used in this study.</p> <p>&quot;Unfortunately, we simply can\'t mimic long-term exposure to bisphenol A,&quot; he said, since it\'s unethical to give human test volunteers any chemical with an unproven safety record, especially over the long term.</p> <p>&quot;So, we have to use a larger concentration to mimic the effects of long-term exposure,&quot; he said. &quot;No one knows if that\'s a valid way to do that or not.&quot; Animal studies are a logical next step, he said, but they can never fully replicate potential effects in humans.</p> <p>&quot;The real crux of the matter is that we are surrounded in our environment by chemicals that are pseudo-estrogenic, not just BPA,&quot; Widlanski added. &quot;It\'s the cumulative effect of all of these compounds together that one needs to worry about.&quot;</p> <p>Hunt said the new study does provide &quot;badly needed mechanistic data&quot; on a suspect compound.</p> <p>&quot;There\'s a body of data that\'s out there suggesting [BPA] exerts a pretty powerful effect on a number of different tissues,&quot; she said. &quot;There have been studies of the developing embryo, and studies looking at the development of prostate tissue. This provides a way of understanding how this chemical may exert its effect.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more on breast cancer, head to the <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/CRI_2x.asp?sitearea=&amp;dt=5\" target=\"_new\">American Cancer Society</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('853','7','	<p><!--Spanish ID:534685--> <p>WEDNESDAY, Aug. 30 (HealthDay News) -- Older men who regularly take aspirin or a similar painkiller may help keep prostate enlargement at bay, a new study finds.</p> <p>The common condition, called benign prostatic hyperplasia, typically affects one of every four men ages 40 to 50 and almost half of those over 70, experts say. Enlarged prostate can lead to frequent urination and other bothersome effects.</p> <p>However, men who regularly took a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) &quot;had a reduction of 50 percent in enlargement and a 35 percent reduction in moderate to severe urinary problems,&quot; said Jenny St. Sauver, a Mayo Clinic epidemiologist who led the study, which was reported in the <i>American Journal of Epidemiology.</i></p> <p>It didn\'t matter which NSAID a man was taking: aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen (Aleve) or a more expensive cox-2 inhibitor such as Celebrex, St. Sauver said. &quot;Eighty percent were taking daily aspirin,&quot; she said. &quot;We did look at the other drugs, but the differences were not statistically significant.&quot;</p> <p>The study was prompted by several earlier studies that suggested a decreased risk of prostate cancer for men who took NSAIDs regularly. This study included nearly 2,500 men living in the neighborhood of the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Data on NSAID use and prostate enlargement arose from questionnaires the men completed every two years from 1990 to 2002.</p> <p>There are several theories as to how NSAIDs might keep prostates from enlarging. According to St. Sauver, the drugs may reduce prostate cell growth or increase the natural death of these cells. Another theory credits the drugs\' anti-inflammatory activity.</p> <p>The findings should not be seen as a green light for men to rush out and start taking these painkillers without consulting a doctor first, the experts stressed. Men should always be cautious about taking NSAIDs, St. Sauver said, because the drugs raise risks for gastrointestinal bleeding.</p> <p>&quot;We would like to see the results of our study replicated,&quot; she said. &quot;If it can be, it would be important to figure out what kind of dose and what kind of timing would be proper.&quot;</p> <p>The warning against indiscriminate use of NSAIDs was repeated in stronger terms by Eric Jacobs, senior epidemiologist at the American Cancer Society.</p> <p>Jacobs headed a study last year that found that men who had taken NSAIDs regularly for a long period of time were at slightly decreased risk of developing prostate cancer.</p> <p>&quot;The important thing about NSAIDs in general is that they can have very serious side effects, gastrointestinal bleeding that can be fatal,&quot; Jacobs said. &quot;We do not recommend using NSAIDs for cancer prevention.&quot;</p> <p>Many of the men in the Mayo Clinic study were taking low-dose aspirin to protect against heart disease, he said. &quot;Currently, the decision about whether or not to take aspirin is based on balancing cardiovascular benefits with the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding,&quot; Jacobs said. &quot;If someone is at high risk, the doctor can decide that the benefits outweigh the risk. Currently, cancer is not part of the risk-benefit ratio.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>There\'s more on prostate enlargement at the <a href=\"http://www.kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/prostateenlargement\" target=\"_new\">U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('854','7','	<p><p>THURSDAY, Sept. 14 (HealthDay News) -- Pain during prostate biopsy can be reduced by injecting an anesthetic at certain points, according to a new study out of the Mayo Clinic.</p> <p>Prostate biopsies are commonly performed on men who have had abnormal digital rectal exams or elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests, both of which look for prostate cancer.</p> <p>A new study to be presented Thursday at the annual meeting of the North Central Section of the American Urological Association, in San Diego, found that about 16 percent of patients experience a moderate or higher level of pain during their biopsy.</p> <p>For this study, researchers recruited 243 men scheduled to undergo a prostate biopsy and assigned them to receive an anesthetic to reduce pain at one of three locations.</p> <p>The men who received the anesthetic injection at the prostate apex -- the part of the prostate closest to the urethra -- and surrounding rectal tissues had the best pain relief.</p> <p>&quot;Prostate biopsy evokes significant anxiety for some men due to anticipated pain associated with the procedure,&quot; Richard Ashley, Mayo Clinic urology resident and lead study investigator, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p>&quot;Patients should request that anesthetic be used at the time of a biopsy, and pain control should be the standard of care in a urologist\'s office,&quot; he said. </p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The National Cancer Institute has more about <a href=\"http://www.cancer.gov/\" target=\"_new\">prostate cancer</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('855','7','	<p><p>MONDAY, Sept. 18 (HealthDay News) -- Hormone therapy for men with prostate cancer has become a mainstay of treatment, but a new Harvard study finds that the treatment increases the risk for diabetes and heart disease without improving survival.</p> <p>Hormone therapy for prostate cancer involves blocking testosterone production. This can be done by removing the testes, called a bilateral orchiectomy, or more commonly through injections of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist drug.</p> <p>Dr. Nancy Keating, an assistant professor of health care policy and medicine at Harvard Medical School, said, &quot;There is evidence that GnRH therapy helps with some pain and may slow the progression of metastatic disease. It is clearly indicated for some men, with advanced tumors.&quot;</p> <p>But, Keating added, there\'s no conclusive evidence that in men with localized prostate cancer the therapy prolongs life. Many men receive hormone therapy not because of proven results, but because doctors and patients want to feel they are doing something to fight the disease, she said.</p> <p>The study findings are published in the Sept. 20 issue of the <i>Journal of Clinical Oncology</i>.</p> <p>Testosterone-suppressing drugs aren\'t benign, Keating said. &quot;There is evidence that these drugs decrease quality of life, that they decrease bone mass and are associated with an increased risk of fractures. Men also develop central obesity and lose muscle mass and develop insulin resistance, which is a precursor for diabetes,&quot; she said.</p> <p>Based on these findings, Keating\'s group sought to find out if men receiving hormone therapy actually were at risk for developing diabetes and heart disease.</p> <p>In its study, Keating\'s team collected data on 73,196 men, 66 and older, diagnosed with prostate cancer from 1992 to 1999. The researchers followed the men through 2001. Among these men, one-third were given GnRH therapy.</p> <p>The researchers found that men receiving a GnRH agonist had a 44 percent increased risk of diabetes, a 16 percent increased risk of coronary heart disease, an 11 percent greater risk of a heart attack, and a 16 percent increased risk of sudden cardiac death.</p> <p>Men who had an orchiectomy had a 34 percent increased risk of developing diabetes, but did not face heightened risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack, or sudden cardiac death, Keating\'s group found.</p> <p>&quot;There is clear evidence that over the last decade these drugs are being used way more frequently than they ever were before,&quot; Keating said. &quot;There is some question whether there is overuse of these drugs,&quot; she added.</p> <p>Patients and doctors should be careful before undertaking hormone therapy, Keating said.</p> <p>&quot;We want to encourage doctors and their patients to be cautious before jumping on a potentially toxic medication,&quot; she said. &quot;Men with locally regional prostate cancer have almost 100 percent five-year survival rates. Most of these men won\'t die of their prostate cancer. We certainly don\'t want to be giving them heart attacks and diabetes.&quot;</p> <p>One expert thinks that, given these findings, men should carefully weigh the consequences of hormone therapy before starting it.</p> <p>&quot;This study raises an important question,&quot; said Dr. Herman Kattlove, a medical editor at the American Cancer Society. &quot;It raises the question whether there really is a difference between treating patients with drugs to reduce their testosterone or performing an orchiectomy.&quot;</p> <p>Kattlove noted that the study does not really answer that question. Only a prospective, randomized trial would do that, he said. But given these new findings, men should be cautious about hormone therapy, he said.</p> <p>&quot;Men should take a second look,&quot; Kattlove said. &quot;They should think about their decision and the increased risk if they do take the drug, since there really is no difference in final outcome whether you have one of these drugs or have an orchiectomy.&quot;</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/cri/cri_2x.asp?sitearea=lrn&amp;dt=36\" target=\"_new\">American Cancer Society</a> has more on prostate cancer.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('856','7','	<p><!--Spanish ID:532694--> <p>FRIDAY, May 12 (HealthDay News) -- Skin disease affects more than three out of four Hispanic farmworkers in North Carolina, researchers say, highlighting the need for those workers to get more information on preventing skin ailments, including skin cancer.</p> <p>A team at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., conducted two studies including a total of 89 farmworkers.</p> <p>They found that &quot;farmworkers are particularly vulnerable to diseases of the skin and have the highest incidence of skin disorders of any industry,&quot; lead researcher Thomas Arcury, professor of family medicine, said in a prepared statement. &quot;These workers represent a medically underserved population that is at risk for both environmental and occupational health problems, as well as health problems associated with poverty,&quot; he said.</p> <p>The findings appear in the May issue of the <i>Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health</i> and in the April issue of the <i>American Journal of Industrial Medicine</i>.</p> <p>The first study included five female farmworkers and 54 male workers. All five females and 78 percent of the males had some form of skin disease. Among males, the most common conditions were nail fungus, foot fungus and acne, while excessively dry skin, foot fungus and acne were among the conditions diagnosed in the females.</p> <p>&quot;While these may not be a direct result of farm work, it is likely a result of resources and living environment,&quot; Arcury said.</p> <p>He noted that the farmworkers usually have to share shower facilities and often have limited access to laundry facilities and detergents.</p> <p>In the second study, researchers interviewed 30 farmworkers to learn more about their knowledge about skin disease. Even though they spend so much time outdoors, few of the farm workers mentioned skin cancer as a potential health problem. The interviews also revealed a common belief among the workers that an individual\'s susceptibility determines whether they\'re affected by a skin condition.</p> <p>&quot;Farmworkers do not acknowledge several skin diseases that should be of great concern, including skin cancer. And personal susceptibility is used to differentiate one\'s self from others, usually to show superiority,&quot; Arcury said.</p> <p>Any programs designed to reduce occupational skin diseases among farmworkers must challenge these beliefs.</p> <p>&quot;First, the notion that it affects only those who are susceptible needs to be dispelled. Second, the delayed effects of some risk factors, such as sunlight exposure, need to be stressed,&quot; Arcury said.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The National Center for Farmworker Health has more about <a href=\"http://www.ncfh.org/factsheets.php\" target=\"_new\">farmworker health issues</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('857','7','	<p><p>SATURDAY, May 13 (HealthDay News) -- Before heading outside this summer, try taking this sun safety quiz to test your knowledge of sun exposure. The true-or-false quiz was created by Dr. Jack Lesher, chief of dermatology at the Medical College of Georgia Health System in Augusta.</p> <p><b>1. It\'s OK to tan if you\'re wearing sunscreen.</b></p> <p><b>False</b>. Tanning indicates sun-related changes in your skin, so no tan is healthy or safe. You should use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays and has an SPF of at least 15 (30 or higher for people with a history of skin cancer). Apply sunscreen about an hour before you go out in the sun and reapply every two hours -- more often if you\'re swimming.</p> <p><b>2. You should wear sunscreen every day.</b></p> <p><b>True</b>. You should routinely use sunscreen if you\'re going to be exposed to the sun for more than 10 to 15 minutes. This includes driving, walking outside, or sitting in your office in front of a window. Moisturizer/sunscreen combinations or spritzable sunscreens can make daily applications a bit more convenient. Use sunscreen in the winter or on cloudy days, too, because UVA and UVA rays are still present.</p> <p><b>3. If you have darker skin, you have natural sun protection and don\'t need to be worried about skin cancer.</b></p> <p><b>False</b>. Darker skin still tans, burns and is susceptible to skin cancer.</p> <p><b>4. You need sun exposure to get adequate amounts of vitamin D.</b></p> <p><b>False.</b> It only takes five to 15 minutes of sun exposure two to three times a week on your face and hands for your body to produce sufficient amounts of vitamin D. Multivitamins, milk and some other foods are excellent sources of vitamin D.</p> <p><b>5. You should practice safe sun habits, even if you use sunscreen.</b></p> <p><b>True</b>. Combine sunscreen with other protection such as hats or umbrellas. The sun\'s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so try to stay out of the sun at that time of day.</p> <p><b>6. It\'s safe to use a tanning bed.</b></p> <p><b>False</b>. Tanning beds use ultraviolet light, similar to the UVA and UVB rays emitted by the sun. The effects of UV exposure are actually intensified in a tanning bed. An hour in a tanning bed is equivalent to spending several hours in the sun.</p> <p><b>7. Too much sun exposure causes premature aging of the skin.</b></p> <p><b>True</b>. You can see this by comparing the skin on your face and hands with skin on parts of your body that aren\'t regularly exposed to the sun.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>The American Cancer Society has more about <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/ped_7_1_What_You_Should_Know_About_Ultraviolet_Exposure.asp\" target=\"_new\">sunlight and ultraviolet exposure</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('858','7','	<p> <P>The promises and pitfalls of vitamin D deserve more research, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS) and 7 other health groups. The US and Canadian groups issued a statement of findings this week from the first North American conference on vitamin D, a nutrient most people get though exposure to sunlight.</p> <P>The conference, held in March, brought together experts in nutrition, sun exposure, skin cancer, and other diseases to discuss what is and isn\'t known about vitamin D and its effect on human health. </p> <P>The consensus: There is still much to learn about how much vitamin D people need for good health, how much might be too much, and -- perhaps most importantly -- the best way to get enough.</p> <P>\"There is no dispute among medical professionals that vitamin D is beneficial for our health, and there is no dispute that sun exposure is the major source of vitamin D for most of us,\" said ACS deputy chief medical officer Len Lichtenfeld, MD, who participated in the conference.</p> <P>\"But there is also no dispute that exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun and other sources can be harmful.\"</p> <div class=T8>Recommendations a Balancing Act');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('859','7','	<p><!--Spanish ID:532971--> <p>MONDAY, May 29 (HealthDay News) -- American males aren\'t getting or heeding warnings on sun protection, researchers report, with the bulk of magazine ads for sunscreen appearing in publications aimed at women, not men.</p> <p>A new U.S. study shows that 77 percent of the 783 sunscreen ads reviewed were published in women\'s magazines.</p> <p>Researchers reviewed 579 magazines -- all May to September issues from 1997 to 2002 for 24 different publications.</p> <p>While the average was about four ads for sunscreen per women\'s magazine, the average was less than one in each issue of parenting and family magazines. The average in outdoor and recreation magazines typically read by men was less than one per six issues.</p> <p>&quot;There\'s a huge opportunity to reach an untapped market,&quot; Alan Geller, an associate professor of research with the Boston University School of Medicine, said in a prepared statement. The ads should also better explain how to properly use sunscreen and other sun-care products, he said, as none of the ads contained the recommended guidelines for appropriate use of sunscreen.</p> <p>His team published their findings in the May/June issue of the <i>American Journal of Health Promotion</i>.</p> <p>&quot;We know that men know much less about sun protection than women,&quot; Geller said, adding that &quot;research has shown us that many, many people use sun protection products and still get burned.&quot; These advertisements provide a good opportunity to educate people on how to use sunscreen properly, he added.</p> <p>&quot;With my contacts, I\'ve argued that advertising and communications should go on in boating, tennis and golf magazines,&quot; David J. Leffell, a professor of dermatology and surgery at the Yale School of Medicine, said in a prepared statement. Leffell was not involved in the study, but consults for a large U.S. manufacturer of sun-care products.</p> <p>The results of the study show a need for working relationships between product marketing departments and advocates for skin cancer prevention, as well as more ads geared toward &quot;potentially higher-risk groups such as children, men and outdoor recreation users,&quot; said Geller.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>For more on protecting your skin from the sun, head to the <a href=\"http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_11_1_Sunscreen_Once_A_Day_Myth.asp\" target=\"_new\">American Cancer Society</a>.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('860','7','	<p><!--Spanish ID:532973--> <p>MONDAY, May 29 (HealthDay News) -- Memorial Day marks the start of summer fun for America\'s teens -- and, according to a new survey, the start of a season of worry for many of their parents.</p> <p>The survey from the National Parent Teacher Association found that about 25 percent of parents of young teens were very or extremely concerned about their young teen\'s health during summer. Heat exhaustion was listed as the top concern by 35 percent of parents, and 75 percent said they\'d insist that their young teens wear sunscreen.</p> <p>Nearly 30 percent of parents said they believed it was very or extremely important to take their adolescent to the doctor for a summer health visit, and almost two out of three parents believed it was extremely important to get young teens vaccinated against infectious diseases.</p> <p>Ninety-two percent of parents planned to maintain open communications with their children to ensure they have a safe summer, and 41 percent said they were very or extremely concerned about their teens making proper decisions in unsafe situations.</p> <p>One-third of parents said it was important for their young teens to have a summer job to learn work ethic and responsibility. The survey also found that 95 percent of parents wanted their young teens to be active and fit, and 81 percent planned to provide their young teen with healthy food choices this summer.</p> <p>To help parents keep their young teens happy, healthy and active over the summer, the National PTA launched a campaign called &quot;Summer Break -- What\'s at Stake?&quot; It provides parents and caregivers with information about how to keep young teens healthy this summer.</p> <p>&quot;It\'s clear from the survey results that parents are aware that certain health and lifestyle risks may pose a threat to their young teens. We encourage parents across the nation to take an active role in preparing their children for the great summer they deserve,&quot; Anna Weselak, president of the National PTA, said in a prepared statement.</p> <p><b>More information</b></p> <p>Here\'s where you can find out more about the PTA\'s <a href=\"http://www.pta.org\" target=\"new\">Summer Break -- What\'s at Stake?</a> campaign.</p> </p>\n		');
INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('861','8','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">10 is the new 15 as kids grow up faster</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>From dating to cellphones, music to makeup, behavior shifting earlier</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/061120/061120_teen_hmed_7p.hmedium.jpg\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\" alt=\"Image: Zach Plante\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"><font size=\"-2\">Ben Margot / AP</font><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"-1\">Zach Plante, 10, waits for a pitch from his mother Lori, left, as his father, Tom, catches during a family baseball practice in Santa Clara, Calif. Zach is at the crossroads between being a kid who likes to play ball and ride bikes with dad and a tween who wants an iPod and to grow his hair long.</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceAP.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"><p></p></font><p>Zach Plante is close with his parents - he plays baseball with them and, on weekends, helps with work in the small vineyard they keep at their northern California home. Lately, though, his parents have begun to notice subtle changes in their son. Among other things, he\'s announced that he wants to grow his hair longer - and sometimes greets his father with \"Yo, Dad!\"</p><p>\"Little comments will come out of his mouth that have a bit of that teen swagger,\" says Tom Plante, Zach\'s dad.</p><p>Thing is, Zach isn\'t a teen. He\'s 10 years old - one part, a fun-loving fifth-grader who likes to watch the Animal Planet network and play with his dog and pet gecko, the other a soon-to-be middle schooler who wants an iPod.</p><p>In some ways, it\'s simply part of a kid\'s natural journey toward independence. But child development experts say that physical and behavioral changes that would have been typical of teenagers decades ago are now common among \"tweens\" - kids ages 8 to 12.</p><p>Some of them are going on \"dates\" and talking on their own cell phones. They listen to sexually charged pop music, play mature-rated video games and spend time gossiping on MySpace. And more girls are wearing makeup and clothing that some consider beyond their years.</p><p>Zach is starting to notice it in his friends, too, especially the way they treat their parents.</p><p>\"A lot of kids can sometimes be annoyed by their parents,\" he says. \"If I\'m playing with them at one of their houses, then they kind of ignore their parents. If their parents do them a favor, they might just say, \'OK,\' but not notice that much.\"</p><p><b><strong>Complex shift</strong></b><br>The shift that\'s turning tweens into the new teens is complex - and worrisome to parents and some professionals who deal with children. They wonder if kids are equipped to handle the thorny issues that come with the adolescent world.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><ul><li><a href=\"http://boards.msn.com/MSNBCboards/thread.aspx?ThreadID=133624\">Message Board: Are kids really growing too fast or are we just being old fogeys?</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/14136994/\">Growing up Healthy: No brats allowed!</a></li><li><a href=\"/id/15029646/\">A controversial chapter in education: unschooling</a></li></ul></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>\"I\'m sure this isn\'t the first time in history people have been talking about it. But I definitely feel like these kids are growing up faster - and I\'m not sure it\'s always a good thing,\" says Dr. Liz Alderman, an adolescent medicine specialist at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City. She\'s been in practice for 16 years and has noticed a gradual but undeniable change in attitude in that time.</p><p>She and others who study and treat children say the reasons it\'s happening are both physical and social.</p><p>Several published studies have found, for instance, that some tweens\' bodies are developing faster, with more girls starting menstruation in elementary school - a result doctors often attribute to improved nutrition and, in some cases, obesity. While boys are still being studied, the findings about girls have caused some endocrinologists to lower the limits of early breast development to first or second grade.</p><p><b><strong>Peer pressure begins ever younger</strong></b><br>Along with that, even young children are having to deal with peer pressure and other societal influences.</p><p>Beyond the drugs, sex and rock\'n\'roll their boomer and Gen X parents navigated, technology and consumerism have accelerated the pace of life, giving kids easy access to influences that may or may not be parent-approved. Sex, violence and foul language that used to be relegated to late-night viewing and R-rated movies are expected fixtures in everyday TV.</p><p>And many tweens model what they see, including common plot lines \"where the kids are really running the house, not the dysfunctional parents,\" says Plante, who in addition to being Zach\'s dad is a psychology professor at Santa Clara University in California\'s Silicon Valley.</p><p>He sees the results of all these factors in his private practice frequently.</p><p>Kids look and dress older. They struggle to process the images of sex, violence and adult humor, even when their parents try to shield them. And sometimes, he says, parents end up encouraging the behavior by failing to set limits - in essence, handing over power to their kids.</p><p>\"You get this kind of perfect storm of variables that would suggest that, yes, kids are becoming teens at an earlier age,\" Plante says.</p><p>Natalie Wickstrom, a 10-year-old in suburban Atlanta, says girls her age sometimes wear clothes that are \"a little inappropriate.\" She describes how one friend tied her shirt to show her stomach and \"liked to dance, like in rap videos.\"</p><p>Girls in her class also talk about not only liking but \"having relationships\" with boys.</p><p>\"There\'s no rules, no limitations to what they can do,\" says Natalie, who\'s also in fifth grade.</p><p>Her mom, Billie Wickstrom, says the teen-like behavior of her daughter\'s peers, influences her daughter - as does parents\' willingness to allow it.</p><p>\"Some parents make it hard on those of us who are trying to hold their kids back a bit,\" she says.</p><p>So far, she and her husband have resisted letting Natalie get her ears pierced, something many of her friends have already done. Now Natalie is lobbying hard for a cell phone and also wants an iPod.</p><p>\"Sometimes I just think that maybe, if I got one of these things, I could talk about what they talk about,\" Natalie says of the kids she deems the \"popular ones.\"</p><p>It\'s an age-old issue. Kids want to fit in - and younger kids want to be like older kids.</p><p><font size=\"2\"><span CM=\"PageNavBot\"><b><a CE=\"2\" href=\"/id/15905527/page/2/\">CONTINUED: High stakes</a></b><hr width=\"100%\" noshade=\"true\" size=\"1\" color=\"#808080\">1 | <b><a CE=\"2\" href=\"/id/15905527/page/2/\">2</a></b>\n			| <b><a CE=\"2\" href=\"/id/15905527/page/2/\">Next &gt;</a></b></span></font></p><br><table width=\"100%\" style=\"background-color:#ffffee\" cellPadding=\"2\" cellSpacing=\"0\"><tr><td width=\"50%\"><font size=\"1\"><img src=\"/images/msnbc/print02.gif\" width=\"25\" height=\"20\" align=\"absmiddle\"> <a href=\"javascript:printThis(\'15905527\')\" class=\"linkBlack\">Print this</a></font></td><td><font size=\"1\"><img src=\"/images/msnbc/email02.gif\" width=\"25\" height=\"20\" align=\"absmiddle\"> <a href=\"javascript:emThis(\'15905527\')\" class=\"linkBlack\">Email this</a></font></td></tr></table></td><td width=\"10\"></td></tr></table><table cellspacing=\"0\" 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cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#FFFFFF\">&nbsp;MESSAGE BOARD</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#a4abc1\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-right:solid 1px #a4abc1;border-bottom:solid 1px #a4abc1;border-left:solid 1px #a4abc1;background-color:#f3f3f6;\" bgcolor=\"#f3f3f6\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"><tr><td><a href=\"http://boards.msn.com/MSNBCboards/board.aspx?BoardID=762\" target=\"_blank\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Art/HEALTH/Evergreen/TZ300_MsgBrd_HEALTH.jpg\" height=\"40\" width=\"298\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"></a></td></tr><tr><td style=\"padding:10px;\"><font 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color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><font color=\"black\"><a href=\"/id/16611409/\">Bush challenges war skeptics to offer own plan</a></font></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><font color=\"black\"><a href=\"/id/16611060/\">Barbaro has more of his left hoof removed</a></font></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><font color=\"black\"><a href=\"/id/16606715/\">N.C. man suspected of decapitating daughter</a></font></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><font color=\"551E1B\">?/font></td><td><font color=\"black\"><b><a href=\"/id/7468311/\">Most viewed on MSNBC.com</a></b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr></table></div><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#7788aa\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#FFFFFF\">&nbsp;GROWING UP HEALTHY - VICTORIA CLAYTON</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#a4abc1\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-right:solid 1px #a4abc1;border-bottom:solid 1px #a4abc1;border-left:solid 1px #a4abc1;background-color:#f3f3f6;\" bgcolor=\"#f3f3f6\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table><tr><td><a href=\"/id/16326136/\"><font color=\"33527A\">THE MEASURE OF A MOM</font></a></td></tr><tr><td>Experts and moms themselves say society holds mothers everywhere up to unfair, unachievable expectations.</td></tr></table></td></tr></table><hr size=\"1\" width=\"95%\" 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INSERT INTO `dede_addonarticle` VALUES('862','8','<table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\"><tr><td width=\"10\"></td><td width=\"98%\"><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"98%\" valign=\"top\"><tr><td><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><font size=\"+2\" color=\"551E1B\">FDA panel OKs Celebrex use for children</font><br><spacer type=\"block\" height=\"10\" width=\"1\"></spacer><br><b>Advisers split on whether drug is safe, recommended long-term monitoring</b><br></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr><tr><td valign=\"top\"></td></tr></table><font size=\"-2\"><img border=\"0\" src=\"http://msnbcmedia1.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Sources/sourceAP.gif\" height=\"20\" width=\"140\" vspace=\"0\" hspace=\"0\"><p></p></font><p>WASHINGTON - Federal advisers recommended Wednesday that Pfizer Inc. be allowed to market the painkiller Celebrex as a treatment for children with a devastating form of arthritis, even though they split on whether it was safe.</p><p>In a 15-1 vote, the advisers said the benefits of the drug outweighed its risks for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis patients 2 and older. They also strongly recommended its safety be monitored for years.</p><p>The Food and Drug Administration must now weigh the panel\'s recommendation that it expand approval of Celebrex. The agency isn\'t required to follow the advice of its expert panels but usually does.</p><p>Earlier, the FDA\'s arthritis advisory committee voted unanimously to say the drug was an effective treatment for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which affects as many as 60,000 U.S. children.</p><p>However, in an 8-7 vote, with one abstention, panel members said available data doesn\'t demonstrate that Celebrex is safe in treating the disease, commonly called JRA.</p><p>Celebrex is the only member of a class of drugs that included Vioxx and Bextra not to have been withdrawn from the market over concerns they elevate the risk of heart attacks and strokes in adults. FDA reviewers before the meeting had questioned the cardiovascular risks of long-term use of the drug in children.</p><p>\"The feeling was short-term efficacy looked good and short-term safety was not an issue. Long-term safety is totally unknown and needs to be known,\" said panel member Dr. Joan Bathon, a Johns Hopkins University rheumatologist.</p><p>The panel recommended the FDA require Pfizer to study the long-term safety of the drug, possibly by creating a registry of patients that would allow their health to be tracked for 10 to 20 years, Bathon said.</p><p><table cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"460\"><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"10\" border=\"0\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr height=\"20\"><td width=\"98%\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><font size=\"-1\"><b color=\"#666666\">&nbsp;Click for related content</b></font></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"5\" cellpadding=\"0\" bordercolor=\"#cccccc\" border=\"0\" style=\"border-top:solid 1px #cccccc;border-bottom:solid 1px #cccccc;background-color:#ffffff;\" bgcolor=\"#ffffff\"><tr><td><table cellspacing=\"0\" border=\"0\" width=\"100%\" cellpadding=\"0\" class=\"headlineList2\"><tr></tr></table></td></tr><tr valign=\"top\"><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tr><td style=\"padding:8px;\"><font class=\"bigRedLink\"><p><a href=\"/id/15936003/\">FDA questions Celebrex use for child arthritis</a></p></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td></td></tr><tr><td><table width=\"100%\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"\" bordercolor=\"\" border=\"0\" style=\"background-color:#eeeeee;\" bgcolor=\"#eeeeee\"><tr><td style=\"\"><font class=\"textSmall\" color=\"#000000\"></font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></p><p>\"That\'s not unreasonable. But the important part, when they considered both safety and benefit, is the benefits outweighed the risks,\" said Dr. Steven Romano, a vice president in Pfizer\'s worldwide medical division.</p><p>The panel\'s endorsement came despite an FDA review of the New York company\'s application that raised questions whether study results showed Celebrex works for the pediatric disease.</p><p>Pfizer said the results of a six-month study showed that Celebrex, also known as celecoxib, works just as well as naproxen in treating young patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Naproxen, sold as Aleve and in generic versions, is the most common treatment for JRA.</p><p>Bathon said the panel recognized the importance of expanding the pool of treatment options for JRA. Vioxx, until it was withdrawn in 2004, had been the only FDA-approved drug of its class for the disease.</p><p>The FDA originally approved Celebrex for use in adults with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in 1998.</p><div class=\"textBodyBlack\" style=\"clear:both;\"><i>Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. 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