Medical Student Debt Tops ВЈ20,000, UK

The amount owed by the average final year medical student has topped ВЈ20,000 for the first time, the BMA revealed on Monday, 19 December, 2005.


Figures from the BMA's annual medical student finance survey show that students in the fifth year of medical school have an average debt of ВЈ20,172, and those in the final year of a six year course owe ВЈ22,365 - 17% more than last year.


The findings are based on questionnaires completed by 1,877 UK medical students between May and September 2005. Nearly all (92%) had a student loan, and around six in ten (59%) had an overdraft. One in five (19%) had a bank loan, the average size of which was ВЈ8,580 - up 12% on last year. Over two thirds (67%) had at least one credit card.


One respondent owed ВЈ55,000, over a hundred owed more than ВЈ30,000, and one in ten had debts in excess of ВЈ25,000.


The high debt levels are explained by the fact that medical students study for two or three years longer than those on other courses, have fewer opportunities to work part-time, and face additional expenses for books, travel to hospitals, and equipment such as stethoscopes.


The BMA is campaigning for the NHS bursaries currently available to some students at the end of their courses to be extended to all years. It has raised concerns that from next year students taking medicine as a second degree will have to pay top-up fees upfront.


Commenting on the survey results, Kirsty Lloyd, chair of the BMA's Medical Students Committee, said: "Making the grade as a doctor should be about talent, compassion and commitment, not on how much money you're prepared to borrow. On top of studying hard for five or six years, medical students are expected to take on these massive debts, and from next year those who have a first degree are also going to have to pay upfront top-up fees. The case for greater financial help for medical students is very clear."


The BMA believes that the high cost of studying medicine is one reason for the social imbalance among medical students - only one in eight (13%) of those surveyed came from a family where the main source of income was a blue collar job.


Andrew Pearson, deputy chair of the BMA's Medical Students Committee, said: "The average sixth year medical student now owes more than the basic annual salary of a newly qualified doctor. This is particularly worrying when you consider that junior doctors' take-home pay is falling and that medical unemployment is increasingly common. There's a lot of anxiety among medical students at the moment, and with top-up fees on the horizon, their financial pressures are going to get worse."


Click here to see the full survey.


THE BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

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Obesity Is No. 1 Health Concern For Kids In 2008

As children's waistlines continue to grow, so have concerns about childhood obesity.


According to a report released by the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health, childhood obesity is now the No. 1 health concern for kids in 2008, topping smoking and drug abuse. In 2007, childhood obesity ranked third among parents' top 10 overall health concerns for kids.


"The National Poll on Children's Health report clearly shows that adults in America are very concerned about the problem of childhood obesity and its causes," says Matthew M. Davis, M.D., M.A.P.P., director of the National Poll on Children's Health. "While recent studies have suggested that the childhood obesity epidemic may be leveling off, the results of this poll reveal that adults in the U.S. are still very much concerned about this issue."


The National Poll on Children's Health, which asked adults to rate 20 different health problems for children living in their communities, reveals that bullying also now ranks among the public's top concerns for children's health, ahead of teen pregnancy and alcohol abuse. Other new topics added to this year's list are Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and environmental toxins.


Also making the public's overall list of top 10 health concerns for kids in 2008: Internet safety, abuse and neglect, sexually transmitted infections, and lack of opportunities for physical activity for kids. The top 10 health concerns for 2007 that did not make this year's list: Motor vehicle accidents and school violence.


Top 10 overall health concerns for U.S. children in 2008


1. Childhood obesity. Thirty-five percent of adults ranked childhood obesity as their top overall health concern for children. In 2007, it was ranked No. 3. Although other research has shown that Hispanic youth are at greater risk for obesity, this problem was rated lower by Hispanic adults than white adults and black adults.


2. Drug abuse. Drug abuse is viewed as a bigger health concern among Hispanic adults (50 percent) than white adults (29 percent) and black (35 percent) adults. It also was more likely to be listed as a top health concern among adults with lower incomes.


3. Smoking. Ranked No. 1 in 2007, smoking now holds the No. 3 position in 2008, with 32 percent of U.S. adults rating it as a major overall health concern. Among Hispanic adults, however, smoking is still rated as the No. 1 health concern for kids (52 percent).


4. Bullying. New to this year's list, bullying was rated highly by both adults with and without children in their homes. Adults from middle-income households were more likely than adults with lower-income or higher-income households to rate bullying as big problem.


5. Internet safety. Adults with household incomes of $100,000 or more per year were more likely to view Internet safety as a big problem for children in their community. Overall, 27 percent of adults polled rated Internet safety as big health concern for kids.















6. Child abuse and neglect. This issue, which was ranked No. 10 in 2007, was rated as a top health concern for kids among 25 percent of adults polled.


7. Teen pregnancy. Black adults continue to rate teen pregnancy as the top health concern for youth in their community, with 35 percent reporting it's a major health concern compared with only 21 percent of white adults and 33 percent of Hispanic adults.


8. Alcohol abuse. For the 2008 poll, 23 percent of adults listed alcohol abuse as a health concern for kids. In 2007, alcohol abuse was ranked fourth overall.


9 (tie). Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. AD/HD, also new to this year's list, was a much greater concern among adults with low-income households than adults with middle-income and high-income households. Overall, 21 percent of adults polled rated it as a health concern for kids.
Sexually transmitted infection. Sexually transmitted infections among youths continue to be considered a big problem affecting children's health, with 21 percent of adults rating it as a top health concern. This issue also was ranked ninth in 2007.


10 (tie). Chemicals in the environment. The issue of environmental toxins was added to this year's list, largely due to concerns among Hispanic adults and adults with low-income households. More than 30 percent of Hispanic adults and 25 percent of adults in the lowest income group felt environmental toxins in their communities pose a threat to children's health.


Not enough opportunities for physical activity. "Having this issue among the 2008 top 10 health concerns underscores the importance placed on childhood obesity as a major problem in adults' minds," notes Davis. Nineteen percent of adults rated this issue as a top health concern.


Issues that did not rank among the top 10 overall health concerns, but were included in the National Poll on Children's Health include: driving accidents, depression, asthma, eating disorders, neighborhood safety, school violence, autism and suicide.


The National Poll on Children's Health also found that adults who did not have children in their households were more likely than parents to list drug abuse, smoking and tobacco use, Internet safety, and sexually transmitted infections as top health concerns. Additionally, adults from low-income households (less than $30,000 per year) viewed drug abuse, smoking and tobacco use, and teen pregnancy as the biggest health concerns for kids. Adults, however, with higher household incomes (more than $100,000 per year) were more likely to rate obesity, Internet safety and drug abuse as major issues.


"We found multiple difference in the priority of health problems for kids in the minds of adults by race, ethnicity, income or some other characteristic. What this tells us is that there is no 'one-size-fits-all' public health approach to these issues," says Davis, associate professor of general pediatrics and internal medicine at the U-M Medical School, and associate professor of public policy at the U-M Gerald R. Ford School of Public Health. "So as doctors, nurses and public health officials work to find ways to help their community deal with health issues, it's important that they remember to tailor their approach to the priorities of the community."


For its report, the National Poll on Children's Health used data from a national online survey conducted in April 2008 in collaboration with Knowledge Networks Inc. The survey was administered to a random sample of 2,064 adults, ages 18 and older, who are a part of Knowledge Network's online KnowledgePanelSM. The sample was subsequently weighted to reflect U.S. population figures from the U.S. Census Bureau. About three-fourths of the sample were households with children.


For the complete report and podcast about poll results, visit the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health online at med.umich.edu/mott/npch.


The C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health funded by the Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases and part of the CHEAR Unit at the U-M Health System is designed to measure major health care issues and trends for U.S. children.


To learn more about Knowledge Networks, visit knowledgenetworks.


University of Michigan Health System

2901 Hubbard St., Ste. 2400

Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2435

United States

med.umich.edu

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Joimax(R) Goes HD, HD Technology For Superior Safety In Endoscopic Spinal Surgery

The 5th German Spine Congress (5. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Wirbelsaulengesellschaft (DWG)) will take place from 16 to 18 December 2010 at the Congress Centre in Bremen. joimax(R) is proud to present the innovative HD 5-in-1 complete system at their booth no.20: The C-Camsource(R)HD Twister offers state-of-the-art HD technology and works with both the joimax(R) HD endoscopes and HD flat screens producing an extremely precise and sharp picture and video imaging for endoscopic spinal surgery.


This is convincing technology for spinal surgery experts like Dr. Michael Schubert, Apex-Spine Center, Munich, Germany, or Dr. Ralf Wagner, Frankfurt, Germany: "High resolution like this allows very precise working and provides the necessary safety required when operating especially in the field of endoscopic spinal surgery." With this integrated combination of HD camera technique, HD endoscopes and HD flat screen monitors joimax(R) is the first manufacturer to offer a completely tuned and expandable HD system of highest imaging quality and picture resolution.


Both surgeons value the C-Camsource(R) HD Twister as a 5-in-1 system with its integrated xenon light source and picture rotation function: "There is optimal lighting at all times and with the Twister, image details can be zoomed in and rotated, and thanks to the imaging function and the diaphragm and mask function, optimal orientation in the operation area is possible."


The HD 5-in-1 complete system has also a text generator in order to document each step of the surgery and it offers direct and simple data storage on a USB data carrier. "It was important for us to offer the surgeon a perfectly coordinated as well as a safe complete system," says Wolfgang Ries, CEO and founder of joimax(R), "for the best possible treatment of patients without any compromises."


Advantages of the C-Camsource(R) HD-Twister complete system and the joimax(R) HD endoscopes



-- Best possible resolution due to High-Definition-Technology



-- First-class brightness, brilliance of the pictures due to optimal co-ordination of the endoscope, camera and screen as tuned system



-- Unique image rotation, zoom and picture movement function



-- As much system integration as sensible, possible and necessary



-- Functions for intuitive orientation, marking and documentation



Advantages of the HD flat screen monitors by joimax(R)



-- HD flat screen monitors in either 24" or 42" with an angle of 178 degrees for an exceptionally good view and safe operating



-- Brilliant images in high resolution: 1.920 x 1.080 pixels



-- Picture in picture function; size and position adjustable



-- Touch Control Panel, multi-language menu navigation


Source: joimax GmbH

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New Data On Fructose-Sweetened Beverages And Hepatic Metabolism

According to figures published by the World Health Organitzation (WHO), in the year 2015 some 2.3 billion adults will be overweight and more than 700 million will suffer from obesity, a pathology which is increasingly being seen in children. In addition, for some time now the high incidence of obesity in developed countries has coincided with an increase in the consumption of beverages sweetened with fructose, a powerful sweetener. A team from the University of Barcelona (UB) has recently published a study in the journal Hepatology which provides clues to the molecular mechanism through which the fructose in beverages may alter lipid energy metabolism and cause fatty liver and metabolic syndrome.


The study was led by Dr Juan Carlos Laguna of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Chemistry at the Faculty of Pharmacy, who is also the director of the research group "Nuclear receptors regulating energy metabolism as pharmacological targets", with the participation of NГєria Roglans, Laia VilГ , Mireia FarrГ©, Marta Alegret, Rosa M. SГЎnchez and Manuel VГЎzquez-Carrera.


This preclinical study published in Hepatology was carried out with laboratory rats receiving fructose- or glucose-sweetened liquid intake. No solid food was given. "The fructose in fruit has nothing to do with this study," stresses Professor Laguna. "Fruit is healthy and its consumption is strongly recommended. Our study focuses on liquid fructose intake as an addition to the ordinary diet."


Fructose is mainly metabolized in the liver, the target organ of the metabolic alterations caused by the consumption of this sugar. In this study, rats receiving fructose-containing beverages presented a pathology similar to metabolic syndrome, which in the short term causes lipid accumulation (hypertriglyceridemia) and fatty liver, and at later stages hypertension, resistance to insulin, diabetes and obesity.


The fructose used to sweeten beverages alters the lipid metabolism in the liver and, according to the authors, represents a calorie overload to which the body's metabolism is unable to adapt. Specifically, fructose increases fat synthesis in the liver and reduces its degradation through action on a specific nuclear receptor (PPARa), which controls fatty acid B-oxidation. "The most novel finding," says Laguna, "is that this molecular mechanism is related to an impairment in the leptin signal. Leptin is a hormone that plays a key role in the body's energy control; among its peripheral actions, it accelerates fat oxidation in the liver and reduces its synthesis."


The study shows that rats receiving beverages with fructose have an excess of leptin in blood. Curiously, though, the liver does not show the effects that one would expect in the presence of high levels of this hormone. It seems that the deficit in the degradation of the fatty acids in the liver may be related to the leptin resistance, which affects a transcription factor (Stat-3) involved in the signalling pathway of leptin in the liver and the hypothalamus. Nor were significant weight differences found between the rats drinking liquids with glucose or fructose, "possibly because this was a short-term experiment and there was no time to detect such changes," notes Professor Laguna.


Poorly balanced diets and the lack of physical exercise are key factors in the increase of obesity and other metabolic diseases in modern societies. In epidemiological studies in humans, the effect of the intake of fructose-sweetened beverages seems to be more intense in women. Professor Laguna's team intends to continue research on a variety of fronts: the study of the difference in response between sexes; the study of the molecular mechanisms of leptin resistance in the liver in rat models; experimental studies with hepatocyte cell cultures, and, further into the future, pilot studies of a fructose-rich diet in humans to find possible markers of metabolic alterations in blood cells.


UNIVERSIDAD DE BARCELONA

Gran Via Corts Catalanes, 585

08007 Barcelona

ub.edu/

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Palestinian And Israeli Scientists Unite To Help The Region

Israelis and Americans have been longtime friends and partners in scientific research. It's pretty much a given, that a newly awarded young doctorate will head to America to cut his or her teeth in a research fellowship, before launching a career in medicine, biology, or biotech.


Hoping to broaden the scientific horizons for Palestinian scientists too, despite the current war with Gaza, is a new science workshop that connects Israelis to their Palestinian neighbors, with a bigger purpose. It's a humanitarian effort, proposed by the US-Israel Binational Science Foundation (BSF), the organization which last year awarded $15 million in research grants to joint projects in science between Israelis and Americans.


"These are not supposed to be conventional workshops where people talk about advances in science in their specialty," says Yair Rotstein, the executive director of the BSF. "We designed them around a topic of regional importance."


Water under the bridge


And what could be more important than water in a region where water is a limited resource? The first BSF-funded workshop took place recently in Haifa, where about 20 researchers, Palestinians, Israeli Arabs, Israeli Jews, and Americans -- tackled the problem of water scarcity and discussed new science that could address the growing lack of water in Israel, and the Middle East in general.


For four days in Haifa, the scientists met and discussed ways they could apply chemistry and their know-how to create a new solution for a joint research grant. Travel permits for the Palestinians were arranged by the BSF-appointed organizer, Uri Zoller, professor of chemistry, from the University of Haifa.


Since meeting, the scientists have drafted a proposal for funding from an international aid agency, Rotstein, who was at the workshop, is happy to report. The crisis with Gaza has not affected progress. "These are the first ever workshops of this kind," he says. "It's part of the general tendency to get people closer together to work in science."


Since Palestinian scientists are not eligible for grant money through the BSF, he says, the organization is giving them the know-how and Israeli partners instead, so that together they can co-apply for research grants to other agencies, such as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).


"It's not just for science in general. We are aiming that the people will sit together and start to talk and prepare proposals for jointly submitted proposals on one of these [workshop] topics," Rotstein tells ISRAEL21c.


Tackling medical problems in Palestinian populations, together


Next up is a workshop in April, to deal with genetic diseases in the Palestinian communities, a problem given the high rate of intermarriage among Arabs in the region.


So far two additional proposals for workshops between the Palestinian and Israeli researchers are in the works, but there is no word yet if they will be funded, or what the topics will be. The estimated cost is about $50,000 per workshop.


Proposals will be evaluated on the basis of their scientific excellence, as well as on their broader significance. These workshops will focus on areas such as the environment, ecology, water, alternative sustainable energy, genetic diseases and infectious diseases.


What did he think of the last workshop? "It was very interesting, because the science is interesting for me," says Rotstein. And of course, the chance to get to meet Palestinians scientists, people with whom he rarely networks, was also significant.



US-Israel Binational Science Foundation



Source

israel21c

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Making Snack Food Choices: Are "Bad Intentions" Stronger Than "Good Intentions?"

People who are asked whether they would choose between a "good" snack and a "bad" snack might not follow their intentions when the snacks arrive. In an article in the September/October 2008 issue of the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, Dutch researchers found that there is a substantial inconsistency between healthful snack choice intentions and actual behavior.


Participants were asked about their intentions in choosing among four snacks: an apple, a banana, a candy bar and a molasses waffle. About half of the participants indicated they would choose the apple or banana a "healthy" snack. But when presented, one week later, with the actual snacks, 27% switched to the candy bar or waffle. Over 90% of the unhealthy-choice participants stuck with their intentions and chose the unhealthy snack. The study included 585 participants who were office employees recruited in their worksite cafeterias.


Although intentions are often tightly linked to what people really do, it doesn't always work that way. One explanation is that intentions are usually under cognitive control while actual choices are often made impulsively, even unconsciously.


At times, the link between intentions and behavior is stronger. In healthy eating behavior, a strong positive attitude toward healthy eating, a high level of dietary restraint and regular consumption of healthy foods could increase the healthy intention-behavior consistency.


Investigator Pascalle Weijzen, Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, The Netherlands, comments that "a substantial gap between healthy snack choice intentions and actual behavior was demonstrated. Despite that gap, the results suggest that individuals who plan to make a healthful choice are more likely to do so than those who plan to make unhealthful choices. Because more than 50% of the population seems to have no intention at all of making a healthful choice, identifying tools by which this group can be motivated to choose a healthful snack is strongly needed."


The article is "Discrepancy Between Snack Choice Intentions and Behavior" by Pascalle L.G. Weijzen, MSc; Cees de Graaf, PhD; and Garmt B. Dijksterhuis, PhD. It appears in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, Volume 40, Issue 5 (September/October 2008).


ELSEVIER

Radarweg 29

Amsterdam

elsevier

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Perth researchers receive national suicide prevention awards, Australia

Suicide prevention researcher Kate Miller has been recognised for her innovative work in developing safe, effective online resources for young people.


24 year old Kate is a project coordinator with the Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research.


Kate has developed a unique Internet resource targeted at young people who access suicide prevention information or support through the Internet.


"The resource shows young people ways that they can safely access support and information on the Internet and how to respond and support email friends who are at-risk or have indicated their intent to harm themselves."


"It also examines the advantages and disadvantages of using the Internet for suicide prevention information and lists websites that provide credible sources of information such as Reachout," Ms Miller said.


Kate also is responsible for the website for the Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention and developed the ASPiRE (Australian Suicide Prevention Information Resource Exchange) website, supported by Woodside Energy.


Professor Sven Silburn, who Chairs for the Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention at the Institute, also received an Outstanding Contribution Award to acknowledge his major role in suicide prevention research in Australia.


The LiFe Awards are presented annually by Suicide Prevention Australia, a non-Government not-for-profit organisation committed to supporting the important initiatives undertaken by all those working in suicide prevention. (suicidepreventionaust)


Elizabeth Chester

61-409-988-530

Research Australia

researchaustralia.au

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March 4 Application Deadline Nears For Nursing Loan Repayment Program

The Alabama Department of Public Health Office of Primary Care and Rural Health wants
qualified nurses to be aware that they may be eligible for the Nursing Education Loan
Repayment Program. This federally funded program assists in the recruitment and retention of
professional registered nurses in facilities with a critical nursing shortage in exchange for fulltime
service.


"Nurses have until March 4, 2010, to complete their applications for this program which assists
with repaying a portion of their educational loans and we urge qualified nurses who are willing to
work through their commitment to apply," said the office's Charles Graves.


Nurses who meet the following criteria are eligible:


- Hold a degree in nursing (associate, baccalaureate or graduate level)

- Have outstanding educational loans (nursing loans only)

- Are a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States

- Are employed full-time (32 hours or more per week) at a critical shortage facility

- Have a current permanent unrestricted license as a registered nurse in the state in which
he/she intends to practice



Critical nursing shortage areas include nonprofit hospitals serving large numbers of low-income
patients, federally designated health centers, rural health clinics, certain skilled care facilities,
health departments and others.



Additional eligibility information, service requirements and the application are available here.

Source
Alabama Department of Public Health

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Legal Victory In CA School Nurse Case

The American Nurses Association (ANA), the nation's largest nursing organization, is pleased to announce a significant victory on the issue of allowing unlicensed personnel to administer insulin in California schools. The California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District upheld the decision of the trial court that allowing unlicensed school personnel to administer insulin violated California laws, including the California Nursing Practice Act.


"This is a victory for patient safety. ANA and our state member, ANA/California, undertook this case with the California School Nurses Organization, to assure that the schools provide safe health care by licensed nurses to diabetic students, which is what the law requires. Budget woes cannot excuse compliance with the nurse practice act and the student's right to a public education in a setting that accommodates their health needs," said ANA President Rebecca M. Patton, MSN, RN, CNOR. "We are gratified the higher court has affirmed the lower court's ruling. ANA remains deeply committed to ensuring safe, quality healthcare for students and our continued support for the California Nursing Practice Act in its intent to protect the public."


In its decision, the appellate court stated, "While we can guess that funding of the required services may be difficult for schools in these economic times, we have no evidence that such difficulties cannot be overcome in order to meet the requirements of federal [disability] law."


In his ruling of December 2008, Judge Lloyd Connelly made it clear that the State Board of Education does not have the authority to decide who is qualified to administer medications, nor can it supersede the current Nursing Practice Act, which defines administration of medication as a nursing function that cannot be performed by unlicensed individuals, except in certain circumstances. The appellate court agreed with that analysis. In addition, the appellate court stated that "California's legislative choice to protect the health and safety of the state's children who suffer from diabetes by limiting the administration of insulin injections at school to licensed individuals" cannot be preempted.


Source
American Nurses Association

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Medical Students Declare 'Pharmfree Day' to Combat Biased Industry Temptations

The American Medical Student Association (AMSA), the nation's largest, independent medical student organization, with
nearly 50,000 members, today announces National PharmFree Day, the first annual day of action where medical students,
residents and physicians will speak out against the pharmaceutical industry's biased marketing practices.


Medical students will hold events nationwide on December 8th, promoting honesty, integrity, humility and accountability in
medical education and beyond. AMSA has been collecting pharmaceutical marketing paraphernalia from medical students over the
past few months and will rid themselves of the items at the national launch of National PharmFree Day at New York University.



"With convincing evidence that marketing shapes prescribing habits, it is time that medical students and the medical
community as a whole examine their relationship with the pharmaceutical industry," said Dr. Brian Palmer, AMSA national
president. "Physicians should base their prescribing practice on the best medical evidence. By speaking out against biased
marketing, we can revitalize professionalism in medicine. Patients rightly expect and deserve this from their physicians."



Today, there are more than 90,000 pharmaceutical representatives, providing free lunches, symposia, samples and marketing
pamphlets. These enticements are designed to influence doctors to prescribe more drugs and more expensive drugs and have
often become a substitute for objective medical evidence. The pharmaceutical industry claims that high priced pharmaceuticals
are essential to offset the expense of research and development, yet the number of research jobs has remained virtually the
same since 1995, while the marketing staff has increased by over 50 percent in the past four years.


AMSA developed the PharmFree Campaign in collaboration with No Free Lunch and Dr. Bob Goodman two years ago to educate and
train medical students to professionally and ethically interact with the pharmaceutical industry. AMSA is the only medical
student organization to ban all pharmaceutical advertising in its publications and events.


National PharmFree Day is supported by Consumers Union (publisher of Consumer Reports magazine) and The Medical Letter. For
more information on AMSA's PharmFree initiatives, please visit: amsa/prof/pharmfree.cfm.


About the American Medical Student Association


The American Medical Student Association (AMSA), with more than a half-century history of medical student activism, is the
oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States. Founded in 1950, AMSA is a
student-governed, non-profit organization committed to representing the concerns of physicians-in-training. With nearly
50,000 members, including medical and premedical students, residents and practicing physicians, AMSA is committed to
improving medical training as well as advancing the profession of medicine. AMSA focuses on four strategic priorities,
including universal healthcare, disparities in medicine, diversity in medicine and transforming the culture of medical
education. To learn more about AMSA, our strategic priorities, or joining the organization, please visit us online at amsa.


Kim Becker, Director of Public Relations

American Medical Student Association

Phone: (703) 620-6600, ext. 207

Email: prelwww.amsa

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Obesity, Chronic Illness And Bullying

Children who are overweight or obese are more likely to be victimised by bullying when compared to children who are not overweight.



The findings, to be presented today [Wednesday 6 July] at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society for Academic Primary Care held at the University of Bristol this week [Wednesday 6 to Friday 8 July], explore the prevalence of overweight and obesity in nine-year-olds and its associations with chronic illness and bullying.



Childhood obesity is a major personal, family and public health challenge. Weight problems and obesity in children has increased dramatically throughout Europe in the past two decades. In addition to the increased likelihood of adult obesity with its associated health risks, serious short-term physical and psychosocial consequences endanger the wellbeing of an affected child.



The researchers used a sample of 8,568 nine-year-old children and their families from the first wave of data collection from Growing Up in Ireland - the National Longitudinal Study of Children.



The study found obesity to be more prevalent in girls. In addition children, particularly boys with an abnormal body weight had a significantly higher rate of an ongoing chronic illness.



Children who were overweight or obese were a lot more likely to be victimised by bullying when compared to children who were not overweight.



Dr Udo Reulbach, Clinical Research Fellow in the Department of Public Health and Primary Care & HRB Centre for Primary Care Research, Trinity College Dublin, said: "Previous research has indicated that girls may be more susceptible to overweight and obesity than boys.



"Obesity and overweight are of major concern in Irish children with girls being more affected. It is associated with a higher likelihood of having chronic conditions and being bullied."



Data collection consisted of self-completion surveys with children in school and at home and interviewer administered questionnaires with parents and children in their home. International cut-off points for nine-year-olds for overweight and obesity were used defined to pass through body mass index (BMI) through BMI 25 and 30kg/m2 at age 18 to classify weight categories. Analysis was based on statistically reweighted data to ensure that it is representative of all nine-year-olds in Ireland.



Further research is needed to explore the impact General Practitioners may have in communicating concerns about the weight of a child to parents.



Clinicians may also need to discover the effect of negative weight stereotyping on bullying in children. The much higher rates of overweight and obesity in Irish girls require further investigation and attention.



Obesity has been well established as a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease, musculoskeletal disorders, other chronic diseases, some cancers and an overall higher chance of premature death and disability.



In addition to the physical consequences, childhood overweight and obesity is associated with a range of other negative outcomes including poor psychological and educational outcomes and social inequalities.



Source:

Joanne Fryer


University of Bristol

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MedPAC Chair Discusses Challenges In Interview With The Hill

The Hill on Friday published an interview with Glenn Hackbarth, chair of the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, who discussed problems with the long-term financial stability of Medicare, reimbursements for private Medicare Advantage plans and physician reimbursements, among other issues. According to Hackbarth, problems with long-term financial stability are the "biggest" threat to Medicare, and, although "people pay lip service to it at times," no one "is really addressing the issue in a substantive way." He added that MedPAC is "really concerned about the lack of attention" to the issue because the longer the U.S. waits to address the problems, "the more difficult" the problems will become.

Hackbarth also said that health care has become a "very prominent" issue in the current presidential campaign. "It'll be interesting to see whether we are prepared to actually do something. Difficult choices will be required and a lot of consensus building required," he said.

In addition, Hackbarth said that MedPAC supports the "basic idea" of MA, which "is to offer beneficiaries the opportunity to enroll in private health plans," but does "think that private plans ought to be ... paid the same amount" as traditional Medicare "would have spent on behalf of the same beneficiaries." Hackbarth added that the "flaw" in MA "is the (payment) benchmarks that are set for the plans" because "those benchmarks are not market-set prices," but "prices that were set by Congress as part of a political process."

Hackbarth also discussed efforts to revise the "sustainable growth rate" formula used to determine Medicare physician reimbursements. According to Hackbarth, the problem with the formula "is the budget baseline created by the SGR mechanism," which "is so low relative to current payments that it's really a barrier to trying to do something sensible to reform physician payments" (Young, The Hill, 9/21).

Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation© 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.

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Negative Emotions Surface As We Exert More Self Control In Our Daily Choices

People who make an effort to exert self-control are attracted to aggressive art and public policy appeals, according to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research. They also don't appreciate messages that nag them to control their behavior.



"We set out to examine whether exerting self-control can indeed lead to a wide range of angry behaviors and preferences subsequently, even in situations where such behaviors are quite subtle," write authors David Gal (Northwestern University) and Wendy Liu (University of California San Diego).



"Research has shown that exerting self-control makes people more likely to behave aggressively toward others and people on diets are known to be irritable and quick to anger," the authors explain. The researchers found that people who exerted self-control were more likely to prefer anger-themed movies, were more interested in looking at angry facial expressions, were more persuaded by anger-framed appeals, and expressed more irritation at a message that used controlling language to convince them to change their exercise habits.



In one study, people who choose an apple instead of a chocolate bar were more likely to choose movies with anger and revenge themes than milder movies.



In another study, participants who exerted financial restraint by choosing a gift certificate for groceries over one for a spa service showed more interest in looking at angry faces rather than at fearful ones.



In a third experiment, dieters had more favorable opinions toward a public policy message that used an anger-framed appeal (if funds are not increased for police training, more criminals will escape prison) than they did toward a sad message.



Finally, participants who chose a healthy snack over a tastier, less-healthy one were more irritated by a marketer's message that included controlling language (words such as "you ought to," "need to," and "must").



"Public policy makers need to be more aware of the potential negative emotions resulting from encouraging the public to exert more self control in daily choices," the authors write. "Instead behavioral interventions might rely on a broader range of methods to foster positive behaviors toward long-term goals."



David Gal and Wendy Liu. "Grapes of Wrath: The Angry Effects of Exerting Self-Control." Journal of Consumer Research: October 2011.



Source:
University of Chicago Press Journals

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Maryland In Special Session To Consider Proposal To Expand Medicaid Eligibility, Subsidize Small Businesses

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) on Thursday announced a proposal to increase eligibility for Medicaid and subsidize small businesses that provide health insurance to their employees, the Washington Post reports. The General Assembly will consider the proposal during a special session on the budget that starts Monday (Rein, Washington Post, 10/26).

The proposal would expand coverage to an additional 100,000 Maryland residents, out of the 800,000 state residents who are uninsured. Under the proposal, the state would expand the Medicaid income threshold for adults from 40% of the federal poverty level to 116% of the poverty level (Smitherman, Baltimore Sun, 10/26). The increase would occur over four years, with Medicaid first extending the higher income eligibility level to parents, and later to childless adults.

In addition, the proposal would give insurance subsidies to employees with annual incomes up to $50,000 who work at companies that have as many as nine employees and do not offer health benefits (Washington Post, 10/26). The subsidies would be up to $1,000, depending on the amount employees contribute to their insurance premiums (Baltimore Sun, 26). The state also would provide subsidies to about 4,000 small businesses in the state to encourage them to continue offering employee health benefits. Employees with chronic illnesses would be eligible for discounts on their deductibles if they enroll in wellness programs under the plan (Washington Post, 10/26).

The proposal also would allot $10 million to improve the quality of health care technology used statewide, which is intended to improve care and save money by reducing inefficiency. In addition, O'Malley on Thursday signed an executive order to create the Health Quality and Cost Council to explore other health initiatives (Baltimore Sun, 10/26).

Cost
The proposal is expected to cost $85 million in state general funds in fiscal year 2009. Costs would increase to $188 million in 2010, $216 million in 2011 and $250 million in 2012 (Witte, Washington Times, 10/26). Total annual cost of the program is estimated at $675 million, including federal matching funds, according to Health Secretary John Colmers (Washington Post, 10/26). Implementation of the plan will depend on the availability of funding (Washington Times, 10/26).

The state would fund the proposal through a $1-per-pack increase in the cigarette tax and a "reshuffling" of the state's method of reimbursing hospitals for providing charity care, according to the Post (Washington Post, 10/26). In addition, about $75 million of a $100 million surplus in the Maryland Health Insurance Program would be used to fund the Medicaid expansion (Washington Times, 10/26).

Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation© 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.

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Leading San Diego Otolaryngologist Integrates Innovative Reflux Detection Device Into Practice

Dr. Michael Mahdavi is among the early adopters of a new wireless technology that detects acidic reflux in the airway. The Restech Dx-pH Measurement System™ received nationwide acclaim for its clinical significance, delivering clear insight into a rising incidence of reflux-related disorders.


Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) is known in medical circles as a "silent disease." It is difficult to detect because conventional pH measurement systems cannot function properly above the esophagus due to sensor dry-out. The Restech Dx-pH Probe™ incorporates the first and only pH sensor capable of self-condensing, thus facilitating reliable measurement and recording of aerosolized reflux in the upper airway.


Like scores of other physicians around the country, Dr. Mahdavi turned to the Restech Dx-System not only to detect a stealthy and common disease state, but also to gauge the effectiveness of empirically prescribed Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) therapy (Nexium®, AcipHex®, Prilosec®).


A recent meta-analysis of empiric treatment of LPR with PPI trials, published by Karkos and Wilson (Laryngoscope), concluded that "the few randomized, controlled trials have failed to demonstrate superiority of PPIs over placebo for treatment of suspected LPR." This new evidence is making some doctors think twice before prescribing PPIs without a positive pH study.


Dr. Mahdavi asserted, "After performing several studies with the Dx-System, I will begin to pre-screen patients with the Restech Dx-System as a filter for patients who may or may not need PPI therapy. We feel this system will speed up patient diagnoses and cut down on patient costs in the end."


Leo Roucher, CEO of Restech, added, "One of our end-goals is to cut down on the overall cost of treating patients with reflux. If our system can indicate whether or not PPI therapy is necessary before a patient is treated, that would be one great outcome for our product."


Dr. Mahdavi is Medical Director for the San Diego Ear, Head and Neck Medical Center in La Jolla, California. He is one of a growing number of the nation's most reputable and published physicians using the Restech Dx-System.


Restech is a leader in developing world-class medical technologies assisting physicians in the diagnosis of reflux related health problems. For more information on the Dx-pH Measurement System, please contact Debra Krahel or Bryan Buljat at (800) 352-1512 or visit restech-corp.



View drug information on Aciphex; Nexium; Prilosec.

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New Diagnostic Test For Bladder Cancer

Researchers from the Danish Cancer Society and the Herlev University Hospital of Copenhagen have developed a novel assay to test for multiple tumor markers in bladder cancer. The related report by Serizawa et al, "Custom-designed MLPA using multiple short synthetic probes: application to methylation analysis of five promoter CpG islands in tumor and urine specimens from patients with bladder cancer," appears in the July 2010 issue of The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics.



Bladder cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in men in the United States. Over 50,000 men are diagnosed with bladder cancer each year. Although early-stage superficial tumors can be shaved off or treated with BCG immunotherapy, late-stage patients with infiltrating tumor often require a cystectomy (removal of all or part of the bladder). Therefore, early diagnosis of bladder cancer is critical in maintaining lifestyle standards.



Methylation specific-multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplication (MS-MLPA) can be used to screen multiple target sequences simultaneously in a single reaction, allowing for rapid early screening of tumor markers. However, commercially available MS-MLPA kits are not available for many diseases, and custom probe design has been limited by problems of chemically synthesizing longer nucleotides. Researchers led by Dr. Per Guldberg of the Danish Cancer Society have now modified this assay by using multiple short synthetic probes to test for tumor markers in bladder cancer. They found that paired tumor and urine samples in most cases showed identical marker patterns, suggesting that this assay may be used for non-invasive diagnosis and disease monitoring.



Serizawa et al suggest that "the use of multiple short synthetic probes may provide a simple and cost-effective approach to custom-designed MLPA." In future studies, Dr. Guldberg's group will examine how "the same approach may be used for most other MLPA applications and thus provide the basis for a more widespread usage of the MLPA technology."



Notes:

Serizawa RR, Ralfkiær U, Dahl C, Lam GW, Hansen AB, Steven K, Horn T, Guldberg P: Custom-designed MLPA using multiple short synthetic probes: application to methylation analysis of five promoter CpG islands in tumor and urine specimens from patients with bladder cancer. J Mol Diagn 2010, 12: doi:10.2353/jmoldx.2010.090152.


This study was supported by the Danish Cancer Society, the Neye Foundation, Henny Sophie Clausen and furniture architect Axel Clausen's Foundation, Lily Benthine Lund's Foundation, Dagmar Marshall' Foundation, the A. P. MГёller Foundation for the Advancement of Medical Science, the Toyota Foundation, and the Copenhagen County University Hospital Foundation.



Source:

Angela Colmone, Ph.D.

American Journal of Pathology

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Methodist Hospital Research Institute Receives $5 Million Donation To Study Neurodegenerative Diseases, Alzheimer's

Dr. Stephen Wong has received a $5 million gift from the Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Foundation to study progressive neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's Disease. The gift will support The Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Center for Bioinformatics Research and Imaging for Neurosciences (BRAIN) at The Methodist Hospital Research Institute.


Neurodegenerative diseases affect one in five Americans. According to a 2010 study by the Alzheimer's Organization, 5.3 million people have Alzheimer's at a cost of approximately $172 billion per year. With a rapidly aging baby boomer population, the organization believes Alzheimer's will continue to impact more lives. From 2000 to 2006, Alzheimer's Disease deaths increased 46.1 percent.


"Our brains have about 100 billion neurons that connect at 100 trillion points. When these connections, or synapses, malfunction, the memories that make up a whole human experience simply and tragically evaporate," said Wong, who was named director of the Chao BRAIN Center.


"In the past, the time it would take to analyze the trillions of synapses was prohibitive. We plan to greatly speed that process using advanced computational analysis and high throughput imaging to make sense of this disease and find ways to slow or stop its progression. The generous support from the Chao family will help make this a reality."


As part of the gift a $3 million fund will be established to identify new strategies for the treatment of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. A $2 million endowed fund will support a chair or research projects undertaken by the Center over the long term.


Wong holds the John S. Dunn Distinguished Endowed Chair in Biomedical Engineering at The Methodist Hospital Research Institute. He also serves as the director of the Center for Bioengineering and Informatics at The Methodist Hospital Research Institute and chief of medical physics and vice chair of radiology for The Methodist Hospital. His research focuses on multi-scale imaging techniques and bioinformatics methods to develop quantitative biomarkers and therapeutics, and to decipher complex disease mechanisms in neurodegeneration, oncology and other related disorders.


He is the former director of the Center for Bioinformatics at the Harvard Center of Neurodegeneration and Repair and the Functional and Molecular Imaging Center of Brigham and Women's Hospital, one of Harvard's partner hospitals. He has published over 300 peer-reviewed papers and holds six patents in biomedical technology. He also serves regularly on National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Science Foundation (NSF) review panels.


Source
Methodist Hospital, Houston

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Orasure Technologies Files For Fda Approval Of Oraquick(R) Rapid Hepatitis C Test - When Approved, Expected To Be The First Rapid HCV Test In U.S.

OraSure Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: OSUR) today announced that it has submitted a pre-market approval ("PMA") application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") for a rapid test for antibodies to the Hepatitis C virus ("HCV") utilizing OraSure Technologies' OraQuick® technology platform. When approved, the OraQuick® HCV test is expected to be the first rapid HCV test approved by the FDA for use in the United States.


The Company is seeking FDA approval for use of its OraQuick® HCV test on five specimen types - oral fluid, fingerstick whole blood, venous whole blood, plasma and serum. The submission reflects the successful completion of clinical studies which include data from over 3,000 subjects.



The Company also intends to submit a request for CE mark approval of the OraQuick® HCV test within the next several months. CE mark approval is needed to sell the test in the European Union.


"The completion of our FDA submission for the OraQuick® HCV test is the result of a tremendous effort by our regulatory, research and development and operations groups, and we are very grateful for all of their efforts," said Douglas A. Michels, President and CEO of OraSure Technologies. "We believe the market opportunity for a rapid HCV test, both here in the U.S. and around the world, is very significant and this submission represents the achievement of an important milestone towards commercialization. We look forward to launching this product in the U.S. in collaboration with Schering-Plough Corporation once FDA approval is obtained."


On a world-wide basis, there are an estimated 180 million people who are chronically infected with HCV, with an estimated three to four million individuals newly infected each year. The prevalence of Hepatitis C infection is estimated to be four times that of HIV around the world.


According to the World Health Organization, as many as fifty percent of persons infected with HCV are undiagnosed and up to eighty percent who have HCV show no signs or symptoms. In the U.S., there are an estimated four million Americans, or 1.3 percent of the population, that are or have been infected with HCV. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ("CDC"), new infections in the U.S. are estimated at approximately 20,000 per year.


As previously announced, OraSure has entered into agreements with Schering-Plough Corporation to collaborate on the development and promotion of the OraQuick® HCV test. Under the terms of these agreements, the Company has been and will be reimbursed by Schering-Plough for a portion of its costs to develop the test and obtain regulatory approvals, and Schering-Plough will provide detailing and other promotional support for the test in the physicians' office markets in the United States and internationally.



About Hepatitis C


Hepatitis C is the major cause of acute Hepatitis and chronic liver disease and, if left undiagnosed and treated, can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, liver failure and death. According to the CDC it is estimated that seventy-five to eighty-five percent of those people who become infected with the hepatitis C virus develop chronic infection, and five to twenty percent eventually develop cirrhosis of the liver.



Although HCV is a significant health issue, it is a curable disease. With current treatment therapies, the rates of sustained viral clearance are as high as fifty percent in cases of infection by Genotype 1, the most common form of HCV, and as high as eighty percent with the less commonly occurring Genotypes 2 and 3 of the virus. New therapies are under development which may improve these treatment rates. OraSure believes the key to improving public health with respect to this disease is early diagnosis through wide-spread testing.


About OraSure Technologies


OraSure Technologies develops, manufactures and markets oral fluid specimen collection devices using proprietary oral fluid technologies, diagnostic products including immunoassays and other in vitro diagnostic tests, and other medical devices. These products are sold in the United States as well as internationally to various clinical laboratories, hospitals, clinics, community-based organizations and other public health organizations, distributors, government agencies, physicians' offices, and commercial and industrial entities.


OraSure Technologies is the leading supplier of oral-fluid collection devices and assays to the public health and life insurance markets for the detection of antibodies to HIV. In addition, the Company supplies oral-fluid testing solutions for drugs of abuse testing. For more information on the Company, please go to orasure.

OraSure Technologies

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Next generation body scanner launched by the University of Manchester

The first 'next generation' MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) body scanner in the world will be officially launched at Hope Hospital later this week (Friday 18th February).



The Achieva 3T MR Scanner has been purchased by The University of Manchester and will be used by researchers to further their studies in a wide range of medical areas.



The state-of-the-art technology involved will revolutionise the way scanning takes place and means that higher quality scans can be carried out at a much faster speed than ever before. The scanner will enable researchers to create images of structures in the body such as individual vessels in the brain, nerves and cartilage.



Researchers working in the fields of cancer, stroke and mental illness will be among the first to benefit from the scanner. By studying patients, they will be able to look at the way brain tumours and cancers grow and develop and how different kinds of treatment might work.



It will also help researchers looking into strokes and will enable them to understand the way the brain recovers in stroke patients. The scanner will also benefit researchers carrying out work into mental illness and will play a major role in the University's research into schizophrenia. The scanner will help to unravel the mysteries of how the brain works and will reveal how different parts of the brain communicate with each other.



Researchers working on abnormalities in the kidneys will also benefit from the improved scanning - research is currently underway at the University to investigate vascular abnormalities to the kidneys in patients with renal disease.



The scanner, which has been manufactured by Philips Medical Systems and features a 5.5 tonne magnet, will be launched by Professor Colin Blakemore, Chief Executive of the Medical Research Council and Professor Alan Gilbert, President and Vice Chancellor of The University of Manchester - see EDITORS NOTES for further details.



Professor Colin Sibley, Associate Dean for Research in the University's Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences said: "This piece of equipment will help us to unravel some of the mysteries of the brain and how it works. For the first time we will be able to see how different parts of the brain communicate with each other and this will be invaluable to many different areas of our research.



"The scanner will lead to improvements in diagnosing and treating major conditions such as stroke, cancer and mental illness. Of course, this will be of huge benefit to patients suffering from these severe medical conditions and will also ensure that The University of Manchester remains at the forefront of worldwide medical research," he added.



As well as offering higher quality images, the quick scanning time means that more patients will be able to take advantage of the equipment, such as severely ill people who have previously been unable to tolerate the longer scanning times involved.



John Atwill, Managing Director of Philips Medical Systems UK said: "The 3.0T Achieva MR system in Manchester represents the culmination of many years of fruitful collaboration between Philips Medical Systems and The University of Manchester. We chose to install our first 3.0T Achieva in a clinical setting in Manchester because of this close collaboration and the expertise in Manchester to explore the potential clinical benefits of this cutting edge technology."



David Dalton, Chief Executive, Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust added: "We are delighted that the 3 T MR Scanner is located here at Hope where we have the Greater Manchester Neurosciences Centre as well as clinicians specialising in oncology, stroke and renal medicine. We look forward to seeing the benefits of this exciting new development in imaging for patients."



The new 3T scanner will join the University's other magnetic resonance research scanner a 1.5 Tesla Philips Intera scanner based at the Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility on the University campus.



The human MRI research programme is overseen by the University's Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences through the recently created Translational Imaging Unit (TIU) which provides a 'one stop shop' for academics carrying out research in imaging.



--------------



The funding to purchase the scanner was provided through a grant from the North West Science Review (via the Medical Research Council and the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council), in 2000.



Contact: Jo Nightingale

jo.nightingalemanchester.ac

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New Report Explores Different Production Methods For Rice Fortification In Developing Nations

A new report identifies the technical and economic feasibility of introducing cost-effective rice fortification programs in developing nations. The new report notes that the addition of essential nutrients through rice fortification provides the consuming population with much needed vitamins and/or minerals, while it also remains a cost effective means of ensuring a stronger, healthier nation.


Rice is a major diet staple in developing nations, and vitamin and mineral deficiency is often prevalent in these countries. Under a cooperative agreement with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Academy for Educational Development (AED) collaborated with the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) to conduct a four-country assessment of rice fortification with a review of production and fortification techniques in China, Costa Rica, The Philippines and the United States.


Researchers studied four fortification methods, including hot extrusion, cold extrusion, coating and dusting of rice. The authors concluded that the cold extrusion and coating method-similar to the process involving pasta production-could be a practical way to introduce fortified rice in developing nations. The study notes that the hot extrusion method produced the best quality product and maintained the most nutrients; however, it was the most expensive of the four. While dusting is the least expensive method, it is not recommended for developing countries where washing and rinsing rice before cooking is common and it results in nutrients being washed away.


Methods of Rice Fortification


- Hot extrusion passes dough made of rice flour, vitamin/mineral mix, and water through a single or twin screw extruder and cuts it into grain-like structures that resemble rice grains. This process involves relatively high temperatures (70-110oC) obtained by preconditioning and/or heat transfer through steam heated barrel jackets. It results in fully or partially pre-cooked simulated rice-like grains that have similar appearance (sheen and transparency) as regular rice kernels. The teams visited two companies in China and one in the Philippines that used this technology.


•
Cold extrusion, a process similar to one used for manufacturing pastas, also produces rice-shaped simulated grains by passing a dough made of rice flour, vitamin/mineral mix, and water through a simple pasta press. This technology does not utilize any additional thermal energy input other than the heat generated during the process itself, thus is primarily a low temperature (below 70oC), forming process resulting in grains that are uncooked, opaque, and easier to differentiate from regular rice kernels. One of the firms visited in Costa Rica uses this process.


- Coating combines the vitamin/mineral mix with ingredients such as waxes and gums. The mixture is sprayed to the rice on the surface of grains in several layers to form the rice-premix and then is blended with polished rice. Manufacturers in Costa Rica, the Philippines, and the United States use this process.


- Dusting, observed only in the U.S., involves dusting the polished rice grains with the powder form of the vitamin/mineral premix. The vitamin/mineral mix sticks to the grain surface because of electrostatic forces.


The report also suggests that before initiating a fortification program, consumer preferences, levels of consumption, overall cost, and financial sustainability should be considered. For example, if rice consumption by the target population is low (less than 100 g/day or 36 kg/year), the investment to introduce rice fortification is not justifiable. The cost of rice fortification is estimated between US$10 per metric ton and US$20 per metric ton. This means that the cost of fortified rice would be US$0.36-0.73 or US$1.09-2.18 more per year than the cost of unfortified rice for consumers with usual rice intakes of 100 or 300 g/day, respectively.

To view this report in its entirety please visit here.


About IFT


Founded in 1939, and with world headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, USA, the Institute of Food Technologist is a not-for-profit international scientific society with 22,000 members working in food science, technology and related professions in the industry, academia and government. As the society for food science and technology, IFT brings sound science to the public discussion of food issues.

Institute of Food Technologists

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Lawyers And Ethicists Debate Ashley Treatment In Open Forum

WHAT : Sponsored by the University of Washington (UW) School of Law and the Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics, symposium attendees will discuss the ethical and policy implications of limiting growth in children with severe disabilities



WHEN : Wednesday, May 16, 2007 from 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.



SCHEDULE:



8:30 a.m. Conference Welcome and Introduction to the Symposium

Paul Steven Miller, JD, Director, UW Disability Studies Program, Henry M. Jackson Professor of Law

Benjamin S. Wilfond, MD, Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics, Seattle Children's Hospital



8:45 a.m. Historical Assumptions Underlying Growth Attenuation in Children with Severe Disabilities

Jeffrey P. Brosco, MD, PhD, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami



9:15 a.m. A Conversation about the Seattle Children's Case

How did this request unfold and how did the disability community respond to the case?

Charles Cowen, MD, Genetics and Developmental Medicine, Seattle Children's Hospital (Moderator)

Doug Diekema, MD, MPH, Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics, Seattle Children's Hospital

Emily Rogers, Arc of Washington

Corinna Fale, People First (Discussant)

David Woodrum, MD, Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics, Seattle Children's Hospital (Discussant)



10:45 a.m. Philosophical Perspectives About Growth Attenuation

How do concepts such as normality, dignity, convenience, intervention and naturalness guide our evaluation of parental desires and requests to influence the growth of their children?

Joanne Woiak, PhD, Department of History, UW (Moderator)

Anita Silvers, PhD, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA

Erik Parens, PhD, The Hastings Center, Garrison, NY

Sara Goering, PhD, Department of Philosophy and Program on Values in Society, UW



1:30 p.m. Balancing Interests - Parental Decision-making, Doctors and the Community

How do parents and doctors negotiate health-care decisions for their children with disabilities? How does the social context influence such decisions? What is the impact of such decisions on communities? What is the role of the disabilities community?

Kathleen Watson, RN, PhD, Center on Human Development and Disability, UW (Moderator)

Joanne O'Neill, RN, Arc of King County

Ted Carter, MD, Pulmonology, Seattle Children's Hospital

Alice Domurat Dreger, PhD, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL



3 p.m. Institutional, Legal and Policy Responses and the Impact on Families and Communities
What are the strengths and limitations of ethics committees and judicial review/guardian ad litem in providing safeguards for growth attenuation, and what is the impact of these approaches on families and the disability community?
Sherrie Brown, JD, EdD, Center for Human Development and Disability, UW (Moderator)

Greg Loeben, PhD, Midwestern University, Phoenix, AZ

David Carlson, JD, Washington Protection and Advocacy System

Ed Holen, Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council



4:15 p.m. Closing Observations and Conclusions

Denise Dudzinski, PhD, MTS, Department of Medical History and Ethics, UW



WHERE: UW School of Law, William H. Gates Hall

Magnusson-Jackson Moot Court Room 138



To watch the symposium web cast, please click here on Wednesday, May 16 after 8 a.m.:


WHY:



This national symposium will provide a thoughtful discussion on the issue of restricting growth in children with profound cognitive disabilities, focusing on the role and limits of parental decision-making, the response of health-care providers to such requests, and the role of community stakeholders, including the disability community. While the primary focus of the symposium is on growth attenuation in children with severe disabilities, it may be useful to compare this to other interventions in children, to appreciate the similarities and differences.



###



Contact: Jennifer Seymour


Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center of Seattle

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Neurosurgeons Treat Brain Tumors Utilizing Cutting Edge Techniques

According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), it is estimated that in 2005, there were a total of 18,500 new cases of brain and other nervous system tumors diagnosed 10,620 males and 7,880 females. The estimated number of deaths was 12,760, of which 7,280 were males and 5,480 were females. A brain tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue in which cells grow and multiply uncontrollably, seemingly unchecked by the mechanisms that control normal cells.


Over the last 20 years, new and sophisticated techniques have led to advances in the treatment of brain tumors that were previously considered inoperable. Cutting edge techniques utilized by neurosurgeons include endoscopy, radiosurgery, computer-assisted removal, and brain mapping all of which can help preserve critical neurological functions.


Glioma, the brain tumor Sen. Edward M. Kennedy was diagnosed with, is the most prevalent type of adult brain tumor, affecting an estimated 9,000 people a year. Sen. Kennedy's glioma is located in the left parietal lobe in the upper left part of his brain. The parietal lobes interpret simultaneously, signals received from other areas of the brain such as vision, hearing, motor, sensory, and memory.


Gliomas arise from the supporting cells of the brain, called the glia. These cells are subdivided into astrocytes, ependymal cells and ologodendroglial cells (or oligos). These are graded from the lowest grade 1 to highest grade 4. Glial tumors include the following:


-- Astrocytomas are the most common glioma, accounting for about half of all primary brain and spinal cord tumors. Astrocytomas develop from star-shaped glial cells called astrocytes, part of the supportive tissue of the brain. They may occur in many parts of the brain, but most commonly in the cerebrum.


-- Ependymomas are derived from a neoplastic transformation of the ependymal cells lining the ventricular system, and account for 2 to 3 percent of all intracranial tumors. Most are well-defined, but some are not.


-- Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is the most invasive type of glial tumor. These tumors tend to grow rapidly, spread to other tissue, and have a poor prognosis. They may be composed of several different kinds of cells, such as astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. GBM is more common in people ages 50 to 70, and more prevalent in men than women.


-- Medulloblastomas usually arise in the cerebellum, most frequently in children. They are high-grade tumors, but they are usually responsive to radiation and chemotherapy.


-- Oligodendrogliomas are derived from the cells which make myelin, which is the insulation for the wiring of the brain.


Diagnosis


Sophisticated imaging techniques are utilized to pinpoint brain tumors. Diagnostic tools include computed tomography (CT or CAT scan) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Intraoperative MRI is also used during surgery to guide tissue biopsies and tumor removal. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is used to examine the tumor's chemical profile and determine the nature of the lesions seen on the MRI. Positron emission tomography (PET scan) can help detect recurring brain tumors.


Brain Tumor Treatment


Brain tumors (whether primary or metastatic, benign or malignant) are usually treated with surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy alone or in various combinations. Gliomas can present a challenge for complete surgical resection (removal) because they have roots and tentacles. While it is true that radiation and chemotherapy are more often used for malignant, residual or recurrent tumors, decisions as to what treatment to use are made on a case-by-case basis and depend on a number of factors. There are risks and side effects associated with each type of treatment.


Outcome


For a rarely seen grade 1 glioma, there is an estimated 90 percent five-year survival expectancy. For a grade 2 glioma, there is an estimated 60 to 70 percent five-year survival expectancy after surgery and radiation. For a grade 3 glioma, there is an estimated 30 percent five-year survival rate after surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. For the most devastating brain tumor, glioblastoma multiforme, five-year survival is only about 3 percent.


Founded in 1931 as the Harvey Cushing Society, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) is a scientific and educational association with more than 7,200 members worldwide. The AANS is dedicated to advancing the specialty of neurological surgery in order to provide the highest quality of neurosurgical care to the public. All active members of the AANS are certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Neurosurgery) of Canada or the Mexican Council of Neurological Surgery, AC. Neurological surgery is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders that affect the entire nervous system, including the spinal column, spinal cord, brain, and peripheral nerves.


American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)

5550 Meadowbrook Dr.

Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

United States

neurosurgerytoday

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Olympus Raises Colorectal Cancer Awareness Through EBay Giving Works Auction

Olympus, a global leader in endoscopy solutions and a precision technology leader in award-winning consumer products, will donate 10 percent of the proceeds from its consumer products sold through the eBay Giving Works auction to C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition and the Entertainment Industry Foundation's National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance (EIF's NCCRA), to benefit advocacy and research. By demonstrating its commitment to the fight against colorectal cancer, Olympus hopes to raise funds to benefit these leading nonprofit organizations over the next 12 months. To visit this site, log on to stores.ebay/Olympus-Auctions.


Through this unique endeavor, Olympus is utilizing its expertise in both endoscopy and consumer electronic products to support research and awareness efforts in the fight against colorectal cancer. The proceeds from sales of Olympus products via the eBay Giving Works auction will be divided between C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition and the EIF's NCCRA, with the goal to directly support the eradication of this disease.


As the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States for both men and women, colorectal cancer is not only one of the most preventable cancers, but also one of the most curable when detected at an early stage. According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer annually and an estimated 50,000 die.



The donated profits received by C3 will be used to further its legislative and advocacy mission, whereas the profits received by EIF's NCCRA will be used for to advance promising research.


"C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition is grateful to Olympus for supporting our efforts to fight colorectal cancer through research, empowerment and access," said Carlea Bauman, president of C3. "We hope to one day make colorectal cancer no more deadly than the common cold - and we will only accomplish that through an increased commitment to ending this terrible disease. We applaud Olympus' efforts to raise awareness, and raise the bar."


"On behalf of the Entertainment Industry Foundation's National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance and co-founder Katie Couric, we are so grateful for Olympus' steadfast commitment to our colon cancer initiative," said Lisa Paulsen, President and CEO of the Entertainment Industry Foundation. "Olympus' ongoing support helps us with our efforts to generate greater awareness of this cancer, as well as accelerate important science that will hopefully lead us to better tests, treatments and, ultimately, a cure."


In addition to the proceeds raised, all Olympus cameras bought on eBay will be shipped with information about colorectal cancer screening. "At Olympus, we believe it is our responsibility to help educate, inform and create awareness about colorectal cancer," said F. Mark Gumz, president and COO of Olympus America. "Our hope is that through our many Olympus initiatives, we will increase awareness and facilitate discussions about the disease."















Building on Olympus' five-year history of selling products via eBay, the company believes it can create a positive philanthropic impact through the online program. Of note are the more than 3,000 unique visitors per day to the Olympus store on eBay. For more information regarding Olympus' colorectal cancer efforts, please visit crcawareness.


The eBay Giving Works program (givingworks.ebay) is a dedicated charitable listing initiative, providing organizations with a creative way to support causes important to them. Since 2000, more than $94.5 million has been raised for charity from listings sold on eBay worldwide. eBay Giving Works combines the market of active buyers and sellers on eBay with the nonprofit certification and donations processing power of MissionFish. Its many features and functions are designed to make fundraising and cause marketing on eBay both simple and successful.


About Olympus


Olympus is a precision technology leader, creating innovative opto-digital solutions in healthcare, life science and consumer electronics products. Olympus works collaboratively with its customers and its affiliates worldwide to leverage R&D investment in precision technology and manufacturing processes across diverse business lines.



These include:


- Gastrointestinal endoscopes, accessories, and minimally invasive surgical products;

- Advanced clinical and research microscopes;

- Lab automation systems, chemistry-immuno and blood bank analyzers and reagents;

- Digital cameras and voice recorders.


Olympus serves healthcare and commercial laboratory markets with integrated product solutions and financial, educational and consulting services that help customers to efficiently, reliably and more easily achieve exceptional results. Olympus develops breakthrough technologies with revolutionary product design and functionality for the consumer and professional photography markets, and also is the leader in gastrointestinal endoscopy and clinical and educational microscopes. For more information, visit olympusamerica.


About C3: Colorectal Cancer Coalition


C3 pushes for research to improve screening, diagnosis, and treatment of colorectal cancer; for policy decisions that make the most effective colorectal cancer prevention and treatment available to all; and for increased awareness that colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable, and beatable. Visit FightColorectalCancer for more information.


About the Entertainment Industry Foundation


The Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), as a leading charitable organization of the entertainment industry, has distributed hundreds of millions of dollars to support charitable initiatives addressing critical health, education and social issues.



National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance


EIF's NCCRA is dedicated to the eradication of colon cancer by promoting education about the importance of medical screening and funding cutting-edge research to develop better tests, treatments and, ultimately, a cure. The NCCRA was co-founded by journalist Katie Couric, cancer activist Lilly Tartikoff, and the Entertainment Industry Foundation in 2000. As a result of the attention focused on colorectal cancer since the NCCRA was established, the number of colonoscopy screenings has increased almost 20 percent, a phenomenon dubbed the "Couric Effect" by the University of Michigan researchers who documented it.


About eBay Inc.


Founded in 1995, eBay Inc. connects hundreds of millions of people around the world every day, empowering them to explore new opportunities and innovate together. eBay Inc. does this by providing the Internet platforms of choice for global commerce, payments and communications. Since its inception, eBay Inc. has expanded to include some of the strongest brands in the world, including eBay, PayPal, Skype, Shopping and others. eBay Inc. is headquartered in San Jose, California.


About MissionFish


MissionFish provides service and support activities including nonprofit verification, donation collection and disbursement, tax receipting, and online contribution tracking. By combining the power and reach of the eBay marketplace with the nonprofit expertise of MissionFish, eBay Giving Works makes it easy for buyers, sellers, nonprofits, and cause-marketers to come together, Building a Marketplace for Change.

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