The ear is composed of three parts: the internal, middle, and external portions. Microtia is a condition in which the external portion of the ear (the auricle) is malformed. In the strictest definition, there is also narrowing or absence of the external auditory canal (external auditory meatus). This is different from a “small ear” in which the ear is normally shaped, but smaller than normal as in Down syndrome. Microtia varies in severity from barely discernable to an external ear with major structural changes. Anotia is the total absence of the auricle most often with narrowing or absence of the external auditory meatus. Anotia/microtia can occur unilaterally or bilaterally.

Microtia and anotia can be grouped into four types according to the level of affliction (Meurman 1957):

Type I: The external ear is small and the auricle retains most of its normal structure. The external auditory meatus is usually present.
Type II: The external ear is moderately anomalous. The auricle can be hook-, S-, or question mark shaped in appearance.
Type III: The external is a rudimentary soft tissue structure with no cartilage; the auricle does not have a normal appearance.
Type IV: Anotia; all external ear structures are absent.
Cases of microtia may be difficult to define. The term microtia may be assigned to various anomalous conditions of the ears; type I microtia may be excluded from certain analyses due to the minimal change of the ear (Harris 1996).

Approximately 29% of the cases of diagnosed microtia do not have full atresia of the external auditory meatus (Castillo 1986). Cases of isolated atresia or stenosis of the external auditory canal are generally excluded from the diagnosis of microtia/anotia. Anotia accounts for 13-22% of the cases of microtia and anotia combined (Harris 1996, Mastroiacovo 1995).

Anotia/microtia is an isolated condition in 65% of cases (Harris 1996, Mastrioiacovo 1995, Castillo 1986), although several investigations reported isolated rates of less than 50% (Sanchez 1997, Castillo 1990). One investigation reported no difference between microtia and anotia in the proportion of isolated cases (Harris 1996). Preauricular skin tags are often present in microtia types I-III. Inner ear anomalies are present in 12-50% of cases of microtia or anotia (Buyse 1990). Over 80% of the cases of microtia or anotia are unilateral (Sanchez 1997, Mastroiacovo 1995). Of the unilateral cases of microtia or anotia, approximately 60% occur on the right side (Paulozzi 1999, Sanchez 1997, Harris 1996, Mastroiacovo 1995).

Anotia/microtia can occur independently or as part of a syndrome. One of the syndromes associated with anotia and microtia is First Arch Syndrome, which consists of congenital anomalies of the eyes, ears, palate, and mandible ( Moore 1998). Anotia/microtia is also associated with Oculo-auriculo-vertibral spectrum (OAV), which also involves facial, renal, and vertebral anomalies (Beck 2005, Bonillia 2005, Llano-Rivas 1999). Goldenhar syndrome is the most severe manifestation of OAV. The most common phenoytype associated with microtia or anotia is hemifacial microsomia, occurring in 14% of cases (Carey 1993). Other multiple congenital anomaly complexes associated with microtia or anotia include Treacher-Collins, Nager, and CHARGE syndromes, among others (Forrester 2005, Sanchez 1997, Harris 1996, Carey 1993).

Chromosomal abnormalities occur in 6-16% of cases of microtia or anotia (Sanchez 1997, Harris 1996). Chromosomal abnormalities associated with microtia or anotia include trisomy 21, trisomy 18, trisomy 13, and the deletion complexes 18q-, 18p-, and 5p- (Harris 1996, Carey 1993, Buyse 1990). Autosomal dominant inheritance of microtia or anotia has been reported in some families (Buyse 1990).

Other birth defects associated with microtia/anotia include holoprosencephaly, facial clefts, cardiac defects, anophthalmia/microphthalmia, esophageal atresia, limb reduction deformities, renal anomalies, polydactyly, and vertebral anomalies (Wang 2001, Harris 1996, Mastroiacovo 1995). Some of these associations are based on a common etiology. For example, holoprosencephaly and microtia are both commonly found in trisomy 13.

EMBRYOLOGY
The ear is composed of three parts, and each of these parts has a slightly different developmental process (Riley 2005). The external portion of the ear is composed of the auricle, the external auditory meatus, and the external layer of the eardrum ( Moore 1998). The most visible portion of the ear is the auricle. It is formed by a series of auricular hillocks that surround the first pharyngeal groove during the sixth week of gestation (Bonilla 2005, Moore 1998). Initially, the auricle forms at the base of the neck, but as the mandible develops, the auricles migrate to their normal anatomical position ( Moore 1998). Microtia or anotia occurs when the tissues that form the auricle fail to develop.

ETIOLOGY
The cause of isolated or non-syndromic anotia/microtia is not known, however it is believed that there is a genetic component involved (Bonilla 2005). [read more]

Melanoma in the United States – 2007 Estimates
New Cases	59,940
Deaths Per Year	8,110
5-Year Localized Survival Rate*	99%
5-Year Overall Survival Rate*	91%

* The 5-year survival rates represent persons who are living 5 years after diagnosis, whether disease-free, in remission, or under treatment.
[source]

The ABCD rule can help you remember the symptoms of melanoma:
A for Asymmetry. One half is different than the other half.
B for Border Irregularity. The edges are notched, uneven, or blurred.
C for Color. The color is uneven. Shades of brown, tan,
and black are present.
D for Diameter. Diameter is greater than 6 millimeters.

Provectus is currently conducting Phase 2 clinical trials of its proprietary drugs PV-10 as a therapy for metastatic melanoma.

Provectus Pharmaceuticals is a development stage company that specializes in oncology and dermatology therapies that are safer, more effective, less invasive and more economical than conventional therapies.

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have identified mechanisms that explain why a calorie reduced diet and exercise can reduce risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

Lead author Leticia M. Nogueira, Ph.D. and colleagues found evidence suggesting that caloric restriction and exercise affect pathways involving mTOR, a molecule that plays a role in the integrating energy balance with cell growth.

The finding was presented at the American Association for Cancer Research’s Seventh Annual International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research.

Dysregulation of the mTOR pathway may lead to a series of human disease including cancers. Caloric restriction and exercise affect the pathways in different ways, but the former is more efficient in delaying tumor growth than exercise as shown in animal models. [read more]

Snooze and loose; that's right. There is a way to lose weight while you sleep, and now people say it's taking all the work out of dieting.

Christine Donohoe always has home-made goodies around, but these days, she rarely takes a bite. It seems her food cravings are gone.

The 45-year-old mother of four gained almost 20 pounds after each baby. She ended up weighing 190 lbs. That's when she decided to snooze to lose weight.

"I think it makes it so much easier because it really isn't like dieting. You don't think about what you're doing," says Donohoe.

She goes to bed listening to a CD most nights. As she falls asleep and listening to this helps to reinforce her dieting mantra: eat healthy, limit fat and sugar. [read more]

Alpharma Inc.has asked the Food and Administration to approve Embeda, a tamperproof morphine pill, made so that the euphoric effects of morphine are blocked when a patient crushes, dissolves or chews them. Patients often abuse pain pills by grinding them up to snort or inject.

"Breast tumours have elevated levels of choline compounds, which are a marker of an active tumour," Bartella explains, "By performing a brief MR spectroscopy procedure after an MRI scan, which takes only 10 additional minutes, we can non-invasively see which tumours show elevated choline levels, and therefore which lesions are likely malignant. This could eliminate the need for biopsy." [read more]

It's too early to say if pregnant women who get extra choline can expect extra-smart children. Still women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should try to get plenty of the nutrient every day. One recommendation would be to eat foods that are high in choline.

Mothers aren't the only ones who might benefit from choline. The nutrient might also help nourish brain cells in young children. [read more]

Johnson & Johnson • Merck Consumer Pharmaceuticals Company (JJMCP) is voluntarily recalling approximately 12,000 units of Infants' MYLICON® GAS RELIEF DYE FREE drops (simethicone-antigas) non-staining sold in 1 oz. plastic bottles that were distributed after October 5, 2008 nationwide. The company is taking this action in consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Although the potential for serious medical events is low, the company is implementing this recall to the consumer level as a precaution after determining that some bottles could include metal fragments that were generated during the manufacturing process. If any medical events were to occur, most are expected to be temporary and resolve without medical treatment. Parents who have given the product to their infant and are concerned should contact their health care provider immediately.[read more]

When sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) strikes, the electrical system of the heart short circuits, causing the heart to quiver rather than pump in a normal rhythm. It typically results in the abnormal heart rhythm know as ventricular fibrillation (VF).

It usually happens without warning and the majority of people have no previously recognized symptoms of heart disease. And it most often happens at home. For the best chance of survival from SCA caused by VF, a defibrillator should be used within 5 minutes. Yet, less than 1 in 20 people survive largely because a defibrillator does not arrive in time.

The class action law firm of Statman, Harris & Eyrich, LLC announces it is investigating the business practices of numerous sellers of male enhancement products, including but not limited to Ironwood Labs, LLC; RMI Direct Marketing, Inc.; Hampshire Labs, Inc.; Magna-Rx, Inc.; Vaquerax Laboratories; Biotab Nutraceuticals, Inc.; Health Research Laboratories; Male Performance Research Center and others for alleged deceptive marketing and selling of certain male enhancement nutraceuticals.

These companies allegedly market and sell, among other products, dietary supplements including but not limited to Viver-X, Stamina RX, Magna-Rxtra+, Vaquerax, Xomax, Procylon, Sizepro, Blue Steel, Proton Extreme, EndureRx, Libitrol, Roplex, Xcel, Viastat, Vazomyne, Orexis, and others, claiming the product will produce male erections or increase penis size. However, there is no legitimate scientific basis supporting the advertising claims. [read more]

Nestlé USA is voluntarily recalling two (2) production codes of Nestlé Nesquik Strawberry Powder 21.8 ounce that may contain small fragments of aluminum.

The recall only includes two (2) production codes of 21.8-ounce containers of Nestlé Nesquik Strawberry Powder. Printed on the bottom of each plastic container is a production code of "82255880" or "82265880" with a best by date of "August 2010."

No other Nestlé Nesquik products or production codes of Nestlé Nesquik Strawberry Powder are affected by this recall.

The products were produced on August 12 and 13 and were distributed in the U.S. and in Puerto Rico.
Consumers who have this product at home can return it to the store where it was purchased for a refund.

Consumers with questions about the recall should call Nestlé Consumer Services Center at 888-637-4345.

Nestlé apologizes for any inconvenience experienced by our valued consumers and retail customers. [read more]



Nestlé is withdrawing Nestlé Farinha Lactea cereal in the United States. Nestlé is taking this action as we have learned that the product may contain residual traces of a pesticide not currently approved for use on wheat in the U.S. While the pesticide is approved for use in Brazil and the noted levels are well below Brazilian standards, it is not used on wheat products in the United States and therefore there is no set standard for its presence in cereal. The pesticide is permitted in the United States on grain crops other than wheat.

Nestlé Farinha Lactea cereal is manufactured in Brazil by Nestlé Brazil and sold primarily in Portuguese language communities in the United States. The withdrawal applies to all sizes, varieties and production codes of the product. No other Nestlé products are affected.

SOLODYN (minocycline) is indicated to treat only inflammatory lesions of non-nodular moderate to severe acne vulgaris.
To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria as well as to maintain the effectiveness of other antibacterial drugs, SOLODYN should be used only as indicated. [read more]

Health chiefs have revealed that ten people have committed suicide after taking a controversial anti-smoking drug linked to depression.

The disclosure by the Government’s drugs watchdog is the first time officials have revealed the link between Champix and suicide in this country. Earlier this year, US authorities announced they were investigating 37 similar cases there. [read more]

Health insurers are sometimes better known for causing sleepless nights than for creating restful ones, but in the last few months, helping consumers get a good night's sleep has become a priority for most of the top-tier U.S. health insurance companies.

Their new programs don't involve sleeping pills. Instead, insurers are advocating the use of cognitive behavior therapy. Traditionally, the therapy has been done largely through face-to-face sessions, but many of the programs are now available online. [read more]

Medicine in the age of the internet is changing. More and more patients are seeking the internet for answers and avoiding the doctor's office.
Would you pay $25 to see your doctor online and not have to go to the office? [read more]

Not everyone can tolerate caffeine, a stimulant that in high doses can cause insomnia, cautions Elizabeth Edgerly of the Alzheimer's Association. There are other ways to keep the brain healthy:

•Exercise regularly; even walking may help keep brain cells in top shape.

•Add lots of colorful fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens, to a diet that is low in unhealthy fats but has lots of whole grains and small amounts of fish, lean meat or poultry.

•Stay mentally active by learning a hobby or taking a class.

•Stay socially engaged by joining a book club or keeping up with friends.

•Lose weight if you are too heavy.

Exactly how much caffeine you need to consume to reap its possible health benefits is uncertain, but here is how much is contained in 8 ounces of some common drinks:

• Coffee: 100 mg
• Tea: 35 mg
• Soft drinks: 25 mg

Source: Johnne B. Byrd Sr., Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute


Nearly 8 in 10 U.S. adults were daily coffee drinkers in the mid-1950s. Fewer than half were by 2004. But coffee drinking is on the rise again.

Those over 18 who drank coffee (2006):
• Past year: 82%
• Past week: 68%
• Yesterday: 56%

Source: National Coffee Association of the USA survey of 2,954 adults.

Think your first impression of a person is always right? A small study out of Yale University has found that a person's first impression may have little to do with character and more to do with coincidental physical comforts, like holding a warm cup of coffee.


Statistically, women and men judged the hypothetical person in similar ways. But those who were asked to hold the iced coffee gave more negative or "cold" attributes like selfishness to the person, while those who held the warm cup of coffee rated the same person with "warm" attributes like generosity. [read more]

Thoratec Corporation is initiating a worldwide medical device correction of all serial numbers of the HeartMate II Left Ventricular Assist Systems (HM II LVAS) having Catalogue No. 1355 or 102139, which have been distributed since the beginning of clinical studies in November 2003. Over time, wear and fatigue of the percutaneous lead connecting the HeartMate II LVAS blood pump with the System Controller may result in damage that could interrupt pump function, require reoperation to replace the pump and potentially result in serious injury or death. The estimated probability of the need for pump replacement due to percutaneous lead damage is 1.3% at 12 months, 6.5% at 24 months and 11.4% at 36 months.

Patients who are currently being supported by a HeartMate II LVAS should contact their doctors, who can assess the wear and fatigue of the percutaneous lead as well as provide proper instruction on management and care of the lead.

Thoratec is voluntarily issuing an Urgent Medical Device Correction notice after confirming 27 reports where wear and fatigue to the percutaneous lead necessitated pump replacement. These reports occurred over five years of clinical experience with 1,972 implants. All patients who have undergone a replacement of the HeartMate II pump survived the operation and were alive at least 30 days postoperatively. In five cases, pump replacement was not feasible and the patients expired.

The affected systems were distributed to 153 hospitals and distributors throughout the United States, Europe, Canada and other countries. The HM II LVAS can be identified by the catalogue number located on the label of the package.

Hospitals are being sent an Urgent Medical Device Correction letter identifying the probability and symptoms of the problem, and recommending that the pump be replaced as soon as possible if damage to the percutaneous lead is confirmed. Hospitals are also requested to review the instructions for care of the percutaneous lead with their ongoing HeartMate II LVAS patients. Hospitals with ongoing HeartMate II LVAS patients should contact Thoratec for further instructions if they do not receive the Medical Device Correction letter. The labeling for the HeartMate II LVAS will be revised with the updated risk information related to percutaneous lead damage. Copies of this press release may be found on Thoratec’s website, www.thoratec.com, under Investor Relations/Press Releases.

Clinicians and patients with questions may contact the company at 1-800-528-2577, or if calling from outside the USA, 1-925-847-8600 (7 days a week, 8-5 Pacific Time).[read more]

A new study finds that the unpleasant aroma of the gas, called hydrogen sulfide (H2S) made by bacteria living in the human colon.

The new research found that cells lining mice's blood vessels naturally make the gas and this action can help keep the rodents' blood pressure low by relaxing the blood vessels to prevent hypertension (high blood pressure).

"Now that we know hydrogen sulfide's role in regulating blood pressure, it may be possible to design drug therapies that enhance its formation as an alternative to the current methods of treatment for hypertension," said Johns Hopkins neuroscientist Dr. Solomon H. Snyder, M.D., a co-author of the study detailed in the Oct. 24th issue of the journal Science. [read more]

A powerful new weight loss drug originally developed to treat brain diseases is twice as effective as the best existing anti-obesity medicines, research has shown.

Obese patients given the drug tesofensine daily for 24 weeks lost around 28 pounds (two stones).

Tesofensine increased blood pressure in the 1.0-mg group, and the most common side-effects were dry mouth, nausea, constipation, hard stools, diarrhea, and insomnia.[read more]

Pfizer completed $894 million deal to settle lawsuits over its promotion of the painkillers Celebrex and Bextra. [read more]

It turns out that if you peel the popular adhesive tape (Scotch tape) off its roll in a vacuum chamber, it emits X-rays. Escobar, a graduate student at the University of California, Los Angeles, even made an X-ray image of one of his fingers.[read more]

Call it what you want but optimistic people do better across the board than pessimistic people. Several studies conclude the same.

Allison P J, et al. A prospective investigation of dispositional optimism as a predictor of health-related quality of life in head and neck cancer patients. Quality of Life Research 9: 951-960, 2000.
Following treatment, optimists reported better role and cognitive functioning, less pain and better global [quality of life] than did pessimists.
Pessimists reported a greater deterioration in the role domain following treatment than did optimists. At no point did pessimists rate [quality of life] better than optimists. The results suggest that optimism is associated with better [quality of life] in ... cancer patients.

Scheier MF, et al. Optimism and Rehospitalization After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery. Arch Intern Med. 1999;159:829-835.
Compared with pessimistic persons, optimistic persons were significantly less likely to be rehospitalized for a broad range of aggregated problems (including postsurgical sternal wound infection, angina, myocardial infarction, and the need for another bypass surgery or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty) generally indicative of a poor response to the initial surgery (odds ratio=0.50, 95% confidence interval=0.33-0.76; P=.001). The effect of optimism was independent of traditional sociodemographic and medical control variables, as well as independent of the effects of self-esteem, depression, and neuroticism. All-cause rehospitalization also tended to be less frequent for optimistic than for pessimistic persons (odds ratio=0.77, 95% confidence interval=0.57-1.05; P=.07).
Optimism predicts a lower rate of rehospitalization after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Fostering positive expectations may promote better recovery.

Kung S, etl. Association of Optimism-Pessimism With Quality of Life in Patients With Head and Neck and Thyroid Cancers. Mayo Clin Proc. 2006;81(12):1545-1552.
Optimism was associated with a higher [quality of life] in survivors of thyroid cancer compared with survivors of head and neck cancer. After adjusting for age, sex, and disease stage, optimism was not associated with [quality of life] for survivors of head and neck cancer. Optimism was more associated with the mental rather than physical [quality of life] subscales.

Giltay E J, et al. Dispositional Optimism and the Risk of Cardiovascular Death: The Zutphen Elderly Study. Arch Intern Med. 2006;166:431-436.
Dispositional optimism is a relatively stable trait over 15 years and shows a graded and inverse association with the risk of cardiovascular death.

Miller D L, et al. Psychological distress and well-being in advanced cancer: The effects of optimism and coping. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, Vol. 3, No. 2, 1996.
Optimism was strongly and positively associated with well-being and inversely related to distress.Comparisons between the current and prior studies indicated that individuals who are diagnosed with more advanced stages of cancer or who have survived bone marrow transplantation exhibit higher levels of optimism than do healthy individuals and individuals with early-stage disease.

Stereocilin is a protein in the inner ear that helps people differentiate between sounds and understand speech.

A low level of stereocilin could help doctors diagnose more subtle hearing problems and fit certain people with special hearing aids that eliminate noise coming from certain directions. [read more]

Polydactyly is the most common congenital defect of the hand, the condition has an incidence of 1 in every 500 live births.
Duplication of 5th finger is a common autosomal dominant trait in African-Americans.

The Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance (VASER) System (Sound Surgical Technologies LLC, Louisville, Colo) is another method of liposuction. In VASER-assisted liposuction, intermittent or continuous bursts of ultrasonic energy can be used to break up fat cells, which are then removed by suction.

With over 20 million Americans suffering from arthritis and that number growing as baby-boomers age. The trillion dollar industry that is arthritis meds and supplements is at stake. Companies that make Celebrex or Tylenol what very badly for consumers to believe that natural supplements such as glucosamine do not work. But they are having a hard time proving it as evidence from the latest study. [read more]

The findings are confusing and at times seem fabricated. A better and impartial study is needed.

There are skin cancers other than melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Although they are much less common, they include the following:

• Kaposi sarcoma generally starts as small bruise-like areas that develop into tumors.
• Mycosis fungoides (a type of lymphoma that starts in the skin) usually begins as a rash, often on the buttocks, hips, or lower abdomen. It can look similar to skin allergies and other types of skin irritations.
• Adnexal tumors appear as bumps within the skin.
• Skin sarcomas appear as large masses under the skin surface.
• Merkel cell tumors are usually firm, pink, red, or purple nodules or ulcers (sores) found on the face or, less often, the arms or legs. [read more]

HLA- human leukocyte antigen system is the name of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in humans.

CSA - cyclosporine  an immuno-suppressive drug.

ATG - intravenous antithymocyte globulin

ALG - intravenous antilymphocyte globulin.

If the recurrent branch of the median nerve was injured, abductor pollicis brevis, flexor pollicis brevis, and opponens pollicis would be denervated. Opponens is the only muscle that allows for opposition of the thumb. So, by denervating opponens, a person would no longer be able to oppose her thumb. Although abductor pollicis brevis would be denervated, abductor pollicis longus would still be functional, so she could abduct her thumb.

Adductor pollicis is in the adductor/interosseous compartment, deep in the center of the hand, and it is innervated by the deep branch of the ulnar nerve. This means that adduction would not be affected by the injury to the recurrent branch of the median nerve. Although flexor pollicis brevis was denervated, this is not the flexor that is responsible for flexion at the distal phalanx.

Flexor pollicis longus controls flexion at the distal phalanx, and it is a muscle of the forearm which is innervated by the median nerve.

September 26, 2008 -- QFCO, Inc. of Burlingame, California is recalling White Rabbit Candy because it may be contaminated with Melamine.

Product was distributed to the states of CA, GA, HI, IL, MN, NY, OR, TX, WA through wholesale distributors to retail stores.

The White Rabbit Creamy Candy is sold in 8 or 16 oz packages. All other flavors of White Rabbit Candy, including Assorted (Chocolate, Coconut, and Coffee), Red Bean, Coffee, Corn, Lychee, Mango and Strawberry are sold in 7 oz. packages. All packaging has a logo of a white rabbit on the front with the words "White Rabbit".

No illnesses associated with this product have been reported to date.

The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product was contaminated with Melamine.

Consumers who have purchased White Rabbit Candy are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund or discard it in their trash. Consumers with questions may contact the company at (650) 697-6633. [read more]

A grade 8 girl receives the HPV vaccination to protect against cervical cancer.

For many years the pap-smear was the only weapon we had for screening and prevention of cervical cancer. However, recently a new weapon against cervical cancer has emerged, careHPV.

careHPV is a rapid test for detecting the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV). Over 90% of cases of cervical cancer show evidence of HPV. Approximately 300,000 women die from cervical cancer each year.

"If women 30 years and older could be screened at least once in their lifetimes with such a test, and appropriate treatment administered at the same visit, public health programmes would be affordable and deaths from cervical cancer would be reduced by a third," said one of the researchers, John Sellors, professor of family medicine at the McMaster University in Canada.

careHPV was developed by Qiagen NV and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. [read more]

Companies telling people they have a cure for cancer have the FDA to deal with now. [read more].

Claiming a cancer cure involves more than just lip service. It is one thing to report that a person who had cancer took a supplement coincidentally and lived and another thing to say that a supplement cured the cancer.

Proving that a drug or supplement cures cancer involves rigorous scientific study which cost money and most supplement companies are unable or unwilling to pay for such research. Therefore if the research is not there they cannot claim to have a cure says the FDA clear and simple.

That does not mean that certain natural supplement may not have shown promise to fight cancer such is the case for resveratrol. But proving that it can cure cancer is more difficult. As a matter of fact most cancer drugs (chemo) never claim a cure instead they simply claim a longer survival.

Five year survival rate is a common statistic know to just about all cancer and if the drug in question increases the survival of patients consistently beyond that 5-yr-survival-rate then the drug can claim to help people fight cancer.

On September 12, 2008, in light of reports from China of melamine contaminated infant formula, the FDA issued a Health Information Advisory to proactively reassure the American public that there is no known threat of contamination in infant formula manufactured by companies that have met the requirements to sell such products in the United States. That advisory also warned members of Chinese communities in the United States that infant formula manufactured in China, possibly available for purchase at Asian markets, could pose a risk to infants.

The FDA had contacted the companies who manufacture infant formula for distribution in the United States and received information from the companies that they are not importing formula or source materials from China.

At the same time, the FDA—in conjunction with state and local officials—began a nation-wide investigation to check Asian markets for Chinese manufactured infant formula that may have been brought into the United States. In particular, this effort focused on areas of the country with large Chinese communities, such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle and New York. To date, investigators have visited more than 1,000 retail markets and have not found Chinese infant formula present on shelves in these markets.

In addition, the FDA is advising consumers not to purchase infant formula manufactured in China from internet sites or from other sources.

FDA has taken, and will continue to take, proactive measures to help ensure the safety of the American food supply. In conjunction with state and local officials, FDA will continue to check retail stores for food items imported from China that could contain a significant amount of milk or milk proteins. Additionally, FDA is sampling and testing milk and milk-derived ingredients and finished food products that could contain these ingredients from Chinese sources. Milk-derived ingredients include whole milk powder, non-fat milk powder, whey powder, lactose powder, and casein. This sampling and testing is done when these ingredients or products are imported into the United States or found during visits to Asian markets. If the products are adulterated because they contain melamine and/or a melamine analog, FDA will take action to prevent the products from entering the U.S. food supply.

In addition to state and local governments, FDA is working in close cooperation with Customs and Border Protection within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, other federal agencies, and foreign governments.[read more]

"I gotta go now!"...It can
sometimes be a pain but not
having the ability to go
urinate or the inability to
control one's urine is worse.

New research presented at the
American Urological Association
annual meeting solves the problem
by helping one GROW a NEW BLADDER.
Absolutely amazing [read more].

Virtual colonoscopies find large and medium size polyps about 90% of the time according to a recent study done by the University of Chicago Medical Center. [read more]

Why would anyone want to switch from one method that is "the gold standard" (traditional colonoscopies) to another method that is almost as good? The answer probably won't surprise you but it is money. Money that hospitals could save, new procedure (money) for radiologist, etc, etc.

But guess what if your test is "inconclusive" which is not uncommon (especially with imaging test) you will still need to do the traditional colonoscopies. Also if a polyp is found guess what comes next?...You guessed it a traditional colonoscopy.

Virtual colonoscopies are just a marketing ploy to get money. What is worst is that they will miss about 10% of the polyps. That is 100,000 people out of a million will think they are clean and health when in fact they DO have polyp. There is no mention of small polyps in the study for which a colonoscopy could not only be diagnostic but completely therapeutic.

DENOSUMAB a drug by Amgen decreases the risk of spinal fracture (breaking bones) in women with osteoporosis. In one clinical trial it decreased the risk by 68%.

A similar drug by Novartis called RECLAST has a similar decrease in the number of spinal fractures (70%). [read more]

People who carry a certain genetic variation are much more likely to develop the most dangerous form of skin cancer, Portuguese researchers said on Monday.

Their study, presented at the Congress of the European Society for Medical Oncology in Stockholm, showed the variation in a gene known as cyclin D1 raised the risk of developing the cancer by 80 percent compared to those without the mutation. [read more]

After surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome (carpal tunnel release) a common an painful condition called pillar pain is possible in approximately a third of the cases. However there is evidence that pillar pain can be avoided by simple injection of local anesthetic after carpal tunnel release surgery[1]. Thus the injection of a little Marcaine (for example) after surgery is a quick, easy and inexpensive method to prevent a very painful and sometimes incapacitating condition.

Source:
The pillar pain in the carpal tunnel's surgery. Neurogenic inflammation? A new therapeutic approach with local anaesthetic.[1]

XIAFLEX (clostridial collagenase for injection), formerly referred to as AA4500, is in phase III of development for the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture and is in phase II of development for the treatment of Peyronie's disease and Frozen Shoulder syndrome (Adhesive Capsulitis).

Xiaflex is being developed by Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Testing prompted by an Associated Press story that revealed trace amounts of pharmaceuticals in drinking water supplies has shown that more Americans are affected by the problem than previously thought — at least 46 million.

The AP stories prompted federal and local legislative hearings, brought about calls for mandatory testing and disclosure, and led officials in at least 27 additional metropolitan areas to analyze their drinking water. Positive tests were reported in 17 cases, including Reno, Nev., Savannah, Ga., Colorado Springs, Colo., and Huntsville, Ala. Results are pending in three others.

The test results, added to data from communities and water utilities that bowed to pressure to disclose earlier test results, produce the new total of Americans known to be exposed to drug-contaminated drinking water supplies. [read more]

Back pain is a much more common problem than most people realize. Lower-back pain is cited as the No. 2 reason why Americans see their doctors, second only to colds and the flu. And patients suffering from backaches consume more than $90 billion annually in health care expenses, according to 2004 research from Duke University.

On the whole, up to 80% of people will deal with this health problem at some point in their lives. In an office setting of 100 people, he estimates that on a given day, 10 to 12 people probably have some kind of back pain.

Despite the prevalence of the problem, most people don't put in the effort to examine and tweak their regular work habits to prevent it. [read more]