Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) has a therapeutic effect on young children with asthma, a study has shown. Following the use of OMT, the peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) for children increased by 25%-75%. The study also showed that OMT significantly improved pulmonary function in pediatric patients with asthma.
Around 1 in 6 Australian children are currently diagnosed with asthma, according to the Asthma Foundations of Australia. In addition, the prevalence level and mortality rate for pediatric asthma across the world is rising, making this study particularly relevant.
The randomised controlled trial took place over 2 years and included children between the ages of 5 and 17 years. Out of the 140 children who participated, 90 children received OMT by an Osteopathic practitioner, while the other 50 children received simulated OMT (a sham procedure) performed by an allopathic practitioner.
Patients in the OMT group for this study showed a (mean) increase of PEFs by 13L per minute, while the children in the simulated OMT group demonstrated no increase at all. PEF readings are widely understood as a good indicator of asthma severity and patient response to treatment. This study adhered to the 1989 Asthma Management Plan guidelines.
Osteopathy is a safe noninvasive treatment for young children with asthma. "Osteopaths often work in cooperation with GP's or natural therapists who oversee the medications and environmental factors of asthma sufferers", says Scott Baxter, Federal President of the Australian Osteopathic Association (AOA).
Osteopathy is a form of drug-free, manual medicine that focuses on total body health by treating and strengthening the Musculoskeletal framework. This framework is integral to the respiratory system, so the more effective the Musculoskeletal system is, the more effective the respiratory system can be. OMT works on all aspects of the breathing mechanisms, including the ribs, spine, diaphragm and other muscles of breathing; nerve supply to the chest; and the blood supply to the airways and lungs.
"The role of the Osteopath is to increase the mobility of the ribs and joints of the thorax, free the constricted diaphragm and intercostal-muscles between the ribs. By freeing the rigidity of the chest and assisting the blood, nerves and lymphatics in the area, the patient is able to breathe more easily," says Baxter from the AOA.
Osteopathy can be utilised as the primary form of health care or in addition to the care provided by a General Practitioner. Osteopathy is acknowledged by all major health funds as well as Medicare Plus and attracts a rebate with a GP referral for chronic conditions.
Study cited:
Guiney PA, Chou R, Vianna A, et al.
Effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment on pediatric patients with asthma: a randomized controlled trial.
J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2005;105:7-12.
Australian Osteopathic Association
osteopathic.au
вторник, 7 июня 2011 г.
понедельник, 6 июня 2011 г.
U.S. Clinical Nutrition Products Market Nears $1 Billion
The US market for clinical nutritional
supplements will surpass the $1 billion mark in the next few years, according
to a new study released today from Kalorama Information. Parenteral nutrition
products lead growth in the sector that is increasingly moving out of the
hospital and into alternative settings, such as the home.
The new study, The U.S. Market for Clinical Nutrition Products, explores
the new dynamism in the enteral and parenteral feeding market -- a dynamism
driven not by dramatic product improvements, but by clinical, demographic, and
ancillary technological changes.
"Unlike many other medical markets, advances in clinical nutrition have
not evolved from exciting new scientific breakthroughs," remarks James P.
Smith, Ph.D., the author of the report. "Instead, steady improvements in
formulations and clinical practice combined with the application of
technologies from other areas, such as pharmaceutical development, biosensors,
wireless communications, and more efficient pumps and controllers, is changing
the market in which these nutritionals compete."
The study examines clinical nutritional products, including oral enteral,
tube enteral, parenteral, and total parenteral nutrition products, in terms of
number of patients, products sales, and type of facility. The report also
provides analyses of the market forces shaping the clinical nutrition market,
including the effect the consumer market is having on supplement development,
the changing face of clinical decision making and practice, the reimbursement
environment, and the demographic patterns that will define patient populations
in the future.
The U.S. Market for Clinical Nutrition Products can be purchased directly
from Kalorama Information by clicking
kaloramainformation/pub/1089382.html. It is also available at
marketresearch.
About Kalorama Information
Kalorama Information, a division of MarketResearch, supplies the
latest in independent market research in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology,
medicals devices, and Diagnostics. For more information, contact Steven
Heffner at 212-807-2634 or sheffnerkaloramainformation, or visit
KaloramaInformation.
About MarketResearch
MarketResearch is the leading provider of global market intelligence
products and services. With over 100,000 research publications from more than
370 research publishers, MarketResearch has the world's most extensive
database of expert insights on global industries. For more information,
contact Irina Frukhtbeyn at 301-468-3650 x.203 or
ifrukhtbeynmarketresearch, or visit marketresearch.
Kalorama Information
KaloramaInformation
marketresearch
supplements will surpass the $1 billion mark in the next few years, according
to a new study released today from Kalorama Information. Parenteral nutrition
products lead growth in the sector that is increasingly moving out of the
hospital and into alternative settings, such as the home.
The new study, The U.S. Market for Clinical Nutrition Products, explores
the new dynamism in the enteral and parenteral feeding market -- a dynamism
driven not by dramatic product improvements, but by clinical, demographic, and
ancillary technological changes.
"Unlike many other medical markets, advances in clinical nutrition have
not evolved from exciting new scientific breakthroughs," remarks James P.
Smith, Ph.D., the author of the report. "Instead, steady improvements in
formulations and clinical practice combined with the application of
technologies from other areas, such as pharmaceutical development, biosensors,
wireless communications, and more efficient pumps and controllers, is changing
the market in which these nutritionals compete."
The study examines clinical nutritional products, including oral enteral,
tube enteral, parenteral, and total parenteral nutrition products, in terms of
number of patients, products sales, and type of facility. The report also
provides analyses of the market forces shaping the clinical nutrition market,
including the effect the consumer market is having on supplement development,
the changing face of clinical decision making and practice, the reimbursement
environment, and the demographic patterns that will define patient populations
in the future.
The U.S. Market for Clinical Nutrition Products can be purchased directly
from Kalorama Information by clicking
kaloramainformation/pub/1089382.html. It is also available at
marketresearch.
About Kalorama Information
Kalorama Information, a division of MarketResearch, supplies the
latest in independent market research in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology,
medicals devices, and Diagnostics. For more information, contact Steven
Heffner at 212-807-2634 or sheffnerkaloramainformation, or visit
KaloramaInformation.
About MarketResearch
MarketResearch is the leading provider of global market intelligence
products and services. With over 100,000 research publications from more than
370 research publishers, MarketResearch has the world's most extensive
database of expert insights on global industries. For more information,
contact Irina Frukhtbeyn at 301-468-3650 x.203 or
ifrukhtbeynmarketresearch, or visit marketresearch.
Kalorama Information
KaloramaInformation
marketresearch
воскресенье, 5 июня 2011 г.
Long-Term Use Of Vitamin E May Decrease COPD Risk
Long-term, regular use of vitamin E in women 45 years of age and older may help decrease the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by about 10 percent in both smokers and non-smokers, according to a study conducted by researchers at Cornell University and Brigham and Women's Hospital.
"As lung disease develops, damage occurs to sensitive tissues through several proposed processes, including inflammation and damage from free radicals," said Anne Hermetet Agler, doctoral candidate with Cornell University's Division of Nutritional Sciences. "Vitamin E may protect the lung against such damage."
The results of the study will be presented at the ATS 2010 International Conference in New Orleans.
"The findings from our study suggest that increasing vitamin E prevents COPD," said Ms. Agler. "Previous research found that higher intake of vitamin E was associated with a lower risk of COPD, but the studies were not designed to answer the question of whether increasing vitamin E intake would prevent COPD. Using a large, randomized controlled trial to answer this question provided stronger evidence than previous studies."
Ms. Agler and colleagues reviewed data compiled by the Women's Health Study, a multi-year, long-term effort ending in 2004 that focused on the effects of aspirin and vitamin E in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer in nearly 40,000 women aged 45 years and older. Study participants were randomized to receive either 600 mg of vitamin E or a placebo every other day during the course of the research.
Although fewer women taking vitamin E developed COPD, Ms. Agler noted the supplements appeared to have no effect on asthma, and women taking vitamin E supplements were diagnosed with asthma at about the same rate as women taking placebo pills. Importantly, Ms. Agler noted the decreased risk of COPD in women who were given vitamin E was the same for smokers as for non-smokers.
Ms. Agler said further research will explore the way vitamin E affects the lung tissue and function, and will assess the effects of vitamin E supplements on lung diseases in men.
"If results of this study are borne out by further research, clinicians may recommend that women take vitamin E supplements to prevent COPD," Ms. Agler noted. "Remember that vitamin E supplements are known to have detrimental effects in some people; for example vitamin E supplementation increased risk of congestive heart failure in cardiovascular disease patients. Broader recommendations would need to balance both benefits and risks. "
"Randomized Vitamin E Supplementation and Risk of Chronic Lung Disease (CLD) in the Women's Health Study" (Session C103, Tuesday, May 18, 1:30- 4:00 p.m., CC-Room 353-355 (Third Level), Morial Convention Center; Abstract 3727)
"As lung disease develops, damage occurs to sensitive tissues through several proposed processes, including inflammation and damage from free radicals," said Anne Hermetet Agler, doctoral candidate with Cornell University's Division of Nutritional Sciences. "Vitamin E may protect the lung against such damage."
The results of the study will be presented at the ATS 2010 International Conference in New Orleans.
"The findings from our study suggest that increasing vitamin E prevents COPD," said Ms. Agler. "Previous research found that higher intake of vitamin E was associated with a lower risk of COPD, but the studies were not designed to answer the question of whether increasing vitamin E intake would prevent COPD. Using a large, randomized controlled trial to answer this question provided stronger evidence than previous studies."
Ms. Agler and colleagues reviewed data compiled by the Women's Health Study, a multi-year, long-term effort ending in 2004 that focused on the effects of aspirin and vitamin E in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer in nearly 40,000 women aged 45 years and older. Study participants were randomized to receive either 600 mg of vitamin E or a placebo every other day during the course of the research.
Although fewer women taking vitamin E developed COPD, Ms. Agler noted the supplements appeared to have no effect on asthma, and women taking vitamin E supplements were diagnosed with asthma at about the same rate as women taking placebo pills. Importantly, Ms. Agler noted the decreased risk of COPD in women who were given vitamin E was the same for smokers as for non-smokers.
Ms. Agler said further research will explore the way vitamin E affects the lung tissue and function, and will assess the effects of vitamin E supplements on lung diseases in men.
"If results of this study are borne out by further research, clinicians may recommend that women take vitamin E supplements to prevent COPD," Ms. Agler noted. "Remember that vitamin E supplements are known to have detrimental effects in some people; for example vitamin E supplementation increased risk of congestive heart failure in cardiovascular disease patients. Broader recommendations would need to balance both benefits and risks. "
"Randomized Vitamin E Supplementation and Risk of Chronic Lung Disease (CLD) in the Women's Health Study" (Session C103, Tuesday, May 18, 1:30- 4:00 p.m., CC-Room 353-355 (Third Level), Morial Convention Center; Abstract 3727)
суббота, 4 июня 2011 г.
Low Vitamin D Levels Linked To Allergies In Kids
A study of more than 3,000 children shows that low vitamin D levels are associated with increased likelihood that children will develop allergies, according to a paper published in the February 17 online edition of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Researchers from Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University headed the study.
Researchers looked at the serum vitamin D levels in blood collected in 2005-2006 from a nationally representative sample of more than 3,100 children and adolescents and 3,400 adults. The samples are derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a program of studies designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the United States. The survey is unique in that it combines interviews, physical examinations and laboratory studies. One of the blood tests assessed was sensitivity to 17 different allergens by measuring levels of Immunoglobulin E (IgE), a protein made when the immune system responds to allergens.
When the resulting data was analyzed by Einstein researchers, no association between vitamin D levels and allergies was observed in adults. But for children and adolescents, low vitamin D levels correlated with sensitivity to 11 of the 17 allergens tested, including both environmental allergens (e.g., ragweed, oak, dog, cockroach) and food allergens (e.g., peanuts). For example, children who had vitamin D deficiency (defined as less than 15 nanograms of vitamin D per milliliter of blood), were 2.4 times as likely to have a peanut allergy than were children with sufficient levels of vitamin D (more than 30 nanograms of vitamin D per milliliter of blood).
The research shows only an association and does not prove that vitamin D deficiency causes allergies in children, cautioned Michal Melamed, M.D., M.H.S., assistant professor of medicine and of epidemiology & population health at Einstein and senior author of the study. Nevertheless, she said, children should certainly consume adequate amounts of the vitamin. "The latest dietary recommendations calling for children to take in 600 IU of vitamin D daily should keep them from becoming vitamin-D deficient," she said.
The title of the paper is "Vitamin D levels and food and environmental allergies in the United States: Results from NHANES 2005-2006."
Researchers looked at the serum vitamin D levels in blood collected in 2005-2006 from a nationally representative sample of more than 3,100 children and adolescents and 3,400 adults. The samples are derived from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a program of studies designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the United States. The survey is unique in that it combines interviews, physical examinations and laboratory studies. One of the blood tests assessed was sensitivity to 17 different allergens by measuring levels of Immunoglobulin E (IgE), a protein made when the immune system responds to allergens.
When the resulting data was analyzed by Einstein researchers, no association between vitamin D levels and allergies was observed in adults. But for children and adolescents, low vitamin D levels correlated with sensitivity to 11 of the 17 allergens tested, including both environmental allergens (e.g., ragweed, oak, dog, cockroach) and food allergens (e.g., peanuts). For example, children who had vitamin D deficiency (defined as less than 15 nanograms of vitamin D per milliliter of blood), were 2.4 times as likely to have a peanut allergy than were children with sufficient levels of vitamin D (more than 30 nanograms of vitamin D per milliliter of blood).
The research shows only an association and does not prove that vitamin D deficiency causes allergies in children, cautioned Michal Melamed, M.D., M.H.S., assistant professor of medicine and of epidemiology & population health at Einstein and senior author of the study. Nevertheless, she said, children should certainly consume adequate amounts of the vitamin. "The latest dietary recommendations calling for children to take in 600 IU of vitamin D daily should keep them from becoming vitamin-D deficient," she said.
The title of the paper is "Vitamin D levels and food and environmental allergies in the United States: Results from NHANES 2005-2006."
пятница, 3 июня 2011 г.
Are We Getting Enough Vitamin D?
Researchers at the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) are on a mission to find out if we need to supplement our diet with vitamin D.
According to lead researcher, Dr Rachel Neale from QIMR, "There has been increasing scientific and media attention paid to the potential health benefits vitamin D, known as the sunshine vitamin."
"Adequate vitamin D levels are essential for maintaining good bone health. It may have other potential health benefits such as prevention of heart disease, colon, lung and several other cancers, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia and diabetes among others."
"There is currently insufficient information about how much vitamin D we need in our blood stream. We don't yet know if increasing vitamin D levels by taking supplements is beneficial."
The researchers are currently running a study called D-Health. They aim to recruit 560 participants from Queensland, NSW, Victoria and Tasmania aged 60-85 for a pilot study to investigate the health benefits of taking a dietary supplement. If successful they plan to embark on a larger scale trial of vitamin D for the prevention of chronic disease in the general population.
Volunteers will be asked to take a vitamin D tablet or a placebo tablet once each month for 12 months. They will also be asked a series of questions about their general health.
"We hope people will be willing to participate in this very important research. The success of this research depends on people who are invited to take part saying yes."
The study follows research conducted by QIMR as part of Suncorp's skin cancer awareness program SunWise. This research has found there is a great deal of misinformation in the general community when it comes to vitamin D.
"It is urgent that we obtain information to enable us to develop recommendations about sun exposure and vitamin D supplementation," said Dr Neale.
The research is in collaboration with researchers at the University of Sydney, the Queensland University of Technology, the University of Melbourne, and the Menzies Research Institute in Tasmania.
According to lead researcher, Dr Rachel Neale from QIMR, "There has been increasing scientific and media attention paid to the potential health benefits vitamin D, known as the sunshine vitamin."
"Adequate vitamin D levels are essential for maintaining good bone health. It may have other potential health benefits such as prevention of heart disease, colon, lung and several other cancers, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia and diabetes among others."
"There is currently insufficient information about how much vitamin D we need in our blood stream. We don't yet know if increasing vitamin D levels by taking supplements is beneficial."
The researchers are currently running a study called D-Health. They aim to recruit 560 participants from Queensland, NSW, Victoria and Tasmania aged 60-85 for a pilot study to investigate the health benefits of taking a dietary supplement. If successful they plan to embark on a larger scale trial of vitamin D for the prevention of chronic disease in the general population.
Volunteers will be asked to take a vitamin D tablet or a placebo tablet once each month for 12 months. They will also be asked a series of questions about their general health.
"We hope people will be willing to participate in this very important research. The success of this research depends on people who are invited to take part saying yes."
The study follows research conducted by QIMR as part of Suncorp's skin cancer awareness program SunWise. This research has found there is a great deal of misinformation in the general community when it comes to vitamin D.
"It is urgent that we obtain information to enable us to develop recommendations about sun exposure and vitamin D supplementation," said Dr Neale.
The research is in collaboration with researchers at the University of Sydney, the Queensland University of Technology, the University of Melbourne, and the Menzies Research Institute in Tasmania.
четверг, 2 июня 2011 г.
Transcendental Meditation Shown To Reduce Depression: New Studies
The Transcendental Meditation® technique may be an effective approach to reduce symptoms of depression, according to two new studies to be presented at the 31st Annual Meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine in Seattle, Washington April 9th, 2010.
The studies, conducted at Charles Drew University in Los Angeles and University of Hawaii in Kohala included African Americans and Native Hawaiians, 55 years and older, who were at risk for cardiovascular disease. Participants were randomly allocated to the Transcendental Meditation program or health education control group, and assessed with a standard test for depression - the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) inventory over 9-12 months.
"Clinically meaningful reductions in depressive symptoms were associated with practice of the Transcendental Meditation program," said Sanford Nidich, EdD, lead author and senior researcher at the Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention at Maharishi University of Management. "The findings of these studies have important implications for improving mental health and reducing the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality," said Dr. Nidich.
Participants in both studies who practiced the Transcendental Meditation program showed significant reductions in depressive symptoms compared to health education controls. The largest decreases were found in those participants who had indications of clinically significant depression, with those practicing Transcendental Meditation showing an average reduction in depressive symptoms of 48%.
"These results are encouraging and provide support for testing the efficacy of Transcendental Meditation as a therapeutic adjunct in the treatment of clinical depression," said Hector Myers, PhD, study co-author and professor and director of Clinical Training in the Department of Psychology at U.C.L.A.
The results of these studies are timely. For older Americans, depression is a particularly debilitating disease, with approximately 20% suffering from some form of depression. Overall, 18 million men and women suffer from depression in the United States. Depression is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, with even a moderate level of depressive symptoms associated with increased cardiac events.
"The clinically significant reductions in depression without drugs or psychotherapy in these studies suggest the Transcendental Meditation program may improve mental and associated physical health in older high risk subjects," said Robert Schneider MD FACC, director of MUM's Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention.
"The importance of reducing depression in the elderly at risk for heart disease cannot be overestimated," said Gary P. Kaplan MD PhD, Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology NYU School of Medicine. "Any technique not involving extra medication in this population is a welcome addition. I look forward to further research on the Transcendental Meditation technique and prevention of depression in other at-risk elderly populations, including those with stroke and other chronic diseases."
The studies were funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health - National Heart Lung and Blood Institute and National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Facts on Study Design
The first study was conducted in collaboration with Dr. Hector Myers at the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles. It included a subgroup of 59 African American men and women, 55 years and older, with a minimum carotid artery wall thickness of 0.65 for women and 0.72 for men.
The second study was conducted in collaboration with Dr. Andrew Grandinetti at the University of Hawaii. Data was collected on 53 Native Hawaiian men in Kohala, Hawaii, 55 years and older, who had at least one additional major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Measurements with the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) Rating Scale were taken at baseline, 3-month posttest, and 9-12 month posttest, comparing Transcendental Meditation to health education controls.
Both African Americans and Native Hawaiians suffer from higher rates of cardiovascular disease compared to whites. African Americans have approximately 1.5 times the rate of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and Native Hawaiians have 2 to 4 times the rate of cardiovascular disease compared to the whites.
Facts on Depression
12.4 million women and 6.4 million men in the U.S. suffer from depression.
Approximately 20% of the elderly suffers from some form of depression according the National Institutes of Health.
Depression is an important risk factor for the development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Research has found that a dose-response effect exists whereby the level of depressive symptoms is linearly associated with the prevalence of cardiac events. Even a moderate level of depressive symptoms increases the risk for cardiac events.
The Medical Outcomes Study determined that depression was more impairing in terms of patient functioning and well being than arthritis, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension, among others, and is more disruptive for social functioning than all of the chronic medical conditions.
Research has shown that approximately 50% of patients suffering from major depression can be left undiagnosed by general practitioners.
Depression accounts for $83.1 billion in medical care and workplace costs.
The studies, conducted at Charles Drew University in Los Angeles and University of Hawaii in Kohala included African Americans and Native Hawaiians, 55 years and older, who were at risk for cardiovascular disease. Participants were randomly allocated to the Transcendental Meditation program or health education control group, and assessed with a standard test for depression - the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) inventory over 9-12 months.
"Clinically meaningful reductions in depressive symptoms were associated with practice of the Transcendental Meditation program," said Sanford Nidich, EdD, lead author and senior researcher at the Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention at Maharishi University of Management. "The findings of these studies have important implications for improving mental health and reducing the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality," said Dr. Nidich.
Participants in both studies who practiced the Transcendental Meditation program showed significant reductions in depressive symptoms compared to health education controls. The largest decreases were found in those participants who had indications of clinically significant depression, with those practicing Transcendental Meditation showing an average reduction in depressive symptoms of 48%.
"These results are encouraging and provide support for testing the efficacy of Transcendental Meditation as a therapeutic adjunct in the treatment of clinical depression," said Hector Myers, PhD, study co-author and professor and director of Clinical Training in the Department of Psychology at U.C.L.A.
The results of these studies are timely. For older Americans, depression is a particularly debilitating disease, with approximately 20% suffering from some form of depression. Overall, 18 million men and women suffer from depression in the United States. Depression is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, with even a moderate level of depressive symptoms associated with increased cardiac events.
"The clinically significant reductions in depression without drugs or psychotherapy in these studies suggest the Transcendental Meditation program may improve mental and associated physical health in older high risk subjects," said Robert Schneider MD FACC, director of MUM's Institute for Natural Medicine and Prevention.
"The importance of reducing depression in the elderly at risk for heart disease cannot be overestimated," said Gary P. Kaplan MD PhD, Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology NYU School of Medicine. "Any technique not involving extra medication in this population is a welcome addition. I look forward to further research on the Transcendental Meditation technique and prevention of depression in other at-risk elderly populations, including those with stroke and other chronic diseases."
The studies were funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health - National Heart Lung and Blood Institute and National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Facts on Study Design
The first study was conducted in collaboration with Dr. Hector Myers at the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles. It included a subgroup of 59 African American men and women, 55 years and older, with a minimum carotid artery wall thickness of 0.65 for women and 0.72 for men.
The second study was conducted in collaboration with Dr. Andrew Grandinetti at the University of Hawaii. Data was collected on 53 Native Hawaiian men in Kohala, Hawaii, 55 years and older, who had at least one additional major risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Measurements with the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) Rating Scale were taken at baseline, 3-month posttest, and 9-12 month posttest, comparing Transcendental Meditation to health education controls.
Both African Americans and Native Hawaiians suffer from higher rates of cardiovascular disease compared to whites. African Americans have approximately 1.5 times the rate of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and Native Hawaiians have 2 to 4 times the rate of cardiovascular disease compared to the whites.
Facts on Depression
12.4 million women and 6.4 million men in the U.S. suffer from depression.
Approximately 20% of the elderly suffers from some form of depression according the National Institutes of Health.
Depression is an important risk factor for the development and progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Research has found that a dose-response effect exists whereby the level of depressive symptoms is linearly associated with the prevalence of cardiac events. Even a moderate level of depressive symptoms increases the risk for cardiac events.
The Medical Outcomes Study determined that depression was more impairing in terms of patient functioning and well being than arthritis, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension, among others, and is more disruptive for social functioning than all of the chronic medical conditions.
Research has shown that approximately 50% of patients suffering from major depression can be left undiagnosed by general practitioners.
Depression accounts for $83.1 billion in medical care and workplace costs.
среда, 1 июня 2011 г.
Seaweed Extract May Hold Promise For Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Treatment
Seaweed extract may eventually emerge as a lymphoma treatment, according to laboratory research presented at the second AACR Dead Sea International Conference on Advances in Cancer Research: From the Laboratory to the Clinic, held here March 7-10, 2010.
Lymphoma is a cancer of the immune system and is classified into Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's types, which are then further classified into B-cell and T-cell groups.
"Some forms of B-cell lymphoma are especially resistant to standard treatment and thus new therapies are needed," said Mohammad Irhimeh, Ph.D., assistant professor of hematoncology and stem cells at the Hashemite University in Jordan. "In this study, we looked at a new treatment strategy using novel active compounds derived from a natural source seaweed."
Seaweeds containing fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide similar to heparin in chemical structure, have been reported to have anti-tumor activity in mice and some cell lines.
For the current study, Irhimeh and colleagues at the University of California, Berkeley, and Royal Hobart Hospital in Australia treated lymphoma cell lines with a commercially available seaweed extract.
They found that the extract had an inhibitory effect on the growth of lymphoma cell lines, while leaving the control healthy cells intact. The researchers also noted a significant pattern of activity in the genes known to be linked with apoptosis, or cell death, in lymphoma.
Irhimeh said they would continue to study the mechanism of action for these biological effects and had a goal of conducting phase II or III clinical trials.
The mission of the American Association for Cancer Research is to prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1907, the AACR is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research. The membership includes 30,000 basic, translational and clinical researchers; health care professionals; and cancer survivors and advocates in the United States and nearly 90 other countries. The AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise from the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer through high-quality scientific and educational programs. It funds innovative, meritorious research grants, research fellowship and career development awards. The AACR Annual Meeting attracts more than 16,000 participants who share the latest discoveries and developments in the field. Special conferences throughout the year present novel data across a wide variety of topics in cancer research, treatment and patient care. The AACR publishes six major peer-reviewed journals: Cancer Research; Clinical Cancer Research; Molecular Cancer Therapeutics; Molecular Cancer Research; Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention; and Cancer Prevention Research. The AACR also publishes CR, a magazine for cancer survivors and their families, patient advocates, physicians and scientists. CR provides a forum for sharing essential, evidence-based information and perspectives on progress in cancer research, survivorship and advocacy.
Lymphoma is a cancer of the immune system and is classified into Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's types, which are then further classified into B-cell and T-cell groups.
"Some forms of B-cell lymphoma are especially resistant to standard treatment and thus new therapies are needed," said Mohammad Irhimeh, Ph.D., assistant professor of hematoncology and stem cells at the Hashemite University in Jordan. "In this study, we looked at a new treatment strategy using novel active compounds derived from a natural source seaweed."
Seaweeds containing fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide similar to heparin in chemical structure, have been reported to have anti-tumor activity in mice and some cell lines.
For the current study, Irhimeh and colleagues at the University of California, Berkeley, and Royal Hobart Hospital in Australia treated lymphoma cell lines with a commercially available seaweed extract.
They found that the extract had an inhibitory effect on the growth of lymphoma cell lines, while leaving the control healthy cells intact. The researchers also noted a significant pattern of activity in the genes known to be linked with apoptosis, or cell death, in lymphoma.
Irhimeh said they would continue to study the mechanism of action for these biological effects and had a goal of conducting phase II or III clinical trials.
The mission of the American Association for Cancer Research is to prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1907, the AACR is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research. The membership includes 30,000 basic, translational and clinical researchers; health care professionals; and cancer survivors and advocates in the United States and nearly 90 other countries. The AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise from the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer through high-quality scientific and educational programs. It funds innovative, meritorious research grants, research fellowship and career development awards. The AACR Annual Meeting attracts more than 16,000 participants who share the latest discoveries and developments in the field. Special conferences throughout the year present novel data across a wide variety of topics in cancer research, treatment and patient care. The AACR publishes six major peer-reviewed journals: Cancer Research; Clinical Cancer Research; Molecular Cancer Therapeutics; Molecular Cancer Research; Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention; and Cancer Prevention Research. The AACR also publishes CR, a magazine for cancer survivors and their families, patient advocates, physicians and scientists. CR provides a forum for sharing essential, evidence-based information and perspectives on progress in cancer research, survivorship and advocacy.
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