Case Study: Autism and Vaccines Mar 10, 2010
"Some vaccines, such as those aimed at viral infections, are designed to ramp up the immune system at warp speed," she says. "They are designed to mimic the infection. So you can imagine getting nine at one time, how sick you could be." In addition, she says, there's some evidence, that children who develop autism may have immune systems that are particularly slow to mature. (Time.com)
Bell's Palsy Symptoms and Treatment... Mar 6, 2010
The cause of Bell s Palsy is unknown, but researchers suspect viral infections like the common cold sore virus (herpes simplex) cause inflammation and pressure on the nerve, according to the NINDS.. Palsy symptoms vary by individual and may include. (Suite101.com)
Helping clients stay on track Mar 5, 2010
P3S has also benefited from some of the stimulus funding, including some that went to the CDC to support efforts on epidemeology and ongoing studies of viral infections. SBA award. (San Antonio Business Journal, TX)
Stomach Bugs Up Risk of Heartburn Woes Years Later Mar 2, 2010
Serious bacterial or viral infections of the digestive system-known medically as infectious gastroenteritis-may lead to some cases of irritable bowel syndrome, possibly by causing low-grade inflammation in the intestine, Dr. Alex Ford of McMaster University Medical Center in Hamilton, Ontario and his colleagues note. Studies have suggested that such infections could also be linked with functional dyspepsia-basically, symptoms of heartburn, fullness and indigestion with no known cause-but the... (MEDLINEplus)
Pinpointing immune system disturbances in celiac disease Mar 1, 2010
Professor van Heel, commenting on the latest findings said: "We can now shed light on some of the precise immune disturbances leading to coeliac disease. These include how T cells in the body react to toxic wheat proteins, how the thymus gland eliminates these T cells during infancy, and the body's response to viral infections. We now understand that many of these genetic risk factors work by altering the amounts of these immune system genes that cells make. The data also suggests that coeliac... (EurekAlert!)
Innate Immune Mechanisms Can Control Disease Progression in HIV-Positive Patients Feb 26, 2010
The authors recently demonstrated that -defensins1-3 are produced by monocyte-derived immature dendritic cells (MDDC) in healthy individuals and they are able to modulate the maduration and differentiation process of MDDC. Dendritic cells (DC) are the main antigen-presenting cells and play a key role in the innate immune response against different viral infections, especially during the response generated against HIV. Due to their mucosal localization, DC are thought to be one of the first cells... (Science Daily)
Simple test could cut excessive antibiotic use Feb 26, 2010
But this judgment is not always easy, the researchers said, and lab tests can help sort bacterial from viral infections ... In people with viral infections, PCT levels rise only marginally, if at all. (MSNBC -- Health)
When the Best Medication for Kids Is No Medication at All Feb 26, 2010
If you ask long enough for antibiotics for your children's viral infections, chances are your doctor might just -- even though the doctor knows antibiotics won't help your child get better ... Physicians will prescribe antibiotics for viral infections 62 percent of the time when asked by a patient, and only 7 percent of the time when they think a patient does not want it, according to a 1999 study published in Pediatrics. (ABC News)
Assessing placebo use in clinical practice Feb 24, 2010
The use of 'impure' or 'active' placebos (for example, antibiotics for viral infections) is likely to be much more frequent. However, it is impossible to make a reliable estimation because there is no agreement of what an impure placebo might be. (BioMed Central)
Aphid's Genome Reflects Its Reproductive, Symbiotic Lifestyle Feb 23, 2010
But pea aphids whose symbiotic bacteria have viral infections gain protection against parasitic wasps. Aphids without the infected bacteria were. (Science Daily)
Rams Crossno battling tough foe in Crohns Disease (151) Feb 22, 2010
Crossno said aside from the constant nausea, his condition also makes him more susceptible to viral infections. He said his doctor informed him that if he is exposed to a virus, he will very likely contract it. (Paragould Daily Press, AR)
Food allergy update Feb 21, 2010
Rashes and hives can result from viral infections, harsh soaps and topical irritants. Nasal congestion, cough or wheezing can result from a virus or contact with airborne allergens, such as ragweed and pollen. (WSFA.com, AL)
Viruses Helped Shape Human Genetic Variability Feb 19, 2010
The researchers, from the Don C. Gnocchi and Eugenio Medea Scientific Institutes, the University of Milan and the Politecnico di Milano, Italy, used population genetics approaches to identify gene variants that augment susceptibility to viral infections or protect from such infections ... The identification of gene variants that modulate the susceptibility to viral infections is thus central to the development of novel therapeutic approaches and vaccines ... Using this approach, they found 139... (Science Daily)
Incidence of Cerebral Palsy on Rise in US, New Data Reveals Feb 11, 2010
7, 2006) Exposure to certain viral infections shortly before and after birth (the perinatal period) is associated with cerebral palsy, finds a study published online by the British Medical Journal. These. (Science Daily)
Viral Hepatitis C, Hepatitis D and ... Feb 6, 2010
Although various different viral infections can lead to hepatitis, the most common forms of the disease are , C, D and E, each of which is due to a corresponding virus. Hepatitis C. (Suite101.com)
Anti-Spasticity Medications Need Further Research Feb 4, 2010
3, 2010) Only a few anti-spasticity medications used for children with cerebral palsy are backed by sufficient research to justify their use, according to a new review of scientific literature headed by a UT Southwestern Medical Center neurologist and conducted by a national panel of interdisciplinary experts nationwide. The findings prompted the American Academy of Neurology to release a new practice guideline on effective treatments. (Science Daily)
Growth factor gene shown to be a key to cleft palate Feb 3, 2010
Although some cases of cleft lip and palate are linked to environmental factors such as maternal smoking, viral infections or certain medications, genetic variations play a significant role in many cases. The Washington University researchers studied the fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) gene, which earlier research has implicated in cleft palate. (EurekAlert!)
Common Antidepressant Drugs Linked to Lactation Difficulties in Moms Feb 2, 2010
Breastfeeding benefits both infants and mothers in many ways as breast milk is easy to digest and contains antibodies that can protect infants from bacterial and viral infections. The World Health Organization recommends that infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. (Science Daily)
Blocking Key Protein in Mice Helps Them Resist Viral Infection Feb 1, 2010
By blocking the action of a key protein in the mouse immune system, they were able to boost immune "memory" in those mice -- work that may one day help doctors increase the effectiveness of human vaccines designed to prevent viral infections ... 30, 2009) Researchers have found that exaggerated responses of the immune system explain why the elderly succumb to viral infections more readily than younger people. (Science Daily)
Scripps research scientists find potential new way to enhance vaccines Jan 28, 2010
By blocking the action of a key protein in the mouse immune system, they were able to boost immune "memory" in those micework that may one day help doctors increase the effectiveness of human vaccines designed to prevent viral infections. Immune memory in humans (or mice) is what allows the bodyafter an initial exposure to a virusto quickly recognize, respond to, and eliminate that same virus upon some later exposure. (EurekAlert!)
Rejuvenating the Old Immune System Jan 28, 2010
30, 2009) Researchers have found that exaggerated responses of the immune system explain why the elderly succumb to viral infections more readily than younger people. The study bucks the general belief that. (Science Daily)
Unwanted Guests: How Herpes Simplex Virus Gets Rid of the Cell's Security Guards Jan 27, 2010
"By identifying how HSV dismantles the host's defense systems, we are shown the key steps, not only in viral infections, but also in the human DNA damage response," Weitzman explains. HSV may have evolved this weapon because our cells use histone ubiquitination to try to silence gene expression from the viral DNA. "Ubiquitination would be a great way for the cell to silence the viral genome, and ICP0 provides the counterattack by the virus, so the virus and the cell are battling it out at that... (Science Daily)
Neuron Connections Seen in 3-D Jan 23, 2010
13, 2009) A new advanced method for nano-scale imaging of vesicle-fusion could add to our understanding of diseases of the nervous system and viral infections. In the long term, this could be useful in. (Science Daily)
Copper-Free Click Chemistry Used in Mice Jan 21, 2010
They are central to the signaling that takes place between cells during development and are also involved in bacterial and viral infections, as well as the immune system's response to such infections. "There is great scientific interest in monitoring the dynamics of glycans as they move about within cells and on the cell surface, but the means to tag glycans with imaging probes in living organisms has been lacking," says Bertozzi, who is the director of Berkeley Lab's Molecular Foundry, a... (Science Daily)
Researcher Discovers Ebola's Deadly Secret Jan 21, 2010
When the healthy host cell senses the replicating RNA, the host cell starts to activate anti-viral defenses that halt replication and eventually help clear the viral infections. What Amarasinghe and his group have discovered is that Ebola virus encoded VP35 protein actually masks the replicating viral ribonucleic acid (RNA), so the cell doesn't recognize that there is an invading virus. (Science Daily)
Appendicitis May Not Need Quick Surgery Jan 20, 2010
Unnoticed viral infections may cause some cases of appendicitis, according to researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. They reviewed patient records from 36 years and also found that an inflamed appendix may not necessarily need to be removed to prevent rupture. (KIRO TV, WA)
Study Questions Need for Emergency Appendectomies Jan 20, 2010
The researchers also theorize that viral infections can cause appendicitis. "Just as the traditional appendix scar across the abdomen is fast becoming history, thanks to new single-incision surgery techniques that hide a tiny scar in the bellybutton, so, too, may the conventional wisdom that patients with appendicitis need to be operated on as soon as they enter the hospital," the study's senior author, Dr. Edward Livingston, chief of gastrointestinal surgery at the University of Texas... (MEDLINEplus)
Appendicitis may be related to viral infections Jan 19, 2010
Public release date: 18-Jan-2010. Contact: Russell Rian. (EurekAlert!)
Many appendectomies may not be needed, study finds Jan 19, 2010
Though the cause of appendicitis isn't known, Livingston's study links non-rupturing but not ruptured disease to viral infections, an association supported by reports of clusters, or outbreaks, of appendicitis cases. Using U.S. hospital discharge data from 1970 to 2006, the authors found that annual rates of non-rupturing appendicitis fell and rose along with influenza. (USA Today -- News)
Are you safe in your salon? Jan 16, 2010
Viral infections including HIV, hepatitis B and C, warts, bacterial and fungal infections, hair loss, skin burns etc are some things to look out for. Dr Rohini Wadhwani, dermatologist says to be careful when doing some of the following beauty procedures. (India Times, India)
Some Antiviral Drugs Could Make Diseases Worse, New Study Suggests Jan 15, 2010
Despite this serious need for new drugs, a team of researchers from the University of Texas at Austin raise serious concerns about an emerging strategy for stopping viral infections. See Also. (Science Daily)
New study raises the possibility that some antiviral drugs could make diseases worse Jan 14, 2010
Despite this serious need for new drugs, a team of researchers from the University of Texas at Austin raise serious concerns about an emerging strategy for stopping viral infections. According to their research report appearing in the January 2010 issue of the journal GENETICS, medications that cause viruses to die off by forcing their nucleic acid to mutate rapidly might actually, in some instances, cause them to emerge from the process stronger, perhaps even more virulent than before drug... (EurekAlert!)
Germs at work Jan 11, 2010
We are more prone to viral infections than bacterial ones, but viruses don't live for long on inanimate surfaces like keyboards and telephones. "A bigger concern in the workplace is allergies from dust and other allergens," Nadworny said. (Erie Times-News, PA)
Sars patients can provide therapy Jan 10, 2010
" Dr Lanzavecchia said he was particularly hopeful it could be applied to HIV, whose ability to generate many different variants poses a major problem for doctors. A spokeswoman for the Health Protection Agency said: "We welcome this research, which is important in the incremental process of understanding how we can use an immune response to protect others from viral infections such as Sars. "Further work is still needed and we will watch this area with interest.". (Yahoo News -- SARS)
Scientists Discover Natural Flu-Fighting Proteins Jan 10, 2010
They also may lead to better ways to protect people from influenza and other viral infections. "By making this protein be expressed in poultry or pigs, we can make them resistant to the flu. That can help protect people by protecting animals from the flu," he said. (MEDLINEplus)
Not fazed by red air days Jan 10, 2010
PeterBrunson wrote on Jan 9, 2010 9:58 AM:" Global warming - it is the chemical content of second hand smoke that is the problem. CO2 is not harmfull to people unless (like any other gas) the concentrations are incredibly high. Code red days are indication of pm2.5, ozone etc not CO2. Pollution levels are not worse today than in 1946. There is no data to support that contention. The number of pheasants in the valley has nothing to do with air pollution. The number of native fish in our streams... (Logan Herald Journal, UT)
Bowel Disease Drugs Increase Cancer Risk Jan 10, 2010
Thiopurine drugs -- immunosuppressive medicines that inhibit the body's immune system -- are regularly used to treat inflammatory bowel disease, the researchers said, but can increase the risk of cancers linked to viral infections. Laurent Beaugerie and colleagues at the Saint-Antoine hospital in Paris looked at more than 19,000 patients with inflammatory bowel disease. (MEDLINEplus)
Other Viruses Abound in Flu Season, Tests Show Jan 10, 2010
But better tests are now being developed for flu and ViraCor's xTAG RVP test can diagnose 12 different viral infections. Reuters Health. (MEDLINEplus)
Cold & Flu Jan 10, 2010
What makes a cold different from other viral infections is that you generally won't have a high fever. You're also unlikely to experience significant fatigue from a common cold. (CNN -- Health)
HIV & AIDS Jan 10, 2010
ASK AN EXPERT Got a question about a health story in the news or a health topic. Here's your chance to get an answer. (CNN -- Health)
