Medical/Health /
Medical
Published 02/07/2012 - 1:20 p.m. CST
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Millions of Americans suffer from food allergies, and there are deaths every year associated with this life threatening health issue. Some food allergies are minimal, and some are critical. According to The Food Allergy Network, food allergy occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks a food protein. Ingestion of the offending food may trigger the sudden release of chemicals, including histamine, resulting in symptoms of an allergic reaction. The symptoms may be mild (rashes, hives, itching, swelling, etc.) or severe (trouble breathing, wheezing, loss of consciousness, etc.). A food allergy can be potentially fatal. Scientists estimate that as many as 15 million Americans suffer from food allergies.
Published 02/07/2012 - 6:28 a.m. CST
Rice University, Texas Children's
Hospital researchers derive vessel-forming stem cells from amniotic
fluid
Researchers at Rice University and Texas Children's Hospital have turned stem cells from amniotic fluid into cells that form blood vessels. Their success offers hope that such stem cells may be used to grow tissue patches to repair infant hearts.
"We want to come up with technology to replace defective tissue with beating heart tissue made from stem cells sloughed off by the infant into the amniotic fluid," said Rice bioengineer Jeffrey Jacot, who led the study. "Our findings serve as proof of principle that stem cells from amniotic fluid have the potential to be used for such purposes."
Published 02/07/2012 - 6:17 a.m. CST
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Riding in a car with a smoker can pose a significant health risk to
nonsmokers, especially young children and adolescents. In the study,
“Secondhand Smoke Exposure in Cars Among Middle and High School
Students – United States, 2000-2009,” in the March 2012 Pediatrics
(published online Feb. 6), data on youth exposure to secondhand smoke
(SHS) was reviewed from the National Youth Tobacco Survey, a national
survey of U.S. students in grades 6 through 12. The results indicate
that over the last decade, SHS exposure decreased among both
nonsmoking and smoking middle and high school students.
However, in 2009, 22.8 percent of non-smoking students and 75.3 percent of smoking students still reported SHS exposure in a car within the past week. Among youth, SHS exposure can lead to acute respiratory infections, middle ear disease, delayed lung growth, and more severe asthma.
However, in 2009, 22.8 percent of non-smoking students and 75.3 percent of smoking students still reported SHS exposure in a car within the past week. Among youth, SHS exposure can lead to acute respiratory infections, middle ear disease, delayed lung growth, and more severe asthma.
Published 02/05/2012 - 7:48 a.m. CST
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The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) policy statement,
"Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedules - United
States, 2012," published in the February 2012 Pediatrics (published
online Feb. 1), includes updated schedules for children ages 0 through
6, ages 7 through 18, and a catch-up schedule for children with late
or incomplete immunizations.
The schedule reflects current recommendations for use of FDA-licensed vaccines, and has been approved by the AAP, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Three of the vaccine recommendations reflect major changes: human papillomavirus (HPV), meningococcal, and influenza.
The schedule reflects current recommendations for use of FDA-licensed vaccines, and has been approved by the AAP, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Three of the vaccine recommendations reflect major changes: human papillomavirus (HPV), meningococcal, and influenza.
Published 02/03/2012 - 6:57 a.m. CST
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HOUSTON, TX - More women die of heart disease than all forms of cancer
combined. Unfortunately, heart disease is often silent, hidden and
misunderstood. That’s why the American Heart Association’s Go Red For
Women Campaign is asking Houstonians to participate in the 9th Annual
National Wear Red Day today to make ending heart disease a reality.
In observance of this important day, Go Red for Women National Sponsor Macy’s is offering a Wear Red Day Sale, which runs Feb 1 through Feb. 5. Customers who wear red to any Macy’s store between February 1st and 5th will receive a special 20 percent discount on a wide assortment of merchandise at Macy’s stores.
In observance of this important day, Go Red for Women National Sponsor Macy’s is offering a Wear Red Day Sale, which runs Feb 1 through Feb. 5. Customers who wear red to any Macy’s store between February 1st and 5th will receive a special 20 percent discount on a wide assortment of merchandise at Macy’s stores.
Published 02/02/2012 - 12:51 p.m. CST
Screening rates lower among Asian and Hispanic
Americans
The percentage of U.S. citizens screened for cancer remains below national targets, with significant disparities among racial and ethnic populations, according to the first federal study to identify cancer screening disparities among Asian and Hispanic groups. The report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, was published January 26 in the CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
In 2010, breast cancer screening rates were 72.4 percent, below the Healthy People 2020 target of 81 percent; cervical cancer screening was 83 percent, below the target of 93 percent; and colorectal cancer screening was 58.6 percent, below the target of 70.5 percent, according to the study, “Cancer Screening in the United States – 2010.”
Published 02/02/2012 - 8:24 a.m. CST
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COLLEGE STATION, TX – When the Texas Health and Human Services
Commission needed an assessment tool to help determine the amount of
Medicaid home care families with special needs children might require,
they called on a team of researchers at Texas A&M University and
the Texas A&M University Health Science Center for
help.
The team has developed, tested and assisted in the implementation of assessment instruments to determine some of the requirements of families with children who have special needs participating in the Medicaid Early Prevention, Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) program and receive Medicaid Personal Care Services (PCS) in their homes. Its goal was to develop and test a set of assessment instruments that would assist Department of State Health Services (DSHS) case managers effectively and fairly determine how many hours of PCS a family needed.
The team has developed, tested and assisted in the implementation of assessment instruments to determine some of the requirements of families with children who have special needs participating in the Medicaid Early Prevention, Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) program and receive Medicaid Personal Care Services (PCS) in their homes. Its goal was to develop and test a set of assessment instruments that would assist Department of State Health Services (DSHS) case managers effectively and fairly determine how many hours of PCS a family needed.
Published 02/01/2012 - 10:45 a.m. CST
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Lo/Ovral®-28 And Norgestrel/Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets Recalled Due To
Possibility Of Inexact Tablet Counts Or Out Of Sequence
Tablets
NEW YORK - Pfizer Inc. announced that it has voluntarily recalled 14 lots of Lo/Ovral®-28 (norgestrel and ethinyl estradiol)Tablets and 14 lots of Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets (generic)for customers in the U.S. market. An investigation by Pfizer found that some blister packs may contain an inexact count of inert or active ingredient tablets and that the tablets may be out of sequence. The cause was identified and corrected immediately.
These products are oral contraceptives indicated for the prevention of pregnancy in women who elect to use oral contraceptives as a method of contraception.
NEW YORK - Pfizer Inc. announced that it has voluntarily recalled 14 lots of Lo/Ovral®-28 (norgestrel and ethinyl estradiol)Tablets and 14 lots of Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets (generic)for customers in the U.S. market. An investigation by Pfizer found that some blister packs may contain an inexact count of inert or active ingredient tablets and that the tablets may be out of sequence. The cause was identified and corrected immediately.
These products are oral contraceptives indicated for the prevention of pregnancy in women who elect to use oral contraceptives as a method of contraception.
Published 02/01/2012 - 6:57 a.m. CST
Confirmatory trials show significantly prolonged survival in patients;
drug granted regular approval
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Tuesday granted Gleevec (imatinib) regular approval for use in adult patients following surgical removal of CD117-positive gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Tuesday's action also highlights an increase in overall patient survival when the drug is taken for 36 months rather than the standard 12 months of treatment.
Gleevec was originally granted accelerated approval for the treatment of advanced or metastatic GIST in 2002.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Tuesday granted Gleevec (imatinib) regular approval for use in adult patients following surgical removal of CD117-positive gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). Tuesday's action also highlights an increase in overall patient survival when the drug is taken for 36 months rather than the standard 12 months of treatment.
Gleevec was originally granted accelerated approval for the treatment of advanced or metastatic GIST in 2002.
Published 02/06/2012 - 10:32 a.m. CST
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New therapy combination prolongs survival in dogs and furthers
research for human trials
HOUSTON — A new immunotherapy for companion dogs with advanced-stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) has been shown to improve survival while maintaining quality of life, according to a study published in the journal Scientific Reports. The study resulted from a collaboration between The University of Texas MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital in Houston and Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine in College Station.
Using a T-cell therapy developed at MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital, veterinarians from Texas A&M saw a nearly four-fold improvement in tumor-free survival compared to dogs who received only chemotherapy.
HOUSTON — A new immunotherapy for companion dogs with advanced-stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) has been shown to improve survival while maintaining quality of life, according to a study published in the journal Scientific Reports. The study resulted from a collaboration between The University of Texas MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital in Houston and Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine in College Station.
Using a T-cell therapy developed at MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital, veterinarians from Texas A&M saw a nearly four-fold improvement in tumor-free survival compared to dogs who received only chemotherapy.
Published 02/04/2012 - 12:02 p.m. CST
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Diabetes is a medical condition that causes a defect in the cells of
the pancreas that are responsible for producing insulin. Insulin
allows the body's blood sugar to be absorbed. If not controlled,
diabetes can lead to serious health issues.
There are 3 types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational. Type 1, usually diagnosed in children or young adults, is when the body does not produce insulin. Type 2 is the most common and is when the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy. Usually the mother and baby's blood sugar levels return to normal once the baby is born.
There are 3 types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational. Type 1, usually diagnosed in children or young adults, is when the body does not produce insulin. Type 2 is the most common and is when the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy. Usually the mother and baby's blood sugar levels return to normal once the baby is born.
Published 02/03/2012 - 5:48 a.m. CST
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HOUSTON — A team from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer
Center is receiving a national award for a research article tackling a
question vital to the future of health care with reform regulations
looming, competition growing and costs rising.
The MD Anderson study took on the complex question of defining value in health care and for its paper that outlines one approach, the team has been awarded the 2012 Edgar C. Hayhow Article of the Year Award.
Presented by the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), the winning paper appeared in the organization's publication, the Journal of Healthcare Management, in the November/December 2010 issue.
The MD Anderson study took on the complex question of defining value in health care and for its paper that outlines one approach, the team has been awarded the 2012 Edgar C. Hayhow Article of the Year Award.
Presented by the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), the winning paper appeared in the organization's publication, the Journal of Healthcare Management, in the November/December 2010 issue.
Published 02/02/2012 - 8:55 a.m. CST
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You've probably heard most of your life about the importance of eating a good breakfast. Most nutrition experts say that it's the most important meal of the day. Eating breakfast gets your morning started on the right track. It helps you keep your energy up and make healthier eating choices throughout the day, according to EverydayHealth.com.
There’s some physiology to it; eating breakfast prevents you from bottoming out and getting too hungry. And, psychologically, you know you started the day off right. When eating breakfast becomes part of your regimen, you start having ownership of it, become more consistent, and feel that you’re making a change for the better. Nutritionally, when you have breakfast, there’s more of a guarantee that you’re getting the nutrients you need every day.
According to I Village Health, here are 15 reasons to have a good breakfast:
Published 02/01/2012 - 1:43 p.m. CST
Breakthrough therapy targets defective protein
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Tuesday approved Kalydeco (ivacaftor) for the treatment of a rare form of cystic fibrosis (CF) in patients ages 6 years and older who have the specific G551D mutation in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Regulator (CFTR) gene.
CF is a serious genetic disorder affecting the lungs and other organs that ultimately leads to an early death. It is caused by mutations (defects) in a gene that encodes for a protein called CFTR that regulates ion (such as chloride) and water transport in the body. The defect in chloride and water transport results in the formation of thick mucus that builds up in the lungs, digestive tract and other parts of the body leading to severe respiratory and digestive problems, as well as other complications such as infections and diabetes.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Tuesday approved Kalydeco (ivacaftor) for the treatment of a rare form of cystic fibrosis (CF) in patients ages 6 years and older who have the specific G551D mutation in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Regulator (CFTR) gene.
CF is a serious genetic disorder affecting the lungs and other organs that ultimately leads to an early death. It is caused by mutations (defects) in a gene that encodes for a protein called CFTR that regulates ion (such as chloride) and water transport in the body. The defect in chloride and water transport results in the formation of thick mucus that builds up in the lungs, digestive tract and other parts of the body leading to severe respiratory and digestive problems, as well as other complications such as infections and diabetes.
Published 02/01/2012 - 9:52 a.m. CST
Medicare Advantage premiums have fallen by 7 percent on average and
enrollment has risen by about 10 percent since this time last year,
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today.
The enrollment numbers confirm projections from last September that enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans would continue to rise and average premiums would continue to fall. Average premiums have fallen from $33.97 in 2011, to $31.54 in 2012, while enrollment has risen from 11.7 million in 2011 to 12.8 million in 2012.
“The Medicare Advantage program is stronger than ever,” said Secretary Sebelius.
The enrollment numbers confirm projections from last September that enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans would continue to rise and average premiums would continue to fall. Average premiums have fallen from $33.97 in 2011, to $31.54 in 2012, while enrollment has risen from 11.7 million in 2011 to 12.8 million in 2012.
“The Medicare Advantage program is stronger than ever,” said Secretary Sebelius.
Published 01/31/2012 - 11:30 a.m. CST
Students must attend session to enroll in nursing program
BRENHAM, TX - Each spring, the Blinn College Vocational Nursing Program hosts mandatory information sessions for prospective students for the fall 2012.
To apply for Blinn’s nursing program, students must attend one of the information sessions.
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