India finally conquered Guinea worm, making it the second disease after smallpox to be completely eradicated in the country. The disease, which mainly affects the rural poor, is now limited to only 12 African countries, according to an announcement last month by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Guinea worm, transmitted by contaminated drinking water, is known to researchers as the giant roundworm parasite Dracunculus medinensis , a spaghetti-thin wriggler that can reach up to one meter long. The worm breeds in the water where the eggs are taken and fed by Cyclops , an aquatic insect.

Fifty years, 25 million Indians have suffered from Guinea worm disease, a painful incurable condition can cause debilitating infections. But a worm eradication campaign reduced the number of cases to 40,000 by early 1980. And Subhash Salunke, a communicable disease WHO consultant based in New Delhi, said that "hopefully in 4-5 coming years, "the world will be free Guinea worm by 2010.

sleep hygiene

Have you ever find it hard to stay awake and alert during your morning commute or be tempted to take a quick nap under your desk after lunch? Sometimes, trying to find the balance between your work life, social life and personal life seems almost impossible, and many of us find ourselves desire to fair value of this night of good sleep.

Sleep is essential for health and wellbeing, as well as eating a healthy diet and daily exercise. Most adults should aim to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night to receive his benefits, such as cell repair and maintenance, better concentration and higher energy levels. Without adequate rest periods for physical and mental repair, you may not be able to function at your peak. In addition, lack of sleep has been associated with an increased risk of a number of diseases and chronic illnesses, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and depression.

If you experience difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, frequent snoring experience a pause in breathing, or gasping during sleep, consult your doctor. Identify and treat the cause of sleep disorders can help you get in the way of a good night's sleep.

Did you know?

• Melatonin, a hormone natural sleep can be found naturally in a variety of foods, such as tomatoes, grape skins, cherries and nuts.
• The optimum time it takes to fall asleep is between 10 and 15 minutes, nothing less can be a sign of sleep deprivation.
• a new baby typically results in 400-750 hours of losing sleep for parents in the first year.
• 17 hours of hibernation led to a decrease in performance equal to a level of 0.05% BAC.

Tips to lead a healthier sleep

• Exercise can promote good sleep. fluctuations in body temperature due to exercise can hire a restful night's sleep. Try a relaxation exercise such as yoga before bed.
• Associate your bed with sleep. Avoid activities such as reading, watching TV, or going on the computer while lying in bed
• Avoid stress or stimulating activities before bed. work, talk about emotional problems and other stressful activities can cause your body to release a stress hormone called cortisol, which is linked to alertness.
• Avoid heavy meals before bedtime Although indulge in a big meal may make you drowsy. your body is awake all night trying to digest the food, which in turn disrupts your sleep.

It is normal to feel bloated from time to time - especially after a big meal ?. It can cause your stomach feel bloated and your pants feel tight, which can easily be confused with belly fat. But, bloating and belly fat are not the same thing and both must be treated differently.

What bloating?

stomach bloating occurs when your stomach becomes enlarged with liquid or gas. Bloating is temporary and is often caused by the foods you eat. Some foods may be more difficult for your stomach to digest, keeping you full longer.

How the difference between belly fat and bloated

An easy way to tell the difference between bloating and belly fat is noted belly fat does not cause your stomach to develop wildly throughout a day; Bloating made. Another way to distinguish between bloating and belly fat is that you can physically enter the belly fat with your hand, you can not with bloat.

The causes of stomach bloat

The foods that might cause this are beans, dairy products, and even some fruits and vegetables, such as:

• Brussels sprouts
• chou
• Plums
• Onions

overeating or eating too fast can also be triggers.

Bloating can also be a sign of addition, conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), lactose intolerance or even allergic to the underlying wheat. Stomach Bloating can also be the result of consuming too much salt on a daily basis, which causes your stomach to keep excess water.

Remedies for stomach bloat

Sometimes a simple change in diet may be all you need. Stick to foods that are high in protein and complex carbohydrates can help. Drink lots of water and stay away from carbonated drinks. Make your meals last longer can help you keep overeating so make sure you try to eat slowly and chew your food more.

Another remedy is to try, instead of three meals a day, eating more frequent, smaller meals. This prevents bloating that usually follows large meals.

When talking to your doctor about bloat

Sometimes bloating can be more than just a full stomach. If you experience a lot of pain, bloating or does not go away quickly, you can take a look closer to your symptoms. You should talk to your doctor if you have the following:

• Diarrhea
• painful and frequent heartburn
• Vomiting
• weight loss
• abdominal pain Strong

a visit to your doctor is recommended if you have not encountered serious bloating in the past or bloating the unwelcome evil affects your daily activities.

What is belly fat?

The main difference between bloating and fat is the difference bloating, belly fat develops over time and is more difficult to remove. Belly fat happens when you consume more calories than you burn off and can be very unhealthy. Belly fat can increase your risk for:

• heart disease The
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• gallbladder problems

While a change simple scheme to get rid of bloating, belly fat takes a little more work. Try for at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. Following a healthy diet full of lean meats, fruits, vegetables and plenty of water can also help to shed those pounds. It is important to remember that everyone wins and loses weight differently, so be sure to talk to your doctor about what is best for you.

Remedies for belly fat

While a change simple scheme to get rid of bloating, belly fat takes a bit more work. Try for at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. Following a healthy diet full of lean meats, fruits, vegetables and plenty of water can also help to shed those pounds. It is important to remember that everyone wins and loses weight differently, so be sure to talk to your doctor about what is best for you.

B ETHESDA , M ARYLAND - With summer in a few months, some medical entomologists fear that national and local health services can fail to counter a possible resurgence of West Nile virus by mosquitoes, which caused severe inflammation of the brain in 63 people in New York and neighboring counties last year, killing seven ( science NOW, March 13). But at a press conference today, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials assured reporters that a "sound public health control plan is in place" to contain the virus .

"last fall, many of our state and local partners were not prepared," said the CDC West Nile coordinator Stephen Ostroff. Now CDC spent $ 2.7 million to help 19 counties local health and on the East coast and the Gulf of Mexico - where migratory birds are most likely to spread the virus. - set up surveillance of the virus and malaria programs the agency also developed new laboratory tests, trained laboratory personnel from state and local health services, and set up a website to facilitate communication between health workers

After the outbreak of West Nile summer latest -. The first in the Western Hemisphere - some scientists had hoped that the virus disappears during the winter, when mosquito populations decline sharply. But those hopes were recently dashed when the virus was found in a red-tailed hawk died in Westchester County, in the northern suburbs of New York, and in Culex mosquitoes wintering at Fort Totten, a historic building in the New York borough of Queens.

Yet Ostroff stressed that the chances of contracting West Nile virus are very low. An unpublished study by the CDC and the New York Department of Health found that 2.5% of more than 0 residents of the "Hot Zone" - the area in Queens, where most cases have occurred - was infected last summer. But the vast majority of infected people suffered very mild symptoms or none at all. The elderly and patients whose immune systems are impaired at the highest risk of developing the disease.

celery and tarragon Smoothie

Chief Randall Smith, executive chef for Adventist HealthCare, is the author of "Farm fresh Flavors", a valuable guide to cooking with fresh, local ingredients. Learn more about www.cooklocalfood.com or follow @cooklocalfood

This might not seem like your average smoothie, but it is a great way to hydrate and cool off on a hot day.

Serves: 2

Ingredients

• 10 celery
• 2 shallots
• 1 Anaheim chili
• 1/4 cup fresh tarragon leaves, tight
• 1/4 cup plain yogurt

Directions

celery and green onions Cut into 2-inch pieces. Cut and discard the chili stem. Cut the pepper in half and remove seeds. Feeding celery, pepper, green onions and tarragon through your juicer until all the juice is extracted. Transfer juice in a mixer. Add yogurt and mix until smooth, about 30 seconds. Serve in 2 glasses.

If you think you may have a heart condition, your doctor will order a series of tests to find out what could be causing your symptoms to a? . plan for your treatment

The symptoms of cardiac disorders

related symptoms Coeur-may include:

• chest pain
• Breathlessness
• palpitations, or fluttering in the chest or a feeling of skipped heartbeats
• fatigue, or feeling very tired
• dry cough
• Anxiety
• swelling in your feet or ankles
• rapid weight gain

in some cases, symptoms may be mild and harmless; For example, you may feel palpitations if you are nervous or stressed. In other cases, symptoms can be severe and even life threatening. If you think you or someone you know has a condition life threatening, such as heart attack, aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Even if your symptoms are mild, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor. Before your visit, you'll want to write your symptoms and when they occur, and all over-the-counter and prescription medicines you take.

cardiac imaging and other heart tests

During your visit, your doctor will take your blood pressure, listen to your heart and lungs, and talk with you about your symptoms. After your check-up, your doctor may want to order blood tests and basic diagnostic tests to find out more, depending on your symptoms and medical history. These tests may include:

• Blood tests
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• test Holter monitor
• echocardiogram
• Stress test

blood testing

blood tests can check the amount of different chemicals, enzymes and other substances in the blood from cholesterol and sugar to potassium and calcium. Having too little or too much of certain substances can cause or be a sign of health problems. Your doctor will tell you if you need quickly - or may not have something to eat or drink -. Before your blood testing

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

An electrocardiogram, or ECG, is a quick, painless test that measures the rhythm of your heart and can show if your heart rate is regular or irregular. ECG usually only takes a few minutes and can be done in your doctor's office. You do not have to do anything special to prepare for this test.

Holter monitor test

A Holter monitor test is a type of ECG, which measures the rhythm of your heart within 24 to 48 hours while you go about your daily routine. The test can pick up irregular rhythms that might not appear in a normal ECG. During the test, sticky patches called electrodes are put on your chest. To prepare, you should wear loose clothing to keep the electrodes come off.

echocardiogram (ECG)

An echocardiogram, also called an echo or ECG, is a test that uses sound waves to move photos from your heart to show if its walls, valves and the amount of blood pump it is normal. This test usually takes about 30-60 minutes and can be done in the office or in the hospital a doctor. You do not have to do anything special to prepare for this test.

Stress testing

A stress test shows your doctor how your heart works during the activity. During the test, you exercise or get medicine to work your heart stronger. Some stress tests can include pictures of your heart before and after the activity. There are different types of stress tests, so your doctor will tell you how to prepare for the kind you have.

Test Results

When the test results, your doctor will on them with you and explain what they mean. Most test results take about a week

If your test results are normal, your doctor may suggest lifestyle changes that can make your symptoms more manageable. For example, if you have palpitations when you feel stressed, your doctor may suggest healthy ways to help you cope.

If your results are not normal, your doctor will make a treatment plan based on your specific needs which may include lifestyle changes, medications or procedures.

If you have symptoms of a heart problem, visit the Heart Institute and UPMC vascular or contact us at 1-855-UPMC-HVI (876-2484).

traditional open heart surgery is invasive (typically involving an incision of 6 to 8 inches through the sternum) and requires a long healing and recovery process. Minimally invasive heart surgery offers an alternative to certain types of open heart surgery, resulting in less pain and faster recovery for most people. Minimally invasive cardiac surgery can incorporate robotic technology to help surgeons during the procedure.

This is what you need to know.

The Heart of the Matter

In minimally invasive (robotic) cardiac surgery, your surgeon will make one or more small incisions between your ribs. Then, surgical instruments, with a photo-sensitive device is inserted through the incision. The surgical tools are connected to robotic arms that the surgeon controls with a computer device. This allows your surgeon to better handle the instruments and perform the procedure more precisely

This type of surgery can be used for several different cardiac procedures, including :.

• CABG
• valve surgery
• Aneurysm Repair

What to Expect during the minimally invasive cardiac surgery

Because it involves a smaller incision, minimally invasive cardiac surgery can have a number of benefits for patients. These include:

• Less pain
• Less scarring
• Shorter hospital stays after surgery
• Reduction the risk of infection and bleeding
• Reduced recovery time

people who undergo a minimally invasive cardiac surgery usually come home from two to five days after the procedure . Generally, it takes between one and four weeks to recover from this form of surgery. In comparison, open heart surgery has a typical recovery time which can be two times longer.

However, not everyone is eligible for minimally invasive and robotic surgery. Your surgeon will assess the risks and benefits of these techniques with the traditional open-heart surgery and to determine the best choice based on your age, medical history, type of heart problem you have, and other factors.

Want to learn more about minimally invasive cardiac surgery? Visit UPMC Web site heart Vascular Institute or contact us at 1-855-UPMC-HVI (876-2484).

Dioxin is much worse for human health than previously thought, according to new, highly anticipated draft report of the Environmental Protection Agency of the United (EPA). The report suggests that many Americans may have enough dioxin in their body to trigger a series of effects, subtle developmental delays cancer. But, as with previous statements about the risks of dioxin, the judgment is controversial and can be appealed.

Dioxins are chlorinated chemicals mainly produced by incinerators and paper bleaching. They accumulate in the food chain, the liquidation of body fat when people eat animal products. In the 1980s, the EPA has concluded that there is no safe level of dioxin - even the lowest exposure was dangerous. Then new molecular studies have led experts to think EPA dioxin may have overestimated the risk, the agency set out to re-evaluate again in 1991.

But scientists from the agency returned to 1994 with a draft report which supported the earlier conclusion of the EPA that all dioxin levels is harmful. Scientific Advisory Board of the EPA then blasted parts of the revaluation and referred to the revision, the charge that scientists mixed agency science and policy. They also accused the scientists not to mention other assumptions and data that contradicted their conclusions.

parts As requested, the EPA has now rewritten the report. The agency has also incorporated "some new information," says William Farland, head of the risk assessment in EPA Office of Research and Development - for example, new studies of workers exposed three groups dioxin in the United States, Germany, and Holland. These studies lead to a risk of dioxin cancer is 30 times higher than the estimate of 1985. the factors the agency in the triple exposure drop dioxins since the mid-1980s, to conclude that the risk of cancer today is 10 times higher.

This conclusion shocked many outside researchers. many who spoke with Science NOW said the cancer effects workers studies are inconclusive. Even those who closely followed a new analysis of EPA, 10 times "is much more than anyone expected," said Dennis Paustenbach, an evaluation consultant risks with Exponent in Menlo Park, California. "It will require much discussion before there is wide acceptance."

Buy local recipe: Mid Summer Watermelon Agua Fresca

Adventist HealthCare is proud to Buy 2014 Challenge local. The Challenge Buy Local was created by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission and became a state program. The challenge encourages all Marylanders to eat at least a local production or product raised each day of the Buy Local Challenge Week, which is always the last full week of July.

Chief Randall Smith Adventist HealthCare won a place in the Buy Local Cookout of the year, organized by Governor Martin O'Malley, with her recipe for Mid Summer Melon Agua Fresca. This healthy and refreshing drink can be easily replicated at home

Mid Summer Watermelon Agua Fresca

(local ingredients: cantaloupe, basil)!

Ingredients

1 large cantaloupe (peeled and chopped)
1 1/2 cups of water
1 1/2 cups water
1 lime (juice)
1/4 cup chopped basil
2 tablespoons sugar
additional chopped basil to garnish

Preparation

Place watermelon, lime juice, basil, sugar and water first listed in a blender. Blend until smooth and pour the pitcher of service. Add water second list and add more sugar to desired sweetness. Pour into glasses over ice and garnish with a little chopped basil

About the recipe

Chief. The Chief Randall Smith
www.cooklocalfood.com

Randall has over 20 years experience in the hotel, restaurant and catering. Its focus is on sustainability and responsible food choices. He worked closely with Central Rivers Farmshed, The Summit Wisconsin Local Food, Food Chesapeake Leadership Council and the Humane Society of the United States and was a tireless advocate for home cooking and cooking with farmers markets products, CSA and local sustainable farms. He is the author of "Farm Fresh Flavors", a valuable guide for cooking, seasonal fresh foods. A vegetarian practicing Randall recent efforts have been towards increasing the visibility of the variety and attractiveness of meatless options

Producer :. Michael Protas, One Acre Farm

Despite its name, One Acre Farm is nearly thirty acres of farmland in Boyds, Maryland in the greater metropolitan area DC - in your backyard ! Mike Farmer started a Acre Farm because he wanted to create a community where people can feel an association with farms, crops and vegetables they serve their families. Michael Protas was running An Acre Farm for the past five years.

Birmingham, United Kingdom - A provocative new theory about the origin of the "mad cow" and its counterpart human stirred debate at the annual International Congress of biochemistry and molecular biology yesterday. Stanley Prusiner of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), suggested that abnormal prion proteins thought to cause bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), as the disease is formally known, can coexist in sheep and prions involved in scrapie, a disease that does not appear to infect humans. If correct, this would mean that the proteins are still hiding sheep.

Since BSE erupted in cattle in the United Kingdom in the mid-1980s, scientists have wondered where the disease came. The studies on the origins of BSE - a fatal disease marked in the early stages of loss of balance - gained urgency with the emergence in 1996 to man the new disease variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease BSE-like (vCJD ). Linked to the consumption of beef contaminated with BSE, vCJD has so far killed several dozen people in the UK, France and Ireland. With the extent of the vCJD threat to public health still unclear, scientists have been busy studying the relationship between prion strains blamed for neurodegenerative diseases, including the alleged connection between BSE and scrapie .

Scientists generally assume that BSE arose in cattle whose diet was enriched with a high protein supplement: sheep parts, unfortunately infected with scrapie. While diseases have similar symptoms, BSE prions do not trigger scrapie and vice versa. The main theory is that a technique for rendering the heat mutton pieces which became mandatory in the 1970s somehow modified prions enough to allow them to jump the species barrier and cause BSE and scrapie . (The BSE prions and vCJD prions appear to be identical.)

Challenging this scenario UCSF neurologist Michael Scott and Prusiner, who won a Nobel Prize for the theory that prions cause disease. They think that sheep can be infected by both BSE and scrapie prions, but only because the latter disease in sheep. The rendering process heat, they suggest, may actually destroy or inactivate scrapie prions, opening the way for BSE prions scarcer but more robust to infect cattle. The idea is that scrapie prion could somehow interfere with the infectivity of BSE prions. "It is a kind of selection mechanism. You wipe the scrapie prion labile "by rendering the heat, says Prusiner." Scrapie Prion can even protect human [from BSE]. "

The duo admits they have little evidence to support their proposal but they point to studies in their laboratory mice, which have been modified to be sensitive to both the prion infection of BSE and scrapie. the different strains infected by different brain areas. in . Furthermore, mice infected with scrapie have grown faster disease extrapolating from these results, says Prusiner, "there seems to be a different tank [prion] strains in sheep ': a single action fast that causes scrapie and another slower that causes BSE / vCJD. Because the strain of scrapie spreads faster, Prusiner said, it would greatly outnumber BSE / vCJD strain in infected sheep .

experts contacted by Science NOW are skeptical. Prion expert Moira Bruce of the Institute for Neuropathogenesis unit in Edinburgh for Animal Health said that sheep experimentally infected with BSE become ill almost as soon as the sheep naturally infected with scrapie. "There is no direct evidence that BSE in sheep was" the beginning of the BSE epidemic, she said, even if such a scenario "can not be excluded." And even if 'prion BSE is present in sheep, Prusiner said that there is no reason to avoid eating lamb chops. "in some 25 years of intense study, no one has found signs of transmission [from sheep to humans], "he said.

with reporting by Michael Balter.

Back to School Basics

The last month of summer is upon us and the new school year is just around the corner ! No matter how fun their summer days were, children often experience the excitement during the transition back to school. They may feel nervous about new teachers or friends. Parents may also be worried about the first day of school, especially if they see their little off for the first time or if their child will attend a new school.

To avoid absences from school and disrupting the first days of the child, make sure vaccinations are up to date; schedule appointments for medical examinations, vision and dental exams before school starts.

Although it is normal to be anxious in any new situation, some children develop physical symptoms such as headaches or stomach associated with the start of school. If you fear that your child's concerns go beyond the normal jitters back-to-school, talk with a doctor, a teacher or school counselor for your child.

Did you know?

• The US Department of Health and Human Services recommends that young people aged 6-17 years are involved in at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity.
• Recent studies show that children who exercise regularly have improved brain function, with a better understanding of the context and grammar during playback.

Start Prepping Now

• Establish a regular sleep schedule. adequate sleep reduces crankiness in the morning. Practice getting up early one week before the start of school.
• Review drop-off and pick-up procedures with your child. Make sure your child knows that he or she has to go and what to do after school. If possible, do a "practice run 'before the first day of school.
• Practice and note the information necessary to know and put it with the personal effects of your child. This should include your child's address and phone number, emergency contact information, and can also include names of teachers and bus drivers and locker combinations.
• Take a tour of the school. Know where to go on the first day can help relieve stress, especially if your child is new to school. Ask if a school card is available or if your child can be paired with another student, or "friend" to help adapt to new people and surroundings.

Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics, Kids Health, National Association for the Education of Young Children, National Association Head Start, LifeWork EAP strategies and Adventist HealthCare. The Health Council of the week is for educational purposes. For medical advice, consult your doctor. Feel free to copy and distribute this health resource.

If you, Aore having a cholesterol test soon, you may wonder what to expect when you get your results. They If, Aore high, it will mean a lifetime of medicine? Are there other types of treatment?

You might be surprised to learn that some people can lower cholesterol without drugs. It depends on your risk factors for heart disease, and what your doctor thinks is best for you.

Learn more about what your numbers mean and what options you may have to keep your cholesterol levels in a healthy range.

What is the average cholesterol

your total cholesterol level shows how much cholesterol you have in your blood, and your test results will fall into a these ranges :?

• 0 mg / dL or less = normal
• 0, aÌ 239 mg / dL = High Limit
• 240 mg / dL or more high

your total comprises:

• HDL, or Äúgood, cholesterol HDL helps remove LDL, or Aubad, cholesterol, your blood , thus a higher number is. better.
• LDL, or Aubad, cholesterol. LDL is associated with the buildup of plaque in blood vessels, so a lower number is better.
• triglycerides, a type of fat. triglycerides are also linked to the buildup of plaque in blood vessels, so a lower number is better.

Am I at risk for heart disease?

If your cholesterol levels are in the normal range, you should keep a healthy diet, regular exercise, and practice other healthy habits to make sure your numbers are low. Keeping your cholesterol levels in a healthy range is one of the many things you can do to keep your risk of heart disease low.

If your numbers are high or high limit, your risk of heart disease increases. When you have too much cholesterol in the blood, it can build up in the † plate of your blood vessels. Over time, plaque can make your blood vessels hard, narrow or become completely blocked, which can lead to heart attack or stroke.

What are my high cholesterol Treatment Options?

The good news is that high cholesterol can be treated. In order to create the best treatment plan for you, your doctor will consider your general health, habits, risk factors, and family history. Many people can reduce their numbers by lifestyle changes, including:

• Eating healthy food for the heart that are low in fat, cholesterol and sodium and high in fiber, such as fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Get regular exercise, that can help control weight, increase LDL and lower HDL and triglycerides.

If these changes Aren, AOT enough to get your numbers in a healthy range, your doctor may prescribe medication. It, AOS very important to stay on your treatment plan, and practice healthy habits, if your doctor prescribes medication or not.

For more information on cholesterol, heart disease, and how to keep your low-risk heart Vascular Institute and UPMC visit or call 1-855-UPMC-HVI.

The researchers discovered how a promising drug acts on cancer as a smart bomb, homing in a very narrow range of potential targets in the cell. The compound, known as STI-571 has shown remarkable success in early clinical trials in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). To know more details on the mode of action could contribute to the design of similar weapons against cancer. "It is a very neat story," says cell biologist Tony Hunter of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, California.

STI-571 was identified in the early 190s by scientists Novartis pharmaceutical company, and then shown to block the enzyme produced by abl a so-called oncogene whose overactivity is thought to cause the massive proliferation of leukemia cells in patients with CML. in line with this clinical trials conducted to date have shown that STI-571, in sufficient doses, can cause the apparent disappearance of leukemic cells from the patient's blood and treatment side effects are relatively mild. But there was a break -tête. Abl protein kinases belong to a large family of enzymes that transfer a phosphate group from ATP to the protein. What was unknown is why STI-571 has such a limited range of action. In addition to Abl, it only blocks two other kinases of the 50 or so proteins tested -. Which may be why it has so few side effects

To explore the basis of the specificity of STI-571, John Kuriyan and Thomas Schindler of Rockefeller University in New York and colleagues crystallized the catalytic region of human Abl protein with a version of STI-571. They then used X-ray crystallography to determine the three dimensional structure of the complex drug-protein. Abl kinases like many others, does not begin in action until a phosphate is added to the "activation loop." This step changes the shape or conformation of the enzyme, the opening of so that the kinase can bind to ATP and its target proteins. what reveals the crystal structure, the team reports in the September 15 issue of Science is as STI-571 binds to the inactive conformation of Abl, effectively locking the activation phosphate.

the discovery also explains why so few other kinases are inhibited by the drug. "When kinases are assets, they are very similar, "said Kuriyan." But when they are off, they can be very different from each other. " He noted that drug developers usually try to inhibit active enzymes. But kinases, inactive forms can make better targets, said Kuriyan. Meanwhile, clinical trials are ongoing to see if the early promise of CML supports.

Related Sites
The Kuriyan laboratory at Rockefeller
Information on Leukemia National Cancer Institute

- build strong families

health, strong families give their members the support they need to get through the difficulties of life. There are many ways to define a family, but they all have one common idea: take care. It's the little things you do on a regular basis that matter most deal with stress and conflict.

Children may create the appearance of a family. Build an environment where children are free to discuss any concerns should begin when the child is very young. Allow the children to talk about what they like to do and feelings. This will help to build trust and acceptance and form a cohesive family unit.

Being a family is fun! There are many everyday events that can help create an atmosphere of loving family. family meal can be a time for communication between members, and game night, even if only once a week can be beneficial to the family dynamic. The holidays are also a wonderful time to bond with the family. Use this time to include all family members. Being involved in activities such as these while also setting limits creates, but family friendly controlled environment

Did you know

• Build better relationships involves all generations -.? Grandparents, parents, and children.
• family routines and rituals are powerful organizers of family life that add stability during times of stress and transition
• research shows that regular religious practice is a predictor family stability

the importance of lunch!

• 74 percent of teens said they like to eat meals with their families
• Teens who have more family meals tend to eat more fruits, vegetables , grains, protein and calcium rich foods
• research shows that more frequent family meals also protect against tobacco, alcohol, low average grade points, depression and suicide especially among adolescents

Remember the five 's'' s family

1. Learn
2. Loyalty
3. Love
4. laugh
5. leadership

Sources: Harvard University, US Department of Health & Human services, National Institutes of Health, LifeWork EAP strategies and Adventist HealthCare. The Health Council of the week is for educational purposes. For medical advice, consult your doctor. Feel free to copy and distribute this health resource.

This summer dish offers a fresh look at ordinary garden salad. We like this version of health heart, courtesy of the American Heart Association.

How tuna Niçoise lettuce Cups

Prep in a small bowl. Combine onion, vinegar, mustard, oil, dill, sugar and pepper.

Stir in tuna. Pour 1 tablespoon spread on each lettuce leaf. Above, in order, with olives, egg whites, and cherry tomatoes.

To eat like an envelope, fold the left and right sides of the lettuce to the center. From the unfolded side closest to you, roll the film to the remaining unfolded side to enclose filling

Tip Cook :. To hard boil eggs, place them in a small saucepan. Cover with cold water by 1 to 2 inches. Bring to a full boil. Remove from fire. Let the pot stand, covered, for 15 minutes. Press the egg and / or roll on a flat surface to break the shell. Peel the eggs under cool water running to easily release the white shell.

Ingredients for the tuna Niçoise lettuce Cups

• 2 tablespoons chopped red onion
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of mustard Dijon (lowest sodium available)
• 1 teaspoon of olive oil (preferably extra virgin)
• 1/4 teaspoon 'dried dill, crumbled 1/4 teaspoon sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 5-ounce can low sodium tuna chunk light packed in the water, drained and flaked
• 16 large lettuce leaves Bibb (about 2 heads)
• 2 tablespoons chopped black olives, drained
• 2 large eggs, hard , throws chopped yellow and white
• 4 cherry tomatoes, slices

Nutrition Facts

• Calories 40
• Fat 1.5 grams
• saturated fat 0 g
• 0 grams polyunsaturated
• monounsaturated 0.5 grams
• 8 milligrams cholesterol
• 68 mg of sodium
• Carbohydrate 2 grams
• fiber 1 gram
• sugars 1 gram
• Protein 6 gram

more on healthy eating and taking care of your heart. Visit the website of the Heart Institute and UPMC vascular.

A new type of vaccine provides a plan to build antibodies, bypassing some of the steps require traditional vaccines. So far, the technique has been applied to the protection of fish, but it might one day be adapted for human gene based vaccines.

Traditional vaccines are made from inactivated pathogen. Although they are harmless, the body reacts by developing antibodies that protect then against a true infection. But these vaccines have a low risk of an adverse reaction. The new DNA vaccines provide genes which encode normally found on an infectious agent proteins. The body accumulates antibodies to these proteins, antibodies that defend against later attack by the pathogen carrying proteins. DNA vaccines, however, often do not stimulate the production of more antibodies than conventional vaccines.

Looking for a better way to repel the invaders, Niels Lorenzen the Danish Veterinary Laboratory in Århus, Denmark, speculated that the genes for the antibodies themselves could be delivered directly. His team tested this idea by isolating a gene for an antibody that protects rainbow trout against a virus called VHS. They injected the gene into the muscle of young trout that has never been exposed to VHS.

After 12 days, the researchers found the antibodies circulating in the blood of fish. After 6 more days, they exposed the fish to the virus. Over 0% of treated fish fought the infection. untreated trout, 80% died, the researchers report in the November issue of Nature Biotechnology . The gene vaccine did not protect the fish indefinitely, however; 39 days after injection, the fish showed signs of inflammation at the injection site, and muscle cells that had produced the antibody began dying.

The study is a "significant step" towards the use of antibody genes to create temporary immunity against pathogens, said Scott LaPartra of Clear Springs Trout Company in Idaho. Fish farms are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases, because the fish are in such close quarters. An antibody gene vaccine could provide a rapid immunity once an outbreak starts. Lorenzen and hope that research on the protection of fish will be useful for human applications, particularly in people with deficient immune system does not respond strongly to standard vaccines.

Related Sites

The Danish Veterinary Laboratory

For more information on DNA vaccines

Fall Into Fitness

With the hot, humid days behind us and the nice crisp fall weather upon us, it's time to to move again! The movement is not only beneficial for your muscles but for your mind. Fall is a great time to enjoy exercise to relieve stress and increase your resilience. Taking a walk with your spouse, colleague or friend is also a great way to connect during this busy season.

In addition, daily exercise with a healthy diet boosts your immune system to help attack foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses. Research has shown several positive changes occur in the immune system during moderate exercise. Although the immune system returns to pre exercise levels very quickly after the exercise session is over, each session represents a boost that appears to reduce the risk of infection over the long term.

When exercising outside in colder temperatures, dress in layers. Before your body warms up, you can feel fresh, but once the blood is pumping, you can peel away the layers as needed. Before starting an exercise routine, consult your doctor.

Did you know?

• Hiking burns mega calories as you increase your elevation and really work those legs.
• Tai Chi is a great activity to do on a cold autumn night to help you stay active
• Yoga is another type of moving meditation that promotes balance, flexibility and mind / soothing body connections

Fall Ideas Fitness

1. Raking leaves a head Raking leaves for 30 minutes can burn 150 calories -. it could actually take more than half an hour to get the work done! Squat correctly you pick the leaves to avoid back injuries.
2. Sign up for a fall fun run or walk. Many communities sponsor walks and trails, some just called "Turkey Trots." Ask a colleague or friend and train for lunch.
3. Discover your parks region. Take a hike in the woods or biking on a new path. If you are near a lake, try kayaking or canoeing for an excellent whole body workout and a great change of pace. Make you wear clothing and appropriate equipment.
4. Select your own product. Find a local orchard and take your apple family or pumpkin picking. apples and pumpkins are rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, and fiber all help to strengthen your immune system. Walking through the orchard is also a great way to squeeze in a little extra exercise

Sources :. President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports LifeWork strategies, and Adventist HealthCare. Council health of the week is for educational purposes. For medical advice, consult your doctor. Feel free to copy and distribute this health resource.

Turkey Day Healthy Alternatives

Are not we all looking forward to Thanksgiving Day? Turkey, cranberry sauce, gravy, green beans, and who does not like the joke? These traditional Thanksgiving meals are delicious and satisfying, but how much stuffing is too much?

During a Thanksgiving meal, a person consumes about 3000 calories ... In a single meal! Throughout Thanksgiving, that number jumps to about 4,500 calories. To burn those calories, a person would have to run for four hours or walk 30 miles to burn his Thanksgiving meal. So how can we control the amount of calories consumed on this day of grace?

We can start by eating in moderation! Instead of eating all day, which can add up to a considerable amount of calories and unwanted fat, save your desires for dinner with the family. You can also change some (not all) Thanksgiving recipes include ingredients with less fat. For example, use low fat milk in mashed potatoes and avoid eating the turkey skin.

Did you know?

• Thanksgiving was originally supposed to be a day of fasting and through
• in 1939, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt tried to make Thanksgiving one week earlier in the hope that it would stimulate retail sales during the Great depression
• A Thanksgiving leftover surplus in 1953 created the first TV dinner

delicious Thanksgiving Substitutes

Lighten the load with these delicious Thanksgiving options

1. instead of candied yams, try the frozen sweet potatoes and reduce the sugar in your meal
2. Mash choice sympathetic heart, like butternut squash, which has a sufficient dose of dietary fiber
3. Stuff your turkey with meat stuffing least
4. CHOOSE entire rolls for dinner grain reduce your risk stroke, diabetes and heart disease
5. Make your own cranberry sauce instead of buying a box, which can hold up to 105 grams of sugar
6. Try base sauce vegetables
7. Enjoy a pumpkin "cheese" vegan cake for dessert

Visit Shape.com for healthier recipes

Sources : US Department of Health & Human services, LiveStrong.com, TIME, National Institutes of Health, LifeWork EAP strategies and Adventist HealthCare. The HealthTip of the week is for educational purposes. For medical advice, consult your doctor. Feel free to copy and distribute this health resource.

Diseases of the heart and stroke can sometimes go hand in hand. Both are the main causes of death in the United States but in many cases, both conditions are preventable.

Many of the same healthy habits that reduce the risk of heart problems may also reduce your risk of stroke. Learn more about the link between heart health and brain health, your risk factors, and what you can do to keep your risk low.

What is a stroke?

A stroke is a serious, potentially life-threatening medical emergency. At a stroke, the blood flow is blocked to part of your brain, which means that your brain cells can not get the oxygen they need. When this happens, your brain cells can be damaged or even die. There are two main types of stroke, including:

• ischemic , when an artery that supplies blood to the brain is blocked, usually by a clot or plaque blood
• hemorrhagic when a blood vessel in your brain leaks or bursts

stroke symptoms

Some symptoms stroke can include:

• sudden weakness
• Numbness on one side of the face, arm or leg
• speech disorder
• loss of vision, double vision or difficulty seeing with one eye
• Dizziness, loss of balance or difficulty walking
• Sudden, sore severe head

If you think you or someone else is having a stroke, call 911 immediately. It is very important to get treatment as soon as possible.

How are the heart health and brain health Linked?

heart and brain health are linked by common risk factors, including:

• Having high cholesterol
• Having high blood pressure
• smoking
• having diabetes
• not having regular physical activity
• Being overweight or obese

and, you may have a higher risk of stroke if you have:

• atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, which can make your blood vessels narrow or completely blocked by a hard substance called plaque.
• atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common type of irregular heartbeat. With AFib, your heart can not fight as effectively as it should, which can make it easier for the blood to pool and clot.
• Heart failure, which happens when your heart can not pump enough blood to meet your needs of the organization.

How to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke

If you are not sure where to start, talk with your doctor. Have a checkup so you can learn the basic facts about your health, such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar levels in the blood. Your doctor will ask about your medical history, your family history and habits whether you are at risk.

There's a lot you can do to help keep your heart, blood vessels and brain healthy, including:

• a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean and low-fat protein or fat-free dairy products
• limiting the amount of salt, fat and sugar you eat
• Get regular physical activity
• to stop smoking or using tobacco products
• Find healthy ways to cope with stress
• Keep an eye on your cholesterol and sugar levels in the blood of

for more information, visit the heart and Vascular Institute at UPMC or call 1-855-UPMC-HVI (876-2484) [1945008pressionartérielleet].