Thursday, January 31, 2013
Consumer Reports Tackles Cancer Screening Tests
Wanted to share this ABCNews.com clip because it includes a very positive shout out from Dr. Richard Besser, chief health and medical editor at ABC News, about CR's Ratings of cancer screenings. Here's an excerpt, followed by the entire clip.
"ABC News Chief Health and Medical Editor Dr. Richard Besser said the straightforward and understandable rating system is useful for consumers.
I like the way Consumer Reports uses their typical rating system -- the same symbols you'd see applied to a car or a vacuum cleaner," he said. "This is a system consumers know and are comfortable with. It is so much more user friendly than the materials that doctors usually provide."
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/consumer-reports-tackles-cancer-screening-tests/story?id=18359910
"ABC News Chief Health and Medical Editor Dr. Richard Besser said the straightforward and understandable rating system is useful for consumers.
I like the way Consumer Reports uses their typical rating system -- the same symbols you'd see applied to a car or a vacuum cleaner," he said. "This is a system consumers know and are comfortable with. It is so much more user friendly than the materials that doctors usually provide."
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/consumer-reports-tackles-cancer-screening-tests/story?id=18359910
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Sunday, January 27, 2013
puggle wanted
I am ready to adopt a dog. I am looking for a puggle. Please let me know if you have any leads.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
A favor for a friend
I am quitting now because it is 2:30am. I spent the night writing a nine-page paper for my friend. She supplied the draft that took me hours to decipher, organize, and create a good presentation. I even supplied originl phots!Tomorrow I will finish it and give it to her. I know she will appreciate my efforts.
No quilting tonigt...
Friday, January 25, 2013
FDA approves over-the-counter Oxytrol for Women to treat overactive bladder
FDA approves over-the-counter Oxytrol for Women to treat overactive bladder
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Oxytrol for Women, the first over-the-counter treatment for overactive bladder in women ages 18 years and older.
Oxytrol will remain available for men with overactive bladder by prescription only.
Overactive bladder is a condition in which the bladder squeezes too often or squeezes without warning. Symptoms include leaking urine (urinary incontinence), feeling the sudden and urgent need to urinate, and frequent urination. Overactive bladder affects an estimated 33 million Americans, the majority of whom are older women.
Oxytrol for Women contains oxybutynin, a medicine that helps relax the bladder muscle. Oxybutynin belongs to a class of drugs known as anticholinergics. It is the first drug in this class to be made available over-the-counter for treatment of overactive bladder.
Oxytrol for Women is a patch that is applied to the skin every four days. The patch delivers 3.9 milligrams of oxybutynin per day.
“Studies demonstrate that over-the-counter Oxytrol for Women is a safe and effective treatment for overactive bladder,” said Shaw Chen, M.D., Ph.D., deputy director of the Office of Drug Evaluation IV in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Women should make sure to follow the Drug Facts label and consult their doctor if their condition does not improve.”
Oxytrol for Women’s safety and effectiveness for over-the-counter use were established in more than 5,000 subjects participating in nine studies. Overall, results from these studies showed that consumers can understand the information on the label, properly select whether the product is right for them, and use the drug appropriately.
Side effects reported during clinical studies were mild and included skin irritation where the patch was applied, dry mouth and constipation. A leaflet with tips to help manage overactive bladder will be provided with the product.
Oxytrol for Women is marketed by Merck, based in Whitehouse Station, N.J.
The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Oxytrol for Women, the first over-the-counter treatment for overactive bladder in women ages 18 years and older.
Oxytrol will remain available for men with overactive bladder by prescription only.
Overactive bladder is a condition in which the bladder squeezes too often or squeezes without warning. Symptoms include leaking urine (urinary incontinence), feeling the sudden and urgent need to urinate, and frequent urination. Overactive bladder affects an estimated 33 million Americans, the majority of whom are older women.
Oxytrol for Women contains oxybutynin, a medicine that helps relax the bladder muscle. Oxybutynin belongs to a class of drugs known as anticholinergics. It is the first drug in this class to be made available over-the-counter for treatment of overactive bladder.
Oxytrol for Women is a patch that is applied to the skin every four days. The patch delivers 3.9 milligrams of oxybutynin per day.
“Studies demonstrate that over-the-counter Oxytrol for Women is a safe and effective treatment for overactive bladder,” said Shaw Chen, M.D., Ph.D., deputy director of the Office of Drug Evaluation IV in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Women should make sure to follow the Drug Facts label and consult their doctor if their condition does not improve.”
Oxytrol for Women’s safety and effectiveness for over-the-counter use were established in more than 5,000 subjects participating in nine studies. Overall, results from these studies showed that consumers can understand the information on the label, properly select whether the product is right for them, and use the drug appropriately.
Side effects reported during clinical studies were mild and included skin irritation where the patch was applied, dry mouth and constipation. A leaflet with tips to help manage overactive bladder will be provided with the product.
Oxytrol for Women is marketed by Merck, based in Whitehouse Station, N.J.
The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
CDC: New norovirus strain causting most norovirus outbreaks in US
Thursday, January 24, 2012
New norovirus strain causing most norovirus outbreaks in United States
Not yet known if strain will cause more outbreaks than previous years
A new strain of norovirus called GII.4 Sydney was the leading cause of norovirus outbreaks in the United States from September to December 2012, according to a study published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The new strain was detected in Australia in March 2012, and caused outbreaks in that country and several other countries.
CDC researchers analyzed 2012 data collected through CaliciNet on norovirus strains associated with outbreaks in the United States. They found that of the 266 norovirus outbreaks reported during the last four months of 2012, 141 were caused by the GII.4 Sydney strain.
“The new strain spread rapidly across the United States from September to December 2012,” said Dr. Aron Hall, epidemiologist, CDC’s Division of Viral Diseases (DVD). “The proportion of reported outbreaks caused by this strain increased dramatically from 19 percent in September to 58 percent in December.”
Norovirus is very contagious. In the United States, norovirus is the number one cause of acute gastroenteritis, which leads to diarrhea and vomiting. Each year, more than 21 million people in the United States get infected and develop acute gastroenteritis; approximately 800 die. Young children and elderly adults have the highest risk for severe illness.
Norovirus spreads primarily from infected people to others through direct contact. It also spreads through contaminated food, water, and surfaces. Norovirus infections are common during this time of the year. Most outbreaks occur from November to April, and activity usually peaks in January.
“New norovirus strains often lead to more outbreaks but not always,” said Dr. Jan Vinjé, director of CaliciNet. Over the past decade, new strains of GII.4 have emerged about every 2 to 3 years. “We found that the new GII.4 Sydney strain replaced the previously predominant GII.4 strain.”
Better surveillance in the United States and abroad have helped to detect new strains of norovirus sooner. Early identification of new strains helps to alert the public and health professionals to better prevent infections and control outbreaks.
Health professionals should remain vigilant to potential increases in norovirus infection this season due to GII.4 Sydney. They should follow standard prevention and control measures for norovirus. People should know that the best ways to help prevent norovirus infection include washing hands with soap and water, disinfecting surfaces, rinsing fruits and vegetables, cooking shellfish thoroughly, and not preparing food or caring for others while ill.
“Right now, it’s too soon to tell whether the new strain of norovirus will lead to more outbreaks than in previous years. However, CDC continues to work with state partners to watch this closely and see if the strain is associated with more severe illness,” said Dr. Hall.
For more information on norovirus, visit CDC’s norovirus Web site at www.cdc.gov/norovirus.
CDC works 24/7 saving lives, protecting people from health threats, and saving money through prevention. Whether these threats are global or domestic, chronic or acute, curable or preventable, natural disaster or deliberate attack, CDC is the nation’s health protection agency.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Friday, January 18, 2013
Something on the lighter side...
1. F***ing once a week is good for your health, but it's harmful if done every day.
2. F***ing relaxes your mind and body.
3. F***ing refreshes you.
4. After F***ing, don't eat too much; go for more liquids.
5. Try F***ing in bed 'cause it can save you valuable energy.
6. F***ing can even reduce your cholesterol levels.
SO, REMEMBER
Fasting is good for your health
and may God cleanse your dirty mind...
Contributed by Paulette
Thursday, January 17, 2013
FDA approves new seasonal influenza vaccine...
FDA approves new seasonal influenza vaccine made using novel technology
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced that it has approved Flublok, the first trivalent influenza vaccine made using an insect virus (baculovirus) expression system and recombinant DNA technology. Flublok is approved for the prevention of seasonal influenza in people 18 through 49 years of age.
Unlike current flu vaccines, Flublok does not use the influenza virus or eggs in its production. Flublok’s novel manufacturing technology allows for production of large quantities of the influenza virus protein, hemagglutinin (HA) – the active ingredient in all inactivated influenza vaccines that is essential for entry of the virus into cells in the body. The majority of antibodies that prevent influenza virus infection are directed against HA. While the technology is new to flu vaccine production, it is used to make vaccines that have been approved by the FDA to prevent other infectious diseases.
“This approval represents a technological advance in the manufacturing of an influenza vaccine,” said Karen Midthun, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. “The new technology offers the potential for faster start-up of the vaccine manufacturing process in the event of a pandemic, because it is not dependent on an egg supply or on availability of the influenza virus.”
Each year, the FDA, World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other public health experts collaborate on the review of influenza disease surveillance and laboratory data collected from around the world in an effort to identify strains that may cause the most illness in the upcoming season. Based on that information and on the recommendations of the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, the FDA selects the different influenza strains each year that manufacturers should include in their vaccines for the U.S. population for the upcoming influenza season. The closer the match between the circulating strains causing disease and the strains in the vaccine, the better the protection against influenza.
Flublok contains three, full-length, recombinant HA proteins to help protect against two influenza virus A strains, H1N1 and H3N2, and one influenza virus B strain.
As it does with all influenza vaccines, the FDA will evaluate Flublok annually prior to use by the public each flu season. The recombinant HA proteins produced in the baculovirus expression system and included in Flublok will be assessed by the FDA.
The effectiveness of Flublok was evaluated in a study conducted at various sites in the United States that compared the use of Flublok in about 2,300 people to a placebo that was given to a control group of similar size. Flublok was about 44.6 percent effective against all circulating influenza strains, not just the strains that matched the strains included in the vaccine.
Flublok’s safety evaluation was conducted in a study of about 2,500 people who were vaccinated with Flublok. The most commonly reported adverse events included pain at the site of injection, headache, fatigue and muscle aches, events also typical for conventional egg-based, inactivated influenza vaccines.
Flublok has a shelf life of 16 weeks from the date of manufacture. Health care providers should check the expiration date before administering Flublok.
Flublok is manufactured by Protein Sciences Corp, of Meriden, Conn.
For more information:
Flu.gov: consumer site for flu information
FDA: Influenza Vaccine Safety & Availability
CDC: Seasonal Influenza – Who should get vaccinated against influenza (Flu)
Flu Vaccine Finder
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced that it has approved Flublok, the first trivalent influenza vaccine made using an insect virus (baculovirus) expression system and recombinant DNA technology. Flublok is approved for the prevention of seasonal influenza in people 18 through 49 years of age.
Unlike current flu vaccines, Flublok does not use the influenza virus or eggs in its production. Flublok’s novel manufacturing technology allows for production of large quantities of the influenza virus protein, hemagglutinin (HA) – the active ingredient in all inactivated influenza vaccines that is essential for entry of the virus into cells in the body. The majority of antibodies that prevent influenza virus infection are directed against HA. While the technology is new to flu vaccine production, it is used to make vaccines that have been approved by the FDA to prevent other infectious diseases.
“This approval represents a technological advance in the manufacturing of an influenza vaccine,” said Karen Midthun, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. “The new technology offers the potential for faster start-up of the vaccine manufacturing process in the event of a pandemic, because it is not dependent on an egg supply or on availability of the influenza virus.”
Each year, the FDA, World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other public health experts collaborate on the review of influenza disease surveillance and laboratory data collected from around the world in an effort to identify strains that may cause the most illness in the upcoming season. Based on that information and on the recommendations of the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, the FDA selects the different influenza strains each year that manufacturers should include in their vaccines for the U.S. population for the upcoming influenza season. The closer the match between the circulating strains causing disease and the strains in the vaccine, the better the protection against influenza.
Flublok contains three, full-length, recombinant HA proteins to help protect against two influenza virus A strains, H1N1 and H3N2, and one influenza virus B strain.
As it does with all influenza vaccines, the FDA will evaluate Flublok annually prior to use by the public each flu season. The recombinant HA proteins produced in the baculovirus expression system and included in Flublok will be assessed by the FDA.
The effectiveness of Flublok was evaluated in a study conducted at various sites in the United States that compared the use of Flublok in about 2,300 people to a placebo that was given to a control group of similar size. Flublok was about 44.6 percent effective against all circulating influenza strains, not just the strains that matched the strains included in the vaccine.
Flublok’s safety evaluation was conducted in a study of about 2,500 people who were vaccinated with Flublok. The most commonly reported adverse events included pain at the site of injection, headache, fatigue and muscle aches, events also typical for conventional egg-based, inactivated influenza vaccines.
Flublok has a shelf life of 16 weeks from the date of manufacture. Health care providers should check the expiration date before administering Flublok.
Flublok is manufactured by Protein Sciences Corp, of Meriden, Conn.
For more information:
Flu.gov: consumer site for flu information
FDA: Influenza Vaccine Safety & Availability
CDC: Seasonal Influenza – Who should get vaccinated against influenza (Flu)
Flu Vaccine Finder
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Guide to the flu (Consumer Reports)
This year's outbreak is one of the worst in a decade according to Consumer Reports. See their advice on how to prevent and treat the disease.
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/health/medical-treatments-conditions/your-guide-to-the-flu/index.htm
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/health/medical-treatments-conditions/your-guide-to-the-flu/index.htm
Monday, January 14, 2013
Happy 92nd birthday, POP
Pop would have been 92 today. He is missed and loved by many.
How I wish I could turn the clock back.
Happy Birthday, Dad
LBI's Landmark, the Shack, Is No More
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| 2010 |
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| 2010 |
Over the years, I have taken many photographs of the Shack. I hope to add more pics to this post later.
You can read an article by Julie Kaszas-Hoch about the Shack's demise in The SandPaper, January 9, 2013.The article talks about Ben Wurst, who salvaged pieces of the Shack and is transforming and selling old yellow pine wallboards into cutouts of New Jersey.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Is your sleeping pill putting you at risk?
FDA: Some Sleep Drugs Can Impair Driving
Zolpidem Containing Products: Drug Safety Communication - FDA Requires Lower Recommended Doses
Including Ambien, Ambian CR, Edluar, and Zolpimist
AUDIENCE: Family Practice, Health Professional, Patient
ISSUE: FDA is notifying the public of new information about zolpidem, a widely prescribed insomnia drug. FDA recommends that the bedtime dose be lowered because new data show that blood levels in some patients may be high enough the morning after use to impair activities that require alertness, including driving. This announcement focuses on zolpidem products approved for bedtime use, which are marketed as generics and under the brand names Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar, and Zolpimist.
FDA is also reminding the public that all drugs taken for insomnia can impair driving and activities that require alertness the morning after use. Drowsiness is already listed as a common side effect in the drug labels of all insomnia drugs, along with warnings that patients may still feel drowsy the day after taking these products. Patients who take insomnia drugs can experience impairment of mental alertness the morning after use, even if they feel fully awake.
For zolpidem products, data show the risk for next-morning impairment is highest for patients taking the extended-release forms of these drugs (Ambien CR and generics). Women appear to be more susceptible to this risk because they eliminate zolpidem from their bodies more slowly than men.
Because use of lower doses of zolpidem will result in lower blood levels in the morning, FDA is requiring the manufacturers of Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar, and Zolpimist to lower the recommended dose.
FDA is continuing to evaluate the risk of impaired mental alertness with other insomnia drugs, including over-the-counter (OTC) drugs available without a prescription.
FDA prepared a list of questions and answers to provide an additional overview of this safety issue. See the FDA Drug Safety Communication for a Data Summary.
ACKGROUND: Zolpidem is a sedative-hypnotic (sleep) medicine used in adults for the treatment of insomnia. It is marketed as generics and under the brand-names Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar, Zolpimist, and Intermezzo.
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm322743.htm http://consumerhealthchoices.org/catalog/best-buy-drugs-drugs-for-insomnia/
Zolpidem Containing Products: Drug Safety Communication - FDA Requires Lower Recommended Doses
Including Ambien, Ambian CR, Edluar, and Zolpimist
AUDIENCE: Family Practice, Health Professional, Patient
ISSUE: FDA is notifying the public of new information about zolpidem, a widely prescribed insomnia drug. FDA recommends that the bedtime dose be lowered because new data show that blood levels in some patients may be high enough the morning after use to impair activities that require alertness, including driving. This announcement focuses on zolpidem products approved for bedtime use, which are marketed as generics and under the brand names Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar, and Zolpimist.
FDA is also reminding the public that all drugs taken for insomnia can impair driving and activities that require alertness the morning after use. Drowsiness is already listed as a common side effect in the drug labels of all insomnia drugs, along with warnings that patients may still feel drowsy the day after taking these products. Patients who take insomnia drugs can experience impairment of mental alertness the morning after use, even if they feel fully awake.
For zolpidem products, data show the risk for next-morning impairment is highest for patients taking the extended-release forms of these drugs (Ambien CR and generics). Women appear to be more susceptible to this risk because they eliminate zolpidem from their bodies more slowly than men.
Because use of lower doses of zolpidem will result in lower blood levels in the morning, FDA is requiring the manufacturers of Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar, and Zolpimist to lower the recommended dose.
FDA is continuing to evaluate the risk of impaired mental alertness with other insomnia drugs, including over-the-counter (OTC) drugs available without a prescription.
FDA prepared a list of questions and answers to provide an additional overview of this safety issue. See the FDA Drug Safety Communication for a Data Summary.
ACKGROUND: Zolpidem is a sedative-hypnotic (sleep) medicine used in adults for the treatment of insomnia. It is marketed as generics and under the brand-names Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar, Zolpimist, and Intermezzo.
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm322743.htm http://consumerhealthchoices.org/catalog/best-buy-drugs-drugs-for-insomnia/
Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness
CDC: Early Estimates of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Effectiven
Here's the link to the CDC report now.http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm62e0111a1.htm?s_cid=mm62e0111a1_e
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Athena's Coat
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| Top of coat |
Athena's coat designed by Kyla (6 years of age) using fabric
from my scrap box and one of Laura's tee shirts as the foundation.
She chose all the fabric and stitches. She also operated the foot pedal
on the sewing machine. It was all her idea; she wanted
to make something that would keep her dog warm.
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| The coat ties under Athena's belly and has a Velcro snap for her neck. |
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