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Identifying Pathways In The Brain To Understand The Underlying Molecular Mechanism Of Huntington's Disease
Florida Atlantic University researcher Dr. Jianning Wei, assistant professor of biomedical sciences in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Biomedical Science at FAU, has received a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to further her research into the molecular mechanisms of Huntington"s disease (HD). Named after American physician George Huntington, HD is a highly complex genetic, neurological disorder that causes certain nerve cells in the brain to waste away. The disease, characterized by a selective loss of neurons in the brain, affects the basal ganglia, which controls motor control, cognition, learning and emotions. It also affects the outer surface of the brain, or the cortex which controls thought, perception, and memory. Wei and her colleagues are working to identify the pathways in the brain that are altered in response to mutant proteins, as well as to understand the cellular processes impacted by the disease in order to facilitate the development of effective pharmacological interventions.

Orthopaedists On A Humanitarian Mission: Sustained Help For Developing Countries
"Flying into a developing country, operating on people for a few days or weeks and flying out again helps individual persons but has nothing to do with sustainable development work." Professor Martin Salzer, Vice-president of "Austrian Doctors for Disabled" -- the Austrian society for medical development assistance -- is convinced that "it makes even less sense to fly in people from such countries for difficult operations, as humanitarian the motive may be. That money can be invested more effectively." For the group of physicians and medically interested persons around Prof. Salzer it is a question of sustainability in the field of development cooperation, something to which they can contribute their medical experience. "After care for the disability or sickness, our concern is networked interdisciplinary and sustainable rehabilitation. We also hope to thereby make a contribution toward combating poverty" Prof. Salzer says in summing up the main concern of the organization.
News of the day
FDA Recommends Gardasil Recipients Sit, Lie Down After Receiving Vaccination
In a posting aimed at health care professionals, FDA on its Web site on Wednesday said that recipients of Merck"s human papillomavirus vaccine, Gardasil, should be closely observed afterward for 15 minutes while they remain seated or lying down to avoid the possibility of fainting, the Wall Street Journal reports. FDA said that since October 2007, Gardasil"s labeling for both health care providers and patients has included a discussion about fainting. The agency said the strengthened recommendation comes in response to reports of "traumatic injuries" among some recipients who experienced fainting (Corbett Dooren, Wall Street Journal, 6/10). Gardasil protects against the strains of HPV that cause most cases of cervical cancer and genital warts. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that girls ages 11 and 12 receive the three-dose vaccine before they are sexually active. Girls and women ages 13 to 26 who have not been vaccinated or completed the vaccine series also should receive the vaccine (CDC fact sheet, June 2008). On Wednesday, FDA also approved changes to Gardasil materials that place warnings about fainting in a more prominent place on drug labels and handouts. The agency said that the new recommendations are intended to "prevent falls and injuries" (Wall Street Journal, 6/10).
Medical Devices

Staggering Cost Of Vision Loss In Canada Underscores Urgent Need For Vision Health Plan, Says New Report

Vision loss costs Canadian society a staggering $15.8 billlion per year - significantly higher than previously estimated, according to new research study released on June 23, 2009, by CNIB and the Canadian Ophthalmological Society (COS). The study"s proponents say these costs, which are expected to increase dramatically in the years ahead, underscore the urgent need for Canada to develop a comprehensive national vision health plan. The $15.8 billion price tag for vision loss in Canada includes $8.6 billion in direct health-related costs - the highest of such costs of any disease category in Canada including diabetes, all cancers and cardiovascular disease. It also includes $7.2 billion in indirect costs, including lost productivity and earnings, care and rehabilitation and assistive devices. The Cost of Vision Loss study is also the first to attribute a value to the human toll of vision loss on Canadians who are directly affected. This burden of disease adds a further $11.7 billion to the bill for Canada - the largest of all costs attributed to vision loss. "The findings from this study represent the most definitive data now available about the cost of vision loss in Canada," says Dr. Alan Cruess, Professor and Head District Chief Department of Ophthalmology, Dalhousie University/Capital Health and past president of COS. "With the demographic shift, we know these costs will spiral upwards and overburden Canada"s healthcare system unless we take action now." The study also examined who bears the cost of vision loss, finding that the largest financial costs come out of taxpayers" pockets: Canada"s federal and provincial governments bear 55 per cent of the costs and "all of society" bears a further 19 per cent. Individuals with vision loss bear significant personal costs totaling $3.5 billion annually. The report"s troubling new statistics underscore the urgent need for Canada to create a comprehensive plan to address all aspects of vision health and vision loss. Such a plan could reduce the financial and human costs of vision loss through proven, cost-effective preventative measures and treatments and employment accommodation and rehabilitation services for people affected by vision loss. Although the Canadian government made a commitment to the World Health Organization in 2003 to create such a plan under the Vision 2020 Right to Sight initiative, it has yet to do so. "The Canadian government needs to develop and implement a comprehensive vision health plan for Canada now," says John M. Rafferty, CNIB President and CEO. "Some interim measures have been taken, but we literally can"t afford to wait any longer. Every year we wait, more than 45,000 Canadians lose their vision. Every year that goes by costs Canadians $15.8 billion." As Canada"s foremost vision health organization, CNIB is eager to work with government leaders and the private sector to shape and guide future policy for healthcare funding and support for people with vision loss. "CNIB is eager to be a part of building this plan, but the scope of the effort far eclipses our role as a donor-funded charity focused on delivering services," says Rafferty. "Canada"s federal and provincial governments must act now to make vision health a public health priority." About the Study The Cost of Vision Loss in Canada was commissioned by CNIB and the Canadian Ophthalmological Society in 2008 and conducted by Access Economics Pty Limited, a world-leading independent economic consulting firm who are specialists in model-based health forecasting and analysis. The firm has previously completed cost of vision loss studies in Australia, Japan and the United States. Using prevalence-based and conservative methodolgy, the study is the first to estimate the cost of vision loss in Canada by building on existing authoritive s of Canadian data and research (as of 2007). The research takes into account Canada"s multiculatural society and future demographic trends. It uses known costs wherever possible, accurately reflecting real Canadian expenditures and government health policies. For more information, including the Cost of Vision Loss Summary Report and "Paying the Price," a position paper which provides CNIB"s response to the report and recommendations for a national vision health plan, visit http://www.cnib.ca/covl The Cost of Vision Loss in Canada


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