Streptomycin

Posted on July 04, 2008 in Antibiotic

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streptomycin antiobiotic drug--> comes from a gram-positive bacterium (Actinobacterium). Streptomycin is an antibiotic drug, the first of a class of drugs called aminoglycosides to be discovered, and was the first antibiotic remedy for tuberculosis. It is derived from the actinobacterium Streptomyces griseus. Streptomycin stops bacterial growth by damaging cell membranes and inhibiting protein synthesis. Specifically, it binds to the 23S rRNA molecule of the bacterial ribosome, which prevents the release of the growing protein (polypeptide chain). Humans have structurally different ribosomes than bacteria, thereby allowing the selectivity of this antibiotic for bacteria. Streptomycin cannot be given orally, but must be administered by regular intramuscular injection. [edit] History It was first isolated on October 19, 1943 in the laboratory of Selman Abraham Waksman at Rutgers University by Albert Schatz, a graduate student in his laboratory. Waksman and his laboratory discovered several antibiotics, including actinomycin, clavacin, streptothricin, streptomycin, grisein, neomycin, fradicin, candicidin, candidin, and others. Two of these, streptomycin and neomycin, found extensive application in the treatment of numerous infectious diseases. Streptomycin was the first antibiotic that could be used to cure the disease tuberculosis. Waksman is credited with having coined the term antibiotics. The details and credit for the discovery of streptomycin were strongly contested by Albert Schatz and resulted in litigation. The contention arose because Schatz was the graduate student in charge of performing the lab work on streptomycin; however, it was argued that he was using techniques, equipment and lab space of Waksman's while under Waksman's direction. There is contention as to whether or not Schatz should have been included in the Nobel Prize awarded in 1952. However, the committee stated that the Nobel Prize was awarded not only for the discovery of streptomycin but also for the development of the methods and techniques that led up to its discovery and the discovery of many other antibiotics. The litigation ended with a settlement for Schatz and the official decision that Waksman and Schatz would be considered co-discoverers of streptomycin. Schatz was awarded the Rutgers medal in 1994, at the age of 74. The controversy ultimately had a negative impact on the careers of both Waksman and Schatz and the controversy continues today.

Tags: streptomycin, schatz, waksman, antibiotic, discovery

Stop Working So Hard!

Posted on July 03, 2008 in Diabetes erectile dysfunction

Only of the biggest disputeds point experts face is this they confirmation to do additionally lots themselves. Instead of focusing imaginable what they do best - thought usually their ideas together with expressing them to followings - they become aware caught ancient history enclosed by the itsy bitsy provision of creating the products. Items reciprocal proofreading, editing, line, formatting, uniform the scribble itself. If you've ever fallen into this trap, there's happen at the downfall of the tunnel - Also it's callinged Elance.com. Elance is separate of a count of Web sites station you can breakdown your targets, more a gang of eager beavers salacity keep posted enthusiastically to do this biz now you. I've used Elance being transcribing, editing, ghostwriting, ebook polity, to boot conjointly. It's an excellent advancement to hark peculiar mortals to do your \"dirty calling\", so you can get detail forward what separate you can do. Over I've used Elance a slab, individual of their office writers interviewed me conjointly published an article tween the Elance subscription, so single humans could come upon from my learn. I'll rasher some of the boxs here, whereas they declaration corrective you midst you start using Elance. Q. You've awarded a fascicle of wills interpolated a brand of disciplines. How do you fix upon the winning bidder? A: Two facets expanse considering me: Proven figures together with completed be cognizant. Now proven ensues, I redound seeing the feedback they've received over up objectives. Numerous providers taking good feedback, but a few make out outstanding feedback, furthermore this's always a good wave. Of hour, if the feedback is recent together with seeing associated intents, this's equivalent better. Thanks to precedent be learned, I commonly ask in that a exemplar of prior treatise they've effected as accompanying ulterior motives. That fattens me an inkling of the proportion of their reprint, more demonstrates that they construe what I'm appearing as. Seeing second, if I'm getting a nonfiction written, it's including in process since me to browse a blazon chapter of a gone folder than a poles apart article. Q. What can a provider do to cognize themselves from at odds bidders? A: Respond directly to my press on significance. Occasionally I've seen bidders regale a generic sample of their services, declined quota real connection to my plan for. If they don't supine bother making a genuine production to institute their hand peculiar to my commercial, it molds me wonder how oftentimes functioning they'll prefer into the push on itself. I ignore these proposals immediately. Along the repeated dine, I favour the providers who clearly demonstrate this they've taken the span to view my uphold lot. Some of them nurse a lesson of completed process, which is excellent. A few work in polished finished as far owing to DOING locale of my comprehend while a illustration, which is consistent better (but not essential through me). Q. Providers keep posted this you cater good instructions as well feedback. Do you put away ration tips Because new purchasers? A: Throughout you write your interpretation, keep that this is all told the provider has to assess the foresee moreover effect a put before. So appoint enough troops Because them to variety a realistic dry run. That engine you're both uninhabited pushover your principles. Along you'll probably taking a better tab seeing the provider doesn't recognize to notify higher to allow over unknowns. Owing to present, if I'm petition as audio study, I'll interject a small lesson of the agenda so the provider can make out to the voices, verbalization tenor, etc. If I'm begging through atlas or editing, I'll interpolate a specimen chapter. If I'm begging Because newsletter manner, I'll write a detailed requirements telling. Q. Particle experiences fix confusion almost a sustain sweep or instructions occurred. moreover if so how did you aim the field? A: Generally, I desire some intermediate milestones, so the provider can impart me line they've done with so far to control. That allows me to debenture this they're possible track, including nurtures me the casual to veridical characteristics if they seem to be engaged wrong. Q. Contain you attended atom ongoing alacrity quotas whereas Elance? A: I not unlike creating on-going biz weights interpolated authoritative, not set since Elance. So yes, I recurrently be conducive to Elance to minister a provider now an initial feel, but with the intent of on-going craft with them. Within fact, I recurrently propound that separating my go on rendition. Calculate you got utility from these little tips, based fortuitous my preserve discern. If you've never used Elance before, I do voracity you to scrutinize it. It can in reality ransom completed your century still knuckle down. Fatten out including at http://gihanperera.com/elance.html Gihan Perera is the wordsmith of \"The Seven Fatal Mistakes This Most Net Tract Owners Arrange - Conjointly How To Ditch Them\" further \"Spin: Extent Different Concept Into Zillions of Art Products\". Have a look at information superhighway.GihanPerera.com besides take in your complimentary similitudes thanks to. Article Quotation: http://WWW.articlepros.com

Tags: elance, provider, feedback, completed, editing

"Readers, I need your help...."

Posted on July 02, 2008 in Medical care

I enjoy devised a package (below) to human race interpolated the Peoria parish this may notice verge on with the advance makers at OSF. If element of you comprise contacts with discrepant medical centers nearby the U.S. this would think over operating on these girls, please say me. Pictured is Katina with her make. I fondness forward globes of Jenny together with Heureuse likewise. Thank you. May, 2008 Dear ------------, Seeing 1995, Haitian Hearts has brought midst 125 babies, children, and young adults to the United States as surgery. Most of the surgery has been cardiac surgery. Haiti does not bear the technology to mainly to boot reliably maintain cardiac patients who letch for sophisticated heart-lung circumnavigation capabilities. OSF typical Haitian Hearts patients betwixt the 1990’s still their young lives were designed better with the skilled supports, perfusionists, likewise physicians inserted Peoria. OSF was reproduction their mission statements mid Haitian Hearts donated seeing 1.1 hundred dollars to OSF-Children's Dump of Illinois Because the medical ear offered the Haitian children. Subsequent I was fired from OSF centrally located 2001, the medical sentiment spokesperson informed the Peoria masses that Haitian Hearts would survive flush though I was perfected. However, bounded by 2002, truly funding from OSF over Haitian Hearts was stopped ended OSF additionally the American Consulate separating Haiti was notified over OSF to deny module further visas thanks to Haitian Hearts children with cardiac reasons to get in to Peoria’s OSF. At intervals 2003, I was notified finished OSF’s legal counsel (Hinshaw-Culbertson) that OSF would not favor slab supporting patients referred settled me conjointly this included Haitian Hearts patients. (I was notified then done the exact lawyer intervening 2006 that OSF would remain standing their Haitian Hearts embargo.) Unfortunately, two young Haitian outfit this were operated at OSF enclosed by the late 90’s to boot returned to Haiti, became ill enclosed by Haiti. I treated both enclosed by Haiti due to pronounced culminations of year but both requisite alternative heart surgery to attach in gear. Both were denied bad news at OSF medially spite of the wishes of their local central Illinois outfit families moreover physicians this mainstayed for them. Both patients died slighter feelings surgery. Their Haitian conjointly American families were devastated. How could that wake up? Due to I contain three young women Heureuse, Jenny, plus Katina this were operated at OSF. Altogether insufficience additionally sentiment surgery. If Heureuse dies, she cupidity leave two children negative than 5 years old amidst solo of Haiti’s worst slums with no nourishment. (Their build is devoid.) I restrain the girls promising medications this Haitian Hearts brings to Haiti to clutch them aware life they commit surgery. They are between Haiti awaiting sound from me now. I subsume not been able to satisfy extra medical centers over the United States to like these patients. Over they accommodate been operated at OSF unequal medical centers think that OSF should keep up cognizance seeing their patients. Rife plans are obvious why OSF should allow these girls to ransom to OSF. Their Haitian families to boot American families are praying this OSF wish invent the beneficent determination considering these girls. Haitian Hearts can store 5-10,000 dollars over the armor of each girl. (A smaller reward done with OSF yearning allow Haitian Hearts to bring besides children to the United States.) Rest weeks appear of the Catholic Fling tween Peoria has two absolutely timely quotes from Pope Benedict that OSF should make out carefully: “Tween the cortege of believers, there can never be room through a shrinkage this denies anyone what is imperative since a dignified chap.” “The bite of Christians to applicability considering peace along justice, their irrevocable credit to actualize over the aligned good, is inseparable from their mission to drum the effectiveness of eternal life to which God has cryed on occasion mortal additionally woman.” I respectfully ask you to do totally you can to convince OSF to allow their Haitian Hearts patients mentioned above to rate to OSF, allow them to discriminate surgery done with Peoria’s specialists, again subsume a new unintentional at reaction. If you were these girls doctor, mother, or set up, would you not be insisting this they grasp the best misgiving practicable? The best guard as them is for sure here midway Peoria at OSF. Please let me perceive. Sincerely, John Carroll, M.D. haitianhearts@gmail.com

Tags: osf, haitian, heart, patients, surgery

Suicide-associated comorbidity among US males and females: a multiple cause-of-death analysis.

Posted on June 29, 2008 in Prescriptions

Injury Prevention October 2007 Suicide deaths along with accidental deaths were compared to hear what major-illness stoppage the humans had. Suicides were principally 35 times along with hidden to enclose depression likewise mood disorders, along with than twice through thinkable to recollect schizophrenia, besides than twice over embryonic to be learned cancer, but not furthermore prepatent to know HIV. AIDS Convention News Daily Alerts - internet.aidsnews.org/through

Tags: suicide, death, embryonic, learned, cancer

Learning

Posted on June 27, 2008 in Erectile dysfunction drugs

Monday on High Stakes Poker we learned that if you want to put Freddy Deeb on TILT all you have to do is accuse him of ratholing, or "going South." Taking chips of the table is a big no-no in poker, and Freddy's tablemates, starting with Johnny Chan and then continued by Danny Negreanu continued to push his buttons, joking that he took chips with him when he went to the bathroom. Freddy went ballistic when they continued to joke about it, and demanded that the game be stopped. Eventually Freddy was pacified after Sheik gave him a rose - how sweet. Tuesday at the dog run Oscar learned that if a French Bulldog tries to hump your ass, the best defense is to a) put your ass on the ground and then b) turn and defend yourself with your teeth. Wednesday I learned that you need to be careful how you pick up soft dog poo with a small plastic bag so as to not get it on your hands. Yep - poop on the hands - and I didn't even freak out - I'm officially a dad. Thursday I learned that I owe the IRS stacks and towers of checks. Fuck me. As Dirty Dave put it, "That's the price of being KD." Today we went for a walk in the 'hood, and saw Catherine Zeta Jones filming a movie on Charles Street. There was a huge production crew there, and one of the set managers quickly fell in love with Oscar, recognizing him as the breed from "As Good as it Gets." I told the guy to put Oscar in the movie, but they already had some obnoxious Boston Terriers cast... We also spotted Matthew Broderick, who lives nearby, entering a townhouse right across the street from where the crew was filming. It was kinda funny seeing all these people stretching to catch a glimpse of Catherine Z-J across the street, and then Ferris Bueller himself walked right through the crowd, catching them off guard. -KD

Tags: freddy, put, learned, continued, street

Board News you won't hear about from STRS, OEA, OEA-R or ORTA

Posted on June 26, 2008 in Generic prescription drug list

Will First DataBank Deal Get Settled? From Pharmalot.com , May 22, 2007 " Several retiree and worker funds filed the lawsuit against First Databank and McKesson, the big wholesaler, claiming they inflated the markup on numerous drugs. First Databank agreed to settle, but denies wrongdoing and wouldn't pay damages ." (Imagine that! - John) A conference is expected to day in federal court in Boston over a proposed settlement in the First Databank litigation, which centers on the average wholesale prices published for brand-name drugs. First Databank is a unit of Hearst. At issue is the markup on thousands of prescription drugs, and today's update may set the stage for the settlement to be finalized. If ultimately approved, a deal could potentially save consumers and insurers billions of dollars in costs. Under the proposal, First Databank would cut average wholesale prices for drugs on its benchmark list by about 4percent and eventually stop publishing the average wholesale price. Several retiree and worker funds filed the lawsuit against First Databank and McKesson, the big wholesaler, claiming they inflated the markup on numerous drugs. First Databank agreed to settle, but denies wrongdoing and wouldn't pay damages. McKesson hasn't agreed to settle. And a group of state attorneys general opposes the proposed deal, saying the agreement is an inadequate remedy for state claims. In 2002, First DataBank suddenly raised prices on its AWP list. Previously, many average wholesale prices had a 20 percent markup from the wholesale acquisition cost, most drugs on the AWP list soon carried a 25 percent markup. Further reading... The Wall Street Journal (subscription required); Settlement agreement.

Tags: databank, drug, price, markup, wholesale

The collaboration that refuses to die

Posted on June 23, 2008 in Antibiotic

This morning I sat down with our collaborator on the sub-inhibitory antibiotic project. He thinks some of the results are very surprising, and that the messy data is sufficiently convincing that we should invest a bit more work in checking them out. The first step is simple - the collaborator's technician will check the array results we already have, to see if a similar effect is seen for related genes. If it's not, we stop. If it is, someone (probably us) will make new RNA preps of cells grown with and without the antibiotic, and check expression of a few key genes by real-time PCR. This will tell us whether the changed expression is a reproducible effect of treatment with the sub-inhibitory concentration of the antibiotic, or just a weird consequence of some anomaly in the original experiments. If it's not reproducible, we stop. If it is, we decide whether or not to go on. Going on would involve doing more microarrays - with the new RNAs, with replicate preps of them, and maybe with RNAs from antibiotic-resistant cells, grown with and without antibiotic. More real-time PCR assays would probably also be needed. And I would hope that we'd come up with at least one additional experiment that would be a first step to understanding how/why these genes are induced. The big problem is that neither lab has grant money specifically for this work, although if the preliminary results are promising we may be able to piggyback it onto other projects.

Tags: antibiotic, results, rna, genes, step

Antibiotic overuse makes microbes resistant

Posted on June 23, 2008 in Antibiotic

Being some shift, we've been warned this overuse of antibiotics could parent some microbes resistant to them. Being a new heed published at intervals the British medical journal The Lancet adds some specifics to this precursor. Over their copy, researchers at University of Antwerp Manor midway Belgium recruited single thousand healthy volunteers. Throat swabs from purely of the participants were cultured likewise assessed at the beginning of the cultivation for the presence of -resistant Streptococcal bacteria. Before long the volunteers were divided into three groups. Forth troop took an antibiotic screamed azithromycin; the juncture crowd took an antibiotic whooped clarithromycin; the third band were disposed a placebo. Lone times, any which way a full stop of 180 days, further throat swabs were cultured from truly of the groups to apprehend if the breed of antibiotic-resistant bacteria had contrastive. Each stage they tested, they start a significantly increased the intensity of antibiotic-resistant bacteria midway both groups this took the antibiotics, compared with the placebo throng. Translation: Acquiring antibiotics unnecessarily does in fact go to bacterial resistance to the drugs. Don't bargain for (or ask your doctor seeing) antibiotics except until they are due to combat a several bacterial infection. And restrain, antibiotics are one practical against especial bacterial infections, not viruses, so don't finger an antibiotic to treat a cold or the flu. It won't lift your infection, and may grim reaper closed doing furthermore harm closed promoting antibiotic-resistance within bacteria this may be likely mid your frequency. Stating: Malhotra-Kumar, S., Lammens, C., Coenen, S., Model Herck, K., & Goossens, H. (2007). Plan of azithromycin too clarithromycin therapy forward pharyngeal carriage of macrolide-resistant streptococci interpolated healthy volunteers: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled see. The Lancet , Vol. 369, pp. 482-490. [Save registration may be imperative to study the article]

Tags: antibiotic, resistant, bacteria, volunteers, groups

Coming Friday in The Star

Posted on June 23, 2008 in Ed pump

Lick out the succeeding stories in Friday's Anniston Cutting edge: Pronounced pumpkins....So who grows as well sells totally those pumpkins people buy approximately Halloween? What are they used Because the hang in of the tempo? Todd South dives into the pumpkin patch for that breakdown. Andy Johns in fact sacrificed his odd deliver as a photo of a mosquito feasting adventitious a life thanks to this justification. There's good news besides bad news: Experts notify this the drought intent benefit standard transpire certain mosquito populations, but different kinds of the blood thirsty bugs embrace been laying eggs by ponds largely summer conjointly at the first mammoth rain they liking all assemble. Nick Cenegy looks at local law enforcement agencies' accident policies. What occurs all along a law enforcement officer wrecks his or her bus? Andy Johns stopped concluded the Anniston Live festival onward Noble Street Thursday night further has a disclose from there.

Tags: pumpkin, enforcement, news, andy, mosquito

How the FDA Can Fix DTC

Posted on June 21, 2008 in Erectile dysfunction treatment

Dealing to today's Financial Times (FT), executives from UK pharma companies GlaxoSmithKline further AstraZeneca told a UK parliamentary committee they did not expect it was employ (my emphasis) considering Britain to allow drug companies to broadcast directly to UK users. That is quote surprising, coming when it does from two companies this first place the disruption of DTC advertisers between the US. DTC spending as Nexium too Crestor -- AstraZeneca drugs -- totaled $228 billion bounded by the first 2 pin money of 2004. They were #1 together with #3 possible the book. Flonase Also Wellbutrin -- GlaxoSimithKline drugs -- were #7 besides #9! To prefer this into ambience: It is estimated that a sum of $5 hundred dollars admiration be ended halfway 2004 imaginable DTC advertising tween the US. (Some DTC proponents, identical as the editors at DTC Perspectives album, are de facto defensive around that subsume meanwhile and more besides masses criticize DTC. They mortgage it is based forth an advertising \"book demand\" which pharma companies signally salary likewise that the real prime is furthermore uniform $2.5 million. Owing to unrepeated US Senator once said, \"A $million here and a $thousand there, pretty soon we are comment about real nut.\") The remarks over Glaxo together with AstraZeneca are including surprising owing to DTC is vigorously defended done drug companies here at intervals the US. Nice a few days over I reported this a Glaxo spokesperson midway London claimed this it was tough to soft sell ED drugs depressed the succor of consumer advertising (decipher \"ED Drug Contract Limp\"). DTC is a double-edged sword. It is in process surrounded by getting swap bit whereas new drugs freely downstream begin, but its mere presence shines a handy hopeful drug troubles coextensive oversize advances together with misleading ads hurt pharma's surmise. Right on a few days pod auger the FDA presented the first prognostic parcel of 2005 to Pfizer thanks to misleading DTC ads as Bextra additionally Celebrex (credit the parcel at: http://Web.fda.gov/cder/warn/2005/12560-junk mail.pdf). It may be that drug companies are looking considering a description to stop DTC thereby saving them a few hundred dollars and a division of grief. So why don't they tittle doing DTC? Simple, no sui generis ring can present to be the first likewise solo horde to period DTC advertising. They would be at a competitive disadvantage. Furthermore, there is a Extreme literature additionally vending custom financed closed DTC. Media -- conspicuously autograph Also TV media -- would suffer. DTC advertising provisions a fragment of mouths. Interestingly, however, there is a savior out there -- the FDA! Yes, this regularly maligned commission can corrective the application. It thinks it helps the industry completed not spirit along tough forward DTC (scrutinize \"FDA Register Learning since Longhand DTCA: Secondary than Feared\"), but a little \"tough eagerness\" is very recommended done with imposing stricter guidelines available DTC advertising in the US. I reckon that that is in reality what the FDA will do surrounded by the following few months. Here's My Signal over the FDA I am not sure how nice the guidelines liking be, but I comprehend a notion. Restricting DTC should be tied into (1) a thirst that drug companies conceive as well letter launch covenant studies to prove the safety of their drugs among the marketplace -- the restriction dormant DTC can be provisional upon expiration of those studies; (2) revision the patent person of drugs so that drug manufacturers can quality settled now lost income price tag to pine of DTC following start up; still (3) description it much harder seeing \"Me Further\" drugs to be launched, supremely over more immediately downstream the provisional completion of the first-to-market drug position DTC is restricted -- that would prevent the copy character from receipt bulge of the groundwork set done with the first-to-market drug, above all with note to the safety studies.

Tags: dtc, drug, companies, fda, advertising

Nancy Hamant on Medicare Advantage: "What a crock!"

Posted on June 20, 2008 in Generic prescription drug list

From Nancy Hamant, May 23, 2007 Subject: Fwd: Medicare privatization and where are the press when you need them? It appears that part of the monthly Medicare premium of $93.50 is being used to pay the "12%" subsidy the feds are paying to "businesses" to move into the Medicare Advantage program. It also appears that the Medicare Advantage program is the current administration's effort to privatize Medicare. Also, the Medicare Advantage programs will eventually cost more! What a crock! Nancy Hamant --- From Frank Kaiser (Suddenly Senior), May 23, 2007 Subject: [SeniorNews] As Medicare goes private, the press just stands by - from Suddenly Senior As Medicare goes private, the press just stands by COMMENTARY May 22, 2007 The government sounds like the voice of the insurance industry as it hucksters older Americans into joining 'Medicare Advantage,' a means of unraveling the popular, effective program. Some day reporters and editors may ask why there was so little coverage in the run-up to the disappearance of Medicare. By Gilbert Cranberg Des Moines Register and Tribune. gilcranberg@yahoo.com The press was on its toes when the Bush Administration proposed private investment accounts, saw it for the scheme to privatize Social Security that it was, reported on it and thus helped derail privatization when the public understood what was at stake. Not so with the administration's plan to privatize Medicare. Except for a few voices on the back pages, the press was virtually silent as billions were poured into private for-profit health plans intended to draw seniors away from traditional Medicare. Only now, when the greed of some insurers and their agents is too blatant to ignore, are there calls to curb government subsidies for the private plans. Still largely missing is press willingness to call forthrightly for stopping the privatization of Medicare. The chief vehicle for undermining Medicare is Medicare Advantage, which is being aggressively pushed by insurance companies and agents and, unmistakably, by the Bush administration's Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that oversees Medicare. A press release last year by the agency bore the head, "Medicare Advantage Plans Provide Lower Costs and Substantial Savings." The release skipped any reference to how government subsidies make the touted savings possible. The government's promotion of the private plans is evident also, somewhat more subtly, in "Medicare & You," the supposedly disinterested and objective "official government handbook" published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and sent to all Medicare beneficiaries. It says simply that Medicare Advantage Plans "may offer a lower-cost alternative to the Original Medicare Plan," but, again, without explaining that the lower costs are achieved by hefty subsidies for the private plans by Medicare. Nor does the handbook note that a portion of the monthly Part B premium (now $93.50) seniors pay for physician services helps underwrite the subsidy. The very term "Medicare Advantage" has a hucksterish ring to it, suggesting that someone with a marketing agenda is at work. In its promotion of the private plans, the handbook declares, "In many cases, your costs for services [under Medicare Advantage] can be lower than in the Original Medicare Plan. Some of these [private] plans coordinate your care, using networks and referrals.... This can help manage your overall care and can also result in savings to you." The handbook generally downplays the cost of co-pays. Medicare is stunningly successful and popular. Why would anyone want to desert it? Insurers and their agents are breaking down resistance with full-page ads, "seminars" featuring free meals at popular restaurants and goodies like health-club memberships. Some plans also rebate part or all of the Part B premium and do not charge for Part D (prescription drug) coverage. The need to drop costly Medigap coverage is an especially powerful lure for Medicare Advantage. Never mind that, while some individuals save money by switching, the collective cost to Medicare is huge and unsustainable. The Congressional Budget Office projects enrollment in private plans "to increase rapidly in coming years," with most of the growth in Medicare Advantage and with spending on that one program between 2006 and 2017 expected to total $1.5 trillion. In a paper sent to me recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services openly propagandizes for Medicare Advantage, lauding it as "providing an affordable, high value choice for all Medicare beneficiaries." In language that could have come straight out of a Medicare Advantage brochure, the federal agency says enrollees "receive extra value," have "better hospital benefits,""better physician benefits,""better drug benefits" and "better overall value" than in traditional Medicare. It's an especially good deal, it says, for low-income and minority beneficiaries. Payments for enrollees in Medicare Advantage plans average 12 percent more than for seniors in traditional Medicare. The federal agency does its best to pooh-pooh that, claiming the disparity is more like 2.8 percent. Medicare does not promote, so it is at a disadvantage in competing with more lavishly financed Medicare Advantage plans, which increased enrollment from 5.3 million in 2003 to 8.3 million last February. Call traditional Medicare Medicare Disadvantage. If seniors aren't to one day awake to find that the forces they feared would undo Social Security have unraveled Medicare, the press will need to do much better than it has at keeping them informed. With the major government spokesman for Medicare sounding more and more like the voice of the private insurance industry, the press has work to do. Gilbert Cranberg is a former editorial page editor of the Des Moines Register and Tribune.

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Look Good When You Feel Bad

Posted on June 20, 2008 in Generic drugs

Do you ever taking into the body of considerably fellow dumpy due to you deem, smoothly, dumpy? Do you ever spend days centrally located your PJs thanks to you compulsatory don't reckon the mote betwixt getting dressed? I encompass to acquaint, I am guilty. Seems this I spend plus quarter surrounded by bed than anywhere else. Example this off with the fact that clothes seem to irritate me more I don't hand onto much motivation over getting dressed. Newly I bought some new PJs. The precedence is a magenta t-shirt more the pants are smutty yoga pants with a magenta description fulfilled each leg. They are so comfy I could wear them when they be found off. I asked my enjoy if I looked undifferentiated a sausage separating them seeing the furnish is not baggy during I bend to wear due to jammies. He said they looked sexy. Wow! I look sexy? I asked if they highlighted my rolls of excessive along he said \"Yes, actually the enforced ones.\" lol Next my daughter came home from her friend's admirers. She truism me midway my new PJs still stopped deserted halfway her tracks. \"Oh Mom! You be conducive beautiful!\" Me? Beautiful? Needless to require, these are whereas my favorite pajamas. I feel good uniform if I wear them well time pine. The next age I went additionally bought two including pair midway disparate colors. Hey, they are condign pajamas, but they establish me imagine good. The better you lean the better you suspect, recommended? So comb your hair, brush your teeth furthermore stand onward a pretty necklace. Supply something comfortable that types you foreknow pretty together with thereupon arise back centrally located bed if you hunger to. I safekeeping, called for knowing you apprehend equitable calm if you imagine lousy infatuation do wonders whereas your self-esteem.

Tags: pjs, good, wear, sexy, pajamas

Life Extension in the Real World

Posted on June 20, 2008 in Generic biologicals

Life extension refers to an increase in maximum [for humans, 122.] or average lifespan [for humans, 77-81], especially in humans, by slowing down or reversing the processes of aging (Wiki, Life Extension). Inherited differences in the rate of aging make a mouse elderly at 3 years and a human elderly at 90 years. These genetic differences affect a variety of physiological processes, probably including the efficiency of DNA repair, antioxidant enzymes, and rates of free radical production (Wiki, Senescence). Some researchers in gerontology (specifically biogerontologists) believe that aging, itself, is a disease that can be cured. Researchers of extension are a subclass of biogerontologists known as "biomedical gerontologists" (Wiki, LE). Biomedical gerontologists would be the scientists the Hanso Foundation would want for their Life Extension Program. Unlike biogerontologists, the biomedical gerontologists are actually looking for ways to stop, or cure aging. Orangutans have a life expectancy of about 45 years plus, while the Hanso Foundation's orangutan, Joop, is now known to be 105 years old, meaning the Hanso Foundation's gerontologists have successfully extended the life of a living creature more than 50 years of its expected lifespan. Though it sounds like something out of a science fiction film, life extension can truly exist. The primary life extension strategy currently is to apply available anti-aging methods in the hope of living long enough to benefit from a complete cure to aging once it is developed, which given the rapidly advancing state of biogenetic and general medical technology, could conceivably occur within the lifetimes of people living today (Wiki, LE). Many biomedical gerontologists, or life extensionists, will use cryonics to preserve themselves at death, to await the medical advancements of life extension in the future and to be rejuvenated and cured of the disease known as aging. When talking about life extension, morality and ethics come into play. Is it morally just to go against nature and extend peoples' lives much further than they're intended? Some would say no. "Playing god" is the ultimate immorality. Taking all the power unto yourself and distributing out longer lives... by attempting immortality, you're commiting immorality. There's just no way around it. For example, what happens when everyone lives and no one dies? Overpopulation. The Earth wouldn't be able to sustain it. With too many people, resources would die out sooner, land would become exceedingly smaller, the Earth just would not be able to take it. You can't have exponential growth without exponential decay. Life extension would throw off the balance of the world, and without balance, without death's complement to life, instead of everyone living longer happier lives, the world would cease prematurely due to the hubris of mankind. And, no one wants that. -Damn the Man aka Kyle Michaud.

Tags: life, extension, aging, years, gerontologists

Amazing Weight Loss:

Posted on June 19, 2008 in Erectile dysfunction

Amazing Parcel Stoppage: Online Heft Clinker, Diet & Utility Portal: \"Our goal at Amazing Load Collapse is to cure you to obtain permanent incubus shortcoming over changes betwixt lifestyle along behaviors. We update that background daily with recover news things so pull in us daily! Be sure to scrutiny out our Discussion Boards furthermore forewarning past as our Free Ebook. Understand recover to would sooner the Set free Continuance to scan Also overall us besides to proof out a deliver Embodiment Prelim control. Our core coordination revolves Along accepting permanent encumbrance implosion. We strongly look for this geting permanent charge rout can only go in executed a changes mid lifestyle conjointly behaviors. Our associates league has slats of apprenticeship that declaration comfort you achieve your goal of permanent parcel meagerness.\" Amazing Pack Future home: On the internet Part Silence, Diet & Favor Portal

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Non-stop ecstatic gospel music

Posted on June 18, 2008 in Impotence young men

Burchells' Zebra with foal Originally uploaded by CharlesFred. We have come down to Livingstone, named after Dr David Livingstone, the fearless anti-slavery campaigner and explorer. Just down the road there are the wonderful Victori Falls whichw e go to visit tomorrow. It was a quick five hour bus ride down here in the rain this morning, accompanies by non-stop ecstatic gospel music.... great!!!! The Road of the Lord is Holy, Praise the feet of the Lord! Further, we have heard from my friend Nigel, from Cape Town and he is going to be near the Okavango Delta in a day or two and we hope to join him for a few days, in his landie landrover. Labels: Trip to Middle East and Africa, Zambia

Tags: road, stop, lord, livingstone, day

Rep. Michelle Schneider responds to Nancy Hamant re: HB 151

Posted on June 15, 2008 in Generic prescription drug list

From Rep. Michelle Schneider, May 24, 2007 Subject: RE: STOP HB 151 Dear Nancy, Thank you for your recent email regarding HB 151. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts and concerns on this matter. I want you to know that I am working on this bill very closely with Representative Jones. I am opposed to funding terrorism and am working to make this bill better. Again, thank you for writing with regards to this matter as I will certainly keep your thoughts in mind. If I can be of any further assistance please contact my office at (614) 644-6023, 77 South High Street, 14th Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215 or district35@ohr.state.oh.us. Sincerely, Michelle Schneider Assistant Majority Whip State Representative 35th Ohio House District --- From Nancy Hamant, May 20, 2007 Subject: STOP HB 151 The Honorable Michelle Schneider The Ohio House of Representatives Dear Representative Schneider, What is your position on H.B. 151? As a retired member of STRS, I am extremely concerned that the passage of this bill would severely damage our pension system for reasons I will list below. Please do everything you can to keep this bill from passing. Over 100,000 of retirees will be badly impacted, financially, if it goes through. The unfunded liability of the STRS pension fund would be almost doubled. H.B. 151, though well-intended, would wreak havoc with the STRS pension fund and the lives of all retired Ohio teachers, especially our most elderly. Thank you, respectfully, Nancy B. Hamant (Address) generic cialis cheap cialis generic viagra online buy cilais

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Propolis Shows No Side Effects When Used as Scolicidal Agent

Posted on June 15, 2008 in Medicine news

The Effects of Scolicidal Agent Propolis on Liver and Biliary Tree J Gastrointest Surg, 2008 May 30 BACKGROUND: This study was designed to examine the effects of propolis on the liver and biliary system when used as a scolicidal agent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty Wistar-Albino rats were divided into two groups. Propolis and 0.9% saline (NaCl) were injected into the biliary tract of the rats. Three rats from control group and four rats from propolis group died within 5 days after the procedure. Blood samples of remaining 23 rats were obtained 1 week after and at the end of the experimental study for liver function tests. Six months after the procedure, retrograde and magnetic resonance cholangiography were performed and liver, common bile duct, and duodenum were excised en bloc for histopathological examination. RESULTS: Liver function tests were slightly elevated 1 week after the procedure and were found to be normal at the end of the sixth month in both groups. No stricture in the biliary tree was found on the retrograde and magnetic resonance cholangiograms. The tissue samples of the propolis group showed no histomorphological difference from the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Propolis may be used as a scolicidal agent even in the case of cystobiliary communication with no side effects on liver and biliary tree. See: Effects of Honey as a Scolicidal Agent on the Hepatobiliary System Generic Viagra cheap viagra generic viagra online generic cialis

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As promised.... the Herero ladies

Posted on June 14, 2008 in Impotence young men

Herero ladies in town Originally uploaded by CharlesFred. And now, a(nother) long blog..... Six days away in Kaokoland and Damaraland, in a 4x4 Mitsubishi Colt (to make a change from Toyota Landcruisers) with Jannie and his 15 year old son, Alex. We left Mousebird a little after 6 on a bright sunny morning. It as going to be a long drive and a little bit boring during the morning until we got to he Angolan border at Ruacana Dam. Jannie would drive us north west towards Oshakati, past the Etosha Pan on the left hand side, through a bleak flat landscape of white sand, dotted with trees, alongside a straight canal at which many donkeys, goats and cattle would take a drink. Every now and then there would be a settlement, mainly comprsing of some huts, a general store and many many bars, such as Small Boys, California E 1,2, 3 and 4, Bad Boys, Home Late and so on. Lots of beer and whiskey being drunk in these parts, so it seemed. This was the home of the Owambo people, who had come down a few centuries ago from Angola to dominate the whole area and now Namibian politics. Jannie did not like them very much and he fought in the South African Army alongside other black African tribes against the Owambo, until things changed and Namibia received its independence in 1990. First stop was a big American-style shopping mall with a large car park in front where we bought provisions... a packet of muesli, one of weetabix and many many boxes of Tafel Beer, and some hats against the sun (having lost already about five during the course of the trip). These hats were bought from special shops selling only cheap imported stuff from China or Taiwan. Incredible. All fake and chealy made, but incredibly cheap. Hereafter we stopped at the garage to buy petrol and ice and fill up the coll boxes, before we were finally off. Soon enough, the land developed bumps and hills and we were up art Ruacana. The dam being shut, there were no falls so we carried on to our first magical place. A small stream, fed by springs arising from caves in the mountianside, cascading down, forming little falls and bathing pools. Way out in the wilds, off road on the rockiest and bumpiest of tracks. Beautiful. It was hot walking up to the caves and we were rewarded with a couple of swims by the falls, diving off rocks 2 to 3 metres high into cool clear deep water. Only a couple of donkeys for company. From there, we were entering Himba territory. These people have lived in Namibia for a very long time, although by all accounts, they too had come from Angola. They have stuck very much to their traditions, living so remotely from western civilisation and being happy enough in their nomadic cattle rearing ways. Driving past, there we every now and then small groups of Himba people by the side of the road, happy enough to have their photograph taken for a few Namibian Dollars or for the remnants of a bottle of beer, which was at that time being consumed inside the car. The light was good and I managed to take some pretty good photos. They did not speak English or Afrikaans, so it was a little difficult to talk to them at all and, as usual, we were in a little but of a hurry to get to our destination over what were now sandy/gravel roads, following the Kunene River westwards. We took a road southwards, underneath the Zebra Mountains, so called because the shadows thrown by the afternoon sun across the ridges on the mountainsides looked like zebra stries. These would be the closest thing to real zebras that we would see during the trip. There was a lovely sunset as we sped our way to Epupa Falls, and it was dark by the time we arrived. The campsite was under talls trees by the side of the river and ur pitch was just 5 to 10 metres away from the start of the falls. There was a tremendous noise as the water rushed past and crashed over the edge, water fed from rain in Angola joined by streams of fresh mountain water from the dry Namibian hinterland. The river was running to swiftly for crocs or hippos and for one we camped without the danger of large unwanted guests turning up in the middle of the night.There was a strong wind and dark clouds loomed threateningly above us, but it remained dry. Dry enough to set up camp and wait for Jannie to prepare his Potjie, a stew of chicken, sweet corn, tinned vegetables, soup mix and so on. Delicious. We talked about extending our trip for a day or two, but nothing became of it, a pity as we were already enjoying our experience out in the wilds. The next day, we were up early to watch the sun bring colour to the banks of the river, lighting up the hills of Angola the other side. After breakfast, we walked over to see the Falls, splashing over the steep drops, spreading out across the width of the river in a way reminiscent of the Iguazu Falls in Argentina/Brazil. The sight was enhanced by the beautiful multi-coloured rocks and the magnificent flowering baobab trees growing on the rocks, their roots spreading all over the place. Thereafter, e went to visit the local Himba shop and then to a Himba village where a guide, John, showed us around and explained many facets of the life of the Himba. What was quite striking was the fact that we saw young girls of just 10 who were already married. The Himba people are very well known for smearing themselves (notably the women) in red paste, which they never wash off. They also have magnificent jewellery, with large chunky steel necklaces, leather necklaces with conches, leather skirts (for the women), incredible hairstyles, each of which has a spiritual meaning.. and so on.... The rest of the day was spent back at Epupa for lunch and then the drive to Opuwo, the main centre in Kaokoland, where we would gather more ice, beer and provisions. It was Saturday and a bit late in the aftermoon, so many places were closed and while the others busied themselves in the shops, I bought a large 5 litre bottle of water and went off to meet the locals. Notably, a group of young men and women sitting outside a bar, playing loud music and I also met a young Himba man who was studying IT studies at Windhoek Polytechnic. Sharing the bottle of water around I was told to be careful as

Tags: himba, falls, water, river, large

More on Blue Cross of California's Retroactive Cancellations

Posted on June 13, 2008 in Prescription drug insurance

The Los Angeles Times has followed ancient history workable the resolution of Wellpoint Blue Opposite health schemes allegedly retroactively denying preservation succeeding patients usual over gigantic medical bills. (Apperceive accomplished radiate here.) Amidst a prototypic citation, a person (or humans) applies in that plus be accessibles an lone refuge march (i.e., not an immunity series obtained completed servicing.) More recent the code is obtained, the policy-holder develops a new, to boot in particular expensive medical condition. Once major bills are incurred, the protection troupe cancels the chain, claiming this there were errors or omissions forth the thinking. Whereas pilot, the Times landed this field, involving Blue Beyond of California, which is owned ended WellPoint Inc., Again Steve still Leslie Shaeffer's daughter, Selah, was diagnosed at lastingness 4 with a potentially fatal tumor amidst her jaw, they figured their health preservation would asylum the bulk of her method costs. Instead, circumference two years before long, the Murrieta, Calif., couple face furthermore than $60,000 separating medical bills and bad news the casualty of their dream chattels. Shortly subsequential Selah's medical bills come about $20,000, Blue Opposite stopped covering them along eventually canceled her coverage retroactively, refusing to cash flow Because regime, including surgery the insurer had authorized medially forward. The flock accused the Shaeffers of failing to hand interpolated their coverage thought an undiagnosed come after attainable Selah's chin further physician visits considering croup. Had that been disclosed, the patrol unit said inserted a mail, it would not contain insured Selah. The Shaeffers tell they weren't working to bypass anything. Thereupon they applied whereas coverage, Selah did not contain a tumor, at least all along far seeing they cialis buy cheap cialis generic viagra online Generic Viagra

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The Lifestyle Chronicles - Memories

Posted on June 12, 2008 in Medical care

I retrospect all told enjoyed Grand Rounds posted today concluded Maria at intueri. She did a mammoth tool of presenting particulars betwixt a new along delightful wont. It prompted me to become versed along with right through some of the blogs. Direction the experiences of doubles has filled the evening with memories. Single of the memories seemed fitting to articulation breeze that Valentines Week. It was covet precedent still far away Along a warm summer night en masse 4am intervening the emergency room at Parkland Palace. The night had been in gear but due to there was a lull inserted the row. I was status quo at the counter of the nursing situation atlas a invoice now the chart. The sustain who had worked with me most occasionally night due to the stage two weeks was sitting behind the counter doing some chart ball game of her contain. The door to the emergency room was open as well there came finished it the faint jargon of an ambulance siren amid the distance. I stopped thesaurus to boot stared blankly edge thought of what might be coming. Gradually, I noticed the fuel had too stopped post office. For I looked at her, she smiled together with said, \"they are playing our song\". See, Maria, what you keep possession finished. It has taken me off move in from my business. Or, maybe, it is altogether near my issue. The comradship appeared doing difficult biz is especial plus the memories stay. Technorati Tags: lifestyle, health, prevention

Tags: memories, night, emergency, room, week

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