Use of Intranasal Flu Vaccine Does Not Show Unexpected Serious Risks
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Approximately 2.5 million people received the intranasal influenza vaccine the last 2 flu seasons, and a new study did not identify unexpected serious risks associated with use of this vaccine, according to an article in the December 7 issue of JAMA.
Annual influenza vaccination is the primary method for protection against influenza illness, according to background information in the article. Until the 2002-2003 influenza season, the only licensed influenza vaccine in the United States was the inactivated, trivalent (reacting immunologically with three different combining sites [as of antigens or antibodies]) injectable vaccine, with recommendations emphasizing use among individuals for whom influenza is of particular concern. In June 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensed a trivalent live, attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV-T [FluMist]) for intranasal use among healthy persons 5 to 49 years of age. Each dose contains live attenuated influenza virus of the 3 strains recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service for the corresponding influenza season. Although the number of vaccinees studied during prelicensure LAIV-T clinical trials was relatively large (20,228), postlicensure administration of the vaccine to much larger populations could reveal new safety issues.
Ten Ways to Manage Stress Day by Day
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Experiencing ongoing stress—even at low levels—can have a negative effect on your health and well-being. That’s why stress management isn’t something to reserve only for difficult times, but something to practice daily.
The November issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter offers 10 ways to manage stress day by day:
Minimally Invasive Surgery May Increase Options for Octogenarians
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Like their younger counterparts, some elderly patients who have early stage non-small cell lung cancer can benefit from a minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove part or all of a lung, according to a study conducted by thoracic surgeons at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and described in The American Surgeon, the journal of the Southeastern Surgical Congress and the Southern California Chapter of the American College of Surgeons.
When non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) are detected at an early, localized stage, surgical removal of the affected area often can prevent metastasis to other tissues and organs. But while some patients, including the elderly, might not be good candidates for the physical demands of open chest surgery, this study of 159 patients between ages 80 and 94 suggests that video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery should be considered a viable option.
Tips to Keep Your Mind in Top Shape
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Just when you’re old enough to be considered wise about the ways of the world, some days it’s awfully hard to find your glasses.
As you age, some brain cells may deteriorate or function less efficiently, potentially affecting your speed of mental processing and ability to retrieve information rapidly. Yet many factors besides aging affect mental ability. Depression, stress, sleep disorders, poor health and certain medications are among the most common.
Good sleep, sociability may keep grandma healthy
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New research shows that aging women who sleep well and/or have strong social ties have lower levels of interleukin-6, an immune system protein that promotes inflammation and that tends to increase with age.
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been linked to a variety of diseases including osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer. People who have relatively high levels of IL-6 are at greater risk for these diseases.
Marital Stress Linked with Slower Wound Healing
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Married couples who had higher levels of hostile behaviors had slower healing times of blister wounds, possibly because of the corresponding change in the level of proinflammatory proteins in the blood, according to a study in the December issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Marital discord has been associated as a risk factor for several illnesses, according to background information in the article. Possible mechanisms have included changes in blood pressure and endocrine levels. Stress has been linked with a change in the production of proinflammatory cytokines, proteins in cells that play a key role in wound healing.
Brain Enlargement May Be Characteristic of Autism
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Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has found evidence of brain enlargement in a relatively large sample of children with autism, compared with children who do not have the disorder, according to a study in the December issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder defined by social deficits, abnormalities in communication, and stereotyped, repetitive behaviors. While the neuroanatomical basis of this condition is not yet known, numerous lines of evidence suggest that abnormalities in brain volume may be characteristic of autism, according to background information in the article.
Backpacks damage kids’ shoulders and backs
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Kids today are carrying too much of a load on their backs and researchers say back pack weight should be reduced for comfort and safety.
The average backpack load of a typical U.S. teen in middle school is far too heavy and the researchers warn that excessive pressure on the shoulder from weighty backpacks may lead to shoulder pain, and low back pain.
Australian breast cancer study seeks participants
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RMIT University researchers are seeking healthy, postmenopausal women to participate in a study to determine if diet and lifestyle can reduce the risk breast cancer.
“Previous research indicates that flaxseed may contain compounds that protect postmenopausal women from breast cancer,” Leah Williamson, a postgraduate researcher at RMIT’s Department of Food Science, said.
“These compounds, called phytoestrogens, work at lowering levels of estrogens linked to breast cancer. Flaxseed is particularly high in one such phytoestrogen, lignan, which is believed to reduce the enzymes and the estrogens that cause the breast to produce potentially cancerous cells.
Africans meet in Nigeria to share news on HIV/AIDS
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African scientists and others involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the worst-hit continent opened a conference on Sunday in the Nigerian capital to pool the latest information and ideas.
Organizers said that while previous big international HIV/AIDS conferences aimed at raising awareness of the epidemic, the focus now is on finding ways to make better use of funds and implement projects more effectively.
“Our number one concern is to make the money work,” said Peter Piot, head of UNAIDS, at a news conference just before the launch of the 14th International Conference on HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections in Africa (ICASA).
Singapore informs spouses of HIV-positive partners
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Singapore’s Health Ministry has started informing spouses of HIV-positive patients directly about their partners’ disease in order to curb the spread of AIDS, the ministry said.
Letters had been hand-delivered to 41 women since July informing them that their husbands were HIV-positive, the ministry quoted Senior Minister of State for Health Balaji Sadasivan as saying in a speech made on Monday.
A ministry official declined to elaborate on Tuesday, referring to the ministry’s Web site for more details.
Exercise Helps Children With Congenital Heart Defects
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Exercise is good for the heart, even a child’s heart damaged by a birth defect, say researchers here.
Results from a small study suggest that regular exercise can improve cardiac function and reduce morbidity in children with congenital heart disease.
England considers raising smoking age to 18
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The minimum age for buying tobacco in England could be raised to 18 from 16 under proposals being considered by the government, a Department of Health spokeswoman said on Sunday.
The change is not yet government policy and it would have to go to public consultation if it is included in a health bill currently being debated by parliament.
Moderate drinkers show lower obesity risk
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People who have an alcoholic drink or two a day may have a lower risk of becoming obese than either teetotalers or heavy drinkers, a study published Monday suggests.
Researchers found that among more than 8,200 U.S. adults, those who said they enjoyed a drink every day were 54 percent less likely than non-drinkers to be obese. Similarly, those who drank a little more (two drinks per day) or a little less (a few drinks per week) had a lower risk of obesity than teetotalers did.
Africa could stop babies getting HIV, experts say
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A Nigerian HIV-positive mother, whose two children did not contract the virus, challenged African countries on Saturday to make better use of simple, affordable tools to reduce mother-to-child transmission.
Adding her voice to those of world experts who met in Abuja to assess the fight against transmission to babies, Lucy Auwalu said antenatal care, drugs, information and clean water could give hope to HIV-positive African women who wanted children.
