RxPG News : Events

Mandarin oranges decrease liver cancer risk,atherosclerosis

Mon, 11 Sep 2006 16:25:37 PST

( from http://www.rxpgnews.com ) Scientists worldwide are discovering new and unexpected benefits from a wide variety of foods that go beyond their basic nutritional value. These so-called 'functional foods' contain natural or modified compounds that have been shown to help fight some of the most challenging health problems, including cancer and heart disease. More than 50 research papers on these and other topics will be presented during a four-day symposium, "Functional Foods and Health," from Sunday, Sept. 10, through Wednesday, Sept. 13, at the 232nd national meeting of the American Chemical Society. All papers in this symposium, which begins at 8:00 a.m., will be presented at the San Francisco Marriott, Nob Hill C.

Selected highlights are shown below:

Mandarin oranges may reduce risk of liver cancer, other diseases -- A pair of studies from Japan suggests that eating mandarin oranges may cut your risk of developing liver cancer as well as other serious diseases:

In one study, researchers at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine found that drinking mandarin orange juice may reduce the risk of developing liver cancer in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. After a one-year study period, no liver cancer was detected among a group of 30 patients with viral hepatitis who were given one cup daily of a specially prepared beverage containing mandarin orange juice, whereas an 8.9 percent rate of liver cancer was found among a group of 45 patients who did not drink the juice supplements, according to Hoyoku Nishino, M.D., Ph.D., a researcher at the university. (AGFD 011, Sunday, Sept. 10, 8:45 a.m.)

In an epidemiological study by scientists at the National Institute of Fruit Tree Science in Japan, scientists surveyed 1,073 people in a Japanese town noted for its high consumption of mandarin oranges. The researchers found certain chemical markers in the subjects' blood that are associated with a lower risk of several health problems, including liver disease, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and insulin resistance (a condition associated with diabetes), according to study leader Minoru Sugiura, Ph.D. (AGFD 210, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 1:05 p.m.)

Scientists create new types of flour with enhanced antioxidant levels -- Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed a newly patented process that transforms ordinary flour into flour with enhanced levels of antioxidants -- compounds that have been shown by others to fight cancer and heart disease. The process works by enzymatically modifying grains to make their natural antioxidants more available to the body, says Liangli Lucy Yu, Ph.D., an associate professor in the school's Department of Nutrition and Food Science. The process, which is environmentally friendly, works for different types of flour, including wheat, corn and rice.

Yu's group also has developed a new type of flour from fruit seeds -- normally waste products from the manufacture of juice and fruit products. In laboratory studies, the fruit seed flour appears to have the ability to fight inflammation, cancer and food-borne bacteria. This fruit-seed flour could add natural flavors and colors to baked goods while also fighting spoilage, a development that might reduce or eliminate the use of artificial ingredients that are used for those purposes, Yu says. In the future, the two flour types could be combined to create novel breads, pastries and other flour products with enhanced health benefits, she says. (AGFD 012, Sunday, Sept. 10, 9:05 a.m.)

'Designer soybean' boosts calcium levels, fights osteoporosis -- Researchers have known for some time that the natural calcium found in soybeans is not easily absorbed in the body. As a result, products such as soy milk contain calcium supplements, which sometimes settle out of the beverage. Now, using simple and inexpensive chemical techniques, scientists at Nihon University in Japan say that they have built a more calcium-friendly soybean. In an effort to make the calcium in the bean more easily absorbed by the intestine, the researchers removed phytate, a chemical that is known to hinder absorption. They also modified two different types of amino acids in the bean to make it more acidic. The new soybean retains the taste of the original bean while forming a whiter and smoother product, says Hitomi Kumagai, Ph.D., a researcher at the university. (AGFD 124, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 8:05 a.m.)

The future of plastic surgery

Thu, 07 Sep 2006 00:58:37 PST

( from http://www.rxpgnews.com ) From new data on psychological and physical benefits, to futurists, economists and plastic surgeons sharing their vision of the future of plastic surgery, the hottest topics, technologies, and advances will be presented at Plastic Surgery 2006. The meeting, held Oct. 6-11 at the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, will be attended by more than 6,000 doctors, medical personnel and exhibitors in the field of plastic surgery.

"As ASPS celebrates 75 years of history and advances in plastic surgery, this year's meeting will look ahead, focusing on the future needs and demands of patients," said ASPS President Bruce Cunningham, MD. "The meeting will bring an array of leading experts together who will reflect on past clinical advances and focus on future trends and how they will impact consumers, business and healthcare. With the number of procedures performed on the rise, the information presented will help plastic surgeons ensure that new devices are safe, as well as, meeting consumer demands."

J. Ian Morrison, PhD, international author, consultant and futurist, will be the keynote speaker on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 4:30 p.m., during Opening Ceremonies at the Moscone Convention Center. Morrison, who specializes in long-term forecasting on healthcare, will examine the history of plastic surgery and discuss the political and economic future of the specialty and healthcare. Opening Ceremonies will also feature the annual Patients of Courage: Triumph Over Adversity awards honoring inspirational reconstructive plastic surgery patients for their courage and altruism.

The ASPS Industry Forum will be held on Monday, Oct. 9 from 12:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m., featuring leading financial analysts, industry CEOs and plastic surgeons who will provide insight into the business of plastic surgery. The Forum will include a discussion on the industry of breast implants, facial aesthetics, injectable wrinkle fighters, body contouring technologies, market trends, statistics, and more.

Panels, courses and studies presented at Plastic Surgery 2006 include:

Hot Topics in Plastic Surgery

-Cosmetic Surgery and the Use of Antidepressant Medication
-Advances in Non-Invasive Facial Enhancement
-Into the Looking Glass The Future of Plastic Surgery
-The Controversial Contour Threads: Myth Versus Reality
-Quality of Life and Self-Esteem after Breast Asymmetry Surgery
-Surgical Response to Natural Disasters
-Why We Need the "R" Reconstructive Milestones from 75 Years of ASPS History
-75 Years after Transplants Where are we Now?
-Comprehensive Management of Migraine Headaches with Botulinum Toxin Type A and Surgery
-Rejuvenation of the Aging Mouth
-Evolution of Body Contouring After Massive Weight Loss
-Stem Cell Research
-Management of Complications in Breast Augmentation
-Eyelid Surgery in the Asian Patient
-Ethnic Skin Care
-Collagenase Injection in the Treatment of Cellulite

University of Pittsburgh to host Global Health Conference

Fri, 01 Sep 2006 17:42:37 PST

( from http://www.rxpgnews.com ) An estimated one billion people worldwide lack access to basic health care, and about 11 million children under the age of 5 die each year from malnutrition and preventable diseases. Many effective interventions for alleviating such human suffering are currently available, but their delivery is often hampered by environmental, economic and social barriers, including war, poverty, discrimination, persecution and illiteracy to name just a few.

Overcoming such barriers in order to make effective health and human rights interventions more accessible to people here and abroad will be the focus of the 3rd Annual Global Problems, Global Solutions conference being held Oct. 6 and 7 at David L. Lawrence Hall on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh. This year's conference is sponsored by the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH) in conjunction with LaRoche College in Pittsburgh, which hosted the first two meetings in 2004 and 2005. Members of the media are invited to attend.

Global Problems, Global Solutions: Health, Dignity and Human Rights will highlight programs and approaches that have shown promise for effectively addressing a variety of health and human rights problems in hotspots around the world, including Iraq, Haiti, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Central and South America, and even here in the United States. Among the topics to be discussed in workshops are: human security; women's health; climate/environmental issues here and abroad; public health and human rights consequences of the war in Iraq; immigration and migration; social inequities in access to health care; and AIDS and infectious diseases. An outcome of the meeting will be a set of proposals and recommendations for fulfilling the Millennium Development Goals (http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals) of the United Nations Millennium Campaign, which all 191 United Nations member states have pledged to meet by the year 2015.

Among those providing keynote addresses at the conference will be Carol Welch, U.S. coordinator of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals Campaign; Paul O'Neill, former U.S. Treasury secretary and former chairman and CEO of Alcoa; Sister Candace Introcaso, president of La Roche College; Kollo Basile, minister of International Affairs, Republic of Cameroon; and Donald S. Burke, M.D., Pitt's new dean of GSPH and associate vice chancellor for global health, University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences. Dr. Burke, who also is director of Pitt's new Center for Vaccine Research, is leading research efforts to control global pandemic diseases including AIDS and influenza.

A complete summary of the conference agenda, a list of speakers and workshops, and an online registration form can be found at www.publichealth.pitt.edu/globalproblems. Although the conference is free, registration is limited to approximately 600 participants.

In addition to GSPH and LaRoche, other hosts of the conference include Pitt's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs and the department of Africana Studies in the School of Arts and Sciences. Several Pittsburgh-based non-governmental humanitarian assistance organizations, including Brother's Brother Foundation and Global Solutions Pittsburgh, also are co-sponsoring the meeting.

IOF to launch 'Bone Appétit' campaign on October 20

Fri, 01 Sep 2006 17:17:37 PST

( from http://www.rxpgnews.com ) The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) will launch its biggest campaign to date on World Osteoporosis Day (WOD) 2006, celebrated worldwide on October 20.

The campaign, Year of Bone Nutrition - Bone Appétit: The role of food and nutrition in building and maintaining strong bones will feature:

-A major new report on the impact of nutrition and eating habits both positive and negative on bone health

-Fact sheets summarizing the latest science on bone nutrition

-Imaginative new posters, and information leaflets for the general public

-12 new Public Service Announcements featuring personalities such as action movie star Jet Li, world famous chef Martin Yan, childrens TV star Sportacus from Lazy Town, and sports personalities including French footballer Gregory Coupet

-Imaginative national activities involving many of the 173 IOF member societies in some 86 locations

On the same day, IOF will also launch a new website, which will feature an extensive section on nutrition and bone health, including information for the public and health professionals, a global recipe database, and a calcium intake calculator.

Keep The Beat Campaign to Raise Awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Early Defibrillation

Mon, 25 Apr 2005 08:22:38 PST

( from http://www.rxpgnews.com ) Medtronic Inc., the worlds leading maker of life-saving automated external defibrillators (AEDs), today announced the Keep the Beat cause campaign, a nationwide outreach and education program designed to raise awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) and early defibrillation. Keep the Beat will be supported by legendary singer/songwriter James Taylor during his summer tour, which will kick off in Hartford, Connecticut on Friday, June 17, 2005.

This initial phase of the Keep the Beat cause campaign will raise funds to support Neighborhood Heart Watch, a non-profit organization that will help implement AED programs in schools across the country. AED placement in schools is important since up to 20 percent of the combined child and adult United States population can be found in schools on any given school day. AED programs in schools could mean the difference between life and death for students and educators and may make a tremendous impact on a community.

Through the Keep the Beat campaign, we have an opportunity to save lives in every city we visit through awareness, education and fundraising activities, said Robert White, president of Medtronic Emergency Response Systems. We are incredibly grateful to James for his support, and to Neighborhood Heart Watch for their role in implementing AED programs in schools. Medtronic has placed AEDs in more than 13,800 schools to date, and we hope to grow that number substantially through this partnership.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest is a leading cause of death in the United States and claims the lives of up to 450,000 people a year, suddenly and without warning. This inaugural phase of Keep the Beat will support AED programs leading to the availability of AEDs in schools to treat victims of SCA.

Medtronic LIFEPAK? AEDs are prescription devices. To receive a prescription, a physician must be consulted. AED users should be trained in CPR and the use of the AED.

James Taylors tour will include 33 performances over an eleven-week period.

RxPG News : Events

Mandarin oranges decrease liver cancer risk,atherosclerosis

The future of plastic surgery

University of Pittsburgh to host Global Health Conference

IOF to launch 'Bone Appétit' campaign on October 20

Keep The Beat Campaign to Raise Awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Early Defibrillation

Keep The Beat Campaign to Raise Awareness of Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Early Defibrillation