Children taking steroid drugs nephrotic syndrome are protected against bone loss

According to a recently concluded study, children who have been making use of steroid drugs for nephrotic syndrome do not suffer from bone loss, which is a common side-effect of steroid treatments in adults.

Childhood nephrotic syndrome, which is believed to affect 3 out of every 100,000 children, is common chronic kidney ailment in children. It weakens ability of the body to remove water and salt from the blood resulting in swelling in the belly, legs, and around the eyes but does not impair the functions of kidney.

From News-Medical.Net:

"Unlike other childhood diseases treated with steroid drugs, such as inflammatory bowel disease or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, nephrotic syndrome resolves quickly when treated," said pediatric nephrologist Mary B. Leonard, M.D., of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, lead author of the study. "We specifically chose steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome because we are able to isolate the drug's effects on bones, without having an underlying systemic disease simultaneously affecting the bones."

The team led by Dr. Leonard compared 60 children and adolescents with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome to 195 healthy children. Specialized X- ray measurements showed no signs of osteoporosis, a loss in bone mass, among the nephrotic syndrome patients. The study appeared in the August 26 New England Journal of Medicine.

The researchers made adjustments for body mass index, an important consideration, since 38 percent of the children in the nephrotic syndrome sample were obese (in contrast, only 16 percent of the control subjects were obese, a proportion consistent with the general pediatric population). The disproportionate obesity among children with nephrotic syndrome disappears after the patients discontinue steroid treatments.

"While steroids tend to make children shorter and heavier than healthy children, increased weight is associated with an increase in bone mass," said co-author Babette Zemel, Ph.D., of the Nutrition Center at Children's Hospital. Specifically, whole-body measurements of bone mineral content were higher in children with nephrotic syndrome than in healthy children.

Dr. Leonard was of the view that this study will help in assuring parents and doctors about steroid treatments for helping children suffering with nephrotic syndrome as steroids do not enhance their risk of osteoporosis.

Benefits of Clenbuterol extend well beyond just bodybuilding

Clenbuterol is gaining huge markets in the US marketplace when it comes to reaping benefits such as asthma treatment and is no longer used by bodybuilders alone for building lean muscle mass and enhancing levels of stamina, endurance, and performance.

According to recent medical studies, Clenbuterol apart from being an exceptional anabolic steroid is also a great anabolic steroid in its entirety because of its almost never-ending benefits. The smooth relaxant properties of this wonder drug are making it one of the most popular anabolic steroid in today's steroid market.

From Wikipedia.org:

Clenbuterol is a drug prescribed to sufferers of breathing disorders as a decongestant and bronchodilator. People with chronic breathing disorders like asthma use this as a bronchodilator to make breathing easier. It is most commonly available in salt form as Clenbuterol hydrochloride.

It causes an increase in aerobic capacity, central nervous system stimulation, and an increase in blood pressure and oxygen transportation. It increases the rate at which fat and protein are metabolized, simultaneously slowing the body's BMR. It is commonly used for smooth muscle relaxant properties. This means that it is a bronchodilator and tocolytic.

Clenbuterol is used worldwide for the treatment of allergic respiratory disease in horses, as it is a bronchodilator. A common trade name is Ventipulmin. It can be used both orally and intravenously. It is also a non-steroidal anabolic and metabolism accelerator, through a mechanism not well understood. Its ability to induce weight loss and a greater proportion of muscle to fat makes its illegal use in livestock popular.

In short, the list of benefits derived from Clenbuterol go well beyond just bodybuilding though it is primarily developed by its manufacturers for bodybuilders and professional athletes, who strive for experiencing optimum benefits in terms of body and muscle mass & size.

Soccer behind improved health standards of growing boys

Long-term and regular participation of growing boys in soccer is responsible for notable improvements in the health profile, as per a new research published by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

The study by ACSM found that there are sharp contrasts between regular and long-term benefits from extracurricular sports participation against physical education alone.

According to lead researcher Jose A. L. Calbet, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain, Soccer needs to be promoted as a cost-effective option among growing boys to ensure their sound and healthy growth.

From News-Medical.Net:

"Other studies have shown sports and activities, such as gymnastics, may enhance bone mass accumulation during growth,” said lead researcher Jose A. L. Calbet, M.D., Ph.D., of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain. “But these activities can require significant training time or specific facilities. Many children enjoy soccer and willingly participate in soccer outside of school if encouraged to do so. For this reason, soccer should be promoted as a low-cost, effective option to facilitate healthy growth.

The researchers point out that it is during the prepubertal growth spurt when bone tissue is more responsive to exercise. The study shows that the soccer group not only increased whole body bone mineral density, but also had higher regional measures in areas such as the lumbar spine (13 percent) and the femoral neck in the hip (10 percent). These increases correlated statistically to increases in other fitness factors such as anaerobic capacity and force generated during jumping.

"This kind of activity during this period in a child’s life can have the greatest impact on lifelong health factors such as the prevention of osteoporosis,” added German Vicente-Rodriguez, the study’s author. “It’s concerning that after this three-year study period, most of the children only engaged in the school physical education sessions. These restricted activities are insufficient and inadequate to achieve the full potential of bone development.”

The study revealed that young boys who play soccer not just gain from increased levels of whole body bone density but they also witness high regional measurements in areas such as femoral neck in the hip and lumbar spine.

Estrogen-like drugs can be beneficial for postmenopausal women

Women may experience a weight gain of about 10-15 pounds in the years surrounding menopause as per a recently concluded study. The study put an end to all myths that arose in the past in respect to relationship between weight gain and menopause.

It was revealed during the study that ER_ receptor is the primary mediator behind estrogen's attenuating effects on weight gain. The fact that E2 and the ER_ selective drug reduce body weight gain in rats without reducing the intake of food was also studied during course of the study.

From News-Medical.Net:

Several theories have been advanced to explain the cause of weight gain at the time of menopause. Some scientists have attributed it to a decrease in thyroid function, with a subsequently decreased metabolic rate. With lowered metabolism, fewer calories are required to maintain current weight, and if caloric intake remains the same, then weight will increase. Another theory is that the weight gain is due to age-related decreases in muscle mass. Because muscle tissue burns more fuel than fat tissue, a disproportionate loss of muscle mass can result in a reduced requirement for calories. Consequently, maintenance of the same caloric intake will again result in increased body weight. However, some scientists believe the weight gain that occurs at menopause may in fact be due to the reduced production of the female sex steroid estrogen that occurs at the time of menopause.

Proponents of the "estrogen argument" point to data from clinical and animal experiments indicating that estrogen is an important modulator of food intake and body weight. Scientists, who commonly study rats that have had their ovaries removed (ovariectomized [OVX] rats) in order to mimic the decline in sex steroids that occurs at menopause, have found that OVX rats eat more and gain weight more rapidly than sham-operated control rats. Estrogen replacement reduces both the increased food intake and the body weight gain of the OVX rats.

According to researchers at the Georgetown University, ER_-selective drugs can prove to be effective in a therapeutic manner with an aim to reduce postmenopausal weight gain in women.

Steroids help in faster recovery from pneumonia

Corticosteroids are often used to treat inflammation caused by infectious diseases such as bacterial meningitis. In a study published in an issue of Journal of Infectious Diseases, a team of researchers show that subsequent treatment of steroids and antibiotics will produce faster recovery and lesser inflammation in the lungs of mice infected with a type of severe bacterial pneumonia.

According to Dr. Robert Hardy, the study's senior author and an associate professor of internal medicine and pediatrics, some people may think that steroids given together with antibiotic would counteract the latter's effect. But their study proved otherwise. It turned out that antibiotic will only kill the bacteria but adding corticosteroid will help reduce inflammation in the lungs. The steroids will not kill the bacteria, but it will sure help in a faster recovery and restoration of health.

Mice were utilized during the study and were divided into three groups. Each group will receive placebo drugs, antibiotics, or a combination of antibiotic and steroid in order to investigate the effect of the bacteria on airway inflammation. The group which recovered faster was the one treated with a combination therapy. It was concluded by the researchers that adding corticosteroid to traditional antimicrobial therapy might help patients with pneumonia recover faster than antibiotics alone.

From Medical News Today:

"Some people might think that if you give steroids, it would counteract the effect of the antibiotic," said Dr. Robert Hardy, associate professor of internal medicine and pediatrics and the study's senior author. "But it turns out you need the antibiotic to kill the bug and the steroid to make the inflammation in the lung from the infection get better. The steroids don't kill the bugs, but they do help restore health."

Useful information on Cortaid

One brand name which contains hydrocortisone topical is Cortaid. There are various topical steroids available in the market today like Ala-Cort, Corticaine, Cortizone, Nutracort, Texacort, Westcort and many others.

Its main action is to reduce the inflammation, redness and swelling brought about by different chemical actions in the body. Hydrocortisone topical is commonly used in conditions like eczema, psoriasis and any allergic reactions. It may also be used for other purposes not mentioned above.

Hydrocortisone topical will not treat a bacterial, fungal or viral skin infection. It is important that your doctor rules out this types of infection before using this medication. This medication is not advised to be used on certain areas of the skin like skin folds, on the face especially near the eyes and on thin skin. It must be strictly used according to the physician's direction or as directed on the label. It is not recommended therefore to continue using this drug for a prolonged period of time or in larger amounts than recommended. Never cover with a bandage those skin areas treated with hydrocortisone topical. This can result to an increase in absorption of the drug through the skin. Since children are more sensitive, never use this medication on a child without a doctor's advice. This medication is also not recommended to be used by pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.

From Drugs.com:

Use this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as it has been prescribed by your doctor. Do not use the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.

Do not cover treated skin areas with a bandage or other covering unless your doctor has told you to. If you are treating the diaper area of a baby, do not use plastic pants or tight-fitting diapers. Covering the skin that is treated with hydrocortisone topical can increase the amount of the drug your skin absorbs, which may lead to unwanted side effects. Follow your doctor's instructions.

Avoid using this medication on your face, near your eyes, or on body areas where you have skin folds or thin skin.

Do not use this medication on a child without a doctor's advice. Children are more sensitive to the effects of hydrocortisone topical.

Hydrocortisone topical will not treat a bacterial, fungal, or viral skin infection.

Contact your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse after using this medication for several days.

Suspension of two Vikings blocked by Minnesota Judge

granted temporary restraint to suspension order of two Hennepin County District Judge Gary LarsonVikings, Kevin Williams and Pat Williams. The suspension was blocked after the Judge had a look at the request of the two players that was aimed to keep them suspended till decision of the case was announced.

NFL had earlier suspended the two Williams for violating the anti-doping policy of the league.

The Minnesota Judge remarked that the two Vikings will stand to lose a considerable amount of playing time till the decision reach them and therefore blockage of suspension was the best way for this suspension till the verdict.

From Philly.com:

A Minnesota judge yesterday blocked the NFL's plan to suspend Vikings linemen Kevin Williams and Pat Williams for violating the league's anti-doping policy.

Hennepin County District Judge Gary Larson granted the players' request for a temporary restraining order that keeps the NFL from suspending them until their case is decided.

The Williamses "would suffer a significant loss of playing time" without the restraining order, the judge wrote.

The defensive tackles, who are not related, tested positive last summer for a banned diuretic that can mask the presence of steroids, though they never have been accused of taking steroids. They took the weight-loss supplement StarCaps, which contained a diuretic, bumetanide, that wasn't listed on the label.

The NFL wants to enforce the players' four-game suspensions at the start of the season.

Kevin and Pat Williams, who are not related to each other, were suspended after using StarCaps, which contained a diuretic, bumetanide, till the verdict is announced.

Baseball Writers jolt Steroid Committee

Baseball writers vote down a proposal to form a steroid committee during the national meeting of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. The proposal was concerned with forming a committee for developing guidelines to evaluate players from the steroid ear in Hall of Fame voting.

Players required 75 percent of the vote for election and Jim Rice and Rickey Henderson were the only electees for this year.

From Google.com/hostednews:

Current rules ask voters to consider a player's "record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team(s) on which the player played." Writers who have been BBWAA members for 10 consecutive years are eligible to vote for the Hall of Fame.

Players need 75 percent of the vote for election, and Rickey Henderson and Jim Rice were the only electees this year.

Mark McGwire, the first test of the steroids era, received 118 votes (21.9 percent) this year, down from the 128 votes he got in each of his first two tries.

In other news, the BBWWA chose three finalists for the Hall of Fame's J.G. Taylor Spink Award for meritorious contributions to baseball writing: Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun; Joe Giuliotti, a retired writer of the Boston Herald; and Bill Madden of the New York Daily News.

However, baseball players had a big say in the vote count as the proposal was defeated 30-25. The name of winner for the hall of fame voting is expected to be announced in the month of December. The proposal was brought up by Rick Telander, a Chicago Sun-Times columnist, at a Chicago chapter meeting last month.

Squalenoyl nanomedicines can work as effective prospective therapeutics

Nucleoside analogs like gemcitabine and cytarabine were merely considered to be powerful anti-cancer agents in the past but a recent study shows that they can prove out to be even more valuable with a simple chemical modification for treating varying forms of cancer.

A research team headed by Patrick Couvreur, Ph.D., at the CNRS in Châtenay-Malabry, France, was of the view that this new technique seems to be potential candidate when it comes to working with almost all possible kinds of nucleoside analogs. In addition to that, the technique also has the net effect of increasing the pharmacological behavior of compounds belonging to this class.

From News-Medical.Net:

A research team headed by Patrick Couvreur, Ph.D., at the CNRS in Châtenay-Malabry, France, found that attaching the molecule squalene to any one of several nucleoside analogs triggered a self-assembly process that creates nanoparticles that are stable in biological fluids. Squalene is a naturally occurring, water-insoluble compound involved in synthesizing steroid hormones. Linking this molecule to a water-soluble nucleoside analog causes the resulting conjugates to form a core-shell nanostructure, with the nucleoside analogs creating an outer layer that shields the squalene portion from the surrounding aqueous environment.

Tests using cultured tumor cells showed that a squalene-gemcitabine conjugate was up to eight times more potent as an anticancer agent compared to unmodified gemcitabine. In addition, these in vitro studies showed that the squalene-gemcitabine conjugate was able to kill cells that had developed resistance to gemcitabine. The researchers attribute the improved anticancer activity, in both normal and resistant cells, to the fact that the conjugate is poorly metabolized by the enzymes that normally detoxify nucleoside analogs.

Based on these promising results, the investigators then assessed anticancer activity of squalene-modified gemcitabine in both mouse and rat models of human leukemia. In each case, 40 percent of the animals treated with the squalene-gemcitabine conjugate survived for at least 100 days after treatment. In contrast, control animals that received a placebo or unmodified gemcitabine all died from cancer within 60 days.

In other words, it was said that squalene-gemcitabine conjugate was potent by as much as eight times when compared to unmodified gemcitabine for treating varying forms of cancer.

Apoptosis in steroid use

A study conducted to test the relationship between high levels of testosterone and brain function was conducted by Yale School of Medicine. They obtained cultured nerve cells and introduced high levels of testosterone in the samples. It was observed that upon introduction of testosterone, the cells were noticed to undergo apoptosis, a medical condition commonly found in neurologic patients afflicted with Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's Disease. This condition is characterized by a programmed cell death (PCD). The cell's membrane disintegrates and even without acute cell injury, it simply dies. This, according to Professor Ehrlich from Yale School of Medicine may lead to severe loss of brain cells and may cause the brain to shrink in size. Human brain cells are known to be the only cells in the body that do not re- generate.

Aside from this study, it was also concluded earlier that too much steroids can indeed increase muscle mass but can also heighten male aggression. This is commonly known as “ steroid rage”. Anabolic steroids were found to affect normal adolescent hamsters used during a research. They were found to be more aggressive after taking in the steroids and was even found to continue exhibiting aggression after the drug was withdrawn.

From Professor Barbara Ehrlich of Yale School of Medicine:

“Large doses of steroids were already known to boost levels of the male hormone testosterone and cause heightened aggression.

This could be evidence of impaired brain function, according to Professor Barbara Ehrlich, from Yale School of Medicine.

"Next time a muscle-bound guy in a sports car cuts you off on the highway, don't get mad," she said.

"Just take a deep breath and realise that it might not be his fault."

Steroids – Effective And Inexpensive Remedy For Keloid

Keloids are non cancerous growth of the skin. They can be removed by a dermatologist, cosmetic surgeon or a plastic surgeon. The operation is painless and relatively inexpensive. Keloids are commonly found on the ears and may be caused by an ear piercing which becomes infected. In Jamaica they are sometimes called acorns and they can be disfiguring and embarrassing, especially to the young lady who develops one.

It has been noted that if the ears have been pierced in infancy there is less chance of developing a keloid than if they are done in the teens or in adult life. Many young ladies believe that they can just cut off the keloid and that is that. But this should never be done as it will regrow, bigger than before. If you develop a keloid, medical attention should be sought. Besides, there are several methods of treatment.

From Jamaica Observer:

Cortisone solutions can be injected into the keloid once a week. This should cause the keloid to shrink and disappear or at least become smaller in size. If this does not work, then surgical treatment will be necessary.

In this procedure steroids are injected into the keloid for several weeks. After this course of injections the keloid is cut out. This is done with a local anaesthetic so there is no pain and no bleeding, if it is done properly. After the operation a further course of steroid injections is necessary for three to four weeks. Radiotherapy can also be used. The radiation treatment is given once a week for several weeks.

Keloids can be removed by a dermatologist, cosmetic surgeon or a plastic surgeon. The operation is usually painless, easy and relatively inexpensive. So if you develop keloids of the ear, please see your dermatologist and have it dealt with at once.

Myth: Natural Medication always safe as alternative to Synthetic Medication

As per a research by a Consumer Reports magazine, the common perception that if a medication is natural then it must be safe is not completely true.

The research revealed that a large number of herbal supplements that are presently banned in Europe and Asia are freely available and used in the United States inspite of the fact that they can result in side-effects such as kidney or liver damage, cancer, and even death.

From News-Medical.Net:

The consumer publication found a dozen herbal supplements, some banned in Asia, Europe and Canada but widely available in the United States, may cause cancer, kidney or liver damage and even death. Those highlighted include:

Aristolochia, has received attention because of its alleged link to kidney damage and the onset of cancer. This herb was a part of a Chinese herbal compound, used in a weight reduction treatment regimen, in Belgium, in the early 1990s. By 1993, instances of kidney failure were documented in patients who had received treatment.

Yohimbe - which is a tree bark containing a variety of pharmacologically active chemicals. It is marketed in a number of products for body building and "enhanced male performance." Serious adverse effects, including renal failure, seizures and death, have been reported to FDA with products containing yohimbe and are currently under investigation.

Bitter orange, similar to ephedra, the banned weight-loss supplement believed responsible for 155 deaths nationwide.

The researchers also noted chaparral, comfrey, germander, kava and scullcap, all of which are known or likely causes of liver failure; lobella because of its impact on the heart; and pennyroyal oil because of possible liver, kidney and nerve damage.

The FDA has already sent warning letters to 16 dietary-supplement distributors in this regard along with an advice not to sell the bodybuilding supplement, androstenedione.

New Non-Steroid Treatment For Muscular Atrophy

The researchers discovered that des-acyl ghrelin has a direct anti-atrophic activity on the skeletal muscle of mice with muscular atrophy caused by either nerve injury or fasting. The mechanism by which des-acyl ghrelin protects muscle against atrophy is not yet known, the authors reported. However, it is distinct from the action of anabolic steroids and IGF-1.

Muscular atrophy is a debilitating process that results in an extensive loss of muscle mass and function, which greatly worsens quality of life. It occurs in diseases such as cancer, diabetes, AIDS and heart failure, negatively affecting the patients' prognosis. Also, muscular atrophy can occur with aging, inadequate food intake such as in anorexia nervosa, or as a side effect of glucocorticoid steroid therapy.

From Medical News Today:

Researchers have found a potential new treatment for the common problem of muscle atrophy.

"Because of the wide impact of muscular atrophy on public health, it is of pivotal importance to find new and better drug strategies to treat it," Graziani said.

Graziani and his co-workers are studying des-acyl ghrelin, a form of ghrelin, the appetite-stimulating hormone found in the body. Until recently, researchers thought that des-acyl ghrelin was inactive because it does not share the main activities of ghrelin-stimulating appetite, fat and the release of growth hormone.

However, Graziani's group recently found that des-acyl ghrelin shares some biological activities with ghrelin, such as stimulating differentiation of other cells, including - important to this study - cells that are precursors to skeletal muscle cells.

In this new study, the researchers discovered that des-acyl ghrelin has a direct anti-atrophic activity on the skeletal muscle of mice with muscular atrophy caused by either denervation (nerve injury) or fasting.

Aside from the new treatment, there are few options to treat muscular atrophy such as anabolic steroids (testosterone) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IFG-1).

Relief for Plantar Fasciitis Patients

According to a study presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), the combination of a steroid injection with an ultrasound-guided technique can prove to an effective option by as much as 95 percent when it comes to providing relief to patients suffering from plantar fasciitis.

Study's lead author, Luca M. Sconfienza, M.D., from Italy's University of Genoa, remarked that this technique is expected to stand up as an innovative, effective, and one-time outpatient procedure.

Plantar fasciitis, which affects one million people annually in the U.S. alone, is the most common cause of heel pain and is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, a connective tissue.

From News-Medical.Net:

For this study, Dr. Sconfienza and colleagues used a new ultrasound-guided technique, along with steroid injection, on 44 patients with plantar fasciitis that was unresponsive to conservative treatments.

After injection of a small amount of anesthesia, the anesthetic needle is used to repeatedly puncture the site where the patient feels the pain. This technique is known as dry-needling. Dry-needling creates a small amount of local bleeding that helps to heal the fasciitis. Lastly, a steroid is injected around the fascia to eliminate the inflammation and pain. The technique is performed with ultrasound guidance to improve accuracy and to avoid injecting the steroids directly into the plantar fascia, which could result in rupture.

After the 15-minute procedure, symptoms disappeared for 42 of the study's 44 patients (95 percent) within three weeks.

Dr. Sconfienza said that dry-needling with steroid injection proves to be an effective option when pain associated with plantar fasciitis becomes annoying.

An improved outlook for Crohn's disease

As per a recent study reported by the Mayo Clinic, the administration of infliximab (Remicade) alone or in a combination with azathioprine proves to be an effective treatment methodology for treating Crohn's disease rather than persisting with azathioprine.

Crohn's disease is considered to be an inflammatory disease of the human gastrointestinal tract. It is assumed to affect as many as 500,000 people in the United States alone; no definite cure has been discovered yet to treat this ailment.

In the past, patients suffering from this disease were treated sequentially with some form of steroids, followed by azathioprine and monoclonal anti-bodies like infliximab.

But now, it has been proved that infliximab-based medical strategies prove to be far better than azathioprine alone as per William Sandborn, M.D., the lead author and a gastroenterologist at Mayo Clinic.

From News-Medical.Net:

The study, conducted at more than 200 sites, included 508 patients who have moderate to severe Crohn's disease. Researchers found that 57 percent of patients who received combination therapy with infliximab and azathioprine achieved steroid-free remission after 26 weeks. This is compared to 44 percent of patients who achieved remission with infliximab monotherapy and 30 percent with azathioprine alone. Both the infliximab combination therapy and infliximab monotherapy groups were statistically superior to the azathioprine group. In addition, 61 percent of patients who received the combination therapy of infliximab and azathioprine also experienced healing of the bowel demonstrated by colonoscopy (mucosal healing). This is important because previous studies have suggested that patients who have mucosal healing are less likely to require hospitalization and surgery.

"Our goal with this study was to determine if infliximab-based treatment strategies were safe and more effective than treatment with azathioprine in these patients," says Dr. Sandborn. "For patients, this new therapy is an opportunity for remission and a significant improvement in quality of life."

This study by Mayo Clinic is expected to offer new and safer treatment opportunities to all those who have been fighting against Crohn's disease.

Knee Disorders can be treated effectively by Cellular Grafting

According to a new surgical technique, patients with steroid induced osteonecrosis of the knee can now walk and perform routine activities of life without facing any troubles. The new technique, known as cellular grafting, is expected to open doors of happiness for those presently fighting against this ailment.

The latest beneficiary of this surgical technique was 14-year old Adam Vasser of Los Altos, California, who was an active kid with a liking for baseball. Adam's heart was attacked in a mysterious manner by a virus that required immediate need to conduct a heart transplant. This was the moment when he was treated with cellular grafting by orthopedic surgeon Stuart Goodman, MD, PhD the Robert L. and Mary Ellenburg Professor in Surgery at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

From News-Medical.Net:

"Many patients do OK without surgical treatment," Goodman said. "With those patients, I wait and prescribe pain medication." But for young patients who still have a lifetime of activity ahead of them, Goodman wanted alternatives.

When Vasser first started looking for knee treatments, he was told by several doctors to simply use crutches until the knee collapsed and then get an artificial knee replacement. Pain medication was discouraged because of its effects on his kidneys after all the heart transplant treatment drugs. He, too, was searching for a better answer when he met Goodman.

All three of Goodman's patients were between the ages of 18 and 21 and suffering from steroid-induced osteonecrosis. Among the two other patients, one had a diagnosis of Crohn's disease and the other had been treated with high-dose steroids for severe optic nerve swelling associated with the use of minocycline.

The 60-minute surgery, called osteoprogenitor cellular grafting, involves scooping out the dead bone and then filling the space in with new cellular matter.

"The key is to arrest or reverse the death of the bone," Goodman said. "If the cartilage is good, you get the dead bone out and give the cartilage a better foundation. If you have a salvageable joint in a young knee, you get in viable cells to repopulate that area of dead bone."

Goodman theorized that instead of using traditional bone grafting - a more invasive and painful solution - a better method might be using bone cells. The bone cells include young stem cells and progenitor cells that can actually grow into new bone. He withdrew bone marrow from the pelvic area, concentrated the stem cells and progenitors, then used a scaffolding device to help the cells adhere to the defect in the knee.

Based on the success of these three surgeries, Goodman recommends a longer-term follow-up study with a larger number of patients.

This latest technique includes the transportation of cellular material from the pelvic region into the knee. The new technique is expected to offer relief to patients with steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the knee.

New Ray of Life for Obese Asthma Patients

According to a new study published in an issue of European Respiratory Journal, Singulair pills can help obese asthma patients for have a good reason of life. On the other hand, it was found that leaner people can have benefits from inhaled steroids such as beclomethasone.

As per lead author lead author Marc Peters-Golden, M.D., professor of internal medicine and director of the Fellowship Program in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School, there was no evidence that can suggest that obesity is influenced by responses of people to specific asthma medications.

From News-Medical.Net:

Researchers looked at data from four previous multi-center, randomized clinical trials from 3,073 patients with moderate asthma. The data included the patients' responses to Singulair/montelukast, a beclomethasone inhaled steroid and a placebo, and the participants' body mass index numbers, which placed them in the categories of normal, overweight and obese.

In general, the severity of people's asthma was found to be greater among those in the overweight and obese groups, which supports findings from other studies.

In addition, the inhaled steroid was found to be better than Singulair at increasing the number of asthma control days (ACD) among people in the normal weight category. An ACD is defined as a day with no more than two puffs of an inhaler, no night-time awakenings and no asthma attacks.

On the other hand, the inhaled steroid resulted in a reduced effect in the percentage of ACDs among obese people in the study - that is, the benefit of the inhaled steroid declined with increasing body mass index.

In contrast, the positive impact of Singulair did not decrease in obese and overweight people when compared to its impact on people of normal weight. The research also suggests that the higher a person's body mass index, the greater his or her response to Singulair compared to a placebo, a pill with no medicinal benefit. This is an indication, Peters-Golden says, that obese and overweight people may in fact respond better to this medication.

Still, he is not inclined to suggest that doctors change the way in which they prescribe medication - not yet, anyway.

"Our study looks back at material from previous trials. I'd like to see a prospective study in which lean patients and heavy patients are enrolled at the outset, and you compare both types of medications in both groups," Peters-Golden says. If verified by other studies, this insight may help physicians to better tailor medication regimens to meet individual patient needs.

Peters-Golden also remarked that a multitude of varying factors including genetic and acquired factors combine in an intertwined way to influence a patient's response to asthma medications.