Infections may lead to asthma

[Guest guest]

Infections may lead to asthma

Belleville News Democrat - IL*

http://www.bnd.com/living/story/181797.html

When babies come down with severe respiratory viral infections,

about one in five go on to develop chronic asthma as children -- far

more than other infants.

Now, by studying mice, researchers at Washington University in St.

Louis say they have gained crucial insight that may help doctors one

day stop the progression.

Dr. Grayson and his colleagues found that mice which

developed asthma-like symptoms after a severe infection had a

strange immune reaction. During the infection, the mice produced

antibodies and immune signals similar to those produced during an

allergic response instead of those usually made to battle an

infection.

That unusual response set off a chain reaction that led to asthma.

As a result, the researchers propose that a similar reaction occurs

in some children and that new medications could be designed to stop

the progression. Many thousands of children are hospitalized each

year with severe cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

" We think genetically predisposed individuals will tend to have this

kind of immune reaction to a severe respiratory viral infection, "

Grayson said. " That sets them up to make antibodies against a lot of

environmental substances, like pet dander or pollen, and they can go

on to develop allergies or asthma. "

Attention deficit

Children may outgrow disorder

Parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

(ADHD) likely were elated last week to learn that they can expect at

least some youngsters to simply outgrow the problem.

Using advanced imaging techniques, government researchers found that

a certain area of the brain -- the cortex -- apparently develops

more slowly in children with ADHD. The cortex is involved in

decision-making and the ability to focus attention and suppress

impulsive behaviors -- abilities that children with ADHD often lack.

In studying nearly 500 youngsters with magnetic resonance imaging

(MRI) scans, scientists found that the cortex in children with ADHD

reach peak thickness an average of three years later than children

without the disorder. Dr. Philip Shaw of the National Institute of

Mental Health says this may explain why many children seem to become

less impulsive and fidgety as they mature -- and why other parents

might expect the same.

" There has been a debate about whether ADHD is a delay or deviance

from normal brain development, " said Shaw, the lead author of the

study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. " This

study comes down strongly in favor of delay. "

About 4.4 million school-age children in the United States have been

diagnosed with ADHD. About half take medication to help control

their behavior. The finding also may explain why children with ADHD

choose younger playmates, but it does not reveal why some continue

to suffer from ADHD as adults.

Cancer

Immune system may stop growth

A multinational team of researchers has shown for the first time

that the immune system can stop the growth of a cancer without

actually killing it.

For years, scientists have been working to use the immune system to

eradicate cancers, a technique known as immunotherapy. The new

findings prove an alternative exists: When the cancer can't be

killed, it may be possible to use the immune system to contain it.

This may explain why some tumors seem to suddenly stop growing and

go into a period of dormancy. Authors of the study, which can be

found in the latest online edition of Nature, call the cancer-immune

system stalemate " equilibrium. " During equilibrium, the immune

system both decreases the cancer's drive to replicate while killing

some -- but not all -- of the cancerous cells.

" We may one day be able to use immunotherapy to artificially induce

equilibrium and convert cancer into a chronic but controllable

disease, " says Mark J. of the McCallum Cancer Centre in

Melbourne, Australia. " Like any patient who has a life-threatening

disease that is controlled by taking a medicine, we should all be

taking good care of our immune systems to keep potential tumors in

check. "

Schreiber of Washington University in St. Louis was a study

co-author.

Volunteers sought for Parkinson's study

Parkinson's disease patients are being sought for two new studies at

Washington University in St. Louis.

In one study, investigators will investigate the effects of the

antidepressant drugs Paxil and Effexor on depression and motor

function.

" Depression is very common in patients with Parkinson's disease, "

said Dr. Black, who is leading the study. " Doctors frequently

prescribe a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake

inhibitors (SSRIs) for these patients. But we don't really know how

well these drugs work in this population. "

The second study will test various doses of a drug called melperone

to treat psychosis in patients with Parkinson's. Often, current

antipsychotic drugs are not prescribed because they seem to worsen

the physical symptoms of Parkinson's.

For complete information, call at (314) 362-7651 or Elda at

(314) 362-6514.

Mold can destroy ability to smell

Another reason to beware of mold in your house: It might destroy

your sense of smell.

Researchers at Michigan State University have determined that toxins

in black mold can kill nerve cells in mice that are essential to the

sense of smell. The findings may help determine whether similar cell

death occurs in humans exposed to toxic black mold, said Dr. Jack

Harkema, a professor in the school's College of Veterinary Medicine.

The mold can be found lurking in damp basements and behind the walls

of flood-damaged homes. Toxic black mold already has been linked to

dangerous respiratory conditions in humans.

Hospital will test for super staph germ

Loyola University Medical Center says it will start testing all

incoming patients for a drug-resistant staph germ -- and then

isolating all those who carry the dangerous bacteria.

The 589-bed hospital near Chicago is among the first in Illinois to

start universal screening for the superbug known as MRSA, or

methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The Loyola decision

goes a step beyond a new Illinois law that requires hospitals to

test high-risk and intensive care patients for MRSA.

Loyola officials say they're launching universal screening because

of recent reports suggesting the germ is becoming more widespread

and success with pilot programs that have reduced infections at

their hospitals.

The nation's Veterans Affairs hospitals began universal MRSA testing

this year. And, ton Northwestern Healthcare has reported a

substantial drop in MRSA cases at its three Chicago-area hospitals

since instituting universal testing in 2005.

Fingerttip scan pays for fuel

Chicago drivers now can let their fingers do the walking to pay for

their gas, too.

Ten Shell stations in the Windy City are testing biometric systems

that let consumers walk up to the pump, scan their fingertips on a

device and fill their vehicles. The systems are directly linked to

customers' checking or credit-card accounts for payment.

In addition, the stations now offer local news, weather and sports

on digital screens at the pump. And, for full-service customers,

stations are experimenting with a hand-held wireless device that

allows for electronic payment at the car window.