Health
Red Meat Allergy Likely Caused by Tick Bites
New device sees bacteria behind the eardrum
by Staff Writers
Champaign, IL (SPX)
Intern Daily
 University of Illinois researchers tested a prototype of a new device that can see biofilms behind the eardrum to better diagnose and treat chronic ear infections. Credit: Stephen Boppart. |
Doctors can now get a peek behind the eardrum to better diagnose and treat chronic ear infections, thanks to a new medical imaging device invented by University of Illinois researchers. The device could usher in a new suite of non-invasive, 3-D diagnostic imaging tools for primary-care physicians.
The research team, led by University of Illinois electrical and computer engineering professor Stephen Boppart, will publish their advance in the online Early Edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences the week of May 28.
Ear infections are the most common conditions that pediatricians treat. Chronic ear infections can damage hearing and often require surgery to place drainage tubes in the eardrum, and problems can persist into adulthood.
Studies have found that patients who suffer from chronic ear infections may have a film of bacteria or other microorganisms that builds up behind the eardrum, very similar to dental plaque on unbrushed teeth. Finding and monitoring these so-called biofilms are important for successfully identifying and treating chronic ear infections.
“We know that antibiotics don’t always work well if you have a biofilm, because the bacteria protect themselves and become resistant,” Boppart said. “In the presence of a chronic ear infection that has a biofilm, the bacteria may not respond to the usual antibiotics, and you need to stop them. But without being able to detect the biofilm, we have no idea whether or not it’s responding to treatment.”
However, middle-ear biofilms are difficult to diagnose. A doctor looking through a standard otoscope sees only the eardrum’s surface, not the bacteria-seeded biofilm lurking behind it waiting to bloom into infection. Invasive tests can provide evidence of a biofilm, but are unpleasant for the patient and cannot be used routinely.
The new device is an application of a technique called optical coherence tomography (OCT), a non-invasive imaging system devised by Boppart’s group. It uses beams of light to collect high-resolution, three-dimensional tissue images, scanning through the eardrum to the biofilm behind it – much like ultrasound imaging, but using light.
“We send the light into the ear canal, and it scatters and reflects from the tympanic membrane and the biofilm behind it,” said graduate student Cac Nguyen, the lead author of the paper. “We measure the reflection, and with the reference light we can get the structure in depth.”
The single scan is performed in a fraction of a second – speed is a necessity for treating squirming tots – and images a few millimeters deep behind the eardrum. Thus, doctors can see not only the presence of a biofilm, but also how thick it is and its position against the eardrum.
The paper marks the first demonstration of using the ear OCT device to detect biofilms in human patients. To test their device, the researchers worked with clinicians at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, Ill., to scan patients with diagnosed chronic ear infections, as well as patients with normal ears. The device identified biofilms in all patients with chronic infections, while none of the normal ears showed evidence of biofilms.
“I think this is now a technology that allows physicians to monitor chronic ear infection, and examine better ways to treat the disease,” said Boppart, who is also affiliated with the departments of bioengineering and internal medicine, the Institute for Genomic Biology, and the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the U. of I. “We can use different antibiotics and see how the biofilm responds.”
Next, the researchers plan to investigate different ear pathology, particularly comparing acute and chronic infections, and will examine the relationship between biofilms and hearing loss. They hope that improved diagnostics will lead to better treatment and referral practices.
The researchers hope to make their device – currently a hand-held prototype – even more compact, easy to use, and low-cost. The device company Welch Allyn, based in Skaneateles Falls, N.Y., is a collaborator on the project, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health.
Boppart’s group and its collaborators also will work to apply OCT imaging to other areas commonly examined by primary-care physicians. The ear-imaging device is the first in a suite of OCT-based imaging tools that the group plans to develop. Doctors could change the tip of the new OCT device, for example, to look at the eyes, mouth, nose, or skin.
“All the sites that a primary-care physician would look at, we can now look at with this more advanced imaging, ” Boppart said. “With OCT, we are bringing to the primary-care clinic high-resolution 3-D digital imaging and being able to look at many different tissue structures in real-time, non-invasively and in depth.”
“As medicine gets more high-tech, we want to give the front-line doctor the best technology to detect disease early,” Boppart said.
Related Links
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Hospital and Medical News at InternDaily.com
China bypasses Big Pharma patents, authorizes low-cost generic drug manufacturing
By Ethan A. Huff,
(NaturalNews) The Chinese government has officially amended its patent laws to allow drug companies to reproduce generic, low-cost versions of expensive, patented drugs, a daring move that is sure to shake up the pharmaceutical industry. According to Reuters Health, information posted at China’s State Intellectual Property Office website explains that the Chinese government will now begin issuing compulsory licenses that bypass drug patents during times of state emergencies or other unusual circumstances…
Jogging in a forest twice as good for you as jogging in a gym
By J. D. Heyes,
(NaturalNews) Are you getting tired of your same old cardio routine at your local gym? Have you “hit a wall” with your training? New research indicates you would get a better run if you jogged with nature – and it would improve your mental state as well. Researchers at Glasgow University, who looked at natural and non-natural environments for physical activity and examined walking, running and cycling found that working out with nature – a stroll in a park or a jog through a forest – lowered stress…
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Holistic Health
Eight weeks of mindfulness meditation can rewire the brain and control depression symptoms
By J. D. Heyes,
(NaturalNews) Is it possible to sort of “rewire” your brain so you can better control imposing symptoms of depression and angst? The short answer, according to recent new research, is yes, and it all it takes in large part is some “mindfulness meditation.” According to a study which appeared more than a year-and-a-half ago, in the January 2011 journal of Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, a team led by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) researchers reported that an eight-week program called…
Eliminate disease from the inside out
By Jonathan Landsman,
(NaturalNews) According to the American College of Gastroenterology, 95 million Americans suffer from poor digestion. In fact, most doctors will tell you – belly aches are the number one patient complaint. If you want perfect health – you must heal the gut. A strong digestive system is our best defense against virtually all health problems – including cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and heart attacks. Discover the best in preventative medicine from “America’s House Doctor” – Steven Lamm, M.D. Join…
Physical activity lowers breast cancer risk by nearly 30 percent
By John Phillip,
(NaturalNews) Most health-minded individuals understand the importance of regular physical activity to maintain optimal health and prevent a host of chronic diseases ranging from heart disease and diabetes to stroke and dementia. In the past, studies have suggested that regular exercise may reduce the risk of certain cancers, including breast cancer, but many questions have remained unanswered regarding activity duration, exercise type and intensity. Researchers from the University of North Carolina…
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Pet Health
If Your Dog is Itchy or Your Cat is Wheezy, You Need to Read This
By Dr. Becker
- According to a recent survey, over half of pet owners aren’t aware their dog or cat can also be miserable with seasonal allergies in the spring and summer months.
- Allergies are extremely common in today’s cats and dogs, and take the form of either food or environmental allergies, including seasonal allergies. Some unlucky pets develop allergies in both categories.
- Symptoms of seasonal allergies in dogs and cats are most frequently skin-related and include itchiness, inflammation, and hot spots. Allergic animals can also have ear problems and respiratory issues.
- Seasonal allergies can turn into a year-round problem if steps aren’t taken to prevent exposure, aggressively manage symptoms, and insure your pet’s immune system is strong and resilient.
- There are many things you as a pet owner can do to help diminish the effects of your pet’s allergic condition.
Having Trouble Finding a Holistic Vet in Your Area?
By Dr. Becker
A growing number of people across the U.S. are awakening to the fact that the Western medical model of drugs-and-surgery isn’t a silver bullet for treating disease or staying well.
The most obvious example of the problems inherent in allopathic medicine is the adverse side effects of prescription drugs. The more Western medicine narrows its focus to specific symptoms and develops drugs to treat those symptoms, the greater the likelihood of dangerous side effects.
Even relatively safe medications like antibiotics that are effective in treating a wide range of infections have been abused to such an extent we’ve created virulent strains of unstoppable ‘superbugs.’
As consumers begin to participate more in their own health care and that of their pets, the demand for complementary and alternative therapies is increasing. People want information about proper nutrition. They want access to chiropractic care, acupuncture and therapeutic massage. They’re looking for non-toxic, or less toxic alternatives to drugs in the form of herbs, supplements and homeopathic remedies.
Fortunately for humans, several U.S. government agencies and large, mainstream medical schools are now involved in funding research for these long-ignored alternative healing techniques. This means we will see an increase in scientific evidence that supports the use of complementary therapies. You and your doctors will gain more tools to help create and preserve health.
Sadly, there is still very little funding available for research in complementary and alternative veterinary medicine (CAVM).
Fireworks and Furry Family Members
By Dr. Becker
Every July 4th there are pet casualties, so I thought I’d take this opportunity well in advance of Independence Day celebrations to remind dog and cat owners of the dangers associated with this particular holiday.
Many Pets Fear Fireworks Displays
Fireworks displays can be stressful and frightening for pets, so if you’re planning to take your pet along, I recommend you rethink that idea. Even normally calm dogs can get spooked and disoriented by the noise, lights and crowds involved in a fireworks display. You certainly don’t want to frighten your pet or put him in a situation where he might bolt or become aggressive due to fear.
Even pets left at home can be frightened of the loud noises that seem to go on and on the evening of July 4th. Your dog or cat has a much better sense of hearing than you do, so loud, unfamiliar sounds can be especially unsettling. And this goes double if your pet is getting up in years.
Even small firecracker or sparkler displays by neighbors or family members can upset your pet.
Signs your pet is afraid of fireworks or other loud noises include shaking, vocalizing (barking or howling), excessive drooling, looking for a place to hide, or escape attempts.
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Positivity Mind and Body
Dr. Gabor Maté: When the Body Says No: Understanding the Stress-Disease Connection 1 of 2
Uploaded by mediagrrl9
The Vancouver-based Dr. Gabor Maté argues that too many doctors seem to have forgotten what was once a commonplace assumptionthat emotions are deeply implicated in both the development of illness and in the restoration of health. Based on medical studies and his own experience with chronically ill patients at the Palliative Care Unit at Vancouver Hospital, where he was the Medical Coordinator for seven years, Dr. Gabor Mate makes the case that there are important links between the mind and the immune system. He found that stress and individual emotional makeup play critical roles in an array of diseases.
Dr. Gabor Maté: When the Body Says No: Understanding the Stress-Disease Connection 2 of 2
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Articles of Interest
Modern dog breeds genetically disconnected from ancient ancestors
by Staff Writers
Durham UK (SPX)
Terra Daily
 The study suggested that within the 15,000 year history of dog domestication, keeping dogs as pets only began 2,000 years ago and that until very recently, the vast majority of dogs were used to do specific jobs. |
Cross-breeding of dogs over thousands of years has made it extremely difficult to trace the ancient genetic roots of today’s pets, according to a new study led by Durham University.
An international team of scientists analysed data of the genetic make-up of modern-day dogs, alongside an assessment of the global archaeological record of dog remains, and found that modern breeds genetically have little in common with their ancient ancestors.
Dogs were the first domesticated animals and the researchers say their findings will ultimately lead to greater understanding of dogs’ origins and the development of early human civilisation.
Although many modern breeds look like those depicted in ancient texts or in Egyptian pyramids, cross-breeding across thousands of years has meant that it is not accurate to label any modern breeds as “ancient”, the researchers said.
Breeds such as the Akita, Afghan Hound and Chinese Shar-Pei, which have been classed as “ancient”, are no closer to the first domestic dogs than other breeds due to the effects of lots of cross-breeding, the study found.
Other effects on the genetic diversity of domestic dogs include patterns of human movement and the impact on dog population sizes caused by major events, such as the two World Wars, the researchers added.
The findings are published in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA (PNAS). The Durham-led research team was made up of scientists from a number of universities including Uppsala University, Sweden, and the Broad Institute, in the USA.
In total the researchers analysed genetic data from 1,375 dogs representing 35 breeds. They also looked at data showing genetic samples of wolves, with recent genetic studies suggesting that dogs are exclusively descended from the grey wolf.
Lead author Dr Greger Larson, an evolutionary biologist in Durham University’s Department of Archaeology, said the study demonstrated that there is still a lot we do not know about the early history of dog domestication including where, when, and how many times it took place.
Dr Larson added: “We really love our dogs and they have accompanied us across every continent.
“Ironically, the ubiquity of dogs combined with their deep history has obscured their origins and made it difficult for us to know how dogs became man’s best friend.
“All dogs have undergone significant amounts of cross-breeding to the point that we have not yet been able to trace all the way back to their very first ancestors.”
Several breeds, including Basenjis, Salukis and Dingoes, possess a differing genetic signature, which previous studies have claimed to be evidence for their ancient heritage, the research found.
However the study said that the unique genetic signatures in these dogs was not present because of a direct heritage with ancient dogs. Instead these animals appeared genetically different because they were geographically isolated and were not part of the 19th Century Victorian-initiated Kennel Clubs that blended lineages to create most of the breeds we keep as pets today.
The study also suggested that within the 15,000 year history of dog domestication, keeping dogs as pets only began 2,000 years ago and that until very recently, the vast majority of dogs were used to do specific jobs.
Dr Larson said: “Both the appearance and behaviour of modern breeds would be deeply strange to our ancestors who lived just a few hundred years ago.
“And so far, anyway, studying modern breeds hasn’t yet allowed us to understand how, where and when dogs and humans first started this wonderful relationship.”
The researchers added that DNA sequencing technology is faster and cheaper than ever and could soon lead to further insights into the domestication and subsequent evolution of dogs.
Related Links
Durham University
Darwin Today At TerraDaily.com
Former Merck scientists file suit against Merck under False Claims Act
By Rosemary Mathis, Vice President of Victim Support, SANE VAX, INC.,
(NaturalNews) On April 27, 2012, a formal complaint was filed in the Eastern Pennsylvania Federal District Court accusing Merck of a longstanding scheme to mislead and defraud Government health authorities worldwide. Two of Merck’s former employees have accused the pharmaceutical giant of marketing multivalent MMR vaccines under false pretenses. According to the complaint, these vaccines have been mislabeled, misbranded, adulterated and falsely certified as having a 95% efficacy rate. Before the…
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