Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Seasonal and Pandemic Flu Solution With Lab Made Protein.

Scientists have identified a small family of lab-made proteins that neutralize a broad range of influenza A viruses, including the H5N1 avian virus, the 1918 pandemic influenza virus and seasonal H1N1 flu viruses. These human monoclonal antibodies, identical infection-fighting proteins derived from the same cell lineage, also were found to protect mice from illness caused by H5N1 and other influenza A viruses.

"This is an elegant research finding that holds considerable promise for further development into a medical tool to treat and prevent seasonal as well as pandemic influenza," notes NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. "In the event of an influenza pandemic, human monoclonal antibodies could be an important adjunct to antiviral drugs to contain the outbreak until a vaccine becomes available."

Using standard methods of production, initial doses of a new influenza vaccine to fight pandemic influenza would be expected to take four to six months to produce.

Complete News Release at NIH

US salmonella outbreak Continues And 2100 Products Recalled So Far.

Even the largest food recall in the USA has not been able to prevent people from getting sick due salmonella food poisoning traced to peanut products.
According to FDA, To date, more than 2,100 products in 17 categories have been voluntarily recalled by more than 200 companies, and the list continues to grow. Be careful when you shop and always read the labels.

Following are the related recalls since 23rd;

Roth's IGA Foodliner, Inc. dba Roth's Fresh Markets Recalls Honey Roasted Peanuts, Self-Serve Grind Peanut Butter, Trail Mixes, Mocha Marble Crunch Mix, and Zen Party Mix Because of Possible Health Risk (February 24)
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 2:59 AM
Products were distributed in the Roth's Fresh Market locations in Salem, Keizer, Silverton, McMinnville and Stayton, Oregon. The products were delivered to Roth's Fresh Markets by GloryBee Foods, Inc. (distributor of SunRidge Farms Food and Aunt Patty's Products) and stocked in the bulk food section at each Roth's store location. Products were sold between March 30, 2005 and February 19, 2009.

Superior Nut and Candy Recalls French Burnt Peanuts and Boston Baked Beans and French Burnt Peanuts (February 24)
Tuesday, February 24, 2009 3:40 PM
Superior Nut and Candy is conducting a voluntary recall on its distribution of French Burnt Peanuts, Boston Baked Beans, and French Burnt Peanuts containing products which were manufactured using peanuts from Peanut Corporation of America due to the possibility of contamination with Salmonella typhimurium.

Wells' Dairy Expands Nationwide Voluntary Recall to Include Select Blue Bunny, Great Value, Hy-Vee, Sysco, Fastco, Shurfresh, and Country Rich Ice Cream Products Due to Possible Health Risk (February 23)
Monday, February 23, 2009 2:24 PM
In response to the ongoing investigations of Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) and its Texas facility, Wells' Dairy, Inc., is expanding its recall and response to include a recall of select Blue Bunny, Great Value, Hy-Vee, Sysco, Fastco, Shurfresh, and Country Rich ice cream products because they may contain peanuts that have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
Bliss Bros. Dairy, Inc. Recalls Ice Cream Products Because of Possible Health Risk (February 23)
Monday, February 23, 2009 1:43 PM

Bliss Bros. Dairy, Inc. of Attleboro, MA is recalling half gallons and 3 gallons of Witch's Brew ice cream and 3 gallons of JJ Lawsen brand Snikkers ice cream because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems.
EB Performance Issues A Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Select PB and Whey Protein Bites (February 19)
Monday, February 23, 2009 5:48 AM
EB Performance LLC is initiating a voluntary recall of its PB and Whey Protein Bites. These products are being recalled as a precaution because they contain peanut pieces sourced from Peanut Corporation of America, which have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. EB Performance's PB and Whey Protein Bites were sold nationally through select retail stores and direct to customer sales.

American Health Kennels, Inc. Announces a Voluntary Recall of Baked Dog Treats Containing Peanut Butter (February 20)
Monday, February 23, 2009 5:43 AM
As a result of the expanded recall by the Peanut Corporation of America's (PCA) Blakely, Georgia facility, American Health Kennels, Inc. has issued a voluntary recall for certain baked dog treats containing peanut butter supplied by PCA.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Health, United States, 2008, Are Our Young Adults Healthy?


CDC has released the Health, United States, 2008, which is the 32nd annual report on the health status of the Nation prepared by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services for the President and Congress.
In a chartbook and 151 detailed tables, it provides an annual picture of the health of the entire Nation. Trends are presented on health status and health care utilization, resources, and expenditures.
This year’s report includes a special feature on young adults, age 18 to 29 years. As young people in this age group reach legal adulthood, they make many life choices, including decisions about education, marriage, childbearing, and health behaviors such as tobacco and alcohol use, which will affect both their future economic and health status as well as affect the well-being of their families.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

New Peanut Related Recalls

FDA has announced three new Peanut related recalls. Peanut Butter Granola By Bear Naked, Slim Fast bars by Slim Past and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecakes are the latest products to be recalled. Follow the links for FDA Articles.

Bear Naked Announces Nationwide Recall of Peanut Butter Granola Due to Peanut Corporation of America Recall

Slim-Fast Updates and Corrects Nationwide Recall Of Three Slim-Fast Bar Products with Peanuts

Junior's Cheesecake and Desserts Conducts Nationwide Recall Of Selected 8" Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecakes Because Of Possible Health Risk


First Ablation Catheters for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation Approved By FDA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the first ablation catheters for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (uncoordinated contractions of the upper heart chambers), one of the most common types of arrhythmias—or abnormal heart rhythms--affecting more than two million Americans.

The devices approved today, the NaviStar ThermoCool saline irrigated radio-frequency ablation catheter and the EZ Steer ThermoCool Nav, can be used to create small, strategically placed scars in heart tissue to block irregular electrical waves that cause atrial fibrillation. The FDA previously approved other ablation catheters to treat arrhythmias such as atrial flutter and ventricular tachyarrhythmia, but not atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation is usually treated with drugs, and in certain severe cases, with open heart surgery. Catheter ablation should be used only after drug treatment has failed to adequately control the symptoms of the condition.

“This approval provides physicians with another option for treating this common and potentially debilitating condition,” said Daniel G. Schultz, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

While atrial fibrillation is a major risk factor related to stroke, there is no conclusive evidence that links the treatment of symptoms by ablation to a reduction in stroke. Therefore, the FDA agrees with the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association and the European Society of Cardiology, which recommend that patients at risk for stroke continue to take blood-thinning medications after ablation procedures for atrial fibrillation.

The FDA based this approval on a clinical study of 167 patients at 19 medical centers in the United States, Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic, and Italy. Data from the study showed the devices to be effective in eliminating symptomatic recurrence of atrial fibrillation episodes for one year in approximately 63 percent of treated patients versus 17 percent of the patients in the control group.
The catheters were the focus of an FDA Circulatory System Devices advisory panel on Nov. 20, 2008, when they received the panel’s unanimous recommendation for approval.

As a condition of approval, manufacturer BioSense Webster must establish a physician training program and conduct postmarket studies to collect data on these devices’ long-term safety and effectiveness (including incidence of stroke, mortality, cardiac arrest, major bleeding, and pulmonary vein stenosis), and the effect of physicians’ experience in operating the device on procedural safety.
Both catheters are manufactured by BioSense Webster of Diamond Bar, Calif.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Trader Joe's Recall Peanut Butter Related Products


Recallr: Trader Joe's Recall Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chip Cookies, Vegan Trail Mix Cookies, Frozen Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookie Dough
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Maximus Gets Iowa SCHIP Contract.

Maximus Inc.'s has won a re-bid contract for the Iowa State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Following is the press release by the company.

RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 10, 2009-- MAXIMUS (NYSE:MMS) announced today that its Health Services division has been awarded a re-bid contract by the Iowa Department of Human Services to provide administrative services for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The three year contract is valued at approximately $7.1 million.

Under this contract, MAXIMUS will continue to determine eligibility and manage the enrollment of children into health and dental plans under the Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa (hawk-i) program. MAXIMUS has provided continuous administrative support for the hawk-i program since 2000, including the development and maintenance of an enrollment and financial accounting system, as well as a web-based application system for external customers.

“As the leading SCHIP enrollment administrator, MAXIMUS is pleased to continue our relationship with the hawk-i program,” stated MAXIMUS CEO Richard Montoni. “This latest competitive award demonstrates the confidence the Iowa Department of Human Services places in us to fully meet the needs of the state's uninsured children.”

MAXIMUS is a leading provider of government services and is devoted to providing health and human services program management and consulting services to its clients. The Company has more than 6,000 employees located in more than 220 offices in the United States, Canada and Australia. Additionally, MAXIMUS is included in the Russell 2000 Index and the S&P SmallCap 600 Index.

www.maximus.com.

Source: MAXIMUS

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