ppp 06-30-08

Quote of the day: I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.

Nathan Hale (1755 - 1776),

last words, 22 September 1776 (attributed)

Teenagers often declare their independence from their parent’s “oppressive rule.” America would love to declare its independence from foreign oil. Big Pharma would love to be independent from their shareholders and might enjoy an FDA that was not so afraid of Congress.

Teenagers may not have any idea what independence means. They like the idea of being on their own until they realize that there is no one to pay for groceries, housing, or tuition. America will only have energy independence only when the energy we use is the energy we have (use less and develop the oil, coal, solar, bio, hydro and nuclear we have). Pharma will never be free of shareholder pressure and Congress now seems more eager than ever to make their presence felt.

Back in 1776 some men took a bold step in declaring their independence from English rule. They were prepared for the consequences of their actions. While resources were scarce they pressed on. Their only shareholders were their families who understood their motives and goals. This Friday we celebrate their courage, commitment, and luck. While you use this data as an excuse to celebrate, take pause to remember those who fought for your freedom; then as well as those who fight today.

ps. Best answer this week to the question "How are you?" was "Still livin' the dream"

Vitamin D is produced by the body in response to sunlight. Exposure to sunlight can lead to skin cancer. Low levels of vitamin D double the chance of death from all causes. Best answer may be vitamin D supplementation. As cheap as the vitamin is and its relative safety in suggested dosages…

Here is a list of events that should NEVER occur in a hospital. Amputation of the wrong limb makes the list. These have gained importance because Medicaid will stop paying for them ( at least in New York).

Taking weight off doesn’t take as much will power as not putting it back on again. The hormone, leptin, appears to be the culprit. As patients loose fat they also loose leptin production. Study shows that patients given exogenous leptin were able to keep the weight off. Come on leptin!

A 150% jump in the use of cholesterol lowering drugs over 5 years. There are not about 30 million Americans on the drugs. You might want to pass on the Bratwurst over the 4^Th of July in favor of a veggie burger.

Some basic research in mice may reduce the cardiac effects of Marfan’s Syndrome. People with the disease grow vary tall and their aorta can grow large and weak. A large human study in children will start soon to see if the drug can limit the size of the aorta during growth. Why did I mention Abraham Lincoln? Many think that he had Marfan SYndrom and would have died from a dissecting aortic aneurysm if he had not been shot.

Removing social security numbers from Medicare cards to deter identity theft would cost $500 million. Costs include changes necessary to the computer systems. Sounds like the process will start in about 18 months.

Rabies vaccine is short supply. While dogs get a bad rap as carriers, wild animals such as skunks, raccoons, bats and foxes (who are not vaccinated). Domestic animals only account for 10% of the cases. Be careful out there!

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