IN LOVING MEMORY OF ABEL DESESTRESS

November 14, 1955 - Ocotber 18, 2009

GONE BUT FOREVER PRESENT IN MY HEART.

DARLING, YOU FILL MY HEART TODAY MORE THAN YOU CAN EVER IMAGINE.

Healthy food options lead to poor choices

NEW YORK (UPI) -- Consumers may want to see healthier food items available but that does not mean they will choose them, U.S. researchers said. Study authors Keith Wilcox of City University of New York, Beth Vallen of Loyola College, Lauren Block of City University of New York and Gavan J. Fitzsimons of Duke University said more restaurants and vending machines offer healthy choices, yet American waistlines continue to expand. In a series of four studies, the researchers examined how consumers' food choices differed when a healthy item was included in a set compared to when it was not available. The study, published in the Journal of Consumer Research, showed that the mere presence of a healthy item vicariously fulfills health-related eating goals, drives attention to the least-healthy choice and provides people with license to indulge in tempting foods. The study also demonstrated that these effects were more pronounced in people with relatively high levels of self-control. Given the choice of fries, chicken nuggets or a baked potato, people high in self-control rarely chose the fries -- considered the least-healthy option. However, add the salad and high self-control individuals were significantly more likely to choose the French fries, the researchers said.
Copyright 2009 by United Press International

POR LAS UÑAS FUE ATRAPADO

Police say fingernails gave away robber
CHELSEA, Mass. (UPI) -- Police in Chelsea, Mass., say a bank robbery suspect was apprehended after being identified by her orange fingernail polish. A witness said the woman who made off with $450 in cash from the Sovereign Bank Wednesday had nails coated with a bright burnt orange fingernail polish, The Boston Globe reported. The robber presented a note demanding money to a teller and left the scene after the bank employee complied, police said. Thanks to another witness who wrote down the license plate number of the fleeing robber's vehicle, police quickly located their suspect. After tracing the license plate and locating the accompanying vehicle, police found their suspect, Margaret Christie, and her flashy fingernails, the Globe said. Copyright 2009 by United Press International

HAPPY EASTER, EVERYONE

To all my readers, hope you have a blessed Easter in the peace and comfort of family.

TRANS FAT IS A MAJOR HEALTH HAZARD IN THE USA AND EVERYWHERE ELSE

Your Health: Trans Fat a Major Health Hazard in American Diet Rallie McAllister, M.D., M.P.H.

Like it or not, New York City restaurant patrons soon will be eating less trans fat when they dine out. On Dec. 5, 2006, New York City's Board of Health adopted a resolution to restrict the service of food products containing artificial trans fat at New York City restaurants. While the political and economic implications of the resolution have been hotly debated, there's little doubt that consumption of trans fat has negative health consequences. In clinical studies, trans fats have been shown to elevate total blood cholesterol and levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Even worse, they tend to reduce levels of heart-healthy high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. No other known dietary component has both of these adverse effects, each of which contributes to the development of heart disease, a condition shared by more than 12 million Americans. Each year, heart disease claims the lives of more than 500,000 people in the United States. There's also evidence to suggest that consumption of trans fat can trigger insulin resistance, boosting the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In the body, trans fat may interfere with the normal metabolism of essential fatty acids, leading to disruptions in the production of various hormones and blood clotting factors. Most of the trans fat in the typical American diet is artificially created in a process known as hydrogenation, in which plant oils are exposed to hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst at high temperatures. The process changes the structure of the chemical bonds in fat, transforming them from a liquid to solid state. With their revised chemical structure, hydrogenated oils don't break down or become rancid as quickly as naturally occurring oils and fats. This property comes in handy in the preparation of fried foods, including chicken, donuts, and French fries. It also helps retard spoilage and prolong the shelf-life of commercially prepared baked goods, including cakes, pies, cookies, and crackers. Not all trans fat in the U.S. diet is artificially engineered: Small amounts occur naturally in grazing animals used in food production. While trans fat may contribute as much as half of the total fat content in commercially prepared foods, it typically comprises just 2 to 6 percent of the total fat content of beef and dairy products. The chemical structure of trans fat in animal products is different than the structure of artificially produced trans fat. At this point, it isn't entirely clear if this difference makes them less of a hazard to human health. Regardless of the source, health and nutrition experts agree that Americans consume too much of the bad fat. According to data published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the average daily intake among adults is about 5.8 grams. Guidelines issued by the American Heart Association recommend that trans fat consumption be kept below one percent of total energy intake. The Institutes of Medicine concluded that because trans fat confers no known health benefit and contributes to heart disease, intake should be as low as possible. One way to reduce your consumption of trans fat is to avoid eating commercially prepared fried foods. Choosing a bagel instead of a donut for breakfast will eliminate about 5 grams of trans fat from your diet, and foregoing the French fries at lunch will cut out another 8 grams. While you're reducing your consumption of fried fare, you can also choose pre-packaged foods that are free of trans fat. Since January 2006, the FDA has required food manufacturers to list trans fat content on the Nutrition Facts panels of all food items and many nutritional supplements. When you're preparing food at home, it's a good idea to use ingredients that contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Unlike trans fat, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats do not elevate blood cholesterol levels, and both offer a number of health benefits when consumed in moderation. Polyunsaturated fats are found in plant oils, including sunflower, safflower, and sesame seed oil, as well as in some varieties of fish, including tuna and salmon. Canola oil and olive oil contain monounsaturated fats. To reduce your consumption of trans fat in animal products, choose fat-free or low-fat dairy products, and lean meats, including baked poultry without the skin, and the leanest cuts of beef and pork. It's not practical to completely eliminate all trans fat from your diet, but lowering your intake will go a long way toward reducing your risk of heart disease and improving your overall health.

Rallie McAllister, M.D., M.P.H., is a family physician in Kingsport, Tenn., and author of "Healthy Lunchbox: The Working Mom's Guide to Keeping You and Your Kids Trim." Her Web site is http://www.rallieonhealth.com. To find out more about Rallie McAllister, M.D., and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

Copyright 2007 Creators Syndicate Inc

Indigenous children in several nations at risk

OTTAWA (UPI) -- Indigenous children are more likely to get sick, hurt or die than other children in Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand, researchers say. Study leader Dr. Smylie at the Centre for Research on Inner City Health, part of the Keenan Research Centre at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital found indigenous children suffered from infant mortality rates up to four times the national average, higher rates of sudden infant death syndrome, child injury, suicide and accidental death. Indigenous children also experience a disproportionate level of ear infections, respiratory illnesses and dental problems. "Until now, there has been no comprehensive data source on indigenous child health in Canada -- the data is flawed and incomplete," Smylie said in a statement. "It is our hope that the health information from this report will be used to help develop strong policies and programs to improve Indigenous children's health. We would like to see this research help to create positive change and start the discussion on how to make the future better for all indigenous children." The Children's Health Report: Health Assessment in Action is an international research project that summarizes health data on indigenous children from Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Copyright 2009 by United Press International

SI TIENES ECZEMA TIENES ALLERGIA A FRAGANCIAS

Some with eczema allergic to fragrance
GOTHENBURG, Sweden (UPI) -- About 5 percent of those with eczema were allergic to the air oxidized form of a popular shampoo and soap fragrance, a researcher in Sweden said. Dermatologist Johanna Brared Christensson said considerably more people than previously believed are allergic to the most common fragrance ingredient -- linalool -- used in shampoos, conditioners and soap. "I would suspect that about 2 percent of the complete population of Sweden are allergic to air oxidized linalool. That may not sound like very much but it is serious since linalool is so widely used as a fragrance ingredient," Christensson said in a statement. "Linalool is found in 60 percent to 80 percent of the perfumed hygiene products, washing up liquids and household cleaning agents that can be bought in the nearest supermarket and it can be difficult for people who are allergic to avoid these products." About 1-in-5 people in Sweden has some form of contact allergy, nickel is by far the most common substance that causes eczema, but the thesis shows that oxidized linalool occupies third place in the list, after nickel and cobalt, Christensson said. In the study, oxidized linalool was added at patch testing for more than 3,000 patients who wanted to find out what was causing their eczema and 5 percent to 7 percent proved to be allergic to the oxidized form of the fragrance ingredient. The thesis was presented at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg in Sweden.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International

COMIDA CONTAMINADO

Lifelong Health: Dealing With the Danger of Contaminated Foods Dr. David Lipschitz
In a recent speech nominating former New York City Health Commissioner Margaret Hamburg as director of the Food and Drug Administration, President Barack Obama placed food safety center stage as he seeks to improve the under-funded, understaffed FDA. Obama said he would create a Food Safety Working Group to review the outdated (circa 1906, during the Theodore Roosevelt administration) laws that establish food safety guidelines. But even with all this added attention, can we ever truly escape the dangers of contaminated foods? Unfortunately, the answer may be no. With the huge degree of human error -- in processing plants and in homes -- food contamination likely will be a challenge forever. Every year, contaminated meat, fruits or vegetables enter the marketplace and initiate a variety of food-borne infections. The contamination almost always occurs by exposure to animal feces, which happens during growth or because of poor hygiene in processing plants. In addition, contaminated water can contribute to food-borne illnesses. The failure of an infected worker to wash his hands adequately or to wear protective gear can also lead to problems. Some plants are outdated, use old equipment and do not have rigorous safety systems to prevent contamination. The most recent outbreaks of food-borne illnesses have occurred because of contamination by salmonella. In the past 12 months alone, salmonella contamination has occurred in spinach, Mexican serrano peppers and peanut butter. Last year, salmonella in peppers made more than 1,300 people ill and led to one death. In 1996, peanut contamination led to 600 cases of salmonella poisoning in Australia. A 2006 outbreak of peanut butter contamination caused 620 cases of salmonella infection in 47 states. This year's outbreak led to 500 infections and three deaths in the United States and Canada. Investigations by the FDA have localized the contamination to a peanut processing plant in Georgia, which led to one of the largest food recalls in history and a dramatic reduction in peanut butter sales nationwide (which certainly did not help the unsuspecting peanut farmer). While these nationwide "outbreaks" receive much attention, it is highly likely that contamination of food at home and restaurants leads to far more cases of salmonella infections than those reported. Each year, about 36,000 cases are officially reported in the United States, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that about 1.4 million cases and 600 deaths occur annually. Salmonella accounts for 31 percent of all food-related deaths. Salmonella is a tough little bug. Once the bacteria have contaminated a certain food, there is no good way to remove them other than irradiation, a process that is frowned upon. From a food processing perspective, the better solution appears to be modernized facilities, trained workers and more frequent inspection. Even with a massive overhaul of the food safety guidelines, Americans still will have to deal with food contamination. Exposure to contaminated food typically leads to abdominal pain, nausea and diarrhea. Most salmonella infections are self-limiting, meaning they can be resolved without anything more than symptomatic treatment, including adequate fluid intake and antidiarrheals for loose stools. On occasion, salmonella infection can be much more serious and can lead to death. Always see a physician if you develop diarrhea and have blood, mucus or pus in your stools or if your abdominal pain is extremely severe, especially if you have traveled out of the country recently. An evaluation always is warranted if you develop a fever of higher than 100 degrees. If you experience a rising fever, a persistent headache or confusion, seek help immediately. In certain people, the bacteria can enter the blood, causing life-threatening septicemia. Here, appropriate use of antibiotics can cure the problem and prevent death. When it comes to food safety, you are your biggest advocate. Here are some rules to protect yourself: Wash your hands. Always clean your kitchen counters. Keep raw meat and poultry away from other foods. Remember: Heat kills germs. Make sure your food is well-cooked. Be wary of food contamination, and take reports of infections seriously. With a little effort, you can protect yourself.

Dr. David Lipschitz is the author of the book "Breaking the Rules of Aging." To find out more about Dr. David Lipschitz and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. More information is available at www.DrDavidHealth.com.

Copyright 2009 Creators Syndicate Inc.

QUE ES LA ENFERMEDAD LLAMADO SCHIZOPHRENIA

Canadians don't understand Schizophrenia
WINNIPEG, Manitoba (UPI) -- Ninety-two percent of Canadians have heard of schizophrenia, but most do not understand what it is or its symptoms, a survey indicates. Sixty percent of Canadians assume that people living with schizophrenia are likely to act violently toward others, officials at the Schizophrenia Society of Canada said. "While 92 percent of Canadians surveyed have heard of schizophrenia, most do not understand what it is or its symptoms. In fact, the majority confuse it with split personality disorder," Chris Summerville, chief executive officer of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada said in a statement. "Misconceptions such as these lead to negative stereotyping and stigma towards people living with schizophrenia," he said. The report examines how stigma negatively impacts the lives of people living with schizophrenia, Summerville said. Stigma causes gradual social isolation, making it harder for them to seek the help and treatment they need to manage their illness. No margin of error of the survey was reported. Copyright 2009 by United Press International

MAS PROBLEMAS PARA LOS SOLDADOS QUIENES FUERON A IRAQ!

War wounded at Risk of Superbugs
HARROGATE, England (UPI) -- Soldiers who survive severe injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan can be at risk of developing infections in their wounds, U.S. researchers say. Dr. Clinton K. Murray of Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, said that at the beginning of the 20th century improved military hygiene and disease control led to a steady decline in wartime deaths attributable to infections, classically known as "war pestilence," which included cholera, dysentery, plague, smallpox, typhoid and typhus fever. Though most infections can be treated with standard antibiotics, some -- methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella species and E.coli -- may be caused by pathogens resistant to many, if not all, of them. This requires clinicians to prescribe less commonly used antibiotics such as colistin, Murray said. "The development of more effective personal protective equipment, as well as training medics to provide life-saving procedures on the battlefield, has greatly improved survival rates," Murray said in a statement. "Positioning surgical and advanced medical care nearer to the point of injury has also enabled casualties to survive near-catastrophic wounds. But even though combat casualties are surviving these severe injuries, they risk developing wound infections." Murray presented the findings to the Society for General Microbiology Meeting at the International Centre in Harrogate, England.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International

IONIZED SERUM CALCIUM IN PROSTATE CANCER

Biomarker identifies fatal prostate cancer

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (UPI) -- U.S. researchers have identified an accurate biomarker for fatal prostate cancer -- high levels of ionized serum calcium.

The study, published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, confirmed earlier findings that men who have too much calcium in their bloodstreams subsequently have an increased risk of fatal prostate cancer.

"Scientists have known for many years that most prostate cancers are slow-growing and that many men will die with, rather than of, their prostate cancer," senior author Gary G. Schwartz of Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center said in a statement. "Many men with this diagnosis are treated unnecessarily."

The researchers found that men in the highest one-third of ionized serum calcium levels are three times more likely to die of prostate cancer than those with the least amount of ionized serum calcium.

Schwartz said the research is focused on identifying characteristics of the men who will develop the tumors before they develop. However, he cautioned that calcium in serum is little influenced by calcium in the diet. Serum calcium levels are controlled genetically and are stable over much of an individual's life, he said.

"These results do not imply that men need to quit drinking milk or avoid calcium in their diets," Schwartz added.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International

THE STIMULUS FUNDS AND MEDICINE

Stimulus funds treatment comparisons

WASHINGTON (UPI) -- The U.S. economic stimulus measure approved by Congress contains funds for measuring and comparing the effectiveness of medical treatments, analysts said.

The notion of comparing different treatments for the same illnesses has become controversial, however, with supporters saying it promises more effective treatment at lower costs while opponents charge it could lead to rationing of some treatment, The New York Times reported Sunday.

The legislation, which President Barack Obama is to sign into law Tuesday, provides $1.1 billion for researchers to compare treatments including medicines, medical devices and surgery for certain illnesses. The research would be intended to provide evidence of the relative merits of treatments.

Dr. Elliott S. Fisher of Dartmouth Medical School said the research would address questions about which approaches work best in treating conditions such as neck pain, mild depression and leg pain.

Several European nations already have such research programs in place.

The pharmaceutical and medical device industries have questioned the advisability of such testing, suggesting it could lead to denial of coverage for expensive treatments.

Rep. Charles Boustany Jr., R-La. -- who is also a heart surgeon -- said he's concerned "federal bureaucrats will misuse this research to ration care, to deny life-saving treatments to seniors and disabled people," the Times reported.

Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., said the research "will eventually save money and lives."

Conservative media figures have attacked the provision, some claiming it will open the door for the federal government to impose oppressive treatment protocols on Americans.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International

STAPH ALERT

How staph looks as it develops on the skin



How staph looks as a bacteria

Ocean beach swimmers exposed to staph

MIAMI (UPI) -- Swimmers using public ocean beaches increase their risk for exposure to staph bacteria and potential infections, U.S. researchers said.

Staph infections are caused by the bacteria staphylococcus aureus, which many healthy people carry on their skin and in their noses without getting sick, but when skin is punctured or broken, staph bacteria can enter the wound and cause infections.

"Our study found that if you swim in subtropical marine waters, you have a significant chance -- approximately 37 percent - of being exposed to staph -- either yours or possibly that from someone else in the water near you," Dr. Lisa Plano of the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine said in a statement.

"This exposure might lead to staph infection since people colonized with the bacteria carry it into the water with them. Those with open wounds or who are immune compromised are at greatest risk of infection."

However, the results show the potentially virulent variety of antibiotic resistant staphylococcus aureus, known as MRSA, makes up less than 3 percent of staph from the beach waters sampled during the study, Plano said.

People shouldn't avoid beaches, but the study team, which included researchers from the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, recommends taking precautions to reduce the risk of infection by showering thoroughly before entering the water and after getting out.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International

TRUE FRIENDSHIPS ARE HARD TO FINE TODAY

IT TAKES A FRIEND, TO ...
Well ladies, here is February 1st, 2009. One month down and eleven more to go before we say good bye to 2009.Anyone out there feeling that they have been used or hurt by someone they trusted. Well if you are like that then sit back and read something that I discovered.Firstly, there is no true friend in this world anymore. Everyone is out to blast someone. Everyone is out to get what they can from someone and everyone have an issue and if they are like some people I met well…… then you are in for a long haul.I met this woman back in November of 2007 and from what I could see she seem okay. Then in September of 2008 she was back and once again she seemed fine. We became friends and would chat for long period of time. Then I had the bad luck of fining out she is just like all the other women who come around. In fact, because of her my life took a change that I am still trying to comprehend. Today I have stopped talking to her and have avoided being where she is. I need to tell someone that she is not all she pretends to be because she has told me some things that make her to be just like all the other gold diggers around who are out to find what they can get from those who feel they need to help others. Then she went and did the unforgiveable and she knows what I am talking about. I have no intention of keeping in contact with a fake and now I feel I should tell the person she is using that she is not the woman she wants us to think she is.What I have to say about this sort of “friendship” is WE DON’T NEED IT. And if the person really does get more from us than we get from them, then we can leave and never look back. I am giving my so called “friend” the silent treatment. I may never visit her home and I may never buy her meal again. She proved to me that she was not a friend and I am sorry but this world is filled with persons who are looking for someone to share good and bad time that we don’t have time for those who lie and cheat.Something to ponder on:How do we know if we have a true friend? The signs will be there. You will be able to see it in their actions more times than not. But the bottom dollar is we have to learn to read the signs. They are everywhere.

ALL EYES ON BARACK

Yesterday the 44th President of the United States of America took office. President Barack Hussein Obama and First Lady Michelle will now grace the White House and the USA with their presence.

There is great expectations and anticipations of what this, the first black American will do as President of this great nation that is presently under economical duress.

Needless to say, the world looks on in awe. The world expects more than ever before. And so we wait, and hold our breath as we wish Barack and Michelle all the best.
God Bless this new president. God bless his family and God Bless America.

BRIDES TO BE SHOULD TAKE FOLIC ACID

WASHINGTON (UPI) -- Before brides-to-be say "I do," they should be taking a daily multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid daily, U.S. researchers said.

Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin that occurs naturally in foods, such as leafy green vegetables; but folic acid is the synthetic form of folate that is found in supplements and added to fortified foods. Elizabeth T. Jordan, a perinatal clinical nurse specialist and member of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition Board of Directors, said that this essential B-vitamin helps build and maintain healthy cells, which is especially critical for the developing fetus.

"We know that nearly half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are unplanned and that the average woman is getting less than one-third of the recommended amount of folic acid," Jordan said. "We also know that the odds of having a baby born with an neural tube defects could be greatly reduced by women of childbearing age getting the recommended amount of folic acid."

Despite the food fortification program that began in 1998, which enriched breads, cereals, flours, corn meals, pastas, rice, and other grain products with folic acid, the average non-pregnant Caucasian woman gets only 128 mcg per day of folic acid from fortified food, a study published in the May 2007 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Jordan said.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International

Diabetes Tied to Early Cognitive Slowdown

EDMONTON, Alberta (UPI) -- Talking, planning, organizing and paying attention to details are worse in people with type 2 diabetes than in healthy adults, a Canadian study indicated.

The University of Alberta study, published in the journal Neuropsychology, also found that mental deterioration was no less in younger diabetics than in an older group, suggesting the damage is done early in the disease and remains stable thereafter.

"The good news is that, at this point, the cognitive slowing would not be notable in most older diabetes patients' everyday life activities," said Roger Dixon, a cognition and aging researcher and the report's co-author.

"It may be noticed, however, if the patient is involved in technical psychomotor tasks (such as video games) requiring quick and accurate responses or monitoring," he said in a Times of London report.

"The bad news is that this slowing may indicate the 'leading edge' of progressive cognitive decline occurring with diabetes, and it will likely get worse without careful disease management," he said.

Dixon urged people with serious cases of type 2 diabetes to be screened for cognitive changes to make sure they get the right medication and advice on diet or mental training.

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic, lifelong disease marked by high blood sugar. It begins when the body does not respond correctly to insulin, a hormone released by the pancreas.

Ninety percent of the estimated 23.6 million people in the United States diagnosed with diabetes have type 2.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International

Healthy Monday gives 52 chances for health

NEW YORK (UPI) -- The prefect day to start on the road to health is the first Monday of the year -- and every succeeding Monday as well, a group of researchers suggest.

Healthy Monday is a project of Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore and Syracuse University Newhouse School of Public Communications.

In 2005, 22 people gathered at Columbia University to discuss the idea of a day devoted to health. Not just one day once year, but a weekly occurrence, and Healthy Monday was born. A growing number of organizations have joined the national movement and integrated "Monday" into their health improvement programs.

Healthy Monday was founded by leaders in the field of public health dedicated to improving the health of Americans by providing a framework for the delivery of innovative, evidence-based health campaigns aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality associated with the four leading causes of preventable disease in the United States -- poor diet and inactivity, smoking and alcohol misuse.

The researchers suggest starting Monday Mile to increase activity, enjoy a Meatless Monday to reduce saturated fat, use Mindfulness Monday to reduce stress, or simply resolve to use Monday to begin a new healthy behavior or stop an unhealthy one like smoking.

More information is at: http://healthymonday.org.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International

Discovery Could Be Key To Metastasis

LONDON (UPI) -- Stopping a molecule may stop metastasis -- the ability of cancer cells to spread to distant sites -- British scientists suggest.

Study leader Marco Falasca of Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry says stopping metastasis stops cancer from killing people -- and this discovery could lead to metastasis-blocking drugs.

The researchers investigated the role of the enzyme in cell invasion and find it is required for breast cancer cell invasion activation of the protein Rac1. They revealed a functional link between the enzyme and Rac1 that provides insight into processes regulating cell invasion.

"Consistent with these data we detected an increase in the enzyme expression in metastases compared to primary tumors in breast cancer patients," Falasca says in a statement.

"Therefore the enzyme is critical for metastasis formation, and development and inhibition of this enzyme has a therapeutic potential in the treatment of metastasis dissemination."

The findings were published in Cancer Research.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International

Liposuction Weight Loss May Not Help Heart

DALLAS (UPI) -- Liposuction may provide a quick fix to reduce waist size but the loss of weight may not help the heart, U.S. researchers advise.

Dr. Amit Khera, who directs the University of Texas Southwestern program in preventive cardiology, says belly fat, or waist circumference, is more closely associated than other distributions of fat with heart disease or risk factors for heart disease.

However, how one gets rid of the fat seems to matter in terms of reducing these risks.

"Diet and exercise certainly can reduce abdominal fat and reduce heart disease risk, as can surgical procedures like gastric bypass, which limits caloric intake," Khera said in a statement.

"Interestingly, studies looking at liposuction do not seem to show the same benefits. Fat reduction by liposuction does not seem to reduce a protein in the blood called C-reactive protein, which is a measure of inflammation and heart disease risk."

This may be because liposuction targets the subcutaneous, or outer, layer of belly fat but does not reduce the visceral fat that surrounds the intestines and abdominal structures, which is more closely associated with risks for heart disease, Khera says.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International