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Features Of Bacteria That Caused Epidemic E. Coli In Europe Revealed By Genomics Analysis

Christian Nordqvist
Medical News Today
Fri, 03 Jun 2011 01:00 UTC
E.coli
© unknown
E.coli
An outbreak of E. coli infection was detected in Germany about two weeks ago. Health authorities say that over 1500 people have become infected and 17 have died so far. Cases of E. coli infection have been reported in several other European countries, including the UK, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, France, Norway, Spain and Switzerland.

Analysis results carried out by scientists at BGI (Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention), the Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, the Academy of Military Medical Sciences and the University Medical Centre, Hamburg, reveal that this infection is caused by a completely new E. coli strain.

The scientists report that they have just obtained the genome sequence of this new E. coli strain. Their findings show that it carries several genes making it resistant to antibiotic treatments - it is multi-resistant and hard to treat.
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Smoking

Lung Cancer a Different Disease in Smokers and Nonsmokers

Amanda Chan
LiveScience
Mon, 08 Nov 2010 10:24 UTC
Philadelphia - Lung cancer that develops in smokers is not the same disease as lung cancer that develops in people who've never touched a cigarette, a new study finds.

There are nearly twice as many DNA changes in the tumors of people who have never smoked than in the tumors of people who smoke, which suggests the cancer of "never-smokers" is different from smokers' cancer, said Kelsie Thu, a Ph.D. candidate at the BC Cancer Research Center in Canada.

"We think this finding provides evidence that never-smoker and smoker lung cancers are different, and suggests they arise through different molecular pathways," Thu told MyHealthNewsDaily. "Never-smokers might be exposed to a carcinogen, not from cigarettes, that causes their tumors to have more DNA alterations and promotes lung cancer development."
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Evil Rays

European Leaders Call for Ban of Cell Phones and WiFi in Schools


Dr. Mercola
Thu, 02 Jun 2011 14:23 UTC
Image
A Council of Europe committee examined evidence that the cell phones and wireless internet connections have "potentially harmful" effects on humans, and decided that immediate action was required to protect children. They ruled that the technologies pose a health risk and should be banned from schools.

The committee report argued that it was crucial to avoid repeating the mistakes made when public health officials failed to recognize the dangers of asbestos, tobacco smoking and lead.

According to the Telegraph:
"The report also highlighted the potential health risks of cordless telephones and baby monitors, which rely on similar technology ... The Council of Europe ... is highly influential in policy-making and has often seen its decisions enacted through conventions and treaties."
Sources

The Telegraph May 14, 2011

Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly May 6, 2011
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Sherlock

A Q&A on Genetically-Modified Foods

Monica Eng
Chicago Tribune
Wed, 25 May 2011 15:51 UTC
Image
© gezellig-girl.com
In Wednesday's Tribune, we look at genetically modified foods and those trying to get them labeled as such or pulled from stores like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods.

The subject of genetically modified crops is full of passionate voices on both sides. We covered the issue in Wednesday's story. Even so, some readers may still walk away with questions about whether to avoid them or how to do so if they wish.

These extra morsels may help make this huge subject more digestible.
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Alarm Clock

E coli infections spread around world as Germany reports 200 new cases

Giles Tremlett and Alok Jha
Guardian
Fri, 03 Jun 2011 09:15 UTC
E coli bacterium
© Erbe/Pooley/Rex Features
The e coli bacterium has spread from Germany, with a total of over 1,600 people infected worldwide.

Experts claim disease is on the wane as Merkel and Zapatero attempt to limit diplomatic row over infection's source

Cases of infection by the deadly E coli bacterium have continued to spread around the world from its source in northern Germany, reaching a dozen countries by Friday evening as the German chancellor and Spanish prime minister moved to calm a diplomatic row over the source of the infection.

The Czech Republic and the US have joined the list of those dealing with cases amid concern that some of those infected had not visited Germany and so must have been infected elsewhere.

Angela Merkel has said she would push for EU help for farmers in Spain - whose cucumbers were wrongly blamed by German authorities for the outbreak.
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Health

Germany Steps up Hunt for Deadly E.coli Source

Eric Kelsey and Kate Kelland
Reuters
Fri, 03 Jun 2011 01:03 UTC
e coli graphic
© n/a
Racing to curb the spread of a killer food bug, Germany set up a task force on Friday to hunt down the source of a highly toxic strain of E.coli that has killed 19 people and sounded alarms around the world.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, locked in a trade row with the European Union after banning imports of its raw fruit and vegetables, struck a dramatic note by saying he would not "poison" Russians by lifting the embargo.

Health authorities repeated warnings to avoid some raw vegetables in northern Germany -- rattling farmers and stores in the high season for salad -- and said 199 new cases of the rare strain of the bacteria had been reported in the past two days.

The total of those infected in Germany since the outbreak was detected in early May rose to 1,733 and Germany's death toll rose by two on Friday to 18, added to one death reported in Sweden, in possibly the deadliest ever such outbreak recorded.
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Pills

America's Most Dangerous Pill?

Christopher Byron
Alternet
Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:21 UTC
Image
© thefix.com
Klonopin earns Big Pharma over $1 Billion a year.
It's not Adderall or Oxy. It's Klonopin. And doctors are doling it out like candy, causing a surge of hellish withdrawals, overdoses and deaths.

You could argue that the deadliest "drug" in the world is the venom from a jellyfish known as the Sea Wasp, whose sting can kill a human being in four minutes - up to 100 humans at a time. Potassium chloride, which is used to trigger cardiac arrest and death in the 38 states of the U.S. that enforce the death penalty is also pretty deadly. But when it comes to prescription drugs that are not only able to kill you but can drag out the final reckoning for years on end, with worsening misery at every step of the way, it is hard to top the benzodiazepines. And no "benzo" has been more lethal to millions of Americans than a popular prescription drug called Klonopin.

Klonopin is the brand name for the pill known as clonazepam, which was originally brought to market in 1975 as a medication for epileptic seizures. Since then, Klonopin, along with the other drugs in this class, has become a prescription of choice for drug abusers from Hollywood to Wall Street. In the process, these Schedule III and IV substances have also earned the dubious distinction of being second only to opioid painkillers like OxyContin as our nation's most widely abused class of drug.
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Heart

Is there such a thing as bad cholesterol?


The Wiley Protocol Blog
Fri, 27 May 2011 08:33 UTC
good-bad-cholesterol
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

The so-called "bad cholesterol" -- low-density lipoprotein commonly called LDL -- may not be so bad after all.

Steve Riechman, researcher in the Department of Health and Kinesiology, says a study reveals that LDL is not the evil Darth Vader of health it has been made out to be in recent years and that new attitudes need to be adopted in regards to the substance.

Riechman and colleagues examined 52 adults from ages to 60 to 69 who were in generally good health but not physically active. The study showed that after fairly vigorous workouts, participants who had gained the most muscle mass also had the highest levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol, "a very unexpected result and one that surprised us.

"It shows that you do need a certain amount of LDL to gain more muscle mass."
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Cow

Australian Beef Drawn into Japan E. Coli Alert


Radio New Zealand News
Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:00 UTC
Image
© ThinkStock
Reins International, the Tokyo-based operator of the Gyukaku chain, apologised and said it suspected the infections might have been caused by Australian beef imports.
There are claims Australian beef imports could be linked to E. coli outbreaks in Japan.

The Japanese authorities are looking into two outbreaks, one of which has killed four people since April.

The E coli is of a different type to that which has killed 18 people in an outbreak Europe.

Both outbreaks in Japan of the O157 strain E. coli are linked to Korean-style barbecue restaurants.

In the latest, the operator has apologised and says it suspects the infections might have been caused by beef from Australia.

However a public health inspection of the affected restaurant did not find E. coli bacteria.

Twenty people experienced moderate symptoms and have recovered, officials said, adding that the diners probably used the same chopsticks to cook raw meat slices and to eat them.

In the first outbreak, at another change, four people died after eating raw beef at a restaurant chain.
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Info

How did this man get to live with type 1 diabetes for more than 80 years?

Dr. Briffa
drbriffa.com
Tue, 31 May 2011 18:15 UTC
I came across this interesting story the other day. It concerns an American, Bob Krause, who has just turned 90. Nothing to extraordinary about that, perhaps, in these days of enhanced longevity. What makes the story interesting is that when we was 5 years old, Bob was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

This is condition is characterised by insufficient insulin secretion from the pancreas. As a result, blood sugar levels tend to be higher than normal. The conventional medical treatment for type 1 diabetes is insulin injections. However, despite treatment, many type 1 diabetics die prematurely, often having suffered adverse effects from their diabetes including blindness, nerve damage, kidney disease, skin ulcers and amputation. In comparison, Bob Krause appears in great shape (especially bearing in mind his advanced years).
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