There have been 18 confirmed deaths and over 1,500 individuals infected with a rare strain of Escherichia coli bacteria in 10 different European countries. Austria, Denmark, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the U.K. have reported cases of the infection. The outbreak does not seem to be slowing and is causing great concern among health officials in Europe and the United States, who have stated that it is the worst in recorded history. The bacteria responsible for the deadly outbreak has been identified as a strain of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) designated O104:H4. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the strain has been “seen in humans before but never in an EHEC outbreak”. This bacterium is particularly virulent and can cause hemorrhagic colitis with bloody diarrhea, which can ultimately develop into hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). HUS is characterized by hemolysis of blood cells resulting in anemia and thrombocytopenia and kidney failure requiring dialysis. The virulence of the bacterium results from a toxin that it produces known as Shigatoxins or verotoxins, which damage blood cells and the kidneys. The EHEC bacterium that produces these types of toxins is classified as Shigatoxin-producing E. coli (STEC). The WHO reported that “As of 30 May 2011, 400 cases of HUS and 843 cases of EHEC infection (1243 in total) were reported to WHO. Most of these were in Germany, where there were 373 cases of HUS and 796 of EHEC”. Almost every case so far reported has occurred in individuals who traveled to the northern region of Germany or have come into contact with someone who has traveled there. In addition, the WHO reported that “As of 30 May 2011 in Germany, 61% of reported EHEC cases were in women and girls, and 88% in people aged 20 years or older. The corresponding figures for HUS cases were both 88%”. This is in stark contrast to the typical infection patterns for this bacterium, which usually infects the very young or the very old. Scientists from the Beijing Genomics Institute in China have sequenced the genome of the bacteria and have found that it is resistant to many different antibiotics including aminoglycosides, macrolides, and beta-lactam antibiotics. The exact origin of the bacterium is currently unknown. It was initially thought to have originated from cucumbers from Spain but that theory has since been disproven. Russia has banned all vegetables coming from the European Union until the exact source is identified. Farmers throughout Europe have lost millions of dollars as their vegetable are unable to be sold. There is ongoing debate as to whether antibiotics should be used as part of the treatment. Antibiotic use can sometimes exacerbate the virulence of the bacterium. German doctors have begun using an experimental drug called eculizumab which has been shown to have some benefit in the treatment of HUS. The current E. coli outbreak emphasizes the fact that we need to be prepared for future outbreaks of infectious diseases that have new antibiotic resistance patterns and modes of virulence.
Monday, June 6, 2011
E. Coli attacked throughout Europe
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Make Your Skin More Healthy And Beautiful
Malnutrition will make our skin easy to atrophy, lose luster and elasticity, as well as pale. Therefore, we can find that how important role nutrition has played to our skin. Nutrition can be taken from foods, so, a good eating habit is not only beneficial for skin, but also the necessity of life. Everyone needs nutrition taken from daily foods to maintain their life. And some foods have the function to treat disease, beautify skin and help to digest. Therefore, in order to keep a healthy body and skin and to enhance our beauty, the intake of nutrition can't be ignored. And the right eating habit which is good for health should be like this, balance, in time and a certain amount. The certain amount of intake of water and nutrition is good for skin, in contrast, the excessive or inadequate intake of water and nutrition will affect the skin metabolism. So, we should pay attention to the intake of nutrition and the skin care.
In addition, it is not difficult to keep a good and healthy dietary. What it comes down to is adequate protein, fat, vegetables, fruits, fiber and use the foods made of whole wheat flour replace foods made of refined flour.
What's more, nowadays there are many women are keen to lose weight. Some many due to the reason that obesity would lead to some diseases and others just want to keep her beautiful curves. And some women may take the method to go on a diet. However, the excessive weight loss would affect our ability to take food. Therefore, none of the method of weight-reducing is effective. So, we should pay attention to this, if the nutrition that our body needs can't be sufficient, naturally, it will reflect on our skin.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
“Miracle Fruit”

Ever heard of a small fruit that alters your taste buds, making all sour things sweet? Synsepalum dulcificum, also known as the “Miracle Fruit” is a West African native berry that has been enjoying a recent refresh in American interest. Chewing the fruit, or letting one of the commercial tablets dissolve in your mouth, will turn anything bitter or sour you eat sweet for approximately ten minutes.
The little berry has been getting a lot of media attention lately due to recent success with cancer patients. After chemotherapy, patients taste buds are often dulled, giving all foods a very bland taste. After a while, patients have no desire to eat anymore, and can go through rapid weight loss. Dr. Mike Cusnir, a leading researcher at Mount Sinai Medical Center, says that the majority of his patients utilizing the berry have experienced improved taste buds.
Although many people have never heard of them, they are by no means new. In fact in the 70’s there was a failed attempt to commercialize them, with a lot of controversy. When submitted to the FDA, it was supposed to be labeled as a sweetener, because there was not a caloric penalty involved. Instead the FDA labeled it as a “dietary supplement”, pretty much destroying any chance of success it may have had. Many believe that the FDA was trying to protect the sugar industry at the time.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Plastic Surgery
Plastic Surgery: Not Just For Vanity
When we think of plastic surgery, we often think of things like face lifts, cheek implants, and other cosmetic procedures. However the truth of the matter is that many times, plastic surgery is actually performed to correct a genetic defect or for reconstructive purposes. Here are some examples:
Breast Reduction
Most of think that “bigger is better” but you may think differently if you were walking around with several pounds of extra weight on your chest. This condition has serious health consequences; it can inhibit normal physical activity and put extra strain on the back. This is why so many women decide to undergo reduction mammoplasty. Sometimes, medical insurance will even pay for the operation if the side effects have been documented thoroughly. If you feel you may be a candidate, consult a doctor and visit a breast reduction forum to learn more.
Abdominoplasty
Also known as a tummy tuck, this procedure involves the removal of excess skin from the abdominal region. Many women need to undergo this procedure after pregnancy or significant weight loss. Kate Gosselin had to undergo this procedure after giving birth to eight children. If the extra skin is not removed, it sometimes can lead to infections and hygiene problems.
Reconstructive Rhinoplasty
Surprisingly, a large portion of the population suffers from nasal abnormalities which impair breathing. The most common problem being what is known as a deviated septum (when the septum has shifted to one side of the nose). Not only does this obstruct the airway, but it can often make sleeping difficult due decreased oxygen intake. Another common problem are collapsed alar valves (the nostrils) which can weaken and cave in. To find out more about these conditions, speak to a plastic surgeon whom specializes in this. An online rhinoplasty forum or message board can be a good place to find nose job specialists.
Scar Revision
It’s normal to develop little scars here and there, but if you are an accident victim, you may be left with massive areas of scar tissue on your face or body. Not only are these unsightly, but the hardened scar tissue can even impair the muscle movement underneath. There are also genetic conditions – like keloids – which lead to problematic scar tissue. Whatever the cause may be, plastic surgery may be needed to help reconstruct the abnormal skin.
Most of think that “bigger is better” but you may think differently if you were walking around with several pounds of extra weight on your chest. This condition has serious health consequences; it can inhibit normal physical activity and put extra strain on the back. This is why so many women decide to undergo reduction mammoplasty. Sometimes, medical insurance will even pay for the operation if the side effects have been documented thoroughly. If you feel you may be a candidate, consult a doctor and visit a breast reduction forum to learn more.
Also known as a tummy tuck, this procedure involves the removal of excess skin from the abdominal region. Many women need to undergo this procedure after pregnancy or significant weight loss. Kate Gosselin had to undergo this procedure after giving birth to eight children. If the extra skin is not removed, it sometimes can lead to infections and hygiene problems.
Surprisingly, a large portion of the population suffers from nasal abnormalities which impair breathing. The most common problem being what is known as a deviated septum (when the septum has shifted to one side of the nose). Not only does this obstruct the airway, but it can often make sleeping difficult due decreased oxygen intake. Another common problem are collapsed alar valves (the nostrils) which can weaken and cave in. To find out more about these conditions, speak to a plastic surgeon whom specializes in this. An online rhinoplasty forum or message board can be a good place to find nose job specialists.
Scar Revision
It’s normal to develop little scars here and there, but if you are an accident victim, you may be left with massive areas of scar tissue on your face or body. Not only are these unsightly, but the hardened scar tissue can even impair the muscle movement underneath. There are also genetic conditions – like keloids – which lead to problematic scar tissue. Whatever the cause may be, plastic surgery may be needed to help reconstruct the abnormal skin.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Healthy Diet Plan
Build Healthy Muscles
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Diet Tips And Ways
1. You'll eat up to 500 calories less per day when at least 30 % of the calories you eat is from protein and... You increase your body's fat burning metabolism every time you eat fiber & protein because your body has to burn a lot of calories just to digest the protein & fiber you eat plus. Protein speeds up your weight loss by helping you build and/or maintain lean muscle that also raises your fat-burning metabolism.
2. Switch to ordinary coffee because coffee drinks at shops has extra calories, owing to whole milk, whipped cream, sugar, and sugary syrups. A cup of regular coffee, having skim milk brewed with good beans, tastes great and moreover has fewer calories.
3. It is a liquid diet that claims that you can lose 10 to 20 pounds during a period of 10 days. In this diet you have to drink lemonade and water the whole day and no solid food is allowed. You also need to drink a salt water flush in the morning and a herbal laxative tea at night. It is a detox diet that helps the body to get rid of all toxins and waste materials which leads to weight loss. This diet is quite rigorous and should not be done by people who are hypoglycemic as it will lead to dizziness and decrease in blood sugar levels.
4. Eat as much fruit as you want, at least four fresh fruit servings every day. You may have come across warnings not to eat fruits when trying to lose weight because of their sugar and calorie content. Don't believe in that. Eating lots of fresh fruit is satisfying and filling, so eat as many fruits as you like with throughout the day. Fruits are high in calories, compared to greens and vegetables, but it's okay to splurge, especially if you have a sweet tooth. The best dessert is blended fruit, or blended frozen fruit. I also recommend that your try making green smoothies. Just blend some sweet fruits with greens, add some water, and drink it.
5. CHEW your food longer and lose weight faster. You should chew everything you eat at least 8-12 times. Eat slowly. Your body doesn't realize that you've had enough to eat until several minutes after you've had it.
6. Make water your favorite drink. A person must have a minimum of 8 glasses of water in a day. Avoid taking soft drinks or carbonated beverages; moreover replace them with water. Water helps in reducing weight in the most effective manner. Stock your refrigerator with low-fat yogurt. Cut down 500 calories a day from your diet and eat yogurt three times a day for 12 weeks. It will help you lose more weight and body fat. This is one of the best natural weight loss.
7. To save time, consider drinking your salad. If you find chopping and chewing all these greens and veggies exhausting or boring, just throw them into your blender with some juicy tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, (add a little bit of water, if your blender cannot handle the job, and consider getting a Vitamix), and drink your salad instead. I recommend that you add some herbs - basil, cilantro, parsley, dill, and some sweetener - a little bit of honey, or some sweet fruit - to make your drinkable salad even more delicious.
