Archive for February, 2011

How long does pain last after getting salmonella?

February 28th, 2011
Ren asked:


I was in Mexico 2 weeks ago and I caught salmonella there. It all started last wednesday, the throwing up and diarrhea. I went to the ER on saturday and they did so many tests and found out I had salmonella. But what is wrong with me, is, actually, not my concern. My concern is this pain! When will it go away? I’ve had pain and diarrhea for a week and it doesn’t seem to be going away. And school starts tomorrow! Please help! And any ideas for making the pain go away will help too.

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Actemra, The New Rheumatoid Arthritis Drug. What Makes it so Special?

February 28th, 2011
Nathan Wei asked:




Biological response modifiers (BRMS) are drugs that target inflammatory pathways in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and represent a relatively new approach to the treatment of RA.

Medications that block tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a), a pro-inflammatory cytokine important in the pathogenesis of RA, were among the first to be developed and approved for the treatment of RA. Several anti-TNF-a medications including Enbrel, Humira, and Remicade are currently marketed for the treatment of RA.

Actemra (tocilizumab) differs from currently marketed biological response modifiers that block TNF-a, since it targets interleukin-6 (IL-6), a cytokine that is also over-produced in the joints of RA patients.

Il-6 is believed to contribute to inflammation, swelling and joint damage and possibly the anemia and platelet elevation counts seen in RA.

Actemra is a humanized anti-human IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody that works by competitively blocking the binding of IL-6 to its receptor. In essence, it inhibits the deleterious effects of IL-6, which lead to inflammation and proliferation of inflammatory cells and the destructive organ potential in RA.

Multiple clinical trials have examined the efficacy and safety of Actemra.

The largest of these trials was the OPTION (TOcilizumab Pivotal Trial in Methotrexate Inadequate RespONders), a three-arm, randomized, double-blind, controlled study designed to compare the safety and efficacy of Actemra plus methotrexate with methotrexate plus placebo in RA patients who had an inadequate response to methotrexate alone.

Results from the OPTION trial demonstrated that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients not only achieved greater improvement of symptoms but also a higher quality-of-life with Actemra compared with methotrexate, a commonly used RA treatment.

In the OPTION trial, which was a three-arm, double-blind, controlled Phase III study, 623 patients were randomized to receive Actemra intravenously (either 4mg/kg or 8mg/kg) every four weeks plus methotrexate weekly or placebo infusions plus methotrexate weekly. The study was conducted in 73 trial sites in 17 countries outside the United States.

A rapid decrease in disease activity was seen as early as two weeks in a greater proportion of patients treated with Actemra plus methotrexate, with 27.5% achieving clinical remission by 24 weeks.

Additionally, results showed that 80% of patients in the Actemra plus methotrexate group responded with moderate to good improvements in RA symptoms, compared with 35% for those treated with placebo and methotrexate at 24 weeks.

The OPTION trial also assessed physical function and quality-of-life at baseline and every four weeks thereafter. Patients receiving Actemra achieved significantly greater improvement in areas of fatigue and mental function at 24 weeks, and achieved normal levels of hemoglobin (red blood cell count)and C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation due to RA, compared with patients receiving placebo plus methotrexate. In addition, platelets, blood cells that often increase in number during the inflammation that accompanies RA, seemed to drop as well.

According to Dr. Nathan Wei, “The advantage of Actemra is that it offers treating rheumatologists another weapon in our arsenal for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Nowadays, it is my expectation that when I see a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, I can count on getting them into remission. It may be only a short time into the future that we will be able to cure this disease.”

Roche, the manufacturer of Actemra in the United States, announced that the Arthritis Advisory Committee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by a near unanimous (10-1) vote recommended approval of Actemra (tocilizumab), a novel interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor-inhibiting monoclonal antibody, for reducing the signs and symptoms in adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA).



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25 Human Foods Toxic to your Pets

February 28th, 2011
M Bauer Pulis asked:




Recently, much news was published about unsafe commercial pet foods. This news, of course, sounded an alarm among pet owners. But, unfortunately, this problem isn’t really ‘news’. It seems that incidents similar to this occur from time to time. Perhaps this is one reason more and more people are opting to ‘home cook’ for their pets. However, in order to properly home-cook for your pets, you should first have a basic knowledge of canine nutrition; and, even more importantly, a thorough knowledge of human foods that are harmful to dogs. Some foods which are safe for human consumption can be poisonous for our canine companions. E-dog-training.com has put together a list of 25 common human foods that are toxic to dogs. Of course, when in doubt, always check with your vet. Here is a list to get you started:

1. Onions (Both onions and garlic contain the toxic ingredient Thiosulphate. But onions are more of a danger. Many dog biscuits contain *small* amounts of garlic – garlic contains less of this toxin so huge amounts would need to be consumed to be toxic. And, by the way, this poison builds up the system – it can be toxic in one large dose – or with repeated consumption of small amounts.)

2. Chocolate (Chocolate contains Theobromine, a compound that is a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic. This can be fatal to dogs.)

3. Grapes (Grapes are dangerous because of an unknown substance which is toxic to dogs – affects canine’s kidneys)

4. Raisins (See above.)

5. Most Fruit Pits and Seeds (Contain Cyanogenic Glycosides resulting in cyanide poisoning – though the fruit itself is OK.)

6. Macadamia Nuts (Macadamia nuts contain an unknown substance that is toxic to dogs.)

7. Most Bones should *not* be given (especially chicken bones) because they can splinter and cause laceration of the digestive system and/or become lodged in your pet’s throat – so they also pose a choking hazard.

8. Potato Peelings and Green Potatoes (Contain Oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems.)

9. Rhubarb leaves (see above)

10. Broccoli (Broccoli is only toxic in large quantities.)

11. Green parts of Tomatoes or Green Potatoes(Contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems.)

12. Yeast Dough (Yeast Dough can produce gas and swell in your pet’s stomach – leading to rupture of the digestive system)

13. Coffee/Coffee Grounds and Tea (are dangerous due to the caffeine.)

14. Beer/Wine/Alcohol of any kind (Alcohol of any kind could lead to coma or even death.)

15. Human Vitamins (Human vitamins, especially those containing iron, can cause damage to the lining of the digestive system as well as cause kidney and liver damage)

16. Moldy or Spoiled Food (though I think this goes without saying.)

17. Persimmons (Persimmons can cause intestinal blockage)

18. Raw Eggs and Raw Fish (Raw eggs and some raw fish can cause Salmonella poisoning.)

19. Salt, Baking Soda, Baking Powder (In large amounts these can cause an electrolyte imbalance – and severe electrolyte imbalances can lead to muscle spasm or even congestive heart failure.)

20. Mushrooms (Mushrooms may contain toxins which could cause liver and kidney damage)

21. Sugar-Free Foods (Sugar-free foods containing Xylitol have been found to cause liver failure in some dogs.)

22. Nutmeg (Nutmeg can cause tremors, seizures, and central nervous system damage.)

23. Excessive Fatty Foods (Excess fatty foods can cause Pancreatitis.)

24. Avocado (All parts of the avocado and avocado tree are toxic to dogs.)

25. Diary Products (Dairy products don’t usually pose a great danger; but many dairy product have high fat content (see number 23) – and many pets are lactose intolerant – some pets more than others. Lactose intolerance leads to gas and diarrhea; though small amounts of yogurt and cheese are usually fairly well tolerated.)

Keep these 25 toxic foods in mind when cooking for your dog. There may be other foods that your dog can not consume; so always ask your vet when you are unsure about anything concerning your pet. Please visit http://www.e-dog-training.com for more FREE tips, advice, and canine cuisine recipes. Happy Home Cooking!



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