Source: PubMed

Results from a Phase 1 trial on the use of single-dose intrapleural interferon-beta gene transfer for patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma and metastatic pleural effusions show promise as a treatment regimen and should be further evaluated. Subjects in the study were evaluated for the following factors: (a) toxicity, (b) gene transfer, (c) humoral, cellular, and cytokine-mediated immune responses, and (d) tumor responses via PET scans and chest CT scans. Among the subjects, intrapleural interferon was generally well-tolerated. The results documented gene transfer in 7 of the 10 patients, while 4 of the 10 showed meaningful clinical responses, which were defined as disease stability and/or regression.

Labels: mesothelioma

Source: Wall Street Journal

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has released preliminary results on highway safety numbers from 2006 and while they found an overall reduction in the number of motor-vehicle-related fatalities, they found that motorcycle fatalities were on the rise. The total fatalities last year were 42,642, which is the lowest number in five years and the lowest rate per 100 million miles traveled the government has ever recorded. However, of the 42,642 total fatalities, 4,810 were motorcycle-related, which is 11% of total deaths—the largest share ever for motorcyclists. The 4,810 figure was an increase of 5.1% from the previous year and it was the ninth consecutive year that the figure increased.

Unlike the automobile industry, where national campaigns to increase the awareness of safety precautions have been largely successful in changing lax behavior, the motorcycle industry has not seen such campaigns. In fact, quite the opposite has happened. Motorcyclists have a reputation as individualists and as motorcycle sales have grown so has the ability to influence legislation regulating motorcycle riding. Some 30 states, due to lobbying by rider groups, have repealed laws that require riders to wear a helmet—even though evidence clearly shows that when riders don't wear helmets, deaths from an accident rise sharply. About 66% of riders who died in helmet-optional states weren't wearing head protection, according to the 2006 NHTSA study.

The motorcycle industry promotes wearing a helmet when riding, but it hasn't backed national helmet laws. The anti-helmet rider groups note that adults should be able to make their own decisions regarding helmet wearing. Some say that wearing helmets is actually more dangerous because it cuts down on one's peripheral vision. However, Dr. Philip Brewer, director of University Health Services at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut and a former rider himself, dismisses the claim that helmets are not safe. "The science is absolutely clear," he says. "You have a higher fatality rate when you are not wearing a helmet."

As of right now, the national mood on helmet requirements is clearly in favor of those for choice, so each rider in a state that does not require helmets, must decide for him or herself on this important issue.

Labels: motorcycles

Source: Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization has issued a press release in support of Sen. Murray's "Ban Asbestos in America Act." ADAO is an organization dedicated to victims of asbestos and speaks for them on national issues. Regarding the "Ban Asbestos" act, Linda Reinstein, Executive Director and Cofounder of Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, said "Senator Patty Murray's Ban Asbestos in America Act is critical if we are to end the asbestos epidemic and we applaud the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works for their clear recognition of its importance with today's bipartisan effort and unanimous vote of support...we now look to the Senate to follow this Committee's important lead by moving this monumental bill even closer to law. We look forward to the day when asbestos disease will no longer needlessly claim lives."

Labels: asbestos

Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer

The Ban Asbestos in America Act of 2007, Sen. Patty Murray's bill to ban the use of asbestos, passed the Senate's Committee on Environment and Public Works with a unanimous 19-0 vote. The successful vote means the bill will now move to the full chamber, which will occur sometime this fall. Broad, bi-partisan support is expected for the bill.

Sen. Murray's bill would completely ban the use of asbestos in all products within two years of its passage. The chlorine industry received a one year extension on the ban, so they would have three years to remove asbestos from their products. The bill also allocates $50 million in federal money to research causes and treatments of asbestos-related diseases and it requires the government to educate the public on the dangers of asbestos.

Labels: asbestos