HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Fiddling with Food Genes
From: Robin.Salmansohn@f715.n273.z1.fidonet.org (Robin Salmansohn)
Date: 15 Aug 92 13:26:58 GMT
Organization: FidoNet node 1:273/715 - Alternative Lifesty, Wyndmoor PA


 To: hollombe@polymath.tti.com (The Polymath)
 
 TP> Am I the only person here who remembers the FDA 
 TP> kept Thalidomide _out_ of
 TP> this country, thereby sparing us the disaster 
 TP> that took place in Europe?
 TP> This incident is usually pointed to as a triumph 
 TP> of their methods.  The
 TP> above mentioned restaurant owner is an ignorant 
 TP> fool.  When it happened
 
I remember that nightmare. The photos of those childeren looked like their 
parents had irradiated genes from an A-Bomb. The only ones who
loved those sick photos were the tabloids. They didn't have to retouch
the pictures and nor invent something horrific. The FDA kept that out of the 
U.S. based on studies that were seen in the animal studies.
The FDA may be slow and clunky, but it does keep disasters off of the Rx 
market (not all of them; Congress can pass a law that permits any drug on the 
market, as can court actions [and too and drug placed on the U.S. market prior 
to 1939).
I work with Investigational Interventions. I see a lot of things that I reject 
before it reaches the FDA. Most of what is started as a good intention fails 
because it is either harmful or ineffective. Most interventions never get sent 
up to the FDA (in the U.S.), but are
shelved or sold to another company in timbuck2 where it may be sold.
Japan (no offense) has the most lax policy of all. A drug is a drug
if it is patented. Testing is optional (but usually done, it is just
that the Japanese have no policy for IND testing).

Robin L. Salmansohn
Indamed Research
 


 

--  
Internet: Robin.Salmansohn@f715.n273.z1.fidonet.org
Xref: sparky sci.med:16035 misc.kids:21398
From: geb@dsl.pitt.edu (gordon e. banks)
Newsgroups: sci.med,misc.kids
Subject: Re: Hepatitis vaccine
Date: 19 Aug 92 14:54:21 GMT
Followup-To: sci.med
Organization: Decision Systems Laboratory, Univ. of Pittsburgh, PA.

In article <6K751XB@minnie.zdv.uni-mainz.de> korschi@wilbur.uni-mainz.de (Ralf Korschinsky) writes:

>There is a risk of getting Hep. (B) from the HBV-Vaccine.
>This is a known risk, w/ an incidence of ca. 2-4% !
>
That was the early vaccine.  With the new recombinant DNA
vaccine, it is extremely safe.  You really should consider getting it
if you are an active paramedic.  I got it even though I have
much less contact with hep B patients than a paramedic would.
-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gordon Banks  N3JXP      | "Skepticism is the chastity of the intellect, and
geb@cadre.dsl.pitt.edu   |  it is shameful to surrender it too soon." 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: jack@dcs.glasgow.ac.uk (Jack Campin)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: What are the symptoms of Epstein-Barr virus?
Date: 19 Aug 92 17:44:56 GMT
Reply-To: jack@dcs.glasgow.ac.uk (Jack Campin)
Organization: COMANDOS Project, Glesga Yoonie

Herman.Woltring@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Herman Woltring) wrote:
> chris@unislc.uucp (Chris DelPrete) writes:
>> Just what the headline says.  What are the symptoms of Epstein-Barr?
> Epstein-Barr is similar or identical (opinions vary) to CFS/ME/CFIDS

This is like saying a bowl of white rice is identical to beri-beri.
Epstein-Barr is a *virus*, CFS is a *disease*.  A minority opinion holds
that Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) may cause CFS; most people think that CFS has
other or unknown causes, and there is absolutely *no* doubt that the
commonest effects of EBV are *nothing* like CFS.

What EBV usually causes is nothing; a large proportion of the population
has antibodies to the virus but no recollection of ever being ill from it.
When it does cause illness, it's usually the syndrome known as "infectious
mononucleosis" in the US and "glandular fever" in the UK; fever, sore
throat, rashes, swollen lymph nodes and exhaustion.  It can leave effects
that take months to clear up (I was still getting sporadic symptoms a
couple of years after the first attack) but not of the intensity of CFS (I
could still work, even though exertion made me more tired than before and
got my lymph glands ballooning) and not of the same duration.

The really serious consequence of EBV is Burkitt's lymphoma.  This is a
rapidly lethal cancer of children (a typical effect is the bones of the jaw
ballooning out to football size).  It is only found in areas where malaria
is endemic, and seems to be caused by an interaction between the two.

Anyone know the global incidence figures for Burkitt's lymphoma and CFS,
and the comparative funding for research on each?  My a priori guess would
be that a non-lethal condition only affecting the developed world's middle
class probably gets about 100 times the money per sufferer that a major
killer of Third World children does...

-- 
--  Jack Campin    room G092, Computing Science Department, Glasgow University,
17 Lilybank Gardens, Glasgow G12 8RZ, Scotland   TEL: 041 339 8855 x6854 (work)
INTERNET: jack@dcs.glasgow.ac.uk or via nsfnet-relay.ac.uk    FAX: 041 330 4913
BANG!net: via mcsun and uknet     BITNET: via UKACRL    UUCP: jack@glasgow.uucp
From: russ@wpg.com (Russell Lawrence)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Mercury in dental fillings?
Date: 22 Aug 92 19:14:01 GMT
Organization: WP Group

From article <2795@tivoli.UUCP>, by dfavor@logan.tivoli.com (David Favor):
df> the composite material used to replace my mercury filings is a 
df> porous material that permeates the tooth surface, becoming bonded 
df> over time.  when I asked how long this material would last I was 
df> told the rest of my life.  on the other hand the sealant he used 
df> for the shallow mercury has to be touched up every 8-10 years.  

How old are you?    Did your dentist offer any evidence to support
his claim that your acrylic composites would last "the rest of 
your life"?   Are your acrylic composite restorations located on  
chewing or non-chewing surfaces?

df> you have said "...  Regarding the humanity side..." you fell 
df> dentist should put mercury and nickel in their patients mouths?  
df> this puzzles me.  perhaps you are just unaware of the current 
df> technology in mercury substitutes.  

Would you mind presenting some scientific evidence to demonstrate the
level of this current technology?

df> when I was interviewing my current Dentist he asked me my dental 
df> objective(s).  I replied that I wanted to preserve the maximum 
df> tooth material and I wanted to dental reconstruction such that 
df> all I needed the rest of my life would be simple cleanings.  he 
df> laughed and said you and I will get on just fine because you have 
df> just described the 'mission' of my practice.  

You told your dentist that you wanted reconstructions that would 
last the rest of your life and he laughed.  Interesting.  

-- 
Russell Lawrence, WP Group, New Orleans (504) 443-5000
russ@wpg.com   uunet!wpg!russ
From: georgec@eng.umd.edu (George B. Clark)
Subject: Re: Need info on TENS electro stimulator
Date: Sat, 15 Aug 92 00:23:41 GMT
Organization: University of Maryland
Distribution: na

Some TENS devices are classified as medical devices by the FDA. The
Alpha Stim CS, invented by Dr. Daniel Kirsch, is one that comes to mind.
You can still purchase one for personal use, but you have to have a
prescription from a doctor, even if your buy it mailorder.

You may purchase the Alpha Stim CS by mailorder at:

     Tools For Exploration
     phone 1-800-456-9887
     price $650.00

I have seen the Alpha Stim CS sold for less than $650, but I don't have
that other source with me.

These are very intriguing devices. I read that several famous rock
musicians used TENS devices to help rid them of their drug habits,
and perhaps that's contributed to their popularity. I've also read they
are used to relieve pain, mental depression, anxiety, and insomnia.

Some cheaper models do not require a prescription. These include:
 
     The BT-6      $395.00
     Nustar II     $399.00

No doubt you will see TENS mentioned in the newly released second
edition of MegaBrain by Mike Hutchison. Mike has also compiled a
200-page collection of research and popular articles on the topic.
Knowing Mike's talent for making sensational claims about mind-
enhancing products, we will surely see a flurry of interest among
laypersons as his new book hits the retail stores.
Newsgroups: sci.med
From: rrempel@selkirk.sfu.ca (Rodney Dwight Rempel)
Subject: Re: Don't moderate sci.med
Keywords: moderate sci.med not 
Organization: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C., Canada
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1992 18:10:49 GMT

mdkline@rodan.acs.syr.edu (Mark D. Kline) writes:


>It has been suggested that sci.med be moderated.  I oppose the idea;
>sci.med works, imho, despite the occasional doctor-bashing and new
>age/homeopathic crystals and apricot pits.  I would hate to see sci.med
>become the electronic equivalent of the "Ask The Doctor" column in your
>local newspaper.  Medical pros on the net can answer the technical
>medical questions and nonmedical pros on the net can tell each other
>what its like to undergo this or that procedure with or without
>amnestic drugs.  Both kinds of exchanges are potentially valuable,
>and would be slowed down by moderation.   People are entitled to
>opinions, even in the absense of facts or logic to support them.
>Such are usually obvious and may provide amusement.  

>"If it ain't broke don't fix it."

A group with close to 100 postings a day, ranging from scientific-based
discussion to "my corn hurts" to "eating mung beans made me smarter" is
indeed "broke and needs fixing". While I agree that the discussion is
valid and should exist I think (a) there are already a bunch of fringe
groups in existance - don't know their names since I unsubscribed long
ago - or (b) there should be. There should be something more general 
than sci.molecular-bio.chromosome13 (or whatever your favorite hard-
science group is) yet more structured than alt.crystals.cure-everything.

Moderation may be the way to go...

Rod Rempel - rrempel@sfu.ca
Department of Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University 
... if two million people do a stupid thing it's still a stupid thing.

Newsgroups: sci.med
From: geb@dsl.pitt.edu (gordon e. banks)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Diabetic coma
Date: 14 Aug 92 16:58:33 GMT
Organization: Decision Systems Laboratory, Univ. of Pittsburgh, PA.

In article <1097@ceylon.gte.com> vrs0@bunny.gte.com (V. Stern) writes:
>
>I have been lurking in this newsgroup for a long time.  I have generally 
>found Ken's and Gordon's posts to be very knowledgable and informative and 
>have learned alot from them.  I was surprised at the nasty reaction my 
>post received from Ken and Gordon's reaction to Bob's post.  I must have 
>unintentionally hit someone's hot button.  I stand by my original post, 
>but I don't want this to turn into a big deal, so I am sorry if I offended.
>
Bob was the one that hit my hot button.  People should be grateful
for what information professionals like Ken post here for free.
In fact, a lot of people are grateful for it.  Many people just
don't get enough information from their doctors for whatever
reason and what they get here does help them.  Bob was
rude and criticized Ken's ability to communicate.  We are not writing
treatises for publication that are carefully checked for the latest
up to date terminology.  No one is paying for the information and
has any right to specify how it is to be delivered.  That was why
my reaction was "screw him".  If some has a question about how
Type I relates to Juvenile, why not just make a posting or ask
instead of coming in with "excuse me, but this is WRONG".  It isn't
wrong, and unless you know for sure that it is wrong, you'd best
not start out with that tack.
-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gordon Banks  N3JXP      | "Skepticism is the chastity of the intellect, and
geb@cadre.dsl.pitt.edu   |  it is shameful to surrender it too soon." 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: sci.med,connect.audit
From: george@ibmpcug.co.uk (Michael Veltman)
Subject: Re: Kidney Dialysis Ques.
X-Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author
	alone and may not represent the views of the IBM PC User Group.
Organization: The IBM PC User Group, UK.
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1992 20:29:56 GMT

In article <Bt5169.3GM@hpbs654.boi.hp.com> kmarko@hpbs654.boi.hp.com (Kurt Marko) writes:
>developments in technology.  I am trying to followup on a `rumor' one
>of my relatives heard about new machines being available which can
>essentially cut the `filtration' time in half (or better).
>
>Kurt Marko
>


I think that it may be a while before any machines which reduce the
time on dialysis are available.

Firstly, I presume that you are talking about haemodialysis.  Peritoneal 
dialysis is rather different, and takes less time (about 20 mins per
bag change) but more often (about 3 - 5 times per day, every day).

Haemodialysis is designed to mimic normal renal function by filtering the
blood.  The kidneys do this continiously (ie., you never get "off" them).

Because you cannot spend all your time on a machine, each dialysis tries
to do the work in 3-4 hours that the kidneys would have to do in 50 hours
or so to keep you alive.

To do that much larger shifts of fluid and electrolytes are required over
the shorter space of time.


The limiting factor is that these large fluid and electrolyte shifts are
not well tolerated by the person.  The machines already have the capability
to dialyse far more quickly than people can tolerate.


Although there may be some way to get around this that I do not know of, 
when I last worked in a renal unit (about 12 months ago), there was no
known or proposed way of doing this, and no such machine was mentioned
or even suggested as being in the pipeline.


(I would welcome anyone with more up to date comments.)

Yours,

Michael
From: hrubin@pop.stat.purdue.edu (Herman Rubin)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Nerve damage in type-II diabetic
Date: 20 Aug 92 13:29:27 GMT
Organization: Purdue University Statistics Department

In article <l4!n_7h.sss@netcom.com> sss@netcom.com (Small Systems Solutions) writes:
>Open question for Gordon, and others:

>What is the mechanism in diabetes that causes the neuropathy?

Very little is known about the mechanism of anything in type II diabetes,
except that there is resistance to the use of insulin by the insulin
receptors, and that increased weight makes it worse.  There are conjectures.

>If an early diagnosis of diabetes is made, and the patient achieves
>normal blood sugar levels from diet and exercise, is the risk of
>nerve, kidney, etc. damage diminished?

This is presumably the case, but only that, and the risk is definitely
not reduced to low levels.  Blood sugar levels are known not to be the
whole story.  I believe that they have recently managed to get some
mice to develop what may be type II diabetes, and I believe that there
is one study on a substantial population of humans, but little else.
-- 
Herman Rubin, Dept. of Statistics, Purdue Univ., West Lafayette IN47907-1399
Phone: (317)494-6054
hrubin@pop.stat.purdue.edu (Internet, bitnet)  
{purdue,pur-ee}!pop.stat!hrubin(UUCP)
From: tjfeue@bb1t.monsanto.com
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Looking for Toyota repair shop
Date: 17 Aug 92 11:54:55 CST
Distribution: dc,md
Organization: Monsanto Company, St. Louis, MO

In article <15006@umd5.umd.edu>, djmurphy@wam.umd.edu (Dave Murphy) writes:
> One of my housemates is looking for a garage/shop that does good
> work on older Toyotas. He has a 1979 Celica and doesn't trust the
> average service station.  Any recommendations for the Suburban
> Maryland area?

Um, this is sci.med[ical].  However, if the Toyota is critically ill,
they have an excellent emergency room at Montgomery County Hospital.

;-)

  TED FEUERBACH   Scientific Systems Consultant  Trilogy Consulting, Inc. 
  Lake St. Louis, MO        (314) 537-6603       tjfeue@bb1t.monsanto.com
  Disclaimer:  The opinions expressed herein are MY OWN and obviously not
  the opinions of Trilogy, Monsanto or either of my two ex-wives.
From: geb@dsl.pitt.edu (gordon e. banks)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: cervical/spinal stenosis
Date: 14 Aug 92 16:42:23 GMT
Organization: Decision Systems Laboratory, Univ. of Pittsburgh, PA.

In article <92226.182349EWN1@psuvm.psu.edu> EWN1@psuvm.psu.edu writes:
>My doctor says I may have spinal stenosis.  (I have pain running down the
>outside of both legs, down to the ankle in the left leg and down to the
>knee in the right leg; pain in both hips; pain in all of the back, upper,
>middle, and lower; and pain in the neck.  Basic rheumatoid arthritis
>blood tests have shown nothing, and x rays of my hips and neck have
>shown no problems.)  I'm scheduled for an MRI of my neck in 3 weeks,
>but in the meantime...can anyone provide me with any information on
>spinal stenosis?  Causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, etc. would
>all be appreciated.  Anecdotal information from anyone who has spinal
>stenosis is also welcome.  Please send e-mail if this has been
>discussed before.  Thanks in advance.

Spinal stenosis just means the spinal canal is too narrow for its
contents.  It can be congenital or develop as a result of osteophyte
formation (arthritis).  Symptoms depend on the site of the stenosis.
The cervical (neck) region is most serious, because the spinal
cord can be compressed resulting in gradual paraplegia or quadraplegia.
In the lumbar (low back) region, it results in pain radiating into
the legs, especially on walking, which is relieved by rest or by
bending forward slightly.  It is unusual for x-rays to be normal
in such cases.  MRI should diagnose it, but if your symptoms are
primarily in the legs, I wonder why an MRI of the lumbar spine
was not ordered?  Maybe you had signs of cervical myelopathy.
Treatment is surgical and is usually successful to at least
some degree.  
-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gordon Banks  N3JXP      | "Skepticism is the chastity of the intellect, and
geb@cadre.dsl.pitt.edu   |  it is shameful to surrender it too soon." 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: geb@dsl.pitt.edu (gordon e. banks)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: spina bifida information needed, please!
Date: 18 Aug 92 16:23:58 GMT
Organization: Decision Systems Laboratory, Univ. of Pittsburgh, PA.

In article <44622@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU> tlin@eeyore.Berkeley.EDU (Tony Lin) writes:
>I'm posting this on behalf of my girlfriend ...
>
>Her infant niece has spina bifida.  A number of complications have
>developed and, even worse, more are developing.  We would like to
>hear about and from people with spina bifida.  Anyone out there have
>or had spina bifida?  Parents of children with spina bifida?  People
>studying/dealing with cases of spina bifida?
>
Spina bifida is a defect of neural tube closure on the caudal
end, usually (near the rump of the baby).  It is usually associated
with other nervous system defects in the brain, such as Chiari
malformation and hydrocephalus.  Most of these infants would die
as neonates (and still do in most countries) but in this country
we do them the dubious service of "saving" them so they can spend
their entire lives in institutions.  Certainly there are mild cases
where, although the child will be paraplegic, there is still some
functioning brain, but in many cases, the brain problems result
in profound retardation and the child is really not able to have
any sort of a life at all.  When I was in Britain, (where spinal
bifida is more common than in the US, incidentally) they had a
room of the nursery that they wheeled such cases into where they
were given benign neglect.  It sounds cruel, but a visit to
one of the human warehouses where these kids end up in the US may make
you think it isn't so cruel after all.  In this country, we
have toll free numbers so if the parents and the doctors don't
opt to "have everything done" any busybody can call in and have
the pro-lifers decend on the hospital.

In short, if I had such an infant, I would have the pediatric
neurologist make an assessment of the prognosis for functioning
cerebral cortex.  If it was dismal, I would
steadfastly refuse to permit any life-prolonging operations
or other than comfort measures.  
-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gordon Banks  N3JXP      | "Skepticism is the chastity of the intellect, and
geb@cadre.dsl.pitt.edu   |  it is shameful to surrender it too soon." 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: glp@fig.citib.com (Greg Parkinson)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Prozac/sleeping/alternatives
Date: 18 Aug 92 17:28:09 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Citibank IBISM
Originator: glp@merlin


In article <1992Aug18.051749.19085@spdcc.com>, dyer@spdcc.com (Steve Dyer) writes:
|> In article <dedmunds.714111700@sfu.ca> dedmunds@selkirk.sfu.ca (Darran Edward Edmundson) writes:
|> >What is "anorgasmia"?  I'm currently taking 20mg Prozac daily and have noticed
|> >(make that my wife has noticed) that it has greatly increased my staying
|> >power.  Is this a common side-effect?
|> 
|> About 15-30% of individuals taking fluoxetine develop some degree of
|> "anorgasmia"; that is, delayed or inhibited orgasm. 

An acquantance of mine was talking about his
recent experience with being hospitalized for
profound depression.  He was feeling much better,
so he invited a few people into his room for 
a JO stress-reduction party (with the knowledge
of the night nurses.)  He said it was funny but
frustrating because they just kept going and 
going and going and eventually just gave up.

-- 
Greg Parkinson                  Phone: 212-657-7814  Fax: 212-825-8607
Citibank,111 Wall Street        E-Mail: glp@fig.citib.com
New York, New York  10043
The opinions expressed are my own and not those of the big 'ol bank.
Newsgroups: sci.med,news.answers
From: aschlie@uoft02.utoledo.edu (A.Schliesser)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Smartdrugs
Date: 17 Aug 92 00:38:16 EST
Organization: University of Toledo, Computer Services

In article <9515.2A88B8C2@stjhmc.fidonet.org>, Leon.Ubags@f211.n500.z2.fidonet.org (Leon Ubags) writes:
> Is there anyone who can tell me more about socalled smartdrugs or has 
> experience in using them e.g. Hydrazine,Phenylanaline and so on ?

No drugs have proven effective to date and I doubt any every will.  You can
put smart drugs in the same file as snake oil, placebo's, and other schemes.

Its a good question tho.

TS

+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
|Tony Schliesser         			ASCHLIE@UOFT02.UTOLEDO.EDU|
|The University of Toledo			ASCHLIE@UOFT02.BITNET     |
|College of Pharmacy				FAC2966@UOFT01.UTOLEDO.EDU|
|						FAC2966@UOFT01.BITNET     |
|                                    	  				  |
|   									  |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------+
From: Rick.Ellis@ofa123.fidonet.org
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: B12 Deficiency In Older Adults
X-Sender: newtout 0.01 Aug 21 1992
Date: 21 Aug 92  20:42:42

On <Aug 21 20:42> George B. Clark writes:

 GBC> In other words, much of what we accept as normal body deterioration
 GBC> from aging is actually due to B12 deficiency.

ROFL!
From: dyer@spdcc.com (Steve Dyer)
Newsgroups: sci.med
Subject: Re: Smartdrugs
Date: 15 Aug 92 04:41:59 GMT
Organization: S.P. Dyer Computer Consulting, Cambridge MA

In article <9515.2A88B8C2@stjhmc.fidonet.org> Leon.Ubags@f211.n500.z2.fidonet.org (Leon Ubags) writes:
>Is there anyone who can tell me more about socalled smartdrugs or has 
>experience in using them e.g. Hydrazine,Phenylanaline and so on ?

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that you mean "Hydergine", not
hydrazine. :-)

-- 
Steve Dyer
dyer@ursa-major.spdcc.com aka {ima,harvard,rayssd,linus,m2c}!spdcc!dyer