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Enzon Commences Phase II Trial Of PEG-SN38
Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENZN) announced that it has opened its first Phase II trial for PEG-SN38 (EZN-2208), its novel proprietary cancer compound. The trial is open at multiple centers throughout the United States for patients diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer.
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Opinion Piece Criticizes Winfrey For 'Unbalanced' Medical Advice On Hormone Replacement Therapy
Oprah Winfrey "has scored good ratings with her health episodes" of her television show, but "in doing so, she seems to have thrown therapeutic caution to the wind," such as on her shows featuring actress Suzanne Somers" opinions on bioidentical hormone replacement therapy, Salon contributor and physician Rahul Parikh writes in an opinion piece. Somers, while advocating for the use of bioidentical HRT as a safe alternative to traditional HRT for postmenopausal women, said she used "mega-doses of bioidenticals continuously and aggressively," according to Parikh. Parikh writes that Somers, on television and in her 2007 book, "argues that these hormones are more natural, more effective and safer than what doctors prescribe." According to Parikh, "In reality, ...÷ there are no good medical studies to back up those claims."Parikh says that although "what Somers was advocating was radically different from standards of medical care," Winfrey "was not concerned" and even said that Somers ""might be a pioneer,"" Parikh continues. Winfrey billed the episode as part of a ""great debate"" on hormone therapy, but she "didn"t ask about whether [Somers"] super-hormone regimen could have contributed to Somers" history of breast cancer"; "her hysterectomy, the result of pre-cancerous changes in her uterus from her use of HRT"; or the "validity of Somers" book"s s, many of whom are neither experts in women"s health or endocrinology, nor board-certified physicians, nor experienced researchers," Parikh states. He adds, "It"s not that Winfrey doesn"t try to maintain medical credibility in her shows," but "her efforts seem subpar," noting that her show "reaches millions of people, while each doctor can reach only one patient at a time." Parikh concludes, "That could easily be corrected by Winfrey providing more thought and balance in her medical advice" (Parikh, Salon, 5/15).
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Continued International Investment, Decreased Discrimination Key To Fight Against HIV/AIDS, Says U.N. Secretary-General
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon during a General Assembly meeting Tuesday urged governments not to cut aid for the international fight against HIV/AIDS, the AP/Washington Post reports. Even as Ban "called for "bold action" not only to increase funding but also to break down social barriers to achieve the goal set by world leaders in 2006 of universal access to comprehensive HIV prevention services, treatment, care and support by 2010," he and other speakers at the meeting "reviewing progress and challenges in the battle against AIDS indicated that it will be exceedingly difficult - if not impossible - to reach the goal" (Lederer, AP/Washington Post, 6/16).
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Summer Is Time For Lightning Safety

Summer is the peak season for lightning-related injuries. When planning outdoor activities, know what shelter is available and where to go if you hear thunder. "Follow the rule, "when thunder roars, go indoors," " said Dr. Mary Ann Cooper, director of the lightning injury research program at the University of Illinois at Chicago. If you can"t get indoors, get into a hardtop car, bus or truck. Never go under a tree. Once inside, stay off landline phones, computers and video games. "We are seeing an increasing proportion of people injured indoors using Play Stations and other hard-wired video games, even though they knew to unplug their computers to prevent lightning damage," said Cooper, considered the leading international expert on lightning-strike injuries. Cell phones, iPods and other wireless devices do not attract lightning, but further distract people from paying attention to the warning signs of thunder and lightning, Copper said. It"s also important to understand how lightning travels and take sensible precautions. "Wait 30 minutes after the last crack of thunder or flash of lightning before resuming activities or driving home," Cooper said. Although U.S. lightning deaths in the past averaged more than 50 each year, according to the National Weather Service, there were 28 deaths due to lightning strikes in 2008 and nine so far in 2009. People should "continue to keep up their guard about the danger of lightning injury, particularly as lightning activity peaks during the summer months," said Cooper. This year, Lightning Awareness Week (June 21-27) is particularly focusing on the number of men who are injured -- 79 percent of those struck by lightning are men, 36 percent are men between the ages of 20 and 25. "While we used to see more injuries to farmers at the turn of the century, in recent years, the majority of those injured have been young males during work or recreational activities," Cooper said. Nearly a third are injured at work. Golf, hiking, running, and other outdoor activities each also take up a share. However, lightning strike deaths are far from the whole story. "About 90 percent of those struck by lightning survive, but they frequently have permanent after effects, which can include chronic pain, brain injury and thought-processing problems," said Cooper. Cooper, the only physician to ever be named Fellow of the American Meteorological Society, works closely with the National Weather Service in its annual education program. University of Illinois at Chicago


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