Posted on 12/16/2005 8:42:38 PM PST by neverdem
ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON -- Federal health advisers endorsed a proposed vaccine on Thursday to help prevent shingles, an often-excruciating disease that afflicts as many as 1 million adults every year.
The Food and Drug Administration's advisory panel on vaccines said the vaccine for shingles appeared to be safe and effective in people age 60 and older. However, panelists worried its effectiveness may not last, and said it appeared to be less effective in people over 80.
The vaccine, Zostavax, was developed by Merck & Co., which sought to have it approved for use in people aged 50 and older.
But Merck conducted trials mostly on people 60 and older, leaving the members of the FDA panel on vaccines uncertain whether it was safe or effective for those in their 50s.
Whether to approve the vaccine for sale is now in the hands of the FDA, which often follows the advice of its advisory panels. Even if the FDA approves it for use only in those 60 and older, doctors could still prescribe it for younger people.
People develop shingles as they age because their immunity to the chickenpox virus wanes. The condition usually starts with pain or itching in a band on the skin, followed by a rash or blisters that can last for days or weeks. It can sometimes cause long-term nerve pain.
"The need is there," Dr. Jeffrey Silber, a senior researcher with Merck, told the FDA panel.
Although they generally supported its use, panelists questioned how long the vaccination would be effective, or whether it would only stave off shingles for a few years.
If its effectiveness does decrease, a patient might have to get a booster or risk becoming more seriously ill with the condition after the vaccine wears off.
Silber said the trials showed the vaccine was effective for at least four years, and studies were ongoing to establish its long-term effectiveness, which remains uncertain.
"This is always a question with every new vaccine," he said.
Panelists wondered about data that suggested its effectiveness decreased in people 70 and older. Dr. Patricia Rohan of the FDA said the trial data showed some drop-off in effectiveness among people over 70 years old.
While most vaccines prevent the body from acquiring an illness, this vaccine is unusual in that it may prevent a flare-up of a virus already in the system.
Panelists called on Merck to conduct additional studies on the vaccine. Zostavax is based on the company's chickenpox vaccine, but is built around a much more potent dose.
The favorable vote is another boost for beleaguered Merck, which also won an endorsement of its new vaccine for rotavirus on Wednesday. Merck is facing thousands of lawsuits over its Vioxx painkiller.
I have personally used Oil of Oregano for lots of things too, including mildly sterilizing water, and washing fruits and vegetables I suspected of harboring e-coli, and whatever other colis were hanging around the farm.
It was used to sterilize surgical equipment up into the 1950s. I used a dilute solution as nasal spray to fight really bad colds once, and it removes the smell of fish after one has been fishing. You do smell like a pizza then, but hey, better that than...well...something...I forgot.
Well, I'm wanted back in surgery now. You can never get enough practice in this medicine game, I figure.
Ya have me confused with Eaker as to the Happy Kwanza tattoo on the Butt.
Only Tattoo I have is one of these ....
Had it this year. Took the recommended antiviral. The Itching cleared up in a few weeks, but the sensitivity lasted several months. It took about six months to clear completely. Still some redness in a couple of places.
I would get one too if I had earned it like you did.
I stay in awe looking at our Military!!
I was nice when I sent your tattoo picture to Muttly....cc to you ........:o)
BTW ya blow yerself up just three more times and ya get one of those tattoos for free !
Tomorrows project!!
It might take a couple of weeks to earn it!!!
I don't blow up so easy!!!
It's going away over time , lots of swimming laps , jaccuzzi , massages and beer (tough therapy :o) . That aside I made the sad mistake of thinking a DOD Gulf War study was something to "get involved" in due some really weird after effects of my year spent there.....08/90 to 08/91.....never again.
I have used the amino acid Lysine with great results. Take 500 to 1000 mg a day as maintenance. Up to 1500 a day while you have them.
Paper Says Edible Meat Can be Grown in a Lab
NewsWise.com ^ | June 29 | Unknown Posted on 12/20/2005 1:44:59 PM EST by Pessimist
Newswise Experiments for NASA space missions have shown that small amounts of edible meat can be created in a lab. But the technology that could grow chicken nuggets without the chicken, on a large scale, may not be just a science fiction fantasy.
In a paper in the June 29 issue of Tissue Engineering, a team of scientists, including University of Maryland doctoral student Jason Matheny, propose two new techniques of tissue engineering that may one day lead to affordable production of in vitro lab grown -- meat for human consumption. It is the first peer-reviewed discussion of the prospects for industrial production of cultured meat.
There would be a lot of benefits from cultured meat, says Matheny, who studies agricultural economics and public health. For one thing, you could control the nutrients. For example, most meats are high in the fatty acid Omega 6, which can cause high cholesterol and other health problems. With in vitro meat, you could replace that with Omega 3, which is a healthy fat.
Cultured meat could also reduce the pollution that results from raising livestock, and you wouldnt need the drugs that are used on animals raised for meat.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1544117/posts
Chief Threadkiller Muttly has struck again.
Sea Monkeys !.......Harvest em while tender......:o)
You need a very thin skewer to make sea-monkey Kabob, I notice.
Well, it's officially dead now.
We can move on to something else.
I watched a show recently that said the sweet potato was the single food item that would be the best for long term space expeditions that had to make thir own food or at the very least suppliment their food stores.
They said the sweet potato could be totally consumed...every part of it had some nutritional value....stems , leaves, potato itself etc ....no waste short of that anfer your rental agreement is up .....:o)
Is the sweet potato in the parsnip family?
It must be, or you wouldn't be interested.
Hmmmmmmm you having a bad day there Muttly ?
Nah, just bored.
I must be hungry!
Going out to try to shoot some parsnips before the sun goes down.
They have the advantage at night.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.