Tuesday, October 20, 2009

“Women without HOXA13 gene mutation need not be subjected to X-rays - News-Medical.Net” plus 4 more

Sponsored Links

“Women without HOXA13 gene mutation need not be subjected to X-rays - News-Medical.Net” plus 4 more

Women without HOXA13 gene mutation need not be subjected to X-rays - News-Medical.Net

Posted: 20 Oct 2009 04:10 AM PDT

Hugh S. Taylor, M.D., professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences at Yale, and colleagues have found that women without mutations of the HOXA13 gene do not need to be subjected to x-rays and other tests for a rare condition called hand-foot genital syndrome. The research is presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) scientific meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, October 17-21.

Hand-foot genital syndrome affects the development of the hands and feet, the urinary tract, and the reproductive system. Some women with this disorder could be at increased risk of pregnancy loss, premature labor and stillbirth. Hand-foot genital syndrome is caused by mutations in the HOXA13 gene, which is one of the genes that control the development of the uterus.

Taylor and colleagues studied women who had classic hand-foot genital syndrome and found a new mutation in the gene that had not been described before. The team then looked at women with other uterine disorders and did not find any mutations in HOXA 13. This ruled out the possibility that they could have hand-foot genital syndrome.

"This finding reduces the need for women to undergo these unnecessary and expensive tests," said Taylor.

Source: Yale University

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.



image

Spielmans tackle breast cancer together with faith - Dayton Daily News

Posted: 18 Oct 2009 04:37 PM PDT

By TODD PORTER, The Associated Press 7:48 PM Sunday, October 18, 2009

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The sun at Circle K Farm in Grove City bounced off pumpkins. Kids jumped on haystacks. Happiness and joy were in the air on a perfect autumn Sunday.

In the middle of it all, a legendary former linebacker took it in. Chris Spielman has come a long way since his high school and college days playing for the Massillon Tigers and then at Ohio state.

Sunday, Oct. 11, was Spielman's 44th birthday. It was another he got to celebrate with his wife, Stefanie, and their four children: Madison, Noah, Macy and Audrey.

Hayrides, hay slides and pumpkin patches provided a fall distraction for the Spielmans.

Chris Spielman has been relishing these types of moments almost daily since Stefanie was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998.

"It's been like that for a while because of the fragility of the situation," Spielman said. "For 10, 11 years, it's been like that. That's a normal observation on my part."

The situation never has been more fragile than it is now.

Stefanie Spielman, the football star's high school sweetheart, was 30 when she did a self-examination of her breast and found a lemon-sized lump.

The cancer has returned again.

Chris wouldn't discuss the type of cancer, where it has returned, or the prognosis. He said it has recurred multiple times.

"I've lost count, but this is her biggest challenge," he said. "It's common knowledge. People see her in a wheelchair, and they tend to figure things out."

In 1999, the Spielmans became active fundraisers for cancer research. They have raised more than $6.5 million.

After Stefanie was diagnosed with cancer, Chris put his NFL career on hold and shaved his head in support of his wife's battle.

At halftime of the Ohio State-Navy game Sept. 5 at Ohio Stadium, Spielman was honored for his recentelection to the College Football Hall of Fame. The long applause probably wasn't entirely for him.

"In my heart of hearts, I believe the applause was more for her than for me," Chris said. "Maybe it was for both of us, but with the situation, I think it was for her."

Stefanie, a vibrant young woman who many thought had beaten cancer, was in a wheelchair. It was the first time the public saw how the cancer had returned with a vengeance.

Before starting the third quarter, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel made a point to say hello to Stefanie on the field and shake Chris' hand.

"I wanted her to know we appreciate her," said Tressel, who lost both of his parents to cancer. "Both Chris and Stefanie are of the feeling it's been their hardship that has given them a chance to make a difference in others' lives. They're strong. It's easier for us to say, 'That's how you should be.' It's a heck of a lot harder to be that way, and they are. They're amazing."

Sundays spent as a family, with the children, ranging in age from 15 to 7, never are taken for granted in the Spielman house.

Chris and Stefanie's journey, from teenagers who met at a dance club, to talking about Stefanie's mortality, is courageous and emotional. At first, Chris feared being a single parent. But after a conversation he and Stefanie had not long ago, he was at peace, should that come to pass.

In March, the Spielmans were in an emergency room. Stefanie's cancer already had returned, and she was undergoing intense radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

The Spielmans, it would seem, have lived a prosperous, full life. He earned millions in the NFL and is adored in Columbus. He hosts a successful show on the biggest sports-talk radio station in the state's capital. He's regarded as one of ESPN's top college football analysts.

And his wife may be dying of cancer.

"She said to me, 'You proved to me you can do it if something were to happen,'" Spielman said, his voice lowering. "I think she was waiting for me to show her if the time ever came, I could do a good job raising our kids by myself.

"My point being, I was never angry. I think the fear of the unknown, of being a single parent, is something that entered into me. Once she gave me the passing grade, and I proved to myself I have the ability, I'm not angry. I'm not bitter. I have no fear.

"Once again, the temporary separation we will have that — I've known I can do a good job and be a good parent."

Within the last month, Spielman had a serious conversation with his two oldest children. Madison, with her high cheekbones and radiant like her mother, is 15. Noah, with developing broad shoulders like his dad, is 13.

"I told them there's more challenges ahead," Spielman said. "I said, 'Look, there's three things I do and three things you guys need to do throughout this time in your lives.

One, you do not crawl, walk or jog to God. You run to God for peace and strength. Point two, you have to trust your instincts. Both of you have the Holy Spirit inside your heart. He will guide you on the decisions you make. Believe and trust in that.' And the third thing I told them was to honor your mother in everything you do all the time."

As a reminder, Spielman wrote on a piece of paper, "All you have to do is be Madison, Stef's daughter," and "All you have to do is be Noah, Stef's son." He signed it, "I love you, dad."

"My hope is they look at those every morning before they start their day to deal with a very difficult situation," Chris said. "From being a father, I keep a sharp eye. My observation so far is they've handled the situation better than I could've ever hoped."

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.



image

Unpaid Fees Cause Cleveland Race For Cure To Fall Short - NewsNet 5

Posted: 19 Oct 2009 11:50 AM PDT

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.



image

Pink Tie Gets Illinois Bus Driver Suspended - ArkansasMatters

Posted: 16 Oct 2009 07:36 AM PDT

An Illinois bus driver got more than he bargained for when he tried to do his part to support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The "State Journal-Register" reports officials with the Mass Transit District in Springfield, Illinois have suspended Bill Jones for one day without pay for wearing a pink tie to work last Friday.

The 46-year-old claims he wore the tie as part of a campaign called "Real Men Wear Pink." The American Cancer Society has been asking men to wear pink on Fridays in October to remind women to get annual mammograms. However, transit officials say drivers are not allowed to change their uniforms on their own.

Jones claims he offered to take the tie off as soon as he realized it would be a problem, but his bosses are still making him serve the suspension. Transit officials later sent out a memo telling employees they can wear pink on Fridays.

The local Amalgamated Transit Union has filed a formal grievance against the district and protests are reportedly being planned.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.



image

Spinal Treatment Maker Raises $15.5M in Venture Funding - Orange County Business Journal

Posted: 20 Oct 2009 12:24 PM PDT

Aliso Viejo's Vertos Medical Inc., a maker of devices to treat degenerative spinal diseases, has raised $15.5 million in a fourth round of venture funding.

The funding brings Vertos' total raised to $32.5 million since its 2005 founding.

The company plans to use the money to build up sales of its device and procedure to treat lumbar spinal stenosis, or narrowing of the spinal canal.

Vertos developed a procedure called "mild," which stands for minimally invasive lumbar decompression, and sells a set of devices that is used in the procedure.

The company is training doctors to use its devices and plans to roll them out nationally in early 2010.

Vertos moved from San Jose to Aliso Viejo earlier this year.

It's headed by local medical device executive James Corbett, who had been chief executive of Ev3 Inc., a Minnesota-based maker of devices to treat arterial disease with about 330 workers in Irvine.

Vertos' 10,000-square-foot headquarters on Aliso Creek Road near the San Joaquin Hills (73) Toll Road used to house SenoRx Inc., a maker of breast cancer diagnosis and treatment devices that's now based in Irvine.

The company still has research and development and manufacturing in San Jose with about 40 people in Aliso Viejo.

Vertos expects sales in the seven-figure range this year, according to Corbett, who's chief executive.

New investor Onset Ventures of Menlo Park led the company's latest funding.

Existing investors CHL Medical Partners of Stamford, Conn., Foundation Medical Partners of Rowayton, Conn., Superior, Colo.-based Aweida Venture Partners and DFJ Mercury of Houston also took part.

This content has passed through fivefilters.org.



image
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)