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Trapping Immune Cells In The Uterus Prevents Anti-fetal Immunity
Why the immune system of a pregnant woman does not attack her developing fetus is one of most remarkable features of pregnancy, and several underlying mechanisms have been described. However, Adrian Erlebacher and colleagues, at the New York University School of Medicine, New York, have now identified a new mechanism to explain why the mouse maternal immune system does not attack the fetuses.

Blogs Comment On 'Common Ground' Bill, Abortion Coverage In Health Reform Legislation, Other Topics
The following summarizes selected women"s health-related blog entries.~ "Democratic Bill Could Be a Preview of Obama"s Abortion Plan," Dan Gilgoff, U.S. News & World Report"s "God and Country": A recently introduced bill aimed at reducing the need for abortion is "big news because moderate to liberal faith-based advocates are urging the White House to adopt the bill ... as the core of its forthcoming "common ground" plan on abortion and reproductive health," Gilgoff writes. Some conservative religious groups, including the Southern Baptist Convention and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, "have warned the White House" that the bill is a "deal breaker" for them because of its support for comprehensive sex education and contraception, he writes. The White House "has refused to say which way it"s leaning," Gilgoff writes, adding the Obama administration could "buck" the groups that support the bill and "get behind" the Pregnant Women Support Act, "which is generally considered more robust on reducing demand for abortions and which leaves out contraceptive funding." However, he concludes, "that would be a pretty big surprise" (Gilgoff, "God and Country," U.S. News & World Report, 7/23).~ "New Report: Abortion Providers = American Human Rights Defenders, Now Under Increasing Attack," Jodi Jacobson, RH Reality Check: A new Center for Reproductive Rights report "calls on both the federal and state governments to address the growing threats against and stigmatization and abuse of abortion providers throughout the United States," Jacobson writes. The report "focuses on a key obstacle to the realization of women"s reproductive rights ... and recognizes their work as human rights defenders," she writes, adding that the U.S. has "historically been a leader both in creating and in encouraging accountability to human rights principles throughout the world." However, "[a]ccess to reproductive health care generally and abortion care specifically are basic human rights largely ignored within the context of U.S. domestic politics," Jacobson writes, noting that abortion access in the U.S. "has been increasingly limited due to the range of obstacles created through anti-choice advocacy." The report highlights several "types of rights violations [that] are most pervasive in limiting women"s choices and the rights of abortion providers," including "intimidation and harassment," "stigma" and "legal restrictions." The report makes a "series of recommendations for change at the state and local level for changes in policy and in law enforcement practices, as well as for the federal government, medical community and non-governmental organizations," Jacobson concludes, adding that the report "makes a special plea for the United Nations Special Rapporteur to document violations of women"s human rights in the United States" (Jacobson, RH Reality Check, 7/22).~ "Sixteen Governors Call on Congress To Include Medicaid Family Planning State Option in Health Reform," Jodi Jacobson, RH Reality Check: "Sixteen governors have written a letter to both Senate and House Leadership "expressing strong support for the Medicaid Family Planning State Option,"" which is included in President Obama"s fiscal year 2010 budget proposal, Jacobson writes. The governors wrote, "Many of our states have created family planning expansion programs, though we have done so with great difficulty," adding, "Since the early 1990s, 27 states have been granted federal waivers to expand their Medicaid family planning coverage. These demonstration projects have been unqualified successes, providing care to millions of women while saving states [millions] of dollars." Jacobson continues, "The current Medicaid waiver process, however, "puts unnecessary roadblocks in the way of our efforts to maintain and expand coverage for family planning services,"" according to the governors. She adds, "Passing this law as part of health care reform "would give us the needed flexibility to quickly and efficiently expand cove
News of the day
Strategies For Lower Extremity PAD Compared
Lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects more than eight million Americans, with significant risks of limb loss, disability and death. Treatment of lower extremity PAD focuses on restoring normal blood supply to the affected limb. Traditional treatment, such as surgical bypass, is effective but invasive. In recent years, many patients have been treated with newer endovascular interventions, using catheter-based devices to reopen peripheral arteries in a less-invasive fashion. According to past research, it is unclear if these newer treatments are as effective as conventional surgical bypass in preventing amputation.
Public Health

New Study Shows Nexium 40 Mg And 20 Mg Reduced Gastric And Duodenal Ulcers By 80 - 85% In Patients Taking Low-Dose Aspirin For CV Protection

Esomeprazole significantly reduced the occurrence of gastric and duodenal ulcers and upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in patients taking low-dose aspirin for risk reduction of adverse cardiovascular (CV) events[i], such as myocardial infarction (MI) and ischaemic stroke, according to new data presented today at the Digestive Diseases Week annual meeting (DDW, 30thMay - 4th June, Chicago). GI side effects related to the upper GI tract, which include dyspeptic symptoms with or without development of a gastric or duodenal ulcer, are a common reason for patients discontinuing their low-dose aspirin therapy for prevention of cardiovascular events.[ii],[iii] The data from the OBERON trial, a double-blind, randomised, prospective analysis of 2426 patients, revealed that esomeprazole 20mg and 40mg reduced the cumulative proportion of patients with peptic ulcers as well as the proportion of patients with gastric or duodenal ulcers when analysed separately after 26 weeks of treatment by 80-85% .i During the OBERON study period, follow-up endoscopy revealed gastric or duodenal ulcers in 7.4% of patients in the placebo group compared with 1.1% and 1.5 % of those in the esomeprazole 20 mg and 40 mg groups respectively (pAbout NEXIUM® (esomeprazole magnesium) In the US Nexium 20 mg is indicated to maintain symptom resolution and healing of EE (controlled studies did not extend beyond 6 months), and for treatment of heartburn and other symptoms associated with GERD. Nexium 40 mg and 20 mg daily are indicated for short-term treatment (4 to 8 weeks) in healing and symptomatic resolution of diagnostically confirmed erosive esophagitis (EE). Nexium® is approved in Europe for indication in adults for treating frequent, persistent heartburn and other symptoms associated with acid reflux (GERD) and for the healing and maintenance of healing of erosive esophagitis. Nexium® is also approved in the short-term treatment of GERD in children aged 1-17 years. Nexium® is also indicated in the EU for healing of gastric ulcers associated with NSAID therapy and prevention of gastric and duodenal ulcers associated with NSAID therapy in patients at risk. About Digestive Diseases Week DDW is the largest international gathering of physicians, researchers and academics in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery. Jointly sponsored by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, DDW takes place May 30 - June 4, 2009, at the McCormick Place, Chicago, IL. The meeting showcases approximately 5,000 abstracts and hundreds of lectures on the latest advances in GI research, medicine and technology. For more information, visit http://www.ddw.org. References [i] Scheiman, J. Prevention of Low-Dose Acetylsalicylic Acid-Associated Gastric/Duodenal Ulcers with Esomeprazole 20mg and 40mg Once Daily in Patients at Increased Risk of Ulcer Development: a Randomised Controlled Trial (OBERON). Data to be presented at Digestive Disease Week 2009. Oral presentation 412. [ii] Yeomans et al. Efficacy of Esomeprazole (20 mg Once Daily) for Reducing the Risk of Gastroduodenal Ulcers Associated With Continuous Use of Low-Dose Aspirin. Am J Gastroenterol 2008;103:2465-2473 [iii] Dyspeptic symptoms and sleep disturbance; a report from a large observational study in low dose acetylsalicylic acid users. Data to be presented at Digestive Disease Week 2009. Poster T1050 [iv] A Randomised, Blinded, Trial of Clopidogrel versus Aspirin in Patients at Risk of Ischaemic Events (CAPRIE), The Lancet, Vol 348, 1996, 1329 - 1339 [v] Thiefin et al. Prevalence and clinical impact of upper gastrointestinal symptoms in patients treated with low dose aspirin. Abstract 1924 [vi] Canadian retrospective cohort study: One year compliance with low-dose ASA therapy was 74.4% (Simpson et al 2003) [vii] Biondi-Zoccai et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis on the hazards of discontinuing or not adhering to aspirin among 50 279 patients at risk for coronary artery disease. European Heart Journal (2006) 27, 2667-2674 AstraZeneca


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