WHAT IS AVCHD HOW CAN I RECORD BLU RAY DISCS FOR STORAGE OF HIGH DEFINTION VIDEO AND WATCH ON MY NEW EXPENSIVE HDTV IF I LIVE IN AMERICA WHERE THEY DO

WHAT IS AVCHD HOW TO RECORD BLU RAY DISCS FOR STORAGE OF HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO AND WATCH ON HDTV YOU DONT NEED TO BE A GEEK OR EVEN A TECHIE ITS SO EASY

MAKE LONG TERM RECORDINGS OF HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO FROM AN AVCHD OR HDV CAMCORDER
WHAT IS AVCHD AND HDV? WHY DON'T THEY SELL BLU RAY RECORDERS IN THE U.S?

Where have all the minidv tapes gone?
Remember a few years ago when videocams, even high definition video cameras used minidv tapes? They are still around but the numbers are dwindling faster than Democrats on the Fox TV channel.

How are you supposed to store your high definition videos that you make with your new and expensive videocam if it uses a memory card or hard drive for storage?

How can you watch those Summer Vacation videos on your HDTV?

What the heck is AVCHD?

How does it differ from HDV?

And how are you supposed to archive and have long term storage if there are no tapes?

Are you supposed to just pray that your computer hard drive never crashes? And how about watching your recorded high definition video on your expensive new hdtv high def tv? AVCHD is abbreviated for Advanced Video Codec High Definition. It is a format to store high definition video on memory cards or hard drives of cameras and computers. It has advantages over the earlier HDV high definition video.

WHAT IS AVCHD VS HDV AND WHY IS NEW HIGH DEFINTION VIDEO STORED ON AVCHD?

Going to a bookstore or looking on the Internet for information about how to edit and convert the AVCHD from your high definition camcorder or digital camera that records high definition video reveals surprisingly little information or directions.
You could ask at your local electronics store (yeah and you could also win the lottery, if you catch my drift). What I have discovered is that a good way if not the best way to store recordings that you make on AVCHD camcorders is to transfer the AVCHD files from your camera's memory stick or SD or SDHC card or hard disk onto the computer hard drive and from there burn (record) a blu ray disc. Blu ray will preserve the high definition quality of the recording and you can play it back on your new expensive high definition tv. But how do I burn (record) a blu ray disc? It's incredibly easy just don't get scared away by the jargon.

HOW CAN YOU TRANSFER HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO FROM AVCHD AND PLAY IT ON YOUR HIGH DEFINITION HDTV?

There are a few problems with this plan. First, how do you transfer the high definition AVCHD file from your memory card or camera hard drive to the computer?
This is not something that most computers can do without some special program. I have tried Cyberlink Power Director 8 and Adobe Premiere Elements 7. They both can do the job but the Cyberlink Director 8 seems to have fewer hiccups than Premiere Elements especially with bigger files. The newer versions of several other video editing programs like Magix Movie Studio Plus and Sony Vegas should also be able to do the job but make sure they can handle AVCHD not just HDV. By the way you need a fairly powerful computer to handle the task of high definition video editing especially AVCHD. You will need a computer with so called "multiple cores", You know, like the Intel Core Duo or something that says "dual processor" or better yet "quad processor". Even those take an inordinate amount of time for large video files and you will be shocked when slower computers especially notify you that the job may take hours or even over night!

WHAT IS AVCHD AND HDV AREN'T THEY BOTH HIGH DEFINITION?

That brings us to the question of What is HDV? HDV is an earlier format used by video camcorders to record and store high definition video. The celebrated Canon HV-30 is an example of a high definition camcorder that stores high definition video in the HDV format on mini dv tapes. So what's the problem? I also own a Sony DSC HX1 camera that shoots pictures but also high definition video in AVCHD. Though I love my Canon the AVCHD on the Sony looks great and is easier to transfer to the computer. Guess which I use more? The problem is that when you want to transfer files from the HDV video camcorder to the computer you have to play out the whole tape so for example a 1 hour tape will take one hour to be recorded into the computer. With AVCHD you can pull an hour's worth of video off a memory card in just a few minutes. HDV is still around even in some high professional model videocams but AVCHD is gaining fast.

HOW YOU CAN SET UP AND INSTALL A BLU RAY RECORDER WITHOUT OPENING YOUR COMPUTER

Now once you have the programs working and you have the high defintion video stored on your computer it would be good to record a blu ray disc to store and then play the video on your tv. Recording blu ray high definition video is still a bit of a job in the United States. Why? Well you know how they sell DVD recorders that you can use to record video from your video camera onto dvd disks? Well they have blu ray recorders that you can use to record video onto blu ray disks! Only you CAN'T buy blu ray recorders in the good old USA because of some legal squabbles but the Japanese have had them for years and the Europeans have got them now too!



But Americans CAN buy so called blu ray burners (aka recorder) that will burn (techie talk for record) a blu ray disk. All you have to do is install the blu ray burner to your computer (don't start sweating, there is a way to install a blu ray burner without opening the computer) and these video editing programs will direct the blu ray burner to make a blu ray copy on a new blank blu ray disc. The way to install an "internal" blu ray burner without opening the computer is to buy an external enclosure like they sell for "internal" hard drives and just put the "internal" blu ray burner into the external enclosure and connect to the computer by USB 2.0. All modern computers that you can buy will have USB 2.0 ports all over the computer. You can find them at your local big box store or online without any problems. Just make sure that the sizes fit, example if it says "3.5" make sure you get an enclosure for 3.5.



All that's left is to play your recorded blu ray disc in your blu ray player attached to your expensive new hdtv and impress your friends, family,neighbors and maybe even your mother in law!




Be aware that AVCHD comes in different versions but Sony, Panasonic and Canon all make them and the programs ought to be able to recognize the AVCHD files. They may have file names like MTS or M2TS. As Wikipedia says "Recorded AVCHD video can be played back in a variety of ways":

Directly from a camcorder on an HD television set, through HDMI or component-video cable

Burned onto writable Blu-ray disc in Blu-ray Disc format, (my recommendation) then played on a Blu-ray Disc player or on a Playstation 3 gaming console

Burned onto DVD disc in AVCHD format, then played on most Blu-ray Disc players or on a Playstation 3 gaming console(but some blu ray players are programmed NOT to let you play back DVD with AVCHD on it)

Recorded on an SDHC in AVCHD format, then played on select Panasonic and JVC Blu-ray Disc players and HDTV sets and on a Playstation 3 gaming console.

More from healty medical Blog about High Definition Video

Your Medical Records Belong To You

I've been engaging a lot recently with the notion of an electronic health record. For those of you who don't know, this is usually an online version of collated data to do with your health. Simply - your pathology, your doc notes, all the hospital visits, illnesses and drug usage are kept in one secure place. You can access it and most of the time, so can a healthcare provider.

For those of you that are not in tune with the medical world - this is something you have to know about as it is the backbone of the Obama administration. By having an electronic health record, there is a saving on administration as well as all the good things a centralised database brings. eg. Less duplication of tests and better management of healthcare.

Discovery Health in South Africa is launching one next year. It'll be interesting to see how the "population" engages with it.

This blog is very interesting in that it clearly outlines the fact that your medical records belong to YOU. Many people are under the misconception that your doctor owns your medical records - and that the only way to access them is via that doctor. This is not true. Your health. Your body. Your money spent to purchase medication/tests etc.

It belongs to you.

Have gastric bypass surgery. Lose your diabetes? Could it be that simple? There is some evidence that gastric bypass surgery can help people with type 2 diabetes. The benefit of gastric bypass surgery for some people with diabetes may derive from more than just the simple weight loss.



According to an article in the LA Times, "As many as 86% of obese people with Type 2 diabetes find their diabetes is gone or much easier to control within days of having weight-loss surgery, according to a meta-analysis of 19 studies published earlier this year in the American Journal of Medicine (78% of patients with a remission of diabetes and 86.6% with remission or improvement). But experts still aren't sure why obesity surgery helps resolve Type 2 diabetes or how long the effect might last. And they disagree on how big a role surgery should take in treating the illness."

HAVE GASTRIC BYPASS WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY LOSE YOUR TYPE 2 DIABETES COULD IT BE THAT SIMPLE

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Purple Medical Blog had written previously about another study called Adjustable Gastric Banding and Conventional Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes. Researchers divided obese people with Type 2 diabetes into two groups. One group of obese diabetics got weight loss surgery, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and the other group of diabetics got conventional diabetes therapy with a focus on weight loss by lifestyle change. The researchers found that "participants randomized to surgical therapy were more likely to achieve remission of type 2 diabetes through greater weight loss. These results need to be confirmed in a larger, more diverse population and have long-term efficacy assessed".





Video Says Gastric Bypass Might Improve Diabetes

Look at Incredible Video Before and After Gastric Bypass



"The study, of 60 patients, showed that 73 percent of those who had the gastric banding surgery had complete remissions of diabetes, meaning all signs of the disease went away. By contrast, the remission rate was only 13 percent in those given conventional treatment, which included intensive counseling on diet and exercise for weight loss, and, when needed, diabetes medicines like insulin, metformin and other drugs". Type 2 diabetes is the more common form of diabetes. Doctors have known for some time that weight loss tends to improve Type 2 diabetes. It tends to appear in older people and can be due to a lack of sensitivity of the insulin receptors in the body. Type 2 diabetes is more likely to be treated with pills than insulin shots.

Click healty medical Study Suggest Less Cancer With Gastric Bypass

Click Here for Risks Rewards Gastric Bypass Weight Surgery



The LA article writes "There is strong evidence that surgery -- especially gastric bypass surgery, which makes the stomach smaller and allows food to bypass part of the small intestine -- causes chemical changes in the intestine, says Dr. Jonathan Q. Purnell, director of the Bionutrition Unit at Oregon Health & Science University. The small intestine has been thought of simply as the place where digestion occurs".



"But researchers now suspect it has other functions related to metabolism. (Gastric Bypass) Surgery somehow alters the secretion of hormones in the gut that play a role in appetite and help process sugar normally".

Adjustable Gastric Banding and Conventional Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes

Gastric bypass: Is it a diabetes fix?

Diabetes Study Favors Surgery to Treat Obese

What Happens to People After Gastric Bypass Who Needs and is Eligible for Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery

What Happens to People After Gastric Bypass Complications and Who Needs and is Eligible for Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery

WHAT KIND OF CONDITIONS IN OBESE PEOPLE SUGGEST THEY COULD BENEFIT FROM WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY?

How do they determine who is eligible, who needs and who should have a gastric bypass and what happens to people who had a gastric bypass or other bariatric weight loss surgery? Guidelines recommend optional bariatric surgery for those who have BMIs (what is BMI see below) greater than 40 kg per m2 and obesity-related comorbidities (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea) but who could not lose weight with dietary drugs, diet, or exercise. There are four types of weight loss operations that are commonly offered in the United States. People are wise to analyze the risks and benefits when they think about having weight loss surgery (bariatric) such as gastric bypass surgery.

WHAT ARE SOME GUIDELINES FOR WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY?

According to a medical report in 2006 "American College of Physicians (ACP) guidelines recommend optional bariatric surgery for those who have BMIs greater than 40 kg per m2 and obesity-related comorbidities (e.g., hypertension, diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea) but who could not lose weight with dietary drugs, diet, or exercise".


Video Says Gastric Bypass Might Improve Diabetes





Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person's weight and height. BMI provides an indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories. Comorbidity means the presence of other medical problems in addition to one a particular medical problem. So for example, a person has diabetes but also high blood pressure.

HOW MANY TYPES OF BARIATRIC SURGERY ARE COMMON IN THE UNITED STATES?

There are four types of weight loss operations that are commonly offered in the United States:

Adjustable gastric band

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass,

Biliopancreatic diversion with a duodenal switch

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy.

"Published studies may help the physician decide whether or not the procedure would be in the patient's best interest. A national study of bariatric surgeries showed several trends:

What is Difference Between Overweight and Morbid Obesity Two Videos and A Blog Discuss Gastric Bypass Surgery the Complications and Benefits

More patients are undergoing bariatric surgery

The average age of patients undergoing bariatric surgery has increased from 39 to 41 years

In-hospital complication rates have remained stable.

However, the increase in bariatric surgeries was seen mostly in patients 50 to 64 years of age. The number of patients 65 years and older undergoing bariatric surgery remained stable, accounting for 0.6 to 1.3 percent of procedures from 1998 to 2002".






Here are two videos and a web site where you can read, watch and hear thoughtful advice about weight loss and gastric bypass surgery. Obesity especially what's called "morbid obesity" can increase the risk of health problems. For example, many very obese people can have high blood pressure which is itself an increased risk for stroke and heart attack. On the other hand, weight loss surgery or any surgery also has risks such as reaction to anesthesia and complications from surgery.





"Some common short-term complications of bariatric surgery are wound infections, stomal stenosis, marginal ulceration, and constipation. Wound infections are more common in open than in laparoscopic procedures and may occur in up to 20 percent of patients...In addition to the above-mentioned complications, which also can occur in the long term, special attention should be given to symptomatic gallstones in the gallbladder, dumping syndrome, persistent vomiting, and nutritional deficiencies. Cholelithiasis aka gallstones, is a common consequence of rapid weight loss in the postoperative period".

Who Is Eligible for Gastric Bypass Surgery

How Do People Do After Weight Loss Surgery a Study



The National Institutes of Health has brought together the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery researchers with expertise in bariatric surgery, obesity research, internal medicine, endocrinology, behavioral science, outcomes research, epidemiology, and other relevant fields to collaboratively plan and conduct studies that will ultimately lead to better understanding of bariatric surgery

Caring for Patients After Bariatric Surgery

What is Difference Between Overweight and Morbid Obesity Two Videos and A Blog Discuss Gastric Bypass Surgery the Complications and Benefits

Could it kill me? There are four types of weight loss operations that are commonly offered in the United States. People are perfectly justified in weighing the risks and benefits when they think about the feasibility of having weight loss surgery such as gastric bypass surgery. Here are two videos and a web site where you can read, watch and hear thoughtful advice about weight loss and gastric bypass surgery. Obesity especially what's called "morbid obesity" can increase the risk of health problems. For example, many very obese people can have high blood pressure which is itself an increased risk for stroke and heart attack. On the other hand, weight loss surgery or any surgery also has risks such as reaction to anesthesia and complications from surgery.











There are four types of weight loss operations that are commonly offered in the United States:

Adjustable gastric band

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass,

Biliopancreatic diversion with a duodenal switch

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy.

Adjustable Gastric Band works primarily by decreasing food intake. Food intake is limited by placing a small bracelet-like band around the top of the stomach to produce a small pouch about the size of a thumb. The outlet size is controlled by a circular balloon inside the band that can be inflated or deflated with saline solution to meet the needs of the patient.

What Happens to People After Gastric Bypass Complications and Who Needs and is Eligible for Bariatric Weight Loss Surgery




Gastric Bypass Might Improve Diabetes






Roux-en-Y gastric bypass works by restricting food intake and by decreasing the absorption of food. Food intake is limited by a small pouch that is similar in size to the adjustable gastric band. In addition, absorption of food in the digestive tract is reduced by excluding most of the stomach, duodenum, and upper intestine from contact with food by routing food directly from the pouch into the small intestine. Biliopancreatic diversion with a duodenal switch, usually referred to as a “duodenal switch,” is a complex bariatric operation that principally includes 1) removing a large portion of the stomach to promote smaller meal sizes, 2) re-routing of food away from much of the small intestine to partially prevent absorption of food, and 3) re-routing of bile and other digestive juices which impair digestion.



In removing a large portion of the stomach, a more tubular “gastric sleeve” also known as a vertical sleeve gastrectomy, is created.The smaller stomach sleeve remains connected to a very short segment of the duodenum, which is then directly connected to a lower part of the small intestine. This operation leaves a small portion of the duodenum available for food and the absorption of some vitamins and minerals.






However, food that is eaten by the patient bypasses the majority of the duodenum. The distance between the stomach and colon is made much shorter after this operation, thus promoting malabsorption. Biliopancreatic diversion with a duodenal switch produces significant weight loss. However, there is greater risk of long-term complications because of decreased absorption of food, vitamins, and minerals. VSG historically had been performed only as the first stage of biliopancreatic diversion with a duodenal switch in patients who may be at high risk for complications from more extensive types of surgery. These patients’ high risk levels are due to body weight or medical conditions.


Take a look at this blog about weight loss

Chris Oliver Blog - Obesity to Triathlons


More recent information indicates that some patients who undergo a Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy can actually lose significant weight with VSG alone and avoid a second procedure. It is not yet known how many patients who undergo VSG alone will need a second stage procedure. A Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy operation restricts food intake and does not lead to decreased absorption of food. However, most of the stomach is removed, which may decrease production of a hormone called ghrelin. A decreased amount of ghrelin may reduce hunger more than other purely restrictive operations, such as gastric band.

Bariatric Surgery for Severe Obesity

Videos Where Daniel Kish Explains How Blind People Can See With Sound You Too Can Learn Echo Location

Previously Purple Medical told the story with videos and stories about how blind kids can see with sound. Known as echo location. Daniel Kish is a pioneer in the field of blind people using sound to navigate, play and lead a fun life. In this video Mr. Kish elucidates the idea behind using echo location for people.



Mr. Kish taught Lucas Murray who was born unable to see. But thanks to a technique using a form of sonar the seven-year-old can now visualize his surroundings for the very first time. By clicking his tongue on the roof of his mouth the youngster can discover where and how big objects are by deciphering the echoes that bounce back




Click the arrow to start

Stories and Videos about Blind People Who See with Sound

GUEST POST: How to Ensure Healthy Babies For HIV Mothers

It’s a problem that still plagues most third world countries because the level of awareness is pretty low, because the people are not educated enough, and because HIV/AIDS is still rampant. The most important thing on an HIV positive pregnant woman’s mind is the fear that she will pass on the dreaded disease to her unborn child, and most women opt for an abortion rather than put their child through the same torment that they undergo every day. But the truth is, if you follow the right precautions, babies with HIV mothers are unaffected by this virus.

Combination antiretroviral therapy must be provided to the mother during pregnancy and during labor, and to the child after birth.

Breastfeeding must be avoided as much as possible, and if the mother insists on it or if the child is allergic to other forms of sustenance, they can try the preventive method suggested by a study conducted by the University of North Caroline at Chapel Hill. According to this study, providing the infant with antiretroviral syrup every day or treating the mother with highly active antiretroviral drugs helps prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission.

• Mothers must be encouraged to follow hygienic procedures and drink water that is potable or filtered.
• Mothers must work closely with their clinicians to monitor the baby and ensure maximum protection for their child.
• Doctors must ensure that the mother’s blood does not enter the baby’s bloodstream at the time of birth
• A natural birth is a definite no-no in such situations. The mother must be prepared for a C section.
• The mother must undergo regular prenatal checks and follow her doctor’s instructions to the letter.
• The babies will be monitored closely for up to six weeks after birth.

It’s up to the mother to see that her baby does not suffer from this dreaded disease. As long as she is confident and careful, there’s no reason why her baby cannot be born healthy. Doctors allow a 98 percent chance that HIV mothers will deliver healthy babies.

This guest article was written by Adrienne Carlson, who regularly writes on the topic of nurse practitioner schools . Adrienne welcomes your comments and questions at her email address: adrienne.carlson1@gmail.com

Echolocation The Boys and Girls Who See With Sound Blind Children Who See with Sound and Have Fun Too

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I read these stories about kids who are blind and watch these videos of how they navigate with sound waves and all I can say is Wow! They are stories that start like this, "Ever since he was born Lucas Murray has been unable to see. But thanks to a technique using a form of sonar the seven-year-old can now visualize his surroundings for the very first time. By clicking his tongue on the roof of his mouth the youngster can discover where and how big objects are by deciphering the echoes that bounce back"
.

Daniel Kish Explains How Blind People See With Sound


Click the arrow
















These kids can't see but can run with ease,play,and even skateboard! These wonderful remarkable stories of little kids and teens who are blind who skateboard and do other athletic activities with aplomb.

The blind seven-year-old 'Bat Boy' who sees the world by clicking his tongue and listening for the echoes





Then there was Jennifer Tissot who took up skateboarding because she wanted to do something more challenging. Now look at the story of Ben Underwood, another blind teen in California with similar ability.It is hard to even imagine how he does it and yet this remarkable teen can skate, play video games and more. You can watch the video of Ben Underwood skating and playing games. He has apparently refined echolocation to an art form.


Wacth the video. Click on the arrow to begin

The Boy Who Sees With Sound

Jennifer Tissot: Blind Speed Daredog, Blinded as a Child, Picks Up Skateboarding at Age 20

People with Amazing Senses

Comparing a Laptop to a Netbook Review of the Advantages of The Toshiba Nb205 What is a Good Netbook with a Long Battery Life

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Netbook with Wi-fi and Extra Long Battery Life Helps the Sun Shine on Cloud Computing

I was a true believer in "cloud computing". But it was only after I got a netbook, a netbook with a really long battery life running Windows XP that I felt I had a truly portable computer. When I bought a laptop a few months ago I thought I had a ticket to computer coolness and the world of portable wi-fi. But what good is having a "portable" laptop if it is
a. heavy
b. has a short battery life
c. it gets so hot you can fry an egg on it?

I got tired of fighting with people for an electrical outlet as my laptop always lost battery power after maybe one and half hours(not the advertised three).

My netbook is a Toshiba Nb205. The battery life is said to be 9 hours. I don't know if that is so but I do know that it lasts much much longer than my more expensive (and heavy) laptop loaded with Vista. The Nb205 is also lightweight, around 3 pounds!

Let me say here and now I bought my netbook at the local big box store. I have no connection with Toshiba. In fact, I didn't know you could get a netbook with a nine hour battery life since most of the netbooks I had seen were rated at 3 hours or maybe 4.











On the other hand the one glaring weakness of the Nb205 is the sound speaker. I don't know what they were thinking when they designed a great netbook with awesome battery life, lightweight and stylish and yet put this tinny sounding speaker thing in. Ah well, at least it sounds ok with headphones. The Nb205 uses an Intel Atom processor which is a processor found on many netbooks. It is engineered to use much less power than some of the "full size" Intel processors, so lasts longer and generates less heat. But it 's not as powerful either.





Netbooks are designed to be primarily used for Internet surfing but they can run regular computer programs too. They usually don't have a dvd drive in them but you can attach a lightweight external drive via a usb port when you want to load new software or play a movie.



Advantages of Netbook over Laptop

Longer Battery life (sometimes but many still only run for 3 hours)

Not as Heavy as Laptop (the Nb205 is something around 3 pounds)

Usually not as hot since uses processor designed for netbooks to use less power




Advantages of Laptop over Netbook

Usually more powerful processor

Better faster running programs (don't even try to do video processing on a netbook)

Usually has built in dvd player /burner

Probably better speakers (the speaker ,yes speaker! on my netbook is not only weak but is face down so when you put the netbook down it muffles the sound)

Research Says Playing Games May Help Brain

Playing Games to Improve Working Memory

Using the Brain to Control Computers

Smoking laws work - Study.

Quick excerpt here from a 2001 study that proves tobacco laws reduce smoking. This is damn old. We're getting better at it. The source site is also great for other South African public health statistics.

Tobacco consumption declines
by Mokgadi Pela
2001-03-16

Tobacco consumption in South Africa has fallen for eight consecutive years since 1991, a meeting to discuss the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control heard in Sandton, Johannesburg, on the 12th of March. Delivering the keynote address, Dr Derek Yach, of the World Health Organisation, said this was a result of sustained tobacco control measures. He said in 1998-99 more than 30 billion cigarettes were released for consumption, down by 17 percent from the 36 billion released in 1993-94. The work of public health advocates in South Africa thrived. Led by Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, South Africa's tobacco control story is now a shining example for the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control of public excellence and political courage. The 11th World Conference on Tobacco held last year in Chicago saluted this leadership with an award recognising her exemplary courage, Yach said. Crucially, the declines have been most significant among the poorest and the youngest groups in the country. New laws banning smoking in public places and the complete ban on tobacco advertising and promotion, which is being incrementally introduced this year, are likely to push the rates down even faster, he added. Yach dismissed claims that tobacco control would lead to job losses. (Source: Sowetan, 13 March 2001)

Tobacco consumption in South Africa has fallen for eight consecutive years since 1991, a meeting to discuss the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control heard in Sandton, Johannesburg, on the 12th of March. Delivering the keynote address, Dr Derek Yach, executive director of non-communicable diseases and menial health at the World Health Organisation, said this was a result of sustained tobacco control measures.

He said in 1998-99 more than 30 billion cigarettes were released for consumption, down by 17 percent from the 36 billion released in 1993-94. The work of public health advocates in South Africa thrived. Led by Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, South Africa's tobacco control story is now a shining example for the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control of public excellence and political courage. The 11th World Conference on Tobacco held last year in Chicago saluted this leadership with an award recognising her exemplary courage, Yach said.

Crucially, the declines have been most significant among the poorest and the youngest groups in the country. New laws banning smoking in public places and the complete ban on tobacco advertising and promotion, which is being incrementally introduced this year, are likely to push the rates down even faster, he added. Yach dismissed claims that tobacco control would lead to job losses.

We know from economists around the world that far from causing job losses, people who stop smoking will spend their money on other goods and services, resulting in an increase in employment in those sectors. We know what works in South Africa will work in many other countries, Yach said.

Speaking at the same forum. Tshabalala-Msimang said her department would tighten the laws controlling smoking to ensure that everyone has an environment that's not harmful to their well-being. She said the tobacco industry had shown they'll use any loophole to protect their product. We will also find all the gaps and close them.

Tshabalala-Msimang urged participating nations to pass laws that would ensure that the youth and all vulnerable groups were protected from the harmful effects of smoking.

Source: Sowetan, 13 March 2001

National Institute of Health Sponsored Study Green Tea Extract in Preventing Cervical Cancer in Patients With Human Papillomavirus and Low-Grade Cervi

National Institute of Health Sponsored Study Green Tea Extract in Preventing Cervical Cancer in Patients With Human Papillomavirus and Low-Grade Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia

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What does Green Tea do?

The possibility of health benefits for green tea has been tossed around the halls of research like a medical football. Some studies says yes some say no and at least one claims that it may even interfere with a cancer drug! A clinical trial has been going on at the University of Arizona to determine what if any value green tea extract may have against cancer. Clinical Trial NIH number NCT00303823 is a randomized phase II trial studying green tea extract to see how well it works (if at all) compared to a placebo in preventing cervical cancer in patients with human papillomavirus and low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. The cervix is the lower, narrow portion of the uterus (the womb) where it joins with the top end of the vagina.



This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms.

Arm I: Patients receive oral green tea extract (Polyphenon E^®) once daily for 16 weeks in the absence of unacceptable toxicity.

Arm II: Patients receive oral placebo once daily for 16 weeks in the absence of unacceptable toxicity.









They want to:

Assess the effect of green tea extract (Polyphenon E^®) in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV) expression and low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 1) in a pre- and post-treatment setting. (Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), also known as cervical dysplasia, is the potentially premalignant transformation and abnormal growth (dysplasia) of cells on the surface of the cervix. Most cases of CIN remain stable, or are eliminated by the host's immune system without intervention. However a small percentage of cases progress to become cervical cancer, if left untreated. The major cause of CIN is chronic infection of the cervix with the sexually transmitted HPV)

Compare the toxicity of green tea extract vs placebo among patients with CIN 1.

Evaluate the utility of karyometry (studying the nucleus of a cell) as an intermediate endpoint biomarker for cervical chemoprevention studies.



A total of 176 patients will be accrued for this study.

Green Tea Extract in Preventing Cervical Cancer in Patients With Human Papillomavirus and Low-Grade Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia

Green tea polyphenols block the anticancer effects of bortezomib and other boronic acid–based proteasome inhibitors



"The anticancer potency of green tea and its individual components is being intensely investigated, and some cancer patients already self-medicate with this "miracle herb" in hopes of augmenting the anticancer outcome of their chemotherapy. Bortezomib (BZM) is a proteasome inhibitor in clinical use for multiple myeloma".

New Smoking Laws

For those of you who don't know... Smoking laws are getting stricter. YES! Good on ya, South Africa. If only they'd extend it to alcohol (btw, when is SAB going to STOP making quarts in glass bottles? Have you SEEN Friday night at Bara??)



Although he pokes fun and says that smoking laws do nothing - this is not true. There have been large changes in the prevalence of smoking of the first set of laws were passed in South Africa. Same for you overseas? Another post on this soon.

More on iMod.

How to navigate a hospital - the Do's and Don'ts

Great article on understanding hospitals, the do's, don'ts, knows and nots.

While hospitals can provide a secure refuge when you are seriously ill, remember that hospitals can be scary places! For one thing, the very fact that your doctor wants you to be admitted into hospital means that he thinks you are quite ill and this in itself can generate considerable anxiety! Even worse, hospitals can be very unfriendly places. Not only do hospitals strip you of all your dignity (having to wear a half-open hospital gown which barely covers your body properly does not do much good to your ego!), but also they subject you to painful routines and humiliating rituals performed by a retinue of strangers. Moreover, you could be woken up at any time of the day, (or night), deprived of your privacy, forced to eat unpalatable food, cut off from friends and family, and denied a lot of the independence which you take so much for granted in daily life. Also, remember that hospitals can be dangerous to your health as well! Hospital-acquired infections have become increasingly common ( since a number of sick patients are gathered together under one roof); and errors and mix-ups are not unusual at all, especially in India, where the paramedical staff is often poorly trained.

Check it out here.

Hamburgers In Orbit The Good The Bad and The Ugly as NYT Shoots Down Copacetic Image of Hamburgers

Where Does the Meat in Hamburgers Come From?

If you took all the hamburgers that Americans eat and put them in a line they would circle the Earth 32 times.What about the pickles? That statistic is from a recent article on the history of hamburger (Can you get a PhD in that?). But a fascinating NY Times article reveals that all is not copacetic in the high steaks(!) world of hamburger manufacture. Especially where it involves the arch nemesis E. coli. BTW E.coli is a problem for other food not just hamburger.




Amazingly the NYT says "Ground beef is usually not simply a chunk of meat run through a grinder. Instead, records and interviews show, a single portion of hamburger meat is often an amalgam of various grades of meat from different parts of cows and even from different slaughterhouses. These cuts of meat are particularly vulnerable to E. coli contamination, food experts and officials say. Despite this, there is no federal requirement for grinders to test their ingredients for the pathogen".



You should know though that E.coli is one of the most ubiquitous of all bacteria when it comes to the human gut and the gut of animals. It is only certain varieties of E.coli that make trouble for the consumer and it happens in other foods besides hamburger. E. coli O157:H7 can colonize in the intestines of animals, which could contaminate muscle meat at slaughter. O157:H7 is a strain of E. coli that produces large quantities of a potent toxin that forms in the intestine and causes severe damage to the lining of the intestine. The disease produced by the bacteria is called Hemorrhagic colitis.









E. coli O157:H7 survive refrigerator and freezer temperatures. Once they get in food, they can multiply very slowly at temperatures as low as 44 °F. The actual infectious dose is unknown, but most scientists believe it takes only a small number of this strain of E. coli to cause serious illness and even death, especially in children. E.coli is killed by thorough cooking. Ground beef should be cooked to 160 °F. Illnesses caused by E. coli O157:H7 have been linked with the consumption of undercooked ground beef. Raw milk, apple cider, dry cured sausage, and undercooked roast beef have also been implicated.






Obviously most hamburger is safe considering how much hamburger is consumed every year in the United States. (14 to 15 Billion Hamburgers). Per the NYT, "Meat companies and grocers have been barred from selling ground beef tainted by the virulent strain of E. coli known as O157:H7 since 1994, after an outbreak at Jack in the Box restaurants left four children dead. Yet tens of thousands of people are still sickened annually by this pathogen, federal health officials estimate, with hamburger being the biggest culprit".













Do you think preparing ground beef is a no brainer? Here is what they say at the FSIS site about how to safely prepare ground beef: Consumers preparing ground beef products should heed the following advice.

Consumers should only eat ground beef patties that have been cooked to a safe temperature of 160 ºF. When a ground beef patty is cooked to 160 ºF throughout, it can be safe and juicy, regardless of color.

The only way to be sure a ground beef patty is cooked to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria is to use an accurate digital instant-read thermometer.

Color is not a reliable indicator that ground beef patties have been cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria.

Eating a pink or red ground beef patty without first verifying that the safe temperature of 160 ºF has been reached is a significant risk factor for food borne illness.

Thermometer use to ensure proper cooking temperature is especially important for those who cook or serve ground beef patties to people most at risk for food borne illness because certain pathogens can lead to serious illness or even death. Those most at risk include young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.

E. Coli Path Shows Flaws in Beef Inspection

"To prevent E. coli O157:H7 infection, you should
1. Cook all ground beef and hamburger thoroughly. Because ground beef can turn brown before disease-causing bacteria are destroyed, use a digital instant-read meat thermometer to ensure thorough cooking. Ground beef should be cooked until a thermometer inserted into several parts of the patty, including the thickest part, reads at least 160 °F.
2. If you are served an undercooked hamburger or other ground beef product in a restaurant, send it back for further cooking. You may want to ask for a new bun and a clean plate, too. 3. Avoid spreading harmful bacteria in your kitchen. Keep raw meat separate from ready-to-eat foods. Wash hands, counters, and utensils with hot soapy water after they touch raw meat.
4. Never place cooked hamburgers or ground beef on the unwashed plate that held raw patties. Wash meat thermometers in between tests of patties that require further cooking.
5. Drink only pasteurized milk, juice, or cider.
6. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly, especially those that will not be cooked.
7. Children under 5 years of age, immunocompromised persons, and the elderly should avoid eating alfalfa sprouts until their safety can be assured. Methods to decontaminate alfalfa seeds and sprouts are being investigated.




Where do you get reliable information about food safety? Good places to start are:

United States Dept. of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service

www.FoodSafety.gov

Safe Handling of Take Out Foods and Bacteria in Foodborne Illness

Safe Handling of Takeout Foods

Foodborne Illness: What Consumers
Need to Know

The credit munch: The history of the hamburger