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They Are Young And Need The Job: A Second Chance For Dangerous T-cells
The immune system"s T-cells react to foreign protein fragments and therefore are crucial to combating viruses and bacteria. Errant cells that attack the body"s own material are in most cases driven to cell death. Some of these autoreactive T-cells, however, undergo a kind of reeducation to become "regulatory T-cells" that keep other autoreactive T-cells under control. A group led by immunologist Professor Ludger Klein of LMU Munich has now shown that the developmental stage of an autoreactive T-cell is decisive to its ultimate destiny. Young autoreactive T cells are very readily reeducated into regulatory T-cells. Under identical conditions, however, older T cells become fully activated and can cause damage they are in a way resistant to reeducation. "We now intend to study at the molecular level what makes a T-cell accessible for reeducation," said Klein, "because then it may be possible to convert even normal adult T-cells, which can be obtained easily and in great numbers from blood. Possibly, they could then be used as regulatory T-cells in therapies for autoimmune diseases such as type-1 diabetes or multiple sclerosis: these are diseases that are triggered by uncontrolled autoreactive T-cells." (PNAS, 10 June 2009)
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Scientists Slowed Growth Of Ovarian Tumors In Mice Using Nanoparticles To Deliver Suicide Genes
Scientists in the US have found a way of slowing the growth of ovarian cancer tumors in mice by using nanoparticles to deliver suicide genes to
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Obama Says He Is 'Absolutely Committed' To Health Reform
During a C-SPAN interview on Saturday, President Obama said he remains "absolutely committed" to overhauling the U.S. health care system despite obstacles that might surface during reform efforts, the Los Angeles Times reports (Dorning, Los Angeles Times, 5/24). He said he would work to keep "this process moving, ... focusing on how we reduce costs, how do we make sure families have some confidence that they can get health care when they need it and they won"t go bankrupt because their child gets sick" (Adams Otis, New York Post, 5/24).Obama said that his health care plan would provide "basic coverage" to all U.S. residents and retain patient choice of physicians and coverage. In addition, he said his plan would "invest more in prevention and wellness programs," as well as increase the use of electronic health records (Rushing, The Hill, 5/23).Obama also said that refusing to address the rising costs of Medicaid and Medicare now means the U.S. will face a bigger financial crisis in the future. He said overhauling health care would reduce costs and free up additional funding over the long term. This would make it easier to pay down the $11 trillion national debt and manage other financial issues, Obama said (New York Post, 5/24).Because such rising costs have shifted the political climate, Obama said that he believes "the stars may be aligned" for reform and that he can succeed where former President Clinton failed. Obama said, "The biggest change politically ... is that businesses now recognize that if we don"t get a handle on this stuff that they are going to continue to be operating at a competitive disadvantage with other countries." He added, "And so they anxiously seek serious reform" (Los Angeles Times, 5/24).
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CMA Applauds Senate Passage Of FDA Tobacco Rules

The California Medical Association supports the passage of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act that would allow the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to finally set standards for cigarettes and regulate chemicals. In 1963, CMA was the first among state medical societies to create policy to inform people about the harmful effects of cigarette smoking. "California"s physicians have been outspoken on the ill effects of cigarettes for over 40 years," said Dr. Dev GnanaDev, CMA president. "The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act is long overdue. What we feed our pets is more regulated than cigarettes are today. " CMA has been a tireless advocate on stronger reforms for the tobacco industry. In 1970, 1978 and 1980, the medical association supported ballot initiatives that would have banned smoking in many public places. In 1987, CMA took on its biggest tobacco-related challenge and won, with the passage of Proposition 99, which established a 25-cents-per-pack tax on cigarettes and a tax hike for other tobacco related products. Joining with other health related groups, labor and the California Restaurant Association in 1993, the medical association worked to pass the Indoor Clean Air Act, a law banning smoking in California workplaces, including restaurants and even bars. The passage of this law struck a huge blow against the scourge of cigarettes and sparked a nationwide trend. In recent years, the CMA has sought to increase the legal age for tobacco sales from 18 to 21 years of age and created policy to support prohibitions on the sale of tobacco products in any store that contains a pharmacy. Smoking is a costly habit that often leads to illness and poor health. Decreasing addiction to cigarettes is one way people can fundamentally improve their health and reduce costs in the health care system. Healthy choices and prevention are key components of controlling costs, which is essential to making health care reform affordable. CMA is a strong advocate of health care reform. "Under the Act, the FDA would be able to further restrict marketing which can reduce the appeal to youth," Dr. GnanaDev continued. "The more we can keep tobacco out of the hands of children, the more likely it is they will grow up and kick the addiction to this drug." The California Medical Association represents more than 35,000 physicians in all modes of practice and specialties. CMA is dedicated to the health of all patients in California. California Medical Association


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