Monday, August 31, 2015

Innovations in Plastics Drive Past, Present and Future Medical Care


Ever stop and look around during a doctor or hospital visit? Even a cursory look reveals dozens of medical instruments and hygienic tools made with plastics: protective examination gloves, sterile bandages and gauze, syringes that help prevent infection, IV tubes and bags that guard against contamination—all made possible by plastics.

Frankly, plastics so pervade the medical field that we often take them for granted. But recent advances could lead to even more innovations that could really get our attention … and help people all around the world. Here are some examples:
Plastic Heart: Plastic tubes act like heart valves to let blood in and out of two plastic ventricles in an artificial heart that helps extend the lives of patients waiting for transplants. Implanted in more than 1,000 patients, the plastic heart has extended lives by more than 270 years, according to its manufacturer.  Regulators now are reviewing an accompanying mobile power supply carried in a backpack, so suitable patients could leave the hospital and live at home.

Lifesaving Plastic Foam: A novel use of polyurethane foam is being explored to stabilize trauma patients with internal injuries on the battlefield. The U.S. government is studying the use of polyurethane foam to fill injured body cavities following severe internal injury from combat. The foam expands inside the body, conforming to the shape of injured tissue and reducing blood loss, before the surgeon removes the foam in one piece. Based on recent tests, researchers estimate that this technology could significantly boost post-injury survival rates.

Polycarbonate Medical Devices: An extremely tough, clear plastic, polycarbonate now is being used to make transparent surgical tools, such as cannulas (small tubes inserted into the body) that enable arthroscopic surgery. Since polycarbonate is clear, surgeons gain better visibility of sutures and surgical knots during the procedure.

Vaccination Patches: Researchers are developing a plastic skin patch that could replace many painful injections. The patch contains plastic “micro-needles” that dissolve into the skin, painlessly delivering vaccinations for a variety of diseases, including the flu. Patients might even be able to administer the vaccine themselves.

Resorbable Heart Stent: A plastic heart stent can open a clogged artery to restore blood flow to the heart—and then slowly dissolve into the body. This resorbable plastic could eliminate the need for another invasive procedure to remove the stent, as well as reduce the likelihood of blood clots and scarring.
3-D Body Part Printing: Researchers are using a layered assembly manufacturing technique—called “3-D printing”—to create medical devices and implants using plastics. For example, a type of polyester plastic (polycaprolactone) and living cells are combined into a material used to make 3-D printed implants to replace human ear cartilage. The combination of materials makes the body more likely to respond favourably to the implant, according to researchers.
Surgeons recently replaced 75 percent of a patient’s skull with an implant made from PEKK biomedical polymer, a medical plastic designed with a density and stiffness similar to bone. To create the implant, technicians used a 3-D printer to build layer upon layer of plastic based on a computer model of the patient’s skull—enabling a customized fit. Experts predict the same technology eventually could be used for a variety of implants throughout the body.
Bacteria-Resistant Plastics: Several newly discovered plastics might contribute to reduced infections. These plastics have “nonstick” surfaces that bacteria aren’t attracted to, which could help prevent contamination from bacteria-laden “biofilms.” The plastics could be used to make catheters or medical equipment to help ward off preventable disease.

Self-healing Prosthetics: Researchers are developing a new plastic “skin” that recognizes when it’s been damaged and responds by healing itself. The plastic skin mimics the flexibility and sensitivity of human skin—it becomes electrically conducive by adding a bit of nickel. The plastic skin can restore its mechanical and electrical properties after being cut … and repeat that cycle over and over again. Among other applications, researchers hope the self-healing plastic may be used to manufacture lifelike prosthetic limbs that heal themselves after injury—much the way human skin does.

Printing human ears … delivering painless vaccines … reducing blood loss on the battlefield …  see-through medical devices. Plastics are helping drive innovations in medical care that were only dreams a few years ago.
Today's intelligent plastics are vital to the modern world. These materials enhance our lifestyles, our economy and the environment.  For more information visit www.intelligentplastics.ca.

Les innovations dans les plastiques stimulent les soins médicaux passés, présents et futurs

Vous êtes-vous déjà arrêté pour regarder autour de vous lors d’une visite chez le médecin ou à l’hôpital? Même un rapide coup d’œil révèle des douzaines d’instruments médicaux et d’outils hygiéniques fabriqués avec des plastiques : des gants protecteurs d’examen, des bandes et des gazes stériles, des seringues qui aident à prévenir les infections, des tubes et des sacs IV qui protègent contre la contamination — tous rendus possibles par les plastiques.
Franchement, les plastiques envahissent tellement le domaine médical que nous les tenons souvent pour acquis. Mais de récentes avancées pourraient mener à encore davantage d’innovations qui pourraient vraiment retenir notre attention... et aider les gens partout dans le monde. En voici quelques exemples :
Cœur en plastique : Les tubes en plastique agissent comme des valves cardiaques pour laisser le sang entrer et sortir des deux ventricules en plastique dans un cœur artificiel qui aide à prolonger la durée de vie des patients qui attendent une greffe. Implanté dans plus de 1 000 patients, le cœur en plastique a prolongé des vies pour plus de 270 ans, selon son fabricant. Des organismes de réglementation examinent maintenant un bloc d’alimentation mobile d’accompagnement transporté dans un sac à dos, de sorte que les patients appropriés pourraient quitter l’hôpital et vivre à la maison.
Mousse plastique qui sauve des vies : Une nouvelle utilisation de la mousse de polyuréthane est étudiée afin de stabiliser les victimes de trauma qui souffrent de blessures internes sur le champ de bataille. Les gouvernements étudient l’utilisation de la mousse de polyuréthane pour remplir les cavités des corps blessés à la suite d’une blessure interne grave lors d’un combat. La mousse se dilate à l’intérieur du corps, remplissant la forme du tissu blessé et réduisant la perte sanguine, avant que le chirurgien retire la mousse en un seul morceau. En se basant sur de récents tests, les chercheurs estiment que cette technologie pourrait hausser considérablement le taux de survie après une blessure.
Dispositifs médicaux en polycarbonate : Le polycarbonate, un plastique transparent extrêmement résistant, est maintenant utilisé pour fabriquer des outils chirurgicaux transparents, comme des canules (petits tubes insérés dans le corps) qui permettent une chirurgie arthroscopique. Puisque le polycarbonate est transparent, les chirurgiens obtiennent une meilleure visibilité des sutures et des nœuds de chirurgie pendant la procédure.
Timbres de vaccination : Les chercheurs mettent au point un timbre cutané en plastique qui pourrait remplacer de nombreuses injections douloureuses. Le timbre contient des « micro-aiguilles » en plastique qui se dissolvent dans la peau, libérant sans douleur des vaccins pour une variété de maladies, y compris la grippe. Les patients pourraient même pouvoir s’administrer le vaccin eux-mêmes.
Endoprothèse vasculaire résorbable : Une endoprothèse vasculaire en plastique peut ouvrir une artère obstruée pour rétablir le flux sanguin vers le cœur et ensuite se dissoudre lentement dans le corps. Ce plastique résorbable pourrait éliminer le besoin d’une autre procédure invasive pour retirer l’endoprothèse vasculaire, ainsi que pour réduire la probabilité de formation de caillots sanguins et la cicatrisation.
Impression 3D de parties du corps : Les chercheurs utilisent une technique de fabrication d’un ensemble avec couches - appelée « impression 3D » - pour créer des dispositifs médicaux et des implants à l’aide de plastiques. Par exemple, un type de plastique en polyester (polycaprolactone) et des cellules vivantes sont combinés en un matériau utilisé pour fabriquer des implants imprimés en 3D pour remplacer un cartilage d’oreille humaine. La combinaison des matériaux fait en sorte que le corps répondra plus favorablement à l’implant, selon des chercheurs.
Plastiques résistants aux bactéries : Plusieurs plastiques nouvellement découverts peuvent contribuer à réduire les infections. Ces plastiques possèdent des surfaces « non collantes » qui n’attirent pas les bactéries, qui pourraient aider à empêcher une contamination par des « biofilms » remplis de bactéries. Ces plastiques pourraient être utilisés pour fabriquer des cathéters ou de l’équipement médical pour aider à prévenir une maladie évitable.
Prothèses qui s’autoréparent : Les chercheurs mettent au point une nouvelle « peau » en plastique qui reconnaît le fait qu’elle est endommagée et qui répond en s’autoréparant. La peau en plastique imite la souplesse et la sensibilité de la peau humaine; elle devient électroconductrice par l’ajout d’un peu de nickel. La peau en plastique peut restituer ses propriétés mécaniques et électriques après avoir été coupée... et répéter ce cycle encore et encore. Parmi d’autres applications, les chercheurs espèrent que le plastique autoréparant pourra être utilisé pour fabriquer des prothèses réalistes qui s’autoréparent après une blessure, comme le fait la peau humaine.
Imprimer des oreilles humaines... distribuer des vaccins sans douleur... réduire la perte sanguine sur le champ de bataille... des dispositifs médicaux transparents. Les plastiques aident à stimuler des innovations dans les soins médicaux, lesquelles n’étaient encore que des rêves il y a quelques années à peine.
Les plastiques intelligents d’aujourd’hui sont essentiels au monde moderne. Ces matériaux améliorent nos modes de vie, notre économie et l’environnement. Pour plus de renseignements, visitez le site Web www.intelligentplastics.ca.

Friday, August 28, 2015

7 Reasons You Need to Eat More Eggs

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Many Americans were raised on the theory that eggs were loaded with artery-clogging cholesterol, and that eating them was a surefire way to promote coronary heart disease. That couldn’t be further from the truth, though. When Wake Forest University researchers reviewed some of the top scientific studies, they found no link between eating eggs and heart disease.
In fact, many leading health experts call eggs the perfect food. The white part and the yolk work together to bring you an ample serving of important vitamins, healthy fats, trace minerals, and other nutrients—all in one convenient, low-calorie package. After all, a single whole, large egg contains just 72 calories. They’re easy to cook, too—nature’s healthy version of convenience food. Here are seven reasons to put eggs back on your menu.
7 reasons why you should eat more eggsInstant Mood Boost
The Good News: Eggs contain a beneficial blend of omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, B vitamins, and iodide, nutrients that work together to battle fatigue and reverse bad moods.
Bonus Tip: Don’t be tricked by “free-range” eggs. The hens may still be housed inside of warehouses (but at least not in tiny cages)

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Smelling This Amazing Herb Can Increase Your Memory By 75%



Rosemary is a wonderful herb with a tradition of use spanning millennia. It has innumerable uses in both the kitchen and in herbal medicine.
Did you know that rosemary has been associated with memory enhancement since ancient times? It is true – and it has even been referred to from the latter part of the Elizabethan Era to the Early Romantic period as the herb of remembrance. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Ophelia says, “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance.” (Hamlet, iv. 5.) It has also long been used as a symbol for remembrance during weddings, war commemorations and funerals in Europe and Australia. Mourners in old times would wear it as a buttonhole, burn it as incense or throw it into graves as a symbol of remembrance for the dead.
It seems that this tradition of Rosemary may actually far more ancient and have its origins in the Arabic world of medieval times, which was greatly advanced in science: In Henry Lyte’s 1578 “Niewe Herball“, an English version of Rembert Dodoens’ French treatise, it is written “The Arrabians and their successors Physitions, do say that Rosemarie comforteth the brayne, the memory and the inward senses, and that it restoreth speech, especially the conserve made of the flowers, thereof with Sugar, to be received daily.”
Because of this seemingly esoteric association, rosemary has at times been made into a sort of herbal-amulet, where it was placed beneath pillowcases, or simply smelt as a bouquet, and it was believed that using rosemary in these ways could protect the sleeper from nightmares, as well as increase their memory.
What’s fascinating is that several scientific studies have now found remarkable results for rosemary’s effects on memory:
Rosemary essential oils role in aromatherapy as an agent that promotes mental clarity was validated by the study of Moss, Cook, Wesnes, and Duckett (2003) in which the inhalation of rosemary essential oil significantly enhanced the performance for overall quality of memory and secondary memory factors of study participants.
More recently, in 2012 a study on 28 older people (average 75 years old) found statistically significant dose-dependent improvements in cognitive performance with doses of dried rosemary leaf powder.
Another study by Mark Moss and Lorraine Oliver at Northumbria University, Newcastle has identified 1,8-cineole (a compound in rosemary) as an agent potentially responsible for cognitive and mood performance.
Further studies by Mark Moss and team have found memory enhancements of up to an amazing 75% from diffusion of rosemary essential oil.
Now if you are asking “How is it even possible that an aroma can enhance memory?” – well, that’s a great question. Here’s a fascinating quote from one of the scientific papers referenced: “Volatile compounds (e.g. terpenes) may enter the blood stream by way of the nasal or lung mucosa. Terpenes are small organic molecules which can easily cross the blood-brain barrier and therefore may have direct effects in the brain by acting on receptor sites or enzyme systems.”
Terpenes are primary components of essential oils and are often strong smelling, responsible for a diverse array of natural aromas. It’s also been found that 1,8-cineole enters the bloodstream of mammals after inhalation or ingestion.
I’m interested to know if anyone uses rosemary as a memory enhancer. Maybe you could take some with you next time you have an examination and see if it helps with recall? One last tidbit to inspire you further: Lavender. In a 1998 study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience, rosemary was found to increase alertness but lavender was found not only to increase alertness but also to increase accuracy in math tests! The way this is going, I can sense the possibility of a magical custom oil blend for total recall! 
Rosemary is very easy to grow in many gardens and will provide an abundant supply – almost too abundant! Just the other day when paying a Christmas visit to my family, I cut a few sprigs from my Dad’s organic rosemary bush (rosemary is an evergreen!), left them on a radiator to dry for a few days and then put the needle-like leaves in a jar, ready for use in the kitchen whenever required. So aromatic… and much better than the store-bought stuff I had before!
Another thought that springs to mind from this – here we have yet another example of an ancient herbal lore that has been validated by modern experiments. This happens again and again – and yet still the remarkable herbals, lost treasures of the ancient world are considered spurious by modern medicine. If an herb has been in use for a thousand years for a condition, it should be considered probable that there is something to it. When are we going to catch up with ancient knowledge? Let’s hope soon – while there is still some untarnished, un-GMO-ed nature left…
- See more at: 
http://fitlife.tv/smelling-this-amazing-herb-can-increase-your-memory-by-75/#sthash.4UiUmLD4&st_refDomain=www.facebook.com&st_refQuery=/


Wednesday, August 5, 2015

BasicBites® at National Dental Conference – Hygienists "Take The Bite"




BasicBites® Soft Chews Help Maintain Enamel Health and Support a 
 Normal Oral pH Environment

Ortek Therapeutics, Inc. -- Dental hygienists from around the world recently
converged in Las Vegas to attend RDH "Under One Roof." At this annual
conference, dental professionals sampled BasicBites® and "Took the Bite"
for supporting enamel health. These seriously delicious soft chews bathe teeth
with a vital blend of nutrients that fuel and boost the mouth's natural defenses.
Shannon Nanne, RDH and Cheryl Roborecki, RDH at RDH "Under One Roof" Conference
BasicBites are sugar free, chocolate-flavored soft chews containing
Ortek's patented arginine bicarbonate, calcium carbonate technology that
 supports a normal and healthy oral pH environment. Arginine, bicarbonate
 and calcium are key nutrients found in healthy saliva. BasicBites mimic
saliva's profound benefits for maintaining healthy teeth. Two BasicBites
a day are recommended for children over six and adults. BasicBites
are essential for the millions of individuals with dry mouth and those
with diets high in sugars.
The revolutionary arginine bicarbonate, calcium carbonate technology
 in BasicBites was developed at Stony Brook University School of
Dental Medicine and is based on over 40 years of research in the
 field of oral biology. Stony Brook researchers discovered beneficial
oral bacteria living on tooth surfaces and found that these good bacteria
 favor and convert arginine (a common amino acid found in saliva)
into tooth friendly buffers. This results in immediate and sustained
 alkali production and helps support the existing and healthy pH (acid/base)
balance on tooth surfaces. In a neutral and normal oral pH environment,
calcium can return to the teeth - a process called remineralization.
Bicarbonate provides additional buffering and supports the benefits
of arginine and calcium.
"BasicBites received an incredibly enthusiastic reception from
 dedicated hygienists at the RDH 'Under One Roof' conference,"
said Shannon Nanne, RDH, Director of Professional Relations
and Education for BasicBites. "These leading dental professionals
soon realized that BasicBites are a delicious option to help
maintain their patients' dental health. Our 'I Took the Bite' campaign
was a tremendous success."
Sugar free BasicBites are 20 calories each and, as an added benefit,
are an excellent source of calcium. BasicBites are available
online at www.basicbites.com.
Ortek Therapeutics, Inc. is a global leader in developing
cutting-edge oral care innovations that will improve the quality of life for people everywhere.

BasicBites(R) 120 Soft Chew Carton