beta hemolytic streptococcus http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for beta hemolytic streptococcus Copyright 2008 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:34:15 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/beta+hemolytic+streptococcus Bacteriophages -- A Newly Discovered Cause Of Strep Throat http://www.artwoo.com/article/bacteriophages-a-newly-discovered-cause-of-strep-throat http://www.artwoo.com/article/bacteriophages-a-newly-discovered-cause-of-strep-throat#comments Wed, 07 Mar 2007 10:27:02 +0000 symptoms of strep throatstreptococcus bacteriarockefeller universitybacteriophagesspifbacteriophagehemolytic http://www.artwoo.com/article/bacteriophages-a-newly-discovered-cause-of-strep-throat Rockefeller University performed a complicated medical research which has as main result, the identification of another possible cause of strep throat: a . The so far neglected microorganism that eats bacteria seems to cause not only strep throat but also many other conditions of bacterial nature. It is a surprising discovery, because the main role of the is to infect and destroy a large variety of bacteria, thus also Group A , the cause of strep throat.

Researchers blame the bacteriophage for some of the cases of strep throat; the results of their series of studies contradict the traditional belief that bacteriophages don't produce infections inside the human organism. What makes them responsible for conditions like strep throat seems to be the fact that they appear to transfer toxins between bacteria. This discovery is very important, because it gives the answer to the question why some of the patients that test positive for Group A hemolytic streptococcus bacteria lack the and other develop both the disease and one of its complications.

Bacteriophages are viral microorganisms that seem to alter the normal benign function of a large variety of bacteria as it is the case with E -- coli that was proved to have a malign function that causes ulcer, although its normal role is to protect the intestinal flora from the external invasions. The study of bacteriophages may help in the identification of a treatment for diseases caused by altered bacterial functions.

Researchers consider strep throat to be generated by a lysogenic conversion, a process in which a bacteriophage carries a toxin to Group A hemolytic streptococcus bacteria, transforming thus what was supposed to be a harmless microorganism into a dangerous one that generates various conditions. A component factor of the saliva, , makes the lysogenic conversion easier and quicker because it produces the mobilization of the bacteriophages.

On mice, any bacterium appears to be able to convert non-toxicogen and non-infectious agents in toxicogenic infectious agents in presence of a bacteriophage that carries a toxin in its structure. The conversion is made through the very contact. The studies reached the conclusion that the bacteriophage should be controlled too in order to treat diseases generated by lysogenic conversion whose previous treatment only focused on bacteria such as Group A hemolytic streptococcus bacteria in strep throat. For more information visit http://www.strepthroatinfection.com ]]> The Inappropriate Use Of Antibiotics For Strep Throat http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-inappropriate-use-of-antibiotics-for-strep-throat http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-inappropriate-use-of-antibiotics-for-strep-throat#comments Mon, 26 Feb 2007 14:27:10 +0000 symptoms of strep throatpharingitisbeta hemolytic streptococcuscephalosporinsaccurate diagnosiserythromycinamoxicillin http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-inappropriate-use-of-antibiotics-for-strep-throat pharingitis that requires antibiotic treatment and is caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus bacteria. There are also viral forms of acute pharingitis -- the common throat sores, which may have the same : difficulty to swallow, soreness, inflammation of the throat and discomfort. This similarity between their symptoms leads to confusion, in absence of accurate and proper investigation: although they are generated by different factors, strep throat can be taken for sore throat and the other way around. Usually sore throats don't need treatment, so there are cases in which the proper medication is not given to people that have strep throat because of diagnosis errors. The same errors may lead to the administering of strong antibiotics to patients that don't need them. So it is vital to have an in order to prevent such situations.

Cases of erroneous diagnosis have been recently investigated and the results were worrying: 50 % of the children that have strep throat are prescribed antibiotics they don't need while 33 % of the children with strep throat are not prescribed the necessary treatment (they either receive the wrong treatment or not receive medications at all). The persons to blame for that are the physicians and pediatricians, because there are very efficient methods to diagnose and distinguish viral from bacterial pharingitis, which makes their error unjustifiable.

Antibiotics are very effective when properly used but they may also cause strong side effects. in case of proper administration, these side effects may be: allergies, nausea, weakness of the immune system. When they are not needed but still prescribed, they have no positive effects; they may be damaging for the patient instead. In case a patient with strep throat receives other antibiotic prescription than one of the spectrum of , penicillin derivates, or , or if the doses are not correct, side effects may appear. One of the risks of such situation is that of bacterial resistance to the treatment. Inappropriate treatment induces the person the tendency to have lower response to future antibiotics administration, which makes necessary for that person to take higher doses.

The available methods to obtain the exact diagnosis of strep throat are effective enough so that many erroneous diagnoses are not excusable.

One such method is the simple, but very effective and reliable pharyngeal exudate test, which consists in the culture of a secretion sample by means of a spatula rubbed against the walls of the throat. Laboratory tests will then be performed on the sample and will identify whether the infection is caused by viruses or bacteria. In case the streptococcus bacteria results to be the cause, antibiotics are prescribed in order to eradicate the infection.

Antibiotics are not recommended for viral infections of the throat. The pharyngeal exudate will thus help to avoid their needless prescription. It is a simple, rapid and inexpensive test so you should take it to make sure you receive the correct diagnosis and treatment. For more information visit http://www.strepthroatinfection.com ]]> 101 Stock Market Investing - Finding Stock Market Industry Beta http://www.artwoo.com/article/101-stock-market-investing-finding-stock-market-industry-beta http://www.artwoo.com/article/101-stock-market-investing-finding-stock-market-industry-beta#comments Wed, 29 Aug 2007 15:04:59 +0000 betastock researchvolatilestock markettechnology stocksrmmarket betas http://www.artwoo.com/article/101-stock-market-investing-finding-stock-market-industry-beta Stock Market Industry is the measure of how a stock's trading price moves compared to the market as a whole. Knowing this figure one can understand how a stock is. A beta of 1 means a stock's price fluctuates exactly as much as the market. A beta less than 1 means a stock is less volatile than the market and a beta greater than 1 means that stock is more volatile than the market.

Betas can be deteined for entire industries also. The "industry beta" would compare the volatility of the industry relative to the whole market. For example, tend to be more volatile than the industry so the beta would be more than 1, generally.

To calculate industry beta you need some historical data of the price of the industry stock and historical price data of the entire market. For example if you were going to calculate beta over the last year for compare technology stocks versus the SandP 500, you would first gather the historical data you need. Next, determine the movements of the two prices after each trading day. This will give a percentage change versus the previous day. Once we have 365 of these we can average the group to determine the average move each made over the last year. We can call the average industry movement Ri and the average market movement Rm. Finally, divide the technology industry's average movement by the SandP's average movement and we will have an outcome that is less than 1 (less volatile), 1 (equally volatile), or greater than 1 (more volatile). Written out this function looks like this:

and#914; = Ri / Rm or B = Covariance(Ri , Rm)/ Variance(Rm)

Beta can be useful in when judging how risky a stock is versus a stable investment with a guaranteed rate of return. It must be noted that the longer period of time the beta is acquired the more accurate that beta will be. Also, betas are more valuable when used with stocks that have a long record of high volume trading. Smaller stocks that don't trade a lot can fluctuate wildly on a busy day and throw the beta out of whack for the period being measured. Don't miss out the secrets of finding stock volatility information when you visit http://www.tradingsphere.com ]]> Turning Bad Breath Into Fresh Breath http://www.artwoo.com/article/turning-bad-breath-into-fresh-breath http://www.artwoo.com/article/turning-bad-breath-into-fresh-breath#comments Sat, 28 Apr 2007 14:04:57 +0000 cure bad breathbad breath productsstreptococcus salivariushalitosisbreath mintsembarrassmentblis http://www.artwoo.com/article/turning-bad-breath-into-fresh-breath halitosis is a condition that brought shame and to those afflicted with it. Bad breath used to be difficult to cure. However, thanks to research and development, bad breath can now be effectively cured. Today, various products for treating bad breath are available in the market. These products are available for purchasing online and over the counter. Your doctor can also recommend specific medications for treating bad breath.

Ordinary mouthwashes and are not that effective at treating bad breath. They only temporarily solve the problem. In fact, mouthwashes and breath mints lose their effectiveness after 15 to 20 minutes. So if you have a bad breath problem, forget about using mouthwashes and breath mints as they will only mask the problem, not cure it.

Notice what's on the shelves of your local pharmacy. One of the most glaring things you will see are the different products all claiming to control and . It is very easy to fall for the outrageous claims and promises of fresher breath made by the manufacturers of these . However, you should keep in mind that bad breath products only work temporarily.

Many bad breath products are indeed effective at controlling bad breath problems, but they are only able to control the problem for a short while. Most of these bad breath products are as effective as simply brushing and flossing your teeth regularly and then rinsing your mouth with plain water.

Studies have shown that people without bad breath have high levels of the good bacteria called in the mouth and tongue. When you are choosing a bad breath product, it is a good idea to choose one whose claims can be backed up by scientific evidence.

There is one such bad breath product, the Streptococcus Salivarius K12 Fresh Breath Kit. This particular bad breath product offers a revolutionary way of treating bad breath. Chronic bad breath sufferers who tried this product reported that their condition improved significantly. What the fresh breath kit does is help in restore the good bacteria and bring their number back up so that they will have healthy, fresh breath.

There are many other products similar to the Blis Streptococcus Salivarius K12 Fresh Breath Kit. However, before using them, make sure you fully research these products and ensure that they are backed by scientific evidence. Evelyn Dayag, author of http://www.digitalexcellent.com You can read more Bad Breath articles by visiting http://www.digitalexcellent.com/badbreath ]]> Vaccinated Against The Pneumococcus Bacteria http://www.artwoo.com/article/vaccinated-against-the-pneumococcus-bacteria http://www.artwoo.com/article/vaccinated-against-the-pneumococcus-bacteria#comments Sun, 27 May 2007 23:19:57 +0000 causes of pneumoniapneumococcus bacteriabacterial pneumoniacontract pneumoniapneumonia casescorrosive chemicalsstreptococcus pneumoniae http://www.artwoo.com/article/vaccinated-against-the-pneumococcus-bacteria corrosive chemicals breathed into the stomach or toxic gases from a fire.

Pneumonia can range from very mild to very severe, even fatal. The severity depends on the type of organism causing pneumonia as well as your age and underlying health. Pneumonia is still a common disease. Many people die from it every year, most commonly women and people over the age of 65. The overall death rate due to pneumonia is currently 3 per cent.

Half of all are caused by bacterium. The streptococcus bacterium, known as pneumococcus, is the principal reason of the almost normal pneumonia. s lean to be the almost severe and, in adults, the almost popular reason, particularly (pneumococcus. Respiratory viruses are the almost popular in inexperienced children, peaking between the ages of 2 and 3. By school age, the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae becomes more popular. In some folk, especially the older and those who are debilitated, bacterial pneumonia may come flu or still a popular cold.

Many people while staying in a hospital for other conditions. This tends to be more serious because the patient's immune system is often impaired due to the condition that initially required treatment. In addition, there is a greater possibility of infection with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.

If people get vaccinated against the , then quality of life and life expectancy improve for approximately 95 per cent of those infected. Even though the pneumonia has disappeared, it is only natural that you have a period after the infection where you feel tired, get short of breath, strain yourself, and get an annoying cough. http://www.pneumoniaonline.com ]]> Enrich Your Body With Beta Carotene http://www.artwoo.com/article/enrich-your-body-with-beta-carotene http://www.artwoo.com/article/enrich-your-body-with-beta-carotene#comments Sat, 08 Mar 2008 13:15:00 +0000 immune system enhancementbenign breast diseasebeta carotenevitamin a deficienciesbeneficial nutrientschronic obstructive pulmonary diseasecarotenoid family http://www.artwoo.com/article/enrich-your-body-with-beta-carotene Beta Carotene is a healthful supplement to most diets. Beta Carotene comes from the orange coloring naturally present in foods such as pumpkins, squash and sweet potatoes. The scientist who discovered the nutrient of "carotene," did so by crystallizing a mixture created from carrots.

Not only is this a powerful antioxidant, beta carotene is a provitamin A compound. This compound converts to Vitamin A once ingested. Among the many benefits of Vitamin A are healthy skin, hair, vision and an improved immune system. Alpha, beta, and gamma carotene nutrients are all considered "provitamin" because they are converted to Vitamin A in the body.

have been linked to a number of health problems. Those include bone development disorders and reproductive disorders. Commercial grade beta carotene typically changes to retinol in the body and this is essential to good vision.

Beta Carotene is in the same as the oft-discussed lycopene, another powerful weapon against many diseases. Beta Carotene holds many benefits in itself. The compound also contains flavonoids. Flavonoids are also antioxidants and are found in most red and orange fruits.

Other items that contain beta carotene include: tomatoes, cantaloupe, watermelon, apricots and mangoes. Food items containing a spectrum of the carotenoid, including beta carotene are: spinach, broccoli, kale, and lettuce.

Foods that contain the healthful flavonoids hold them just around the skin so it isn't recommended that you peel these fruits. If you remove the skin, you will likely strip away these .

Beta carotene has been studied for its effectiveness with such diseases and disorders as: anemia, cataracts, (COPD), cystic fibrosis, , , Graves' Disease, improving lung function, macular degeneration, osteoarthritis, angioplasty, cancer, cardiovascular disease, postoperative injury prevention, stroke, sepsis and many others. All scientific proof has resulted in a diverse report on each theory. Your health care professional will have further information.

Beta carotene supplements come in capsules, chewable tablets or typical tablets. If you want a natural way, this will require five to eight servings of fruit and vegetables a day. This amount seems to be prohibitive to many and supplements may be ideal for such a situation.

As wonderful as Vitamin A is for the healthy body, there are some cautions you should consider before making this a part of your daily regimen. Smokers or those who drink alcohol should not use this supplement. People who are allergic to orange foods should not take beta carotene. As with any change in your diet, discuss the benefits or risks of beta carotene with your physician prior to using the supplement.

There are little in the way of scientific study or research involving children and beta carotene. There is also minimal information in regards to pregnant or nursing women using this supplement. Your healthcare provider should be consulted in either of these situations.

Carefully study product labels. The FDA does not usually regulate the use of herbs or supplements. There is also the fact that many supplements are produced synthetically with the use of palm oil, algae or fungi. Hence, make sure the supplement you purchase is from a reputable name brand company that gets tested regularly for quality assurance. More information on the powerful antioxidant beta carotene is available at VitaNet =AE, LLC Health Food Store. http://vitanetonline.com/ ]]> Toxic Shock Syndrome Symptoms! http://www.artwoo.com/article/toxic-shock-syndrome-symptoms http://www.artwoo.com/article/toxic-shock-syndrome-symptoms#comments Fri, 09 Jun 2006 12:32:05 +0000 toxic shock syndromestreptococcus bacteriastaphylococcus aureus bacteriastreptococcal toxic shock syndromeabsorbency tamponstssstss http://www.artwoo.com/article/toxic-shock-syndrome-symptoms TSS only affects women, when in fact it can affect anyone - men, women and children. TSS has occurred in all races, although most cases have been reported from North America and Europe.

What Is ? There are actually two different types of this condition. Toxic shock syndrome, which is caused by , has been associated with the use of tampons. (TSS was initially linked to a particular brand of tampons, which have since been taken off the market.) Although the exact connection is still not clear, researchers suspect that certain types of high- provided a moist, warm home where the bacteria could thrive.

Although TSS usually occurs in menstruating women, it can affect anyone who has any type of staph infection, including pneumonia, abscess, skin or wound infection, a blood infection called septicemia, or a bone infection called Osteomyelitis.

A related infection, , or , is caused by . Most often STSS appears after streptococcus bacteria have invaded areas of injured skin, such as cuts and scrapes, surgical wounds, and even chickenpox blisters. It almost never follows a simple streptococcus throat infection

Symptoms

Toxic shock syndrome Toxic shock syndrome from staphylococcus starts suddenly with vomiting, high fever (temperature at least 102 degrees Fahrenheit [38.8 degrees Celsius]), a rapid drop in blood pressure (with lightheadedness or fainting), watery diarrhea, headache, sore throat, and muscle aches. Within 24 hours, a sunburn-like rash appears. There also may be bloodshot eyes and an unusual redness under the eyelids or inside the mouth (and vagina in females). After that, broken blood vessels may appear on the skin. Other symptoms may include: confusion or other mental changes; decreased urination; fatigue and weakness; thirst; weak and rapid pulse; pale, cool, moist skin; and rapid breathing.

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome can happen following a streptococcus infection in the body, most often a skin infection or an infected wound. Within 48 hours of infection, the person's blood pressure drops dangerously low, and he or she may have fever, dizziness, confusion, difficulty breathing, and a weak and rapid pulse. The skin may be pale, cool, and moist, and there may be a blotchy rash that sometimes peels. The area around an infected wound can become swollen, red, and have areas of severely damaged or dying flesh. The liver and kidneys may begin to fail, and bleeding problems may develop.

If you develop toxic shock syndrome, you'll likely be hospitalized and need antibiotics. Doctors will try to determine the source of the infection. Along with antibiotics, you'll receive supportive care to treat the signs and symptoms of toxic shock syndrome. If your blood pressure begins to drop (hypotension), you'll need medication to stabilize it and fluids to prevent dehydration. The toxins produced by the staph bacteria may result in kidney failure. If your kidneys fail, you may need dialysis. Can Toxic Shock Syndrome Be Prevented? Find out at http://ToxicShockSyndrome.ewhy.info ]]> Children, The Most Exposed To Strep Throat http://www.artwoo.com/article/children-the-most-exposed-to-strep-throat http://www.artwoo.com/article/children-the-most-exposed-to-strep-throat#comments Thu, 26 Apr 2007 18:05:00 +0000 contactrheumatic feverstreptococcus pyogenesstrep throatclarithromycinantibioticserythromycin http://www.artwoo.com/article/children-the-most-exposed-to-strep-throat Strep throat represents a bacterial infection of the throat generated by the . Its most common symptoms are: nausea, difficulty to swallow, fatigue, fever, a red =96 colored throat, cold chills, headache, pain and discomfort of the throat. It is not a severe disease, but some of its complications such as , kidney problems or coronary damage may be.

It may affect anyone, especially in winter, late fall, in early spring, but the most exposed to it are children between the ages of 5 and 15. This is the larges segment of population with strep throat.

This disease is extremely contagious and it usually affects your child when he or she is in direct with someone that has it or that carries the bacteria. It may be transmitted through nasal secretions, saliva or through air. In order to partly prevent the infection with streptococcus pyogenes you should explain to your child how important it is for him/her to wash hands frequently and to stay away from persons that have strep throat. The dishes or glasses used by a person affected by this condition shouldn't be shared with the healthy family members in order to avoid their contamination.

The infection can be successfully defeated by the proper treatment. it is important for you or your child to take only that have been prescribed by the doctor. If the pharyngeal exudate detects strep throat, your health care professional will prescribe you penicillin V, and in order to cure it immediately.

Even if your symptoms improve or even disappear, don't interrupt the antibiotics. You need to follow the entire course of the prescribed treatment. Strep throat is not a disease that may stop you from your daily activities. It will be safe for you to be in contact with people after 2 or 3 days of antibiotics, when you are no longer contagious. Hygiene should be kept at high standards, even if you are no longer contagious, in order to protect you and the people around you. For more information visit http://www.strepthroatinfection.com ]]> Wotlk Guide Reviews - Beta Testing Wotlk http://www.artwoo.com/article/wotlk-guide-reviews-beta-testing-wotlk http://www.artwoo.com/article/wotlk-guide-reviews-beta-testing-wotlk#comments Mon, 24 Nov 2008 04:08:47 +0000 wrath of the lich kingworld of warcraft wrath of the lich kingworld of warcraft burning crusadehero classwarcraft wrath of the lich kingwarcraft universegaming pleasure http://www.artwoo.com/article/wotlk-guide-reviews-beta-testing-wotlk Wrath of the Lich King is the newest installment to the already popular MMORPG or massively multiplayer online role playing game World of Warcraft. Set in the formidable , Wrath of the Lich King is now open for beta testing for registered account holders. The beta testing site Wrath of the Lich King has some pre-requisites before you can get in.

The first pre-requisite to getting in on the action (the beta test) is having a legal copy of the game, of course, and having an active World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade account. Burning Crusade is the last expansion of World of Warcraft before Wrath of the Lich King was developed by Blizzard.

Other pre-requisites for getting in on the beta test of the latest expansion of the World of Warcraft MMORPG is downloading of the client files, and finally, logging unto the servers of Blizzard. As of now, the beta testing is limited to a select number of people, most likely to preserve the integrity of the young new system as of the moment.

Much of the information regarding the new expansion for World of Warcraft is protected as of the moment, but Blizzard has released a few reliable bits and pieces of what to expect when Wrath of the Lich King is finally released for the mass market.

One of the basic markers of the expansion pack Wrath of the Lich King is of course it would be based heavily on the already existing lore of Warcraft, from the moment of its inception to the latest installations of the Warcraft saga. Much of what we can expect from Wrath of the Lich King are additions and improvements to the game play system and the character development in WoW.

One of the most notable things about the expansion pack is the introduction of another to the already bourgeoning world of WoW: the death knight. Also, Blizzard promises a whole new level of for those who regularly engage in PvP or player versus player battles with the introduction of new customizable siege weaponry.

Other things to watch out for are of course the plethora of new stuff to gather from the environment, which has been revamped to make sure that new and old players would really say "wow!" to the new expansion of WoW.

An important aspect regarding the new death knight character is that you would only be able to access the character if you have reached at least level fifty-five on the game. This will make sure that older players would have an advantage over those who are just beginning. In a way, this is their reward system for the older players.

All in all, the beta testing has proven to be a very positive thing, with players giving good feedback regarding the new, richer environments. On a more technical note, players are of course giving feedback regarding the control system of the game, which has mostly been retained.For more Wotlk Guide Review. Visit our website today Wotlk Videos. For all the Latest Wotlk Videos Online]]> Meningitis http://www.artwoo.com/article/meningitis http://www.artwoo.com/article/meningitis#comments Sun, 10 Sep 2006 10:27:05 +0000 symptoms of meningitisfungal meningitisviral meningitistypes of meningitisbacterial meningitismeningococcal meningitispneumococcal meningitis http://www.artwoo.com/article/meningitis
Meningitis is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease that involves an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes covering the spinal cord and brain. A variety of factors can cause meningitis, including bacterial or viral infections, as well as some species of parasites, fungi and protozoa. The meninges can also become inflamed due to complications arising from other diseases including some cancers, and can be brought about as a side affect of certain medications. These non-infectious causes, however, tend to be very rare.

The most common include fever, irritability, lethargy, headaches, photophobia (eye sensitivity to light), and a stiff neck, but the disease can also present with a number of other symptoms. Newborns and infants with meningitis obviously are not able to communicate their discomfort. As a result, young children with meningitis may simply appear extremely irritable or lethargic.

There are several , each caused by a variety of factors:



* and Meningococcal Septicaemia Meningitis. There are five main types of meningococcal bacteria that can cause these: A, B, C, W135 and Y. * Hib Meningitis is caused by Haemophilus Influenzae Type B bacteria * TB Meningitis is caused by Bacillus Tubercle bacteria * is caused by Streptococcus Pneumoniae bacteria * Neonatal Meningitis is caused by Escherichia Coli or Streptococcus Agalactiae bacteria



* Cryptococcus Neoformans fungus.



* Caused by coxsackie virus, echoviruses, and a range of other viruses. Viral meningitis can also be contracted following herpes simplex, measles, polio, mumps or chickenpox infections.

Amoebic Meningitis

* Amoeba found in geothermal and stagnating pools of fresh water at temperatures of 30C

Coming in contact with, or being infected by a particular bacteria or virus that has been associated with meningitis does not necessarily mean that the person will contract the disease. In most cases, the particular microorganism will cause only it's usual infection. However, in some cases, the microorganism may cause meningitis without the person becoming ill or showing any symptoms. Others will develop a serious and potentially life-threatening full-blown case of meningitis.

If you suspect that you or your child has Meningitis, seek professional medical advice immediately. William Brown writes for several online magazines, including http://online-healthy.com and http://healthy-zone.com ]]> Why Volatility In Your Stock Portfolio Will Help You Build Wealth http://www.artwoo.com/article/why-volatility-in-your-stock-portfolio-will-help-you-build-wealth http://www.artwoo.com/article/why-volatility-in-your-stock-portfolio-will-help-you-build-wealth#comments Thu, 26 Apr 2007 01:35:45 +0000 stock market indexbeta coefficientstock portfolioworld marketsvolatilitydomestic marketdomestic stock market http://www.artwoo.com/article/why-volatility-in-your-stock-portfolio-will-help-you-build-wealth Volatility Equals Risk is an Investment Myth Propagated by Global Investment Firms

Most financial consultants when they speak of your investment portfolio mention a low beta as a positive attribute. In fact, you will hear many wealth managers stress the need of having a beta close to 1.00. Beta, in simple terms, is the measure of a stock's or portfolio's volatility as compared to the volatility of the as a whole. So if you owned a stock with a beta of 1.30, it would be about 30% more volatile then the market index.

I've often seen the used interchangeably to define the risk inherent in a portfolio. For example, people will say if the beta of your portfolio is much greater than 1.00 then you have an aggressive, risky portfolio and if the beta of your portfolio is much less than 1.00 then you have a conservative portfolio. This is nonsense.

First of all, the beta coefficient is determined using the index as the constant. For example in the U.S., the beta coefficient will be determined by comparing the volatility of a stock or versus the volatility of the SandP 500 index. But we are already starting off on the wrong foot by doing so because nobody should have a stock portfolio that is concentrated in their only. Chances are that many of the best performing stocks you will own will be in a foreign stock market. So what if the beta of your stock portfolio is high compared to your domestic market index but low compared to a regional market index? What does that mean?

You Can Not Build Wealth in Your Portfolio Without Volatility

Or what if the situation is reversed? Your portfolio has a low beta compared to your domestic market index but a high beta compared to a regional market index? This could happen if your domestic market is particularly volatile one year while the rest of the are significantly less so. If your domestic market index is up 35% one year and your portfolio is up 33% the same year, because your beta is less than 1.00, does that still mean that you have a conservative, low-risk portfolio?

Investment firms will always tell you a high beta is bad, and that to have higher volatility is a great risk to your portfolio. If you live somewhere where the stock market index has returned on average 3% for the last five years and has moved within a very narrow range, I would say that to have a low beta is extremely risky because that means that your portfolio is going nowhere, and that if you add in the effects of inflation, your flat portfolio has lost purchasing power over those three years. On the other hand, if your portfolio has returned 20% on average over this same time span, your beta will be off the charts. But isn't a high beta bad? Not at all. If this is the case, then I want my beta to be high, and I want the volatility of my portfolio to be much higher than the domestic stock market index.

Volatility is Not the Same as Risk

Personally I want volatility in many of the stocks I own. If a stock is to return 50% to me in one year, by nature it has to be fairly volatile, because almost no stock just rises steadily higher without experiencing some significant corrective actions to the downside. Therefore, stocks with significant gains are going to experience wider fluctuations in their value. It simply is not possible to build wealth without having some huge winners in your portfolio =96 stocks that have appreciated by 70%, 150%, 350% or even a 1000%. According to the theories propagated by most investment firms, almost all people that have built substantial wealth through their stock portfolios would have engaged in highly risky behavior.

Again, this is just not true. Investors that have huge winners in their portfolios make calculated intelligent decisions to identify asset classes that are poised to boom before the public considers them. They invest at troughs in price and sell when mania sets in, allowing them these huge gains, whereas the average investor will only identify these stocks after everyone else becomes aware of them or some talking head on TV marks it as a screaming buy. Thus, the average investor will only earn average money from this stock or quite possibly lose money if he or she purchases at the mania phase, while the wealthy investor will have earned phenomenal returns.

Absolute Return is All That Matters

If you ask most people, they could care less if they had four stocks that lost 40%, 50%, 45% and 55%, if they also owned eight stocks that rose 80%, 100%, 130%, 300%, 287%, 200%, 184%, 65%, and 658%, and their overall return, given the average performance of their remaining portfolio, was 55%. At the end of the day, people only care about the total return of their portfolio. Investment firms have always stated that such a strategy as risky. If you have stocks that have performed that well, you must be taking huge risks, right? Again this is nonsense.

Uncovering volatile stocks that will prove to be huge winners requires time, a commodity that financial consultants do not have as they run their race to gather as many assets as possible. Again, earning these gains is possible without assuming much risk if you perform your due diligence and discover solid assets at rock-bottom prices and invest in them before the general public discovers them. In fact, I would even argue that some stocks that earn 150% or more are less risky than the market stock index at the time I identify them. Why? Because prior to their 150% run up, they were extremely solid companies at extremely cheap prices.

Just as I have spoken about dumb diversification versus smart diversification, there is the assumption of dumb volatility versus the assumption of smart volatility. Dumb volatility is chasing penny stocks and pipe dreams of quick returns from companies that spend more money on marketing and PR campaigns to promote their stock than on the operations of the company itself. I have already described above how to add smart volatility to your portfolio.

Volatility is not the same as risk as much as most global investment firms want you to believe this. Again, visit my blog if you're still not clear as to why this is the case and run a search for the keyword "volatility". Low volatility, high diversification, and mediocre returns are a time minimization/ asset gathering maximization sales strategies. Volatility is your friend when building wealth. J.S. Kim is the founder and managing director of SmartKnowledgeU=99, LLC. Please visit http://www.smartknowledgeu.com to learn the safest places to invest money and how to achieve financial freedom. ]]> Vitamin A: The Eyes Need It http://www.artwoo.com/article/vitamin-a-the-eyes-need-it http://www.artwoo.com/article/vitamin-a-the-eyes-need-it#comments Mon, 07 Aug 2006 22:27:11 +0000 beta carotenebreakfast cerealscarotenoidstoxic levelsretinolcarrotsliver http://www.artwoo.com/article/vitamin-a-the-eyes-need-it carrots can improve you vision. That may not be exactly true, but carrots do contain something called provitamin A . These are pigments in some plants that can be converted by the body into vitamin A, and vitamin A is important to your vision.

Vitamin A is also helpful to bone growth and your immune system. As with other vitamins, there are different forms of vitamin A. One of the forms that is most usable to the body is called , and it can be found in , eggs, and milk. One of the most common provitamin A carotenoids that the body converts easily to retinol is , and it is found in carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and cantaloupe. Vitamin A is also one of the vitamins often used to fortify .

Vitamin A is fat soluble, which means that the body stores it, mostly in the liver. That also means that it is possible to build up of it in the body. This rarely happens from food sources because as the body builds up supplies of vitamin A, it will slow down the processing of beta carotene conversion to vitamin A. When people do get vitamin A toxicity, it is usually from taking too much in supplemental, or pill, form. Toxic levels of vitamin A can cause liver problems, central nervous system problems, deterioration of bone density, and birth defects.

True deficiency of vitamin A is rare in the US, but common in countries where malnourishment is widespread. As mentioned earlier, vitamin A is important to the immune system and vision. This is because the body uses vitamin A to make various internal tissues, such as those lining the eye, lungs, and intestinal tract. When these linings are weakened by vitamin A deficiency, it is easier for harmful bacteria to penetrate them and thus, people with vitamin A deficiency are more prone to infections, illness, blindness, and respiratory problems.

Aside from the malnourished, other people who may be prone to vitamin A deficiency include those who consume large amounts of alcohol and those with certain metabolic disorders that affect how fat and other nutrients are absorbed by the body.

Some recent and ongoing studies involving vitamin A and beta carotene include investigations as to whether high amounts of vitamin A contribute to osteoporosis, and whether beta carotene can lower the risk of some forms of cancer. Linda Polansky writes about Vitamins, Safe on health vitamins http://www.buyvitaminsmart.com ]]> Did You Know That High Cholesterol Can Kill? http://www.artwoo.com/article/did-you-know-that-high-cholesterol-can-kill http://www.artwoo.com/article/did-you-know-that-high-cholesterol-can-kill#comments Fri, 14 Mar 2008 17:35:00 +0000 harmful ldl cholesterolhigh blood cholesterolldl cholesterol levelsamerican journal of clinical nutritionjournal of clinical nutritionhigh ldl levelsbeta sitosterol http://www.artwoo.com/article/did-you-know-that-high-cholesterol-can-kill
A recent study shows that more than one third of American adults are at risk of coronary disease because of , according to the New York Times. The researchers reported that 60 million Americans over 20 years old have cholesterol levels high enough to require "medical advice and intervention."

LDL cholesterol, or "bad" cholesterol, as it is sometimes referred to, is produced by the liver and circulates in the blood. It slowly accumulates on the inner walls of your arteries, which nourish your heart and brain. It contributes to the formation of a hard substance called plaque that can actually block the flow of blood in your arteries and make them less flexible. This in turn puts your circulatory system at risk. If a clot forms, it can cause a heart attack. If it travels to the brain, it can cause a stroke.

What can you do to improve your health? Prescription medications can help, but they are costly. Dietary changes will improve your cholesterol over time, but you have to stick with them; which means cutting out some of your favorite foods altogether. Foods that are high in fats from animal sources, like fried foods and fatty meats, directly raise your cholesterol. Also, diets high in simple carbohydrates and sweets can also contribute to high . Some studies even show that stress is linked with due to the body's chemical response to stressful situations.

How can you improve your LDL cholesterol levels by adding something to your dietary habits, rather than taking something away? Beta-sitosterol is a natural plant phytonutrient that has been shown to reduce levels. It is a natural compound found in pecans, pumpkin seeds, soybeans and rice. It is clinically proven to reduce the body's absorption of cholesterol.

The published a study that reported a 42-percent decrease in absorbed cholesterol when a subject took beta-sitosterol before eating scrambled eggs.

Beta-sitosterol appears to inhibit cholesterol production in the liver as well. Beta-sitosterol actually breaks down an enzyme that is key in the production of harmful LDL cholesterol. The body naturally produces more cholesterol than a person normally consumes. A big part of your cholesterol numbers is determined by heredity. You inherit some of your cholesterol problem from your parents, but a natural plant phytonutrient may be powerful enough to counteract a part of that problem, according to recent medical testing.

So, if you aren't interested in wolfing down piles of rice and soybeans before every meal, what can you do to incorporate Beta-sitosterol in to your everyday routine to improve your cardiovascular health? Thankfully, supplements are available. Taking care of your ticker is now as simple as taking an herbal supplement before your meal. Hopefully, the supplements will help you avoid the unwanted side effects, financial burden and physical stress on your body that comes with prescription cholesterol medications.

You should combine your beta-sitosterol supplements with a heart-healthy diet and exercise for maximum results. Just losing 5 to 10 pounds may dramatically reduce your LDL cholesterol levels. Little changes in your daily routine will make a big difference in your long-term health. Try walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator at work or ordering veggies instead of French fries at lunch. Combine these changes with the addition of a beta-sitosterol supplement and you'll be well on your way to a happier and healthier future. More information on natural supplements like beta-sitosterol to lower cholesterol is available at VitaNet =AE, LLC Health Food Store. http://vitanetonline.com/ ]]> Google Finance - Excellent New Website For Financial Information http://www.artwoo.com/article/google-finance-excellent-new-website-for-financial-information http://www.artwoo.com/article/google-finance-excellent-new-website-for-financial-information#comments Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:43:25 +0000 stock market chartsfunctional betapenny stockscurrency marketgoogleforeign currencyforex markets http://www.artwoo.com/article/google-finance-excellent-new-website-for-financial-information Google has gotten into the financial side of the web recently. Actually they have been in it for a while but it is still in Beta. Not to worry, it is still functional. Beta to Google is like 95% done to most companies. The only thing Beta means is that they are still coming up with new ideas and new ways to present the information easily to the average visitor.

One thing for sure is that Google will bring the strength of their search engine to Google Finance. I read an interview in SFO Magazine the other day and it mentioned that they will be trying to bring together and news that possibly caused the move. This is done sometimes on other websites, but usually weeks later by someone writing an article on it. You can bet that Google wants it to be real time or as close to it as possible. This will make it easier for the novice to see that news and which type of news can make the markets move. This is especially visible with Currencies. There are between 4 to 8 news items a month that cause the to move suddenly.

Another cool thing that Google Finance is going to do is have much more information on OTC or on the site. I can't find it on there now but that's one of the reasons they are still in Beta. Things come and go and come back better or easier. If it is true that will in itself be ground breaking. I don't know of any of the major financial sites that even remotely have data and charting on Penny Stocks.

I like that the Euro and the U.S. Dollar information is right on the top right hand section. If you click on USD-Euro it will take you to a chart with News Items labeled A through Z on the chart itself. You can see that the news items moved the foreign . I've always liked having that sort of information correlated, since it tends to be cyclical in currencies as I mentioned earlier. The chart is flexible also if you look at the bottom of the chart you can slide the viewer wider to show a longer time frame. Just another little neat item from Google.

All in all I look forward to Google Finance being completed and fully functional with all of the bells and whistles that Google has stated will be. I am also looking forward to any and all new ideas that they will implement. Google is always coming up with new ways to do things and new ideas that link 2 or more things that the normal company hasn't thought of. As it is they have on the front page down near the bottom the four-tabbed box called Trends. This is interesting because the first tab is Popular, and it is telling you which companies are being searched on today. That isn't on any other website.

Check it out at http://finance.google.com/financeI am a freethinking freelance writer currently working on a few blogs. Check one of them out at DollarCreater.com]]> The Use Of Interferon Beta For Multiple Sclerosis Treatment http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-use-of-interferon-beta-for-multiple-sclerosis-treatment http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-use-of-interferon-beta-for-multiple-sclerosis-treatment#comments Thu, 26 Apr 2007 17:55:01 +0000 interferon betagamma interferonfood and drug administrationrebifbetaseronavonexfood and drug administration fda http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-use-of-interferon-beta-for-multiple-sclerosis-treatment interferon beta are similar to the natural interferon generated by the body in case of activation of the immune system when it needs to fight a disease. These medications proved their efficiency in case of viral infections and were also very helpful in problems involving the immune system. But the information related to their effect on MS is poor. But one of its widely known effects is the anti-inflammatory action. Interferon =96beta also maintains the myelin. .

Interferon-beta seems to annihilate the effect of a very dangerous factor that activates MS symptoms: .

is administered by injection into the muscle of the thigh, upper arm, or hip weekly. is also an injection that is inserted beneath the skin about 3 times in a week; is administered the same way as every other day.

The treatment including interferon beta medicines deals with relapsing-remitting forms of MS .Although it is tested on adults and, thus, more recommended to them, interferon-beta is also used in children.

Betaseron received the approval of U.S. (FDA) in the treatment of people with secondary progressive MS

The Effectiveness

Based on studies, it was proved that:

Interferon beta treatment produced a significant decrease in number and severity of MS relapses. People who were administered Betaseron injections, once in two days and those that used Rebif for three times during a week were 1/3 less affected by relapses.

* - Less surfaces of the brain are affected by MS in the people that are on interferon. There MRI scans have shown this improvement of the condition and also that interferon beta doesn't allow the formation of lesions.

* - In case of relapsing remitted form, Avonex. Rebif or Betaseron prove their efficiency in minimizing disability chances and in delaying it in other cases.

* - Betaseron seems to delay the progress of MS in the secondary progressive form and, thus, disability.

* - Also for relapsing =96 remitted form of MS, Avonex and Betaseron delay the cognitive impairment.

Both Avonex and Betaseron have been approved by FDA, the first one to deal with early lesions or changes of MS detected by MRI and the other =96 for the other for the treatment for the secondary =96 progressive form and also that of relapsing =96 remitted form.

All three interferon beta compounds are effective, but better results seem to be obtained from more aggressive treatment (Betaseron, Rebif) compared to the low doses of Avonex's effects. Rebif is more effective by 12 percents in the prevention of relapses than Avonex, says a study which also shows the superiority of Rebif to Avonex regarding the lesions of the brain: they were much fewer in case of Rebif use.

Side effects:

* - Similarly symptoms to those of flu: tiredness, high body temperature, muscle aches that appear about a day after the administration of injections.

* - Headaches that appear from the first six months of treatments. Depending on their severity, the doctor will decide whether to change the medicine to glatiramer acetate.

* - Depression may appear, generated by interferon beta medicines. The labels of these medications contain a mention of this possibility. Avonex is the one that generated most of this kind of side effects. It is not recommended for people with serious psychiatric problems, especially depression. In case of mood fluctuation, depression or suicidal ideas, the doctor should be immediately informed.

* - The site where the injection was administered may inflame, turn red and present an increased sensitivity. Usually this is generated by Rebif and Betaseron. A pain reliever that precedes and follows the injection may be the best solution.

* - Common symptoms to these of MS: anxiety, confusion, loss of appetite and insomnia. In case they last for more than 2 days, the doctor should know about it.

Blood tests are necessary for people on interferon beta treatment; so that their leucocytes and the liver's function may be monitored because this kind of medications may seriously damage them.

The interferon beta medication mustn't be started until the MS diagnosis is a fact. Once it is diagnosed, this kind of therapy should be administered as soon as possible to prevent or stop the degradation of the nervous system functions due to the unpredictable nature of the disease.

The FDA and the producer of Avonex warn the people to avoid using this medicine in case of depression or another psychiatric condition because it makes their symptoms worse. Your doctor will tell you whether Avonex suits your case.

The annoying part of interferon beta treatments is represented by their side effects, that most frequently include flu like symptoms after the injection is administered. Ibuprofen, Napraxen or Acetaminophen improve these symptoms and increase your tolerance for higher doses of interferon beta compounds that really help MS.

Except for their side effects interferon beta treatment presents other disadvantages too:

- A person cannot be sure that the treatment will be effective in his/ her particular case; sometimes it may just not work.

- The risks of long term medications haven't been discovered yet.

- In time, interferon may loose its efficiency because the body learns how to annihilate its effects by means of antibodies.

- It is a very expensive treatment, over ten thousands $ each year

This kind of treatment isn't appropriate for pregnant women because it may produce a miscarriage. The women that follow this treatment must use birth control methods. In case pregnancy occurs, see your doctor as soon as possible and demand his advice. For more information visit http://www.multiplesclerosisresearch.com ]]> Maintain Healthy Cholesterol Levels With Beta Sitosterol A Plant Phytosterol http://www.artwoo.com/article/maintain-healthy-cholesterol-levels-with-beta-sitosterol-a-plant-phytosterol http://www.artwoo.com/article/maintain-healthy-cholesterol-levels-with-beta-sitosterol-a-plant-phytosterol#comments Tue, 25 Mar 2008 15:29:58 +0000 low density lipoproteinsbeta sitosterolcholesterol hdlfatty plaquessticking plastercorn oilscholesterol level http://www.artwoo.com/article/maintain-healthy-cholesterol-levels-with-beta-sitosterol-a-plant-phytosterol Beta Sitosterol is a plant phytosterol that offers many benefits to your health. Many of these are due to its effect in reducing both total and LDL cholesterol in the blood, although that is not the only effect that phytosterols can have on your body.

Phytosterol is one of many phytochemicals that are beneficial to your health, and the term `phyto' simply indicates that the substance is obtained from plants. Phytosterols are not obtainable in your diet from animal sources, and beta sitosterol is mainly found in seeds, soy and . Because of this, most of the population do not have high intake, and so supplements are generally the most common source of this valuable material.

There are commonly two types of cholesterol: HDL and LDL, and it is the LDL form that is said to be the `bad' cholesterol. In fact the terms refer to the high density and that carry the cholesterol around the body. Cholesterol itself is fat soluble, and does not dissolve in water. It therefore cannot travel through the blood without the aid of a water soluble protein, which is what the lipoproteins are.

Low density lipoproteins consist of a charged protein portion and a lipid, or fat, frequently a triglyceride. The charged protein portion is water soluble, and can carry the lipid and cholesterol round the blood. Cholesterol is not a bad substance, but carries out many useful functions, one of which is repairing damage to blood vessels: a bit like a . However, the LDL can become oxidized by free radicals in the body, and it is this oxidized LDL that reacts by depositing of cholesterol onto the arterial walls and ultimately blocking them.

The HDL carries cholesterol from the blood to the liver where it is destroyed and then secreted, which is why it is sometimes termed `good' cholesterol. Beta sitosterol significantly reduces the amount of both LDL and total s in the blood. Once the total cholesterol level has dropped to a certain level, then the body produces more HDL cholesterol and so maintains balance that is higher than normal in the `good' HDL cholesterol.

The way that phytosterols do this is believed to be by reducing the absorption of dietary cholesterol in the gut, because the sterols have a similar chemical structure to cholesterol and can occupy the cholesterol absorption sites. Beta sitosterol is particularly effective in this mechanism. Rather than the body absorbing cholesterol it passes it thorough the gut unchanged and eliminates it.

The National Cholesterol Education Program has recommended that the optimum blood LDL cholesterol level is below 100 mg/dl and that the total of LDL and HDL be below 200 mg/dl. A regular intake of beta sitosterol can help to maintain these levels without reducing your cholesterol to a dangerously low level. As previously stated, cholesterol is an essential component of your normal biochemistry, and too low a level could be dangerous. What you need is natural regulation of the LDL form, and that is what beta sitosterol and the other phytosterols do. However, beta sitosterol does more than just control your cholesterol balance.

It also supports the health of your prostate. Studies indicate that a daily intake of 60 mg =96 130 mg beta sitosterol can reduce the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, the Sunday name for non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate. This could be due to its effect on LDL cholesterol levels, since other studies have indicated a possible connection between high cholesterol levels and prostate enlargement. This might again be due to the occupation of receptor sites in the prostate cell membranes by the phytosterol. Saw palmetto, commonly used to treat prostate problems, contains beta sitosterol.

It also appears to modulate the biochemical synthesis of cytokines, which are responsible for the inflammatory response of the immune system to foreign invaders and tissue damage. It also appears to boost the activity of NK-cells, and also of the proliferation of lymphocytes in general. Another effect of beta sitosterol is in normalizing the insulin and blood sugar levels in Type 2 diabetes. It does this by inhibiting the enzyme glucose-6-phosphatase that is responsible for the conversion of carbohydrates to D-glucose which raises blood sugar levels. The upshot is that the onset of age related Type 2 diabetes is delayed.

In general, beta sitosterol displays many properties beneficial to your health. It displays anti-viral and anti-fungal properties, is believed to be responsible for the suppression of cancers of the colon and prostate, and lymphocytic leukemia. It appears to act as an anti-inflammatory, and has a beneficial effect on ulcers and cramps. There is even evidence that it can help to cure allergies, although more studies are required to confirm this. Those suffering from specific allergies have reported a lessening of the effects when taking beta sitosterol supplements, although it is possible that other dietary factors were also involved.

Beta sitosterol is contained in some concentration or another in most plants, but those richest in the phytosterol are wheat germ, peanuts, soybeans, corn oil, pumpkin seeds and rice bran. None of these form a particularly large part of the western diet, and a supplement is likely the best way to ensure a sufficiently adequate frequent intake as to have a significant effect on your LDL cholesterol level.

Although a daily intake of 300 mg has been cited by some sources as adequate, there have been no reported ill effects of taking this supplement at higher dosages. As already stated, your cholesterol levels are self regulating to a minimum level and you cannot completely block its absorption. Hence, it is not possible to take so much beta sitosterol as to reduce your LDL cholesterol to a dangerously low level.

There is sufficient evidence for the effects of beta sitosterol on the body to indicate that if your diet is low in those seeds, nuts and beans that contain significant quantities, the a supplement will provide you with benefits to your health, particularly if you have high blood cholesterol levels or problems with your prostate gland. More information on beta sitosterol for cholesterol, prostate and the immune system is available at VitaNet =AE, LLC Health Food Store. http://vitanetonline.com/ ]]> Prophylaxis Of Rheumatic Fever (RF) / Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) http://www.artwoo.com/article/prophylaxis-of-rheumatic-fever-rf-rheumatic-heart-disease-rhd http://www.artwoo.com/article/prophylaxis-of-rheumatic-fever-rf-rheumatic-heart-disease-rhd#comments Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:17:29 +0000 group a streptococcusthroat swabcausative organismthroat cultureadult agerhdsore throat http://www.artwoo.com/article/prophylaxis-of-rheumatic-fever-rf-rheumatic-heart-disease-rhd sore throat, through a specific group of organism i.e. , therefore, prophylaxis of RF / means prevention of sore throat. But the prevention of sore throat is not so simple as it may appear to be. There are a large number of cases of sore throat, and most of them are viral in nature, and out of the bacterial infection only a small number may be related to the specific organism i.e. group A streptococcus, responsible for RF /RHD. These specific organisms can only be identified if a is taken of each and every child for culture of the organisms. It may not be feasible in a disease like sore throat which is so commonly prevalent and subsides even without treatment in many of the cases, i.e., it is a self-limiting disease.

Due to the above reasons, it is not possible to detect the occult/hidden cases of sore throat as a result of group A streptococcus in a mass survey/check-up of children, as for example in various schools and colonies etc., because takes 48-72 hours, and there is no kit for quick detection of cases.

However, as a general prophylaxis sore throat should be immediately treated, irrespective of the , especially in children/adults for the prevention of RF /RHD. Doctors, especially pediatricians, can play a significant role in explaining to parents, especially mothers, for immediate treatment of sore throat in their children whenever it occurs. Teachers in schools also play an equally important role in this respect.

A long-term drug prophylaxis should be given to all children/ adults, who once suffered an attack of RF /RHD, for the protection of the throat against streptococcal infection. The duration of prophylaxis differs from case to case, as the incidence of the disease decreases as age advances. This drug prophylaxis may be given till the child reaches the , or for five years after the last attack of RF /RHD. Once the prophylaxis is withdrawn, great vigilance is required, and the child/ adult should take proper treatment for sore throat as and when it occurs. However, drug prophylaxis may be required almost forever/lifelong, especially in cases which exhibit permanent signs of valvular /rheumatic heart disease. These damaged valves need foolproof protection against infection, and due to this reason, drug prophylaxis is given continuously. Long-acting antibiotics, like penicillin, is given in such cases every month; some advocate it every three weeks. In the case of children, the concerned parents must see to it that the child is strictly administered a regular course of antibiotic, as explained/motivated by their physician.

Also, all cases of RHO should take a short course of antibiotics (besides the long-acting antibiotics they are taking monthly) before undergoing any operative procedure, either minor or major, as for example dental extraction etc., as more virulent bacteria are likely to enter the blood from the area of operation leading to gross infection of the already damaged valves of the heart, called subacute bacterial endocarditic (SBE), which requires emergent measures to save the heart from damage. In that case strong antibiotics will be required to tide over the crisis.

As a part of prophylaxis, it is also important that the warning signals of rheumatic fever, must be known to all, especially parents/teachers and those at the rural level. The children should be immediately treated on the very first attack .of RF, and drug prophylaxis should be started without any delay.

Above all, since the disease occurs as a result of the infection of throat, proper hygienic conditions must be maintained for the prevention of sore throat / RF /RHO.

This is the reason that people living in overcrowded/highly-populated, damp colonies/slums etc. become highly prone to this disease. Good food is also necessary for the prevention of this disease.

Summing up, it may be said that in order to achieve everlasting prevention, socio-economic factors as a whole, including especially the living conditions as well as the nutrition of the people, have to be improved, particularly among the lower strata of society. The people are required to be educated through various media regarding the dangerous consequences of ~ore throat, and that any sore throat must be treated promptly whenever it occurs. Of course, an early detection/treatment of cases which have already picked up the disease will be essentially required. For this all, we need a national strategy / programme, and only then we can hope to prevent this disease which is still one of the major health hazards in many developing countries. It is earnestly hoped that a streptococcal vaccine will soon be available, which may indeed prove to be a breakthrough in the prevention of this disease. Author sites: http://www.herbalremedieslk.com, http://self-health-tips.blogspot.com, http://www.e-self-help.com ]]> Block Cholesterol With Phytosterols http://www.artwoo.com/article/block-cholesterol-with-phytosterols http://www.artwoo.com/article/block-cholesterol-with-phytosterols#comments Sun, 06 Jul 2008 18:57:21 +0000 east tennessee statebenign prostate enlargementldl cholesterolcholesterol reducing foodseast tennessee state universityplant compoundstennessee state university http://www.artwoo.com/article/block-cholesterol-with-phytosterols plant compounds which have two significant health benefits. First of all, phytosterols reduce blood levels of total cholesterol and the "bad" . Second, which is particularly good for men, phytosterols can reduce symptoms of benign enlarged prostate. These naturally occurring plant compounds are added to many common cholesterol-reducing foods, but can also be taken as capsules. Even though the word phytosterol may sound a little like steroid, phytosterols do not have any hormonal activity. Phytosterols are known by a large variety of names such as plant sterols, free sterols, and sterol esters. A related group of compounds, which are called stanols, are gathered from trees, not from plants.

Phytosterols chemically consist of beta-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol. The structure of phytosterols is similar to that of cholesterol, but is poorly absorbed. Because of these traits, phytosterols function as cholesterol blockers by reducing the absorption of cholesterol from food and re-absorption of cholesterol from the intestine, which ultimately leads to lower levels of blood fats. Actually, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration now allows companies to claim that phytosterols-containing products are able to lower the risk of heart disease. Phytosterols can also be found in a large variety of plant foods, which includes fruits, vegetables, herbs, nuts, grains, and cooking oils. Additionally, saw palmetto, which is an herb that is commonly used to treat , is rich in phytosterols, especially beta-sitosterol.

Many studies have been done that show the abilities of phytosterols supplements to reduce cholesterol levels significantly. One study conducted at University, researched both sterol esters and placebos on the same group of sixteen people. The results showed a five percent decrease in total cholesterol and four percent decrease in LDL cholesterol after taking a modest dose of sterol esters for four weeks. Additionally, triglyceride levels decreased by nine percent while HDL cholesterol increased by four percent. Another study in which 2.6 grams of phytosterols were taken daily for 12 weeks resulted in a decrease of 3.5 percent in total cholesterol and 5 percent in LDL cholesterol. Due to this, it is suggested that those wishing to supplement in order to improve cholesterol levels should take 1.3 to 3 grams of sterol esters daily.

Several other studies have found that supplements of beta-sitosterol can significantly reduce urinary symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, which commonly affects men ages 50 and older. The benefits can be long term to those men who continue taking supplements of about 200 mg of beta-sitosterol three times daily.

For those people with moderately elevated cholesterol, phytosterols can be an ideal natural alternative to drugs. Even those people who are already taking cholesterol-lowering drugs can benefit by phytosterols ability to further enhance the benefits of medications. In order to lower cholesterol, it also helps to reduce the intake of hydrogenated vegetable oils and refined sugars and starches, along with increasing physical activity. Dosages between 1.3 and 3 grams daily are likely to reduce cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels. The higher dosage is linked to greater reductions in cholesterol. Take phytosterols capsules along with food, for best results.More information on beta sitosterol phytosterols is available at VitaNet ®, LLC Health Food Store. http://vitanetonline.com/]]> The Guy On The Tech Support Line Asked Me My Version Number- What Does He Mean? http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-guy-on-the-tech-support-line-asked-me-my-version-number-what-does-he-mean http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-guy-on-the-tech-support-line-asked-me-my-version-number-what-does-he-mean#comments Wed, 18 Jul 2007 12:25:00 +0000 computer software productminor versionversion numbersdigitthis means thatversion numbernew features http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-guy-on-the-tech-support-line-asked-me-my-version-number-what-does-he-mean
You are not imaging your quandary. Amazingly enough there is not one simple answer to this question or even a consistent naming system to the whole process. Software is inconsistent when it comes to vision numbers but there are general rules that software manufactures tend to follow.

If there is absolutely no available what this means is the is probably the products first release. Common sense (often uncommon in the history of the computer hardware and software industry) the first time a is released it is not likely and indeed unlikely to have a version number beside it. Similarly computer games often lack at all and are known simply the title of the specific game.

Next there are major version numbers, numbers of software and patch level (or update) versions of computer software. Generally the first in the naming of the software product (say for example software version 2.1.3), stands for the major version release of the software. the software product has undergone a major revision from version 1.0. The program) will have and will have undergone a major rewrite of its computer code. Hopefully (for your hard earned money and time spent installing the "new" computer software) the program will have added functionality, features and increased speed.

The second digit (the digit) 1 (as in version 2.1.3), stand for the minor version upgrade or update. The minor version update number designates an incremental update on the initial update. New features may have been added but the product has not undergone a major revision. An incremental update so to speak. For example a company may additional fonts to a word-processing program.

Lastly the digit 3 in the above example is called a "patch level" or "update "version number. Companies generally release a product with a new patch number when customers have complained about bugs in a product or a major new operating system update (say the release of Microsoft XP Service Pack 2) or the release of the new long awaited advanced Microsoft Operating System Vista are released and cause nothing but problems with the preexisting software out in the field.

Lastly to throw a bug in the ointment is "Beta" Versions of software. Most of the times the letter will be will a b which stands for a beta (or trial version). Companies do not always make their beta visions of computer software available to the wholesale general public. Often they will make a beta trial of the software available to a limited amount of customers and die hard computer guinea pigs. Beta versions are often available for download on the internet after an application for the product and the signing of legal non disclosure, non distribution documents. Software products, like pharmaceuticals can never really be tested and assessed until placed in large scale, real world use. However the standard computer industry joke has always been that in actuality most Microsoft products are in essence Beta versions waiting for their customers to field test and report back of any problems found in order that the software product can be patched and updated to solve bugs.

Hopefully now you will in a better position of understanding to answer the question on that tech support 800 toll free number phone call to that question of "What version of software of product x are you using on your computer ?" Maxwell A. Rubin - http://www.badgerlinux.net http://www.adgerlinux.com http://www.vintagecomputermanuals.com ]]> Foods That Fight Health Problems -- Part I http://www.artwoo.com/article/foods-that-fight-health-problems-part-i http://www.artwoo.com/article/foods-that-fight-health-problems-part-i#comments Sun, 16 Apr 2006 01:50:07 +0000 beta carotenebreast cancercancer curesinsoluble fibersoluble fiberapple skinlycopene http://www.artwoo.com/article/foods-that-fight-health-problems-part-i cancer cures or smoother skins. Join me in exploring foods and their benefits that fight host of diseases and health problems.

- Apple - When the first couple of the world i.e. Adam and Eve took their first bite of the apple, they were unaware of its goodness. Eating an apple a day keeps stroke at bay. Apple lowers the risk of embolic stroke caused by a tiny blood clot blocking an artery in the brain. The is choc a bloc with quercetin that fights heart diseases by preventing cholesterol. The quercetin also fights cancer by deactivating carcinogens. Apples are loaded with fiber. The lowers cholesterol. s keep your bowels in good working order. The pectin in insoluble fiber calms diarrhea and helps the diabetics to keep their blood sugar under control. So go ahead indulge your self.

- Apricots -- Lovely looking yellow - orange coloured fruit, Apricots find a mention as the one of the top 10 sources. Beta carotene is converted to Vitamin A by the body. Beta carotene and carotenoids work together to stave off illness. If you're bothered by itchy yeast infection, feast on some apricots. The beta carotene bolsters your immune system to ward of the infection. Beta carotene and its cousin's carotenoids fight cancer. The beta carotene gobbles up free radical substances that cause cell damage. captures the growth of tumor cells and other carotenoids break down cancer causing carcinogens. Beta carotene rich diet reduces the risk the recurrence of . Not just cancer, beta carotene in apricots fights heart disease too. Beta carotene and Lycopene fight a process that makes bad low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The dried variety of apricots is potassium storehouse helping to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke.

- Artichokes -- This funny looking vegetable is packed with amazing health benefits. Firstly they help to keep blood supply flowing freely to the heart. Secondly, one medium sized artichoke provides 15% of daily folate requirement. Folate or vitamin B helps control blood levels of homocysteine that triggers a heart attack. Thirdly, it is packed with cynarin that lowers cholesterol production. Cynarin benefits the skin too. It helps protect collagen, the connective tissue for holding the cells together against skin damage. For digestive difficulties, artichoke stimulates production of bile that is an emulsifier in aiding fat digestion.

- Asparagus -- Is the king of vegetables in providing folate, vitamin B in simple words that plays an important role in preventing heart attacks. Folate and folic acid are important in preventing certain birth defects. A good source of vitamin C that helps to your keep your immune system fighting. Asparagus battles birth defects and heart disease and bolsters immune function.

- Avocado -- One of the few fruits that is high in fat i.e. healthy fat. 80% of fat in avocado offers health benefits that may help prevent cancer, heart disease, dry hair and high cholesterol. Avocados have beta sitosterol that is a plant compound inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol from your intestines to maintain a low level in your blood. They are loaded with glutathione, a plant compound that neutralizes free radicals that cause cell damage. Glutathione also prevents cancer of the mouth and pharynx as well as heart disease. The unsaturated fat in avocado helps lower your level of low density lipoprotein cholesterol while maintaining high density lipoprotein. Sharon Hopkins manages http://www.diethealthclub.com.. Healthy Food provides vital nutrients that aid our body's metallic function and ensure well being. Read up on foods that fights of host of diseases and other health problems. ]]>