Pledges for hunger

Pledges for hunger
YOUNGSTOWN -- Gary Sexton, executive director of WYSU-FM 88.5 Public Radio and president of the Mahoning Valley Second Harvest Food Bank board, will run the 100 mile Rocky Raccoon Trail race on Feb. 3 in Huntsville Texas, to raise funds for Second Harvest Food Bank.
For every 1 pledged to Sexton's run, Second Harvest Food Bank here will distribute 15 worth of food to those in need. To make a pledge or for more information on the Run for Hunger, contact Becky Miller at (330) 792.5522 ext. 17.
Cancer research
COLUMBUS -- A pattern of micro molecules can distinguish pancreatic cancer from normal and benign pancreatic tissue, new research suggests. The study examined human pancreatic tumor tissue and compared it to nearby normal tissue and control tissue for levels of micro molecules, and identified about 100 different ones that are present usually at very high levels in the tumor tissue compared with their levels in normal pancreatic tissue.
The findings suggest that micro molecules form a signature, or expression pattern, that may offer new clues about how pancreatic cancer develops, and that they could lead to new molecular markers that might improve doctors' ability to diagnose and treat the disease. The study, led by cancer researchers at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, was published online Dec. 5, 2006, in the International Journal of Cancer.
Stroke findings
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Patients who undergo combined heart bypass surgery and carotid endarterectomy, the most commonly used stroke prevention surgery, significantly increase their chances of death or stroke, according to a study published in the Jan. 16, 2007, issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The study involved the review of hospital discharge data from 657,877 patients who had been admitted to U.S. hospitals for carotid endarterectomy or coronary bypass artery surgery from 1993 to 2002.
The study found a 38 percent greater chance of death or postoperative stroke among patients with combined coronary bypass artery surgery and carotid endarterectomy compared to the risk of death or stroke from coronary artery bypass surgery alone. Carotid endarterectomy is the surgical removal of harmful plaque build-up in the carotid arteries, the main suppliers of blood to the brain.
Fitness program
YOUNGSTOWN -- Dr. M. Shayesteh, a board certified nutritionist, diabetes educator and weight loss specialist, will present a program, "Nutrition, Weight Loss & amp; Physical Fitness... It's Easier Than You Think," on Thursday Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center, 505 Gypsy Lane. The cost is 5 for members of the Jewish Community Center and 7 for nonmembers. Call (330) 746-3251 ext. 106 for information and to register.
'Heart Hero' event
YOUNGSTOWN -- Humility of Mary Health Partners' sixth annual "Be a Heart Hero" program is Feb. 1 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at Mr. Anthony's in Boardman.
"Heart Hero" is a community program dedicated to increasing knowledge of cardiovascular health. This year's event focuses on cardiac electrophysiology and the role of implantable cardiac devices for the management and treatment of heart irregularities. This community program also offers free health screenings including stroke screenings, blood pressure, and presentations by electrophysiologists Drs. Walter Paladino and Allan Katz.
The cost of the event is 5 per person and includes a heart-healthy buffet dinner. Continuing education hours area available for qualified medical professionals. Registration is required. Call (330) 480-3151 or toll free (877) 700-4647.
Health care forum
NORTH JACKSON -- SPAN-OHIO, the Mahoning Valley Chapter of the Single Payer Action Network Ohio, is offering a health care forum at 7 p.m. Feb. 8 at the United Autoworkers Local 1112 Union Hall, 11471 Reuther Drive, located off state Route 45 south of Lordstown. Jim Graham, UAW Local 1112 president, is master of ceremonies. A roundtable discussion on the health care crisis will be moderated by Dr. Johnathon Ross, director of ambulatory internal medicine at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center and associate clinical professor of internal Medicine at the Toledo School of Medicine. A question and answer period will follow the discussion. Refreshments will be provided. Call (330) 793-2543 or (330) 750-1844 for more information.
Governor's Award
YOUNGSTOWN -- St. Elizabeth Health Center, a member of Humility of Mary Health Partners, has received the 2006 Governor's Award for Excellence in Energy. The award honors individuals, businesses, and industries that have used innovative approaches to improve energy efficiency, the environment, and Ohio's economic competitiveness. Only 10 awards were presented statewide.
In 2001, HMHP partnered with Siemens Building Technologies as part of a strategic plan to implement several facility improvements while reducing operating costs at St. Elizabeth. Over the 2002-2005 year period, approximately 5 million in utility and operational cost savings were realized. Reductions also were seen in the use of natural gas and electricity. In addition, various recycling efforts reduced the facility's production of solid general and medical waste, officials said.
Oxygen therapy finding
PITTSBURGH -- Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have demonstrated that low-dose carbon monoxide administered in conjunction with oxygen therapy markedly inhibits oxygen-induced damage to lung cells. These findings, being reported in the Jan. 19 issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry, have significant implications for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome, or ARDS, according to the study's authors. ARDS is a life-threatening medical condition in which patients experience severe shortness of breath and oxygen starvation, and is the number one killer of patients in intensive care unit facilities in the United States.
Although high concentrations of carbon monoxide are toxic, it has been demonstrated that CO can be therapeutic at very low concentrations, said lead investigator, Dr. Augustine Choi, professor of medicine and the chief of the division of pulmonary, allergy and critical care medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Research grant
PITTSBURGH -- The University of Pittsburgh has been awarded an estimated 13 million five-year research grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health to develop new approaches that seek to increase the understanding of and improve outcomes for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a degenerative breathing disorder that is the fourth leading cause of death and the second leading cause of disability annually in the United States. The grant establishes the University of Pittsburgh as a Specialized Center of Clinically Oriented Research in COPD. Dr. Frank C. Sciurba, principal investigator for the grant, is associate professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and director of the Emphysema Research Center in the division of pulmonary, allergy and critical care medicine.
Stress management
If you're reeling from job stress, take heart. A new study has found that weekly one-hour stress-management sessions at lunchtime can promote cardiovascular health and maybe help stop that eye from twitching.
In a study of 91 office workers who faced layoffs, researchers at the University of Milan in Italy found that those who received simple respiration, muscle relaxation, guided imagery and cognitive exercises showed a small but significant improvement in heart rate variability and blood pressure. The yearlong program also reduced the workers' perceived stress. Workers who received occasional articles and monthly e-mails did not experience a similar reduction in stress.
The study, released online Jan. 8, will appear in the February issue of Hypertension.