New innovative tests can prove useful for curbing cattle steroid abuse

Scientists at Queen’s University Belfast have developed new and innovative tests for identifying the illegal use of steroids in the European beef industry.

The new tests are not only more accurate and easier as compared to conventional drug tests for ascertaining the presence of presence of illegal steroids in cattle but also more economical.

This study appeared in the scientific journal Analytical Chemistry and was led by Professor Chris Elliot, the Director of the Institute of Agri-Food and Land Use at Queen’s.

From Sciencedaily.com:

Using a commercial blood analyser commonly found in hospitals, the researchers measured 20 different chemical markers, including proteins and cholesterol, in cattle treated with and without the commonly used steroids testosterone and oestrogen over a 42-day study period.

The new test detected the presence of the steroids with a high accuracy rate – between 91 and 96 per cent.

Professor Elliot said: “In recent years, a trend of administration of very low dose cocktails of naturally occurring hormones has made conventional forms of analysis even more problematic.

“Even if minute traces of steroids can be detected, proving definitive illegal administration under these circumstances is close to impossible.

“The ability to detect evidence of such administrations using metabolic markers would be a major scientific advance.

Professor Chris Elliot, the Director of the Institute of Agri-Food and Land Use at Queen’s, remarked that single steroid administration means that a lowered metabolic response was generated when compared to what would have been attained via cocktail hormone treatments that are presently abused in Europe.

Prostate cancer progression may get promoted with hormonal dietary supplements

Hormonal components present in some over-the-counter dietary supplements may promote the progression of prostate cancer besides minimizing the positive effects of anti-cancer drugs, as per a discovery by researchers at the UT Southwestern Medical Center.

This finding was presented in the journal Clinical Cancer Research and reaffirmed the fact that patients visiting doctors for advice must communicate use of all herbal or hormonal dietary supplements they are taking or considering taking.

From Sciencedaily.com:

An estimated 42 percent to 69 percent of U.S. adults use dietary supplements, at an estimated out-of-pocket expenditure of about $34.4 billion, according to published reports cited in the study. Individuals often use supplements because they believe these natural products are safe and drug-free. The sale of androgenic steroids is exponentially increasing. In 2004, U.S. expenditures on testosterone supplements were estimated to be $425 million.

“Given that testosterone supplements are in high demand, there is significant concern that supplements, in addition to the one we evaluated, may pose an urgent human health risk,” Dr. Shariat said.

Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine in Houston also contributed to the research.

It was remarked by Dr. Claus Roehrborn, chairman of urology at UT Southwestern and one of the study’s authors that physicians must make enquiries from patients not only about the prescription drugs they may be taking but also about the over-the-counter drugs and supplements.

Most asthma patients on steroids benefit from influenza vaccine

The commonly used influenza vaccine is effective when it comes to protecting patients suffering from asthma and on inhaled steroids against type A flu though the protection may not be the same for type B flu in patients who take high doses of inhaled steroids, as per a researcher from Baylor College of Medicine in a publication.

It was remarked by Dr. Nicola Hanania, BCM assistant professor of medicine and director of the Asthma Clinical Research Center, that the findings of this study reassure physicians and patients that the influenza vaccine is effective for providing protection against influenza in most asthma patients on inhaled steroids.

From News-Medical.Net:

There are occasional outbreaks of influenza type B, and in the event this happens, people who use inhaled steroids to control their asthma may need to receive other medications in addition to the vaccine, he said. Hanania was the lead researcher among the six centers belonging to the American Lung Association-Asthma Clinical Research Centers Network that participated in this study. The study looked at 294 asthma patients who were randomly assigned to receive either the flu vaccine or a placebo (an inactive medication). Seventy-five percent of patients who received the vaccine were on steroids while 70 percent of those received placebo were on steroids. The immune response of patients on steroids at all doses who received the vaccine was higher than that seen in patients on steroids who received placebo, said Hanania. However, patients on high doses of inhaled steroids had a lower immune response to type B influenza. A previously published study performed by this network confirmed the safety of influenza vaccine in children and adults with asthma.

The report appeared in an issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

Pepper component can kill prostate cancer cells

Capsaicin, which is a popular pepper component used to turn up heat in jalapeqos, can prove its worth when it comes to killing prostate cancer cells apart from burning the tongue. This finding was suggested by a study published in an issue of Cancer Research.

The pepper component was found to be effective for facilitating the prostate cancer cells to undergo apoptosis or programmed cell death, according to a team of researchers from the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in collaboration with colleagues from UCLA.

From News-Medical.Net:

Capsaicin induced approximately 80 percent of prostate cancer cells growing in mice to follow the molecular pathways leading to apoptosis. Prostate cancer tumors treated with capsaicin were about one-fifth the size of tumors in non-treated mice.

“Capsaicin had a profound anti-proliferative effect on human prostate cancer cells in culture,” said Svren Lehmann, M.D., Ph.D., visiting scientist at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the UCLA School of Medicine. “It also dramatically slowed the development of prostate tumors formed by those human cell lines grown in mouse models.”

Lehmann estimated that the dose of pepper extract fed orally to the mice was equivalent to giving 400 milligrams of capsaicin three times a week to a 200 pound man, roughly equivalent to between three and eight fresh habaqera peppers – depending on the pepper’s capsaicin content. Habaqeras are the highest rated pepper for capsaicin content according to the Scoville heat index. Habaqero peppers, which are native to the Yucatan, typically contain up to 300,000 Scoville units. The more popular Jalapeqo variety from Oaxaca, Mexico, and the southwest United States, contains 2,500 to 5,000 Scoville units.

Capsaicin helps in curbing cancer cell growth by facilitating regulation of androgen receptors that are steroid activated proteins controlling expression of certain growth relating genes along with inhibiting NF-kappa Beta, which is considered to be a molecular mechanism participating in pathways leading to apoptosis in varying cell types.

Steroids now reaching and prospering in South Africa

South Africa no longer remains an exception when it comes to the use of anabolic steroids. The country is finding itself grappled with steroid users who are not anymore shy in using anabolic steroids and performance enhancing drugs to “make an impact”.

With the success stories of steroids reaching South Africa during the last few years, it was almost predictable that the country will follow many other steroid-hit countries of the world.

From SteroidTimes.Com:

So let me start by dispelling a popular myth or rumour that i often get asked about: STEROIDS ARE NOT LEGAL IN SOUTH AFRICA! That said, steroid are not a highly policed area in the drug market, any ‘busts’ or the like generally come from bodybuilders or dealers that are involved in manufacturing or importing other illicit drugs such as cocaine, exstacy, khat or crystal meth. The reality is that there are just not enough resources in South Africa to control such a small segment of the drug trade, they have bigger fish to fry.

We have a range of anabolic products from black market to legitimate available to the athlete or bodybuilder. Many pharmacies are quite happy to sell drugs such a steroids, growth hormone, thyroid hormones and insulin ‘under the counter’ as long as cash is paid, the better you know the pharmacist, the better price you get. Those products that are not available from a pharmacy can be obtained relatively easily from your entrepreneurial gym dealer who will generally have at his disposal a range of imported or local underground brands.

The recent, continuing success of steroids often overshadows associated potential risks, a fact highlighted by growing number of steroid users in this African country.

Baseball players and union set stringent doping policies

An agreement was entered into by Major League baseball players and union officials to bring stringent doping policies to run the game in a better way, as per an announcement made at a meeting of baseball owners in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Baseball and union officials have expanded the list of banned substances though players would not be tested for the use of amphetamines.

From NYTimes.com:

“I felt an obligation that some day, somebody could come up to you and say, ‘You people knew about this, and you didn’t do anything about it,’ ” Commissioner Bud Selig said on a conference call. “That was something I would have had a very hard time living with. But the fact of the matter is that today, we did something about it.”

Baseball did not adopt steroid testing for major leaguers until 2002, when it negotiated a program with the union that was roundly criticized as being too lenient. Rob Manfred, an executive vice president for baseball, said the new policy was different in the frequency of testing during the season; the addition of off-season testing; the number of banned substances; and the penalties.

Rob Manfred, an executive vice president for baseball, remarked that the policy is as good as any policy in any professional sport.

Translaminar approach effective for neck pain

Recent research has suggested that the translaminar technique to cervical spinal steroid injections is very effective for minimizing neck pain. This finding was revealed in the largest series of patients to date.

The technique was found to be effective and safe at the same time and does not come with the risk of paralysis. In an alternate approach, steroids were administered in injectable forms and in close proximity to small blood vessels in the spine and nerve bundles, which may have resulted in nerve damage or paralysis.

From News-Medical.Net:

The study’s patient population consisted of 161 patients, 69 males and 92 females, with an average age of 53. Patients experienced pain, on average, for four months before undergoing their first injection. 119 patients had multiple injections — 87 had two and 32 had three. The average length between procedures was four weeks. There were no major complications. Of those treated, only five percent had minor complications, primarily side effects from steroids such as weight gain and hot flashes. The treatment resulted in pain relief in eighty-three percent of patients. Additionally, the research showed that patients with radiating pain to the hands and fingers, as opposed to more localized pain, had higher odds of improved pain relief.

“This research was performed by five interventional radiologists at three institutions on 161 patients, all with outstanding results and no major complications, showing that these results are reproducible,” added Strub. “It is important for patients to find a physician who is well-trained in these procedures and image-guided treatments, as well as one who has an intricate understanding of spinal anatomy before having steroid injections performed.”

Lead researcher William M. Strub, M.D., of the University of Cincinnati, who performed the study with interventional radiologists based at The Christ Hospital, said that translaminar approach is very much effective and the best part is that it does not come with the risk of paralysis.

Body image can be improved with short, frequent lower intensity exercise bouts

The simple exercise acts and not fitness itself can convince an individual about his “smart” appearance, as per a new University of Florida study.

Heather Hausenblas, a UF exercise psychologist, remarked that individuals not able to attain workout results like losing fat, boosting cardiovascular fitness, and gaining strength can feel as good as their more athletic counterparts.

The study was published in the September issue of the Journal of Health Psychology.

From News-Medical.Net:

“Body dissatisfaction is a huge problem in our society and is related to all sorts of negative behavior including yo-yo dieting, smoking, taking steroids and undergoing cosmetic surgery,” she said. “It affects men and women and all ages, starting with kids who are as young as five years old saying they don’t like how their bodies look.”

The psychological advantages of exercise have been less explored, including the reduction of depression or confidence in body image, compared with the well-researched and understood physical benefits, she said.

The study found no difference in body image improvement between people who met the American College of Sports Medicine guidelines by exercising at least 30 minutes a day five days a week and those who did not, Hausenblas said. The guidelines are considered the minimum amount of exercise needed to receive the health related benefits of physical activity, she said.

Kathleen Martin Ginis, a kinesiology professor at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, and exercise expert appreciated the study results and remarked that this type of a research shows that any form of exercise when done regularly can help people to feel better about their bodies and frequent bouts of lower intensity exercise can easily enhance body image.

Latest drug brings hope for pre-eclampsia treatment

Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston are making efforts to find out if Digibind, a drug presently being used by heart patients, can be used to delay delivery in expectant mothers with severe preeclampsia.

If these efforts met with success, that would be a groundbreaking result offering new hopes to thousands of women who get affected by the life-threatening disorder.

From News-Medical.Net:

“Preeclampsia is the No. 1 killer of pregnant women in the world, and there is no cure except delivery,” said Dr. George Saade, chief of maternal–fetal medicine at UTMB. “When it is severe and occurs early in the pregnancy, delivery in order to protect the mother results in a premature baby. That’s why this study is important, because if the medication works, then we can protect the mom while allowing the baby to grow and develop without delivering early.”

The clinical trial will test whether Digibind reverses or prevents the abnormalities that occur with preeclampsia and allows the fetus to remain in the womb longer. This would give doctors more time to administer steroids to prevent respiratory complications in premature births and reduce the need for costly and lengthy neonatal intensive care.

Dr. Nicole Ruddock, the study’s principal investigator and an instructor in UTMB’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, remarked that the study is truly groundbreaking as there is no treatment for this ailment till now.

Analysis of inflammatory breast cancer

The common sign of lump in the breast region is not the only sign of the ailment as a new type of breast cancer has been identified, which is more fatal and comes without any lumps.

Sofia Merajver, M.D., Ph.D., co-director of the Breast Oncology Program at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, remarked that the disease warrants urgent diagnosis to save lives as the mortality is very high in cases of inflammatory breast cancer.

From News-Medical.Net:

Inflammatory breast cancer is a very aggressive type of cancer in which the cancerous cells move rapidly throughout the breast and clog the lymph vessels in the skin, causing the breast to look swollen, red, itchy or inflamed. It’s often mistaken for a rash or infection and many women are initially treated with antibiotics or steroids.

“There are many options for treating this disease. In many cases, the treatment is going to be on and off for life. There will be times of remission, but this is a serious disease that has a high chance of recurring,” says Merajver, a professor of internal medicine at the U-M Medical School.

About inflammatory breast cancer

* Represents 3 percent to 6 percent of the 180,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer each year.

* With treatment, 20 percent to 40 percent of patients survive 10 years. This is up from 5 percent to 10 percent 20 years ago.

* Characterized by redness, warmth or an orange-skin appearance on the skin of the breast. A persistent red breast should be biopsied promptly.

* May or may not cause a lump or mass.

* Treatment includes aggressive chemotherapy, followed by surgery and radiation therapy.

Merajver remarked that the U-M Inflammatory Breast Cancer Clinic would serve as a clearinghouse for offering information about tertiary care and advice.

Lack of standardized approach for epidural steroid injections

According to researchers from University of California at San Diego during 25th Annual Meeting at the American Academy of Pain Medicine, there is lack of standardized practices are in force for administration of an epidural steroid injection for back pain.

Epidural steroid injections (ESI) are minimally invasive procedures that are administered for treatment of pain associated with arms, back, neck, and legs and caused by inflamed nerves.

From News-Medical.Net:

“Epidural steroid injections are an important and common option for the treatment of back pain. However, we found that a great variety of techniques are being used. There is no gold standard,” said Dr. Patel, lead author of the study and resident at the University of California at San Diego. “Guidelines may need to be explored with regard to this procedure to increase the effectiveness and decrease risk when using this approach to treat pain.”

Dr. Patel’s study found there were differences from institution to institution regarding which steroid was preferred for these injections. The most common steroids identified for this procedure and respective dose ranges were: depomedrol (dose range 40-120 mg), celestone (dose range 6-15 mg), decadron (dose range 4-12 mg), and kenalog (dose range 10-80 mg).

Yogesh Patel, MD, and his colleagues at UCSD, remarked that variations in techniques can have a significant effect as to why some patients show better results than others from ESI.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients get relief with steroids

According to a study that was supported by the General Clinical Research Center at the Ohio State University and the National Center of Research Resources of NIH, steroids help boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (MD) to walk for long and without any kind of assistance.

Wendy King, a physical therapist in the neurology department at Ohio State University, said that daily administration of corticosteroids can considerably reduce the risks of scoliosis and curvature degree besides improving function and strength in boys with X-linked recessive ailment.

From Medpagetoday.com:

The reason for non-treatment with steroids was invariably parent refusal because of fear of side effects, the researchers said. The average duration of steroid use was 8.04 years.

The study found:

* Boys on steroids were able to walk independently, on average, 3.3 years longer than those who weren’t treated. The difference — from 9.21 years to 12.52 years — was significant at P<0.0001.

* The prevalence of scoliosis in the treated boys was 31%, compared with 91% among those not getting steroids, a difference that was significant at P<0.0001.

* The average scoliotic curve was 11.6 degrees in the treated boys, compared with 33.2 degrees in the untreated boys, which was also significant at P<0.0001.

* On the other hand, 32% of the treated boys had vertebral compression fractures versus none in those not getting steroids, which was significant at P<0.0012.

* The yearly long-bone fracture rate was 0.088 among the treated boys, but only 0.033 in the untreated group, difference by a factor of 2.6, which was significant at P<0.0032.

Several factors probably play a role in the increased rate of long-bone fractures, the researchers said, including prolonged independent walking and increased body weight because of the steroids.

It was suggested during the study that calcium supplements must be provided to patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and regular bone density examinations must be conducted at intervals of 1/2 month to 2 years because of orthopedic implications of steroids use.

State Supreme Court turn down appeal to access stadium records

Justice John Egan Jr. of the State Supreme Court had quashed a subpoena requesting for access to thousands of documents in relation to the newly built $1.5 billion stadium by Assemblyman Richard Brodsky. Egan remarked that subpoenas should not be used as fishing expeditions, while quashing the subpoena.

The Yankees camp was all jubilant after this judgment and relief was greater after the Yankees camp saw a dip in morale after two of their star performers, Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz, were earlier linked to steroid use.

From TimesUnion.com:

Egan said Brodsky raised a good point about the need to examine taxpayer-funded stadium construction, but, the judge noted, the Yankees did not invent the practice.

Requiring the Yankees to pack up every last document relating to the construction of the new stadium, amounting to hundreds of thousands of pages, load them literally into a tractor trailor and deliver them to the Legislature is neither reasonable nor productive of this goal.”

The Yankees cheered Egan’s ruling.

In a statement issued moment after the ruling was released, the team’s lawyers, Jonathan Schiller and George Carpinello said:

“The baseball season is now in full swing and millions of fans have already enjoyed the new Yankee Stadium. It is time to move on.”

“In terms of the Decision this morning, and Mr. Brodsky’s subpoena in particular, the Court found that ‘the Yankees have made a good faith effort to comply with the Subpoena, culling through and producing a great deal of documents for inspection.’”

Justice Egan said though the Assembly’s Committee on Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions has a legal authority to issue the subpoena in question, the request to access stadium documents was “too broad”.

Functioning of immune system altered by staph infections highlighted by research map

Infectious disease specialists at UT Southwestern Medical Center have been able to suggest a research map for mapping the gene profiles of children with severe Staphylococcus aureus infections. This map was able to offer invaluable insights about the functioning of immune system getting programmed for responding to the pathogen.

The way of human immune system functioning was defined when it comes to opening of new doors for enhanced therapeutic interventions. Researchers from the UT Southwestern remarked that the response of an immune system to a S aureus infection at the genetic level can be identified by using gene expression profiling that is a process summarizing how individual genes get activated or suppressed in response to an infection.

From News-Medical.Net:

Researchers used blood samples collected between 2001 and 2005 from 77 children – 53 hospitalized at Children’s Medical Center Dallas with invasive S aureus infections and 24 controls. The control samples were collected from healthy children attending either well-child clinic or undergoing elective surgical procedures. Children with underlying chronic diseases, immunodeficiency, multiple infections, and those who received steroids or other immunomodulatory therapies were excluded from the study.

The children ranged in age from a few months to 15 years and included 43 boys and 34 girls. Those with S aureus infections – both methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) – were matched with healthy controls for age, sex and race. The researchers also characterized the extent as well as the type of infection in each patient to make sure that the strain of bacteria didn’t influence the results.

It was remarked by Dr. Monica Ardura, instructor of pediatrics at UT Southwestern and lead author of the study available online in PLoS One, the Public Library of Science’s online journal, that this study was able to make use of existing technology when it comes to what is going on in human in a real clinical setting.

WWE Superstar Billy Graham takes on Linda McMahon

WWE Superstar Billy Graham, who is considered to be one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all times, has confessed using steroids to deliver dramatic performances for 25 years. In his confession, Graham remarked that steroids made him not only sterile but also weakened his body so much that he needed six hip replacements.

However, the remarks of Graham were dismissed by supporters of Linda McMahon as that of a non-deserving and disgruntled wrestler with zero credibility. It is important to note here that Linda McMahon is running for the US Senate against three of her fellow Republicans to stand against Sen. Christopher J. Dodd in 2010.

From Blogs.courant.com:

On steroids:

“I started taking steroids in 1966. I was one of the pioneers.”

After Graham’s first hip replacement in 1987, he went right back to wrestling in a sport that, even if the outcomes are pre-determined, can be physically violent. Why would he take that risk?

“I was so full of steroids that I could not think rationally,” Graham responded. “You do, in fact, feel like the Bionic Man. I was taking a huge amount of steroids.”

How much?

“Easily 100 times the recommended daily dose.”

McDevitt said that Graham was taking steroids for many years before ever meeting the McMahons and that he took actions that only hurt himself.

“There’s not many hip replacement surgeons who would tell you it’s a good idea to go back and wrestle,” McDevitt said. “I understand Billy. He doesn’t have credibility.”

On wrestling champion Bob Backlund, who defeated Graham for the title:

“He did not know how to cut himself with a razor blade,” Graham said. “It was so disgusting when I had to cut Bob Backlund’s head.”

Jerry McDevitt, an attorney for the WWE, remarked that Vince McMahon had helped Graham on several occasions so that Graham does not find it hard to earn a respectful living though he did not deserve the “benefits” and staying on the payroll of the WWE.

Nitric oxide monitoring not much effective for most asthmatic children

As per reported results in the second issue for January of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, a publication of the American Thoracic Society, nitric oxide level in the exhaled breath of an asthmatic patient can portent worsening of asthma symptoms.

It was revealed during the study that this kind of a complicated situation can signify an imminent attack that gets linked with underlying airway inflammation.

From News-Medical.Net:

Johan C. de Jongste, M.D., Ph.D., at the Erasmus University Medical Center-Sophia Children’s Hospital in the Netherlands, and colleagues randomized 151 children from 15 academic centers and hospitals with mild to moderate asthma to a 30-week monitoring course. Families were called every three weeks and reported on the daily symptoms in the prior three weeks. The child’s medication was adjusted accordingly.

The researchers compared the rates of exacerbation, symptoms, use of medications and other endpoints between the last 12 weeks in the two groups. There were no significant differences whether or not FENO had been part of the daily monitoring. However, both groups enjoyed an impressive overall improvement in symptoms, despite a reduction of about 50 percent in inhaled steroid dose, suggesting considerable benefit of frequent monitoring.

“We speculate that daily supervision and frequent phone contacts have produced an improvement that could not be beaten by additional monitoring of FENO, most likely because of a ceiling effect on compliance,” wrote Dr. de Jongste.

It is believed that these study findings can offer great assistance when it comes to monitoring nitric oxide level, especially in children, by evaluating it as a potential method for clinicians to ensure improvements in treatment results.

Lesnar suffering from two illnesses unrelated to steroids use

There were many speculations after UFC Champion Brock Lesnar was reported to be ill. Some speculated that it was due to steroids use. However, this mysterious illness has now been named.

White said during the post UFC 105 press conference last Saturday that Lesnar would be out of UFC indefinitely.

Lesnar was already suffering from mononucleosis. According to UFC president Dana White, he was also suffering from an intestinal infection caused by a certain bacteria. As to what caused this infection, it remains unknown.

White added that he is flying to see Lesnar. Despite the current diagnosis, he was encouraging the UFC champion to visit Mayo Clinic in Minnesota to seek further diagnosis and treatment.

Lesnar was supposed to meet challenger Shane Carwin during the UFC 106 event last Saturday. However, because of Lesnar’s health issues, it was cancelled.

Their fight, which was scheduled on January 2, has been forcibly cancelled by UFC as well.

During the press conference last Saturday, White refuses to make a statement as to whether Lesnar’s condition could potentially end his career. White said it still have to depend on the severity of his illness.

From MMA Junkie:

UFC president Dana White today told the Associated Press that Lesnar is currently suffering from a bacterial infection in his intestinal track in addition to the mononucleosis that has recently plagued him.

Chronic headache pain may not be curable with locally injected steroids

There seems to be no benefit of adding steroids to local anesthetics for treating daily headaches, as per a study by neurologists at the Jefferson Headache Center at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia.

It was remarked by Avi Ashkenazi, M.D., assistant professor of neurology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, that these findings are a result of careful observation of two groups, one of which was on GONB treatment with lidocaine and bupivicaine and second one was on the two drugs with steroids. It was further remarked that both groups displayed almost the same results leading to the suggestion that treatment can be effective without steroids and there is no use of involving steroids.

From News-Medical.Net:

According to Avi Ashkenazi, M.D., assistant professor of neurology at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, greater occipital nerve block (GONB) is a technique to treat acute headaches by locally injecting anesthetics such as lidocaine just under the skin to provide acute pain relief for acute headache attacks and migraines. Such treatments can work quickly, perhaps in seconds or by five to 10 minutes, and its effectiveness could last from hours to two or three days to several weeks. Treatment can be repeated if needed, he notes, and it has few side effects.

There are two ways to block the occipital nerves: by injecting a local anesthetic alone or by adding an anti-inflammatory steroid along with the anesthetic. No data exist whether one is better than the other, but the use of corticosteroids is controversial because of their potential side effects, such as hair loss at the site of injection. He notes that there is no consensus among headache experts about steroid use for headache.

It is expected that Dr. Ashkenazi and his team would be having a close look at the post-therapy data besides recruiting more patients to find if steroids prove effective for lengthening anti-inflammatory effect of the injection.

World Drug-Free Power lifting Federation champion talks about steroids

Alex Borden, the World Drug-Free Power lifting Federation’s reigning world champion was recently announced as the Outstanding Ex at Cleburne High School’s Homecoming festivities.

Borden was also proclaimed as a Red Ribbon hero at Coleman Elementary School by the Coleman student council on Friday afternoon at the end of five days of Red Ribbon Week celebrations.

Borden met with fifth graders during their PE period. Aside from teaching them how to lift weights, he also shared his experiences as a power lifter.

According to student council president Forby Philips, Mr. Borden was chosen to be named as Red Ribbon Hero due to his personal commitment against drugs in sports.

According to Borden, he saw how fellow athletes used and abused steroids in college. Steroids use was prevalent during his college years because there were still no steroids testing. The widespread use of drugs during that time discouraged him to join from any power lifting competition.

He is grateful to God for his success as power lifter because it gave him an opportunity to conduct speeches in schools and in church groups about the ill effects of anabolic steroids. He is concerned that young athletes would take the faster route to fame through the help of steroids.

From Cleburne Times Review:

“Because of my success I have the opportunity to speak to schools and church groups about the dangers of steroids,” Borden said. “It also gives me the chance to help motivate young athletes to succeed with their God-given abilities.”

Additional harmful effects due to prolonged steroids use found

A study conducted by Dr. Leal Herlitz and associates of the Columbia University Medical Center showed that people who take steroids for prolonged periods of time developed some kind of kidney injury. The team studied a group of bodybuilders who have been steroid users for many years. All 10 bodybuilders developed protein leakage into the urine. Kidney functions of these bodybuilders were also severely reduced. Nine out of ten bodybuilders developed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a condition where the kidney gets severely scarred.

The research was presented at the American Society of Nephrology’s 42^nd Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition in San Diego, which started last October 27 and will end on November 1. The team reported that kidney function is affected among athletes using anabolic steroids to gain muscle mass and strength.

These harmful effects were not previously identified up until the new study was conducted.

Results of the study showed that the kidney abnormalities were reversible as soon as the bodybuilders stopped using steroids. One participant, however, developed end-stage renal failure and needs regular dialysis because his condition was already in the advanced stage. Another bodybuilder suffered a relapse of severe kidney dysfunction after he went back to talking steroids.

According to researchers, athletes and their doctors should be aware of these newly found hazardous effects since it poses as very serious threat to the kidneys.

From Renal Business Today:

SAN DIEGO— Athletes who use anabolic steroids may gain muscle mass and strength, but they can also destroy their kidney function, according to a paper being presented at the American Society of Nephrology’s 42nd Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition in San Diego.

Could A-Rod bring his team another victory in the World Series

Alex Rodriguez is probably one of the most interesting players in Major League Baseball. What could he have not possibly done before?

Former Yankees manager, Joe Torre wrote in his book that A-Rod’s former teammates used to refer to him as “A-fraud”. At one point, he appeared to be obsessed with Derek Jeter. Later on, it was revealed by an SI reporter that he tested positive for steroids. After the long running steroid controversy, came the hip surgery. This left him inactive in the first month of the season.

After the surgery, his comeback performance was not that good. He developed a poor playoff reputation and his previous postseasons were limited. It was not until the American League Division Series and ALCS that he was able to regain his reputation as an outstanding player.

After all that he has been through in his career, A-Rod is excited that his team could finally join the World Series. According to John Damon, A-Rod is one of the greatest players of all time. He does not need any advice from anyone. The whole Cubs team is both happy and excited that Alex Rodriguez was able to bring them to the World Series. Damon said the rest of the team should also do their own part.

From ESPN Sports:

NEW YORK — He is … the most interesting man in the World Series.

I mean, can a player have a year more intriguing than A-Rod has? It began in the offseason with Joe Torre’s book, in which the former Yankees manager said teammates called Alex Rodriguez “A-Fraud” and felt he was obsessed with Derek Jeter. That furor had just about died down when an SI reporter revealed that he had tested positive for steroids. After that came hip surgery that knocked Rodriguez out for the first month of the season. Then he homered on the first pitch after he came off the disabled list. Then he struggled for a while (his batting average was .207 in late June) before finishing strong to hit 30 home runs and drive in 100 runs (levels he’s reached for 12 consecutive seasons).

Steroids use among athletes

Anabolic steroids may be utilized by athletes for several reasons such as to grow muscles, improve muscle strength, lose weight, and to recover from injury faster. They may also use anabolic steroids to boost their confidence, cope with stress and to aid them in relaxation.

Some athletes believe that winning at all costs should involve taking steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs. They fail to think about the long-term effects of steroids to their body when they reach 40 or 50 years old. They might not fully realize that the effects of steroids may be fast but you might have to suffer the long-term consequences.

According to the Mayo Clinic, steroid users often misuse and abuse the drugs. It causes problems such as infertility, shrunken testicles, baldness, and breast formation in men. Other serious problems that could arise are liver damage, tumor growth, aggression and violent behavior, depression, kidney problems and diseases such as HIV or hepatitis if you are into injectables.

The US Government has been effective in preventing steroids this past 20 years, by driving the steroid industry in the black market.

However, this could further make smuggled steroids more dangerous because it is not subjected to safety standards and could be mislabeled and impure.

From The Famaun Online:

“I don’t really think there is a need for these drugs,” tennis coach Nikki Goldthreate said. “I don’t think student athletes should take it because of the long term effects. You would be better off consistently working hard instead of cheating yourself.”

Phoenix doctor finally in the hands of authorities

Dr. Jesse Haggard, the previous medical director of Revolution Medical Center in Phoenix, is eventually in the hands of US federal government. After taking flight from US to Costa Rica, Haggard at last made up his mind to surrender in Orlando, Florida where marshals will escort him from there.

In 2006, one of Haggard’s patients, John Vorves, a bodybuilder, died of drug overdose. According to the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s records, hydrocodone overdose was the reason of his death. At the scene of Vorves’ death, various bottles of steroid pills bearing Dr. Haggard’s name were discovered.

According to investigators, Haggard prescribed more than 220 painkillers in a month, which is excessive.

Haggard proceeded to provide his medical services online despite facing up more than 15 charges due to illegal drug distribution.

ABC 15 previously conducted an undercover documentary within Revolution Medical Center. The network revealed several other patients’ deaths apart from Vorves. It was also during this time when Haggard went into hiding.

John’s mother, Alice Vorves, was finally relieved that justice would finally be given to the death of his son. She is satisfied to know that the doctor is finally in the hands of authorities where he would not be able to hurt any one.

From ABC 15:

PHOENIX – On the run for more than a year, Doctor Jesse Haggard is now in federal custody, charged with more than 15 felonies.

Patients with Plantar fasciitis finally get a relief

The addition of an ultrasound-guided technique with steroid injection can prove to be as effective as 95 percent for relieving patients from plantar fasciitis, a common and painful foot problem, as per a recent study that was presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

According to the study’s lead author, Luca M. Sconfienza, M.D., from Italy’s University of Genoa, this new technique is an effective and just one-time outpatient procedure that can provide great relief to the concerning patients.

From News-Medical.Net:

For this study, Dr. Sconfienza and colleagues used a new ultrasound-guided technique, along with steroid injection, on 44 patients with plantar fasciitis that was unresponsive to conservative treatments.

After injection of a small amount of anesthesia, the anesthetic needle is used to repeatedly puncture the site where the patient feels the pain. This technique is known as dry-needling. Dry-needling creates a small amount of local bleeding that helps to heal the fasciitis. Lastly, a steroid is injected around the fascia to eliminate the inflammation and pain. The technique is performed with ultrasound guidance to improve accuracy and to avoid injecting the steroids directly into the plantar fascia, which could result in rupture.

After the 15-minute procedure, symptoms disappeared for 42 of the study’s 44 patients (95 percent) within three weeks.

Dr. Sconfienza remarked that the therapy is also much faster and less painful than the shockwave therapy. It was also suggested by Dr. Sconfienza that patients suffering from plantar fasciitis must go for noninvasive treatment options rather than going for other forms of treatment. Dry needling with steroid injection is a viable option only when pain starts becoming really annoying, as per Dr. Sconfienza.

Three-year-old mysteriously dies after steroids administration

Croup is typically caused by a virus commonly infecting infants and young children. It is characterized by inflammation, edema, and accompanying blockage of the voice box, windpipe and bronchial tubes. The condition is noticed by difficulties in breathing and hoarse coughs.

A three-year-old girl named Mackenzie McManus was attended by medics at Glasgow’s Southern General Hospital for a suspected croup.

She was taken to the hospital on Sunday afternoon after her coughs worsen. A physician gave the three-year-old a dose of steroids and assured Donna, Mackenzie’s mom that the effects of steroids should last for at least six hours.

Yet, less than six hours later, her coughing got worse. They were inside a supermarket to buy a new doll when Donna witnessed her little girl cough, then the next thing she knew, she was not breathing and her eyes rolled back into her head.

Mackenzie was immediately taken by an ambulance to Yorkhill Sick Kids Hospital. Physicians told Mackenzie’s parents that she went into cardiac arrest and she sustained severe brain damage.

On Tuesday, the family decided to take off her life support. They are now waiting the outcomes of the postmortem procedure.

The family wanted the hospital to explain why doctors said there was no need for further treatment.

From Daily Record UK:

Dr Norrie Gaw, of NHS Greater Glasgow, said: “This is a tragic case and our deepest sympathies go to the family. We are carrying out a review into the care received by this little girl.”

Ortiz’s name latest on the drug scandal list

David Ortiz, the Boston Red Sox slugger, is the latest baseball player to have its name figured in the ever-growing drug scandal list after he acknowledged that the union of players confirmed that he tested positive in 2003.

After leading Boston Red to a victory against the Oakland with a margin of 8-5, Ortiz soon responded to a story on the web site of the New York Times that he and his former teammate Manny Ramirez had tested positive for performance enhancing drugs in 2003.

From TimesUnion.com:

“I’ve just been told that the report is true,” Ortiz said in a statement after contacting the union. “Based on the way I lived my life I’m surprised to learn I tested positive.”

The popular Big Papi, who had never been linked to drugs, said he intended to find out what was in his system and would tell the Red Sox and the public.

“You know me — I will not hide and I will not make excuses,” he said.

Alex Rodriguez, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Sammy Sosa are among the many All-Stars tainted by the cloud of steroids and drugs, which has called into question some of the sport’s greatest achievements over the past two decades.

It is worth noting here that 104 noted baseball sluggers tested positive for performance enhancing drugs, way back in 2003 and the results of the steroid survey were anonymous and under court seal.

St. Louis Ram’s Vobora suspended for four games

According to the National Football League, David Vobora, St. Louis Rams linebacker, will be suspended for four games due to his violation of the NFL policy for anabolic steroids and other related drugs.

Marc Lillibridge, Vobora’s agent defended the player saying that he just fell victim to tainted supplement.

According to Lillibridge, Vobora did everything by the book before he started using the product. He called the NFL supplement hotline to investigate about the product’s ingredients. He read all the ingredients listed on the product label to the NFL hotline employee. He was told that none of the ingredients would yield a positive test result. He was assured that the supplement was safe to use, so he began using the product.

Although Vobora’s camp fought the positive results, he still faces suspension because according to NFL rules, a player is responsible for his body and for whatever substance or supplement that he ingests.

If only Vobora took the safer path of taking supplements approved by the NFL, then none of this might have happened.

Meanwhile, Lillibrdige and Vobora are making plans to file a suit against the drug company that manufactured that product he ingested.

From National Football Post:

While the StarCaps suspensions hang in the balance, the NFL has cracked down on another player for violation of the league’s policy on anabolic steroids and related substances. St. Louis linebacker David Vobora has been suspended for four games, the league announced.

Endurance athletes need to stay hydrated for delivering better performance

According to reiterating statements on dehydration and Hyponatremia for athletes during endurance competitions by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), there is a great need of offering viable solutions related to hydration of athletes during competitive events.

Hyponatremia is a life-endangering condition that can result due to an excess of too much of water or sports drinks. It can lead to disruption or dilution of sodium levels in the body.

Larry Kenney, Ph.D., FACSM, referring to the Boston Marathon (18th April), was of the view that most participants of this marathon appeared properly hydrated to him and they probably had received the message of proper hydration for attaining best results.

From News-Medical.Net:

Appropriate fluid intake before, during and after exercise is important to help regulate body temperature and replace body fluids lost through sweating. “Runners should follow a hydration plan based on their sweat losses during training, and slow runners in particular should take care not to drink beyond that level during exercise,” said Kenney. He also advised runners to consume salty snacks before and after the race to replace any sodium lost during exercise. ACSM’s current hydration guidelines state that those exercising for more than one hour may benefit from sports drinks, which replace carbohydrates for energy.

Generally, says Kenney, persons participating in typical athletic or work environments should continue to heed current hydration guidelines. “There are dangers associated with both extremes of behavior—severe under-drinking and severe over-drinking. Not drinking at all is not a safe option for preventing hyponatremia.” The key, he said, is “drinking intelligently, not drinking maximally.”

Dehydration resulting from the failure to replace fluids during exercise can limit the body’s ability to regulate body temperature by sweating and/or skin blood flow, and may contribute to heat exhaustion, heat injury, and exertional heat stroke. To minimize the potential for thermal injury, ACSM experts recommend that athletes attempt to replace fluid losses by consuming fluids at a rate equal to the sweat rate. This can be accomplished by athletes weighing themselves before and after the exercise bout. Recommendations are based on scientific data and observation of athletes suffering from heat injury.

It was remarked by the team of ACSM experts that all active individuals and not mere endurance athletes need to stay high on hydration while undertaking any activity in heat or humidity.

NFL players reminded against the use of PEDs

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and executive director of the Players’ Association DeMaurice Smith are being proactive these days.

With the predictable excuse of athletes who failed doping tests, it is only sensible that the two officials send a “friendly” reminder to NFL players.

What with the famous line, “I didn’t realize that the supplement I was taking contained PEDs”, or some variation of that sort.

According to ESPN reports, here is what the memo contained:

First, whatever you take in your body are you responsibility. Therefore, it should not be an excuse if you fail a doping test just because you used a supplement containing performance-enhancing drugs.

Second, there are various supplements available in the market, which were not tested nor regulated. Whatever nutritional supplement you take, which do not have the approval of the Sports Nutritional Label Certification Program is your own responsibility. You may take them at your own risk.

Third, weight loss supplements are as risky as nutritional supplements. Therefore, it must not be taken.

The most recent incident pertaining to this reminder was the case of the two Vikings and two Saints players who failed doping tests after taking the weight loss supplement StarCaps.

And lastly, any questions regarding the policy must be addressed by Dr. John Lombardo, the steroid policy administrator.

From NESN:

What is the most common excuse the infamous members of The List have used when informed that they had tested positive for performance-enhancing substances?

“I didn’t realize that what I was taking was a PED,” they say — or some variation on that theme.

So it makes sense that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith are being proactive with their own league this season

Batista’s recent injury is steroids-related

In November 2007, Irv Muchnick posted a blog about Batista, recounting his tendon injuries in the past. Last March 1, 2003, he injured his tendon after a live match held in Reading, Pennsylvania. During rehab phase, he tore his muscle again during a freak accident while jogging with his wife. He temporarily took time off WWE until October of that year. His tendon injuries were related to steroids use. It is common for steroid users to have an imbalance between their overgrown muscles and tendons. Usually, tendons could not keep up with the increasing load. The blog was posted in November 2007 titled Batista, Master of the Torn Triceps … And Bicep.

Wrestling Observer Newsletter (WON) editor Dave Meltzer believed that the wrestler’s frequent injuries are not just a simple case of bad luck.

In his article, Meltzer wrote that Batista’s injuries were due to age, physique and many muscle / tendon imbalances. His size is just too big for his age. Many noticed that he looked all bulked up after he returned – a sure high risk for tendon injuries.

Rumors started circulating that his injury was a cover up for a suspension. However, it was confirmed that he underwent surgery for his torn tendon.

From E-Wrestling News:

Via e-mail, Muchnick asked Meltzer if he could make his comments regarding Batista a bit more clear because while his injury was announced as biceps, it doesn’t mean that it wasn’t actually his triceps. Meltzer, who rarely goes on record to outright accuse a wrestler of steroid use (unless there is concrete proof), said Batista’s latest injury was steroid related.

“Obviously, it was steroid related,” he wrote in his e-mail to Muchnick, “but in fairness, guys not on steroids also tear biceps and not triceps.” Muchnick further noted, “As soon as I can figure out what’s going on with this latest round of WWE drug PR, I’ll blog further about it.”