| Gastroenterology Conference Spotlights Obesity
This week (21-23 November) the New Zealand Society of Gastroenterology will hold its Annual Scientific Meeting at the Christchurch Convention Centre. Over 400 delegates including Gastroenterologists, Surgeons and Nurses from New Zealand, Australia and further afield will learn about recent advances in patient care and research concerning digestive health. .
New therapy to combat weight
A PROTEIN that controls hunger is poised to help both cancer patients and extremely obese people overcome their struggles with weight. Australian scientists have discovered a novel way to "switch on" depleted appetite in advanced cancer patients to stop them losing body fat. The experimental treatment, reported in the international journal Nature Medicine, could ultimately give patients the strength to survive treatment and improve their chances of recovery. The same breakthrough also could be used to literally "switch off" appetite in extremely obese patients, potentially offering an incision-free alternative to lap-band surgery. Researchers from the University of NSW, St Vincent's Hospital and the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney say if their findings in lab rats prove true in humans, the implications will be huge.
Virtual Hospital
Inside a tiny state-of-the-art control room at Germanna Community College's Locust Grove campus sit a couple of laptop computers, an audio-visual monitor, microphones, a bunch of walkie-talkies and headphones. Like a familiar scene from the Wizard of Oz, associate nursing professor Patti Lisk playfully projects her voice from behind a one-way window draped with a burgundy curtain portraying a bevy of characters. She uses a joystick to manipulate the overhead camera in the next room to track the students' every move. Next door, in the medical surgery room, two nursing students - dressed in white lab coats with matching slacks - move swiftly Tuesday checking on their "patient's" frequently changing condition. Sporting a stethoscope, Culpeper nursing student Kris Painter pays close attention to "Ima Wheezy," an 80-year-old congestive heart patient.
Events
FUNDRAISING RIDE: Ride Without Limits, a national fundraising campaign to benefit United Cerebral Palsy, will take place in the Tampa Bay area today and Sunday. The two-day, 200-mile ride requires a minimum donation of $500 for riders and a $35 registration fee. Visit www.ridewithoutlimits.org or call 1-888-547-3239. SLED HOCKEY: The Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation and Fan Development Department offer bi-monthly sled hockey clinics for people with disabilities. All equipment is provided. The next sessions will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday and Nov. 25 at the St. Pete Times Forum. For information, contact David Cole at (813) 301-6822 or send an e-mail to dcole@sptimesforum.com. ANGER MANAGEMENT: Family Service Association, 407 N. Parsons Ave., Suite 104A, Brandon, will begin a five-week program on Anger Management on Wednesday.
With Freeney gone, Colts turn to Rice
Dwight Freeney's season is over, and now Simeon Rice has a chance to start anew in Indianapolis. Freeney, the three-time Pro Bowl defensive end and highest-paid defender in the league, was placed on injured reserve Wednesday by the Colts. He's scheduled to undergo surgery later this week or early next week on his injured left foot. The blow is potentially devastating to Indianapolis, which has already been depleted by injuries. Seven starters missed Sunday's game in San Diego, and Indianapolis lost four more starters, including Freeney, during the game. "Dwight is a player you cannot replace," former Pro Bowl safety Bob Sanders said. "But we'll continue to move on, continue to get better. We'll put new guys in and continue to roll. That's what Dwight would want us to do." The Colts (7-2) don't have a choice.
Investigators: The Star Treatment
Once a larger woman, gastric bypass surgery has made Star Jones much smaller—but still a “hero" to many young girls right here in Detroit. Chief Investigator Steve Wilson went to bat for a group of youngsters who have found their Star is not quite as bright as they'd hoped.That would be putting it mildly. You don't have to be a celebrity to realize that disappointing people who look up to you is not a good thing.Star Jones: …and I think what's important is I acknowledge that a lot of women look up to me. There's a responsibility there for me.The Star we're talking about is Star Jones…once a court reporter at the O-J trial, a host on The View…and now with her own afternoon talk show said to be struggling in the ratings. You may not recognize her here because she's changed, now literally just a shadow of her former self after gastric by-pass surgery…Yet to young women who struggle with their own weight and issues of self-esteem…Star Jones has been a hero of sorts.Ethel McIntosh, Full and Fabulous Member: She's Star Jones Reynolds! I mean this woman knows more influential people than, people I meet every day!Ethel is one of a number of young ladies in Detroit in a group called Full and Fabulous to better themselves with weight loss, good nutrition, and stronger self-esteem.
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