ECMO - an Effective ICU Aid in Treating Severe Swine Flu H1N1 Infection

Recent news regarding treatment of severe H1N1 Swine Flu is interesting - promising but sobering.

In notable cases, H1N1 is a stubborn son of a bitch to shake off and get well from, and if not careful it can be overwhelming.

Many other pre-existing medical conditions can contribute to a stubborn case of H1N1.

But with a glimmer of hope, severe cases can be treated with somewhat better prognosis using a novel technique intensive care method called ECMO - ExtraCorporeal Nembrane Oxygenation.

Essentially since H1N1 attacks the lungs, the virus is hitting the body's ability to deal with the infection itself by significantly impairing oxygen levels in the circulatory system, when stricken with a severe case of H1N1.

ECMO is an invasive means using a special catheter and external oxygenating membrane to assist in significantly reoxygenate the blood, deficient in oxygen from the reduced functioning of the lungs when infected with a stiff case of H1N1.

A procedure not for the faint of heart, expensive, and definitely a hospital beside procedure with its own risks. There is no huge hospital capacity for this treatment if a widespread pandemic might arrive, as the equipment is expensive and it is a somewhat risky procedure, due to the depth of insertion of a special catheter.

But the ECMO technique seems to be effective in treatment to help severe cases.

Here are some links to articles on ECMO for treatment of severe Swine Flu - H1N1 viral infections :


ECMO Is Better Than Conventional Ventilation For Treating Severe Respiratory Failure From Conditions Like Swine Flu


ECMO - Will We Have Sufficient Capacity for the Fall/Winter Flu Season?


ECMO respirators saving swine flu victims

Lung treatment for swine flu patients


Intensive care procedure saves lives: Swine flu study

Swine Flu: Everything You Need to Know

Swine Flu Pandemic Paradox Kills Few, Overwhelms ICUs

Swine flu - a new wall of silence

Swine flu - critical care bed shortage revealed

ECMO for Swine Flu - The Westmead Experience. Simon Zidar

Sturgeon: UK needs ECMO machines to treat swine flu cases Health minister makes plea for life-saving treatment

The ECMO Option

NOTABLE >>>>

Examining how swine flu killed a 'very healthy' teen
Complications from MRSA bacteria contribute to first local H1N1 fatality


Oxygen therapy in swine flu

News and Articles on ECMO - Surfwax

Mother positive after surviving virus

ECMO better for severe respiratory failure

Third Scot dies from swine flu in 24 hours


Sturgeon: UK needs ECMO machines to treat swine flu cases Health

Scots Researchers Pioneer Portable ECMO Treatment

Successful ECMO trial

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Can Be Invaluable During Influenza Season

High-tech treatment may save lives in swine flu outbreak

Swine flu deaths in Australia could have doubled without the use of a mechanical heart and lung treatment, says doctor.

Treatment for severe respiratory failure in swine flu is better with ECMO with conventional ventilation

Study provides clue to surviving Swine Flu


In any case, a simple means to help limit H1N1 severity, specifically by boosting the immune system, is to take large doses of VITAMIN D - of order of 1gm per day regularly, and if ill, taking 3 -> 4 gms per day, for short term of 3 -4 days duration.

Low vitamin D is apparently a simple risk factor for more severe prognoses of H1N1, and given that Vitamin D is cheap, USE IT.

Google VITAMIN D and H1N1 Swine Flu.

Hints that this Fall's / Winter's Swine Flu Might be Troubling

from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's Manitoba Provincial News

Severe flu cases surge in Manitoba aboriginal community

Last Updated: Monday, June 8, 2009 | 4:05 PM CT

The Manitoba government is reporting a surge in the number of people requiring intensive care for influenza-like illnesses, particularly among a relatively young aboriginal population.

The vast majority of people reporting flu-like illnesses this spring are experiencing relatively mild cases and have not required hospitalization, Manitoba's chief medical officer of health, Dr. Joel Kettner, said at a press conference Monday afternoon.

'It's important to recognize that what we have observed is really more severe than what we would expect to see or what we have seen with typical seasonal influenza in the past.'—Dr. Joel Kettner, Manitoba's chief medical officer of health

However, there has been "an increased concentration of severe respiratory illness admitted to the intensive care units, which is higher in number than previous influenza outbreaks," officials with Manitoba Health and Healthy Living stated at the press conference.

As of Sunday night, 26 people were in the intensive care units on ventilators for flu-related reasons. It is expected many of them will be confirmed as cases of swine flu, or the H1N1 influenza A virus, officials said, noting more than half of the people are of aboriginal descent with an average age of 35, said Kettner.

The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority is taking steps to provide enough support to intensive-care units and prioritizing patients for personal-care home beds. The WRHA has also acquired 15 additional ventilators that will be put to use as needed, officials said.

Normally at this time of year, there are 30-35 patients using hospital ventilators for various reasons. The 26 people requiring the devices due to flu-like illnesses are in addition to those patients.

Typically, at this time of year, there are very few — if any — cases of severe flu.

"It's important to recognize that what we have observed is really more severe than what we would expect to see or what we have seen with typical seasonal influenza in the past," said Kettner.

Non-urgent surgeries may be postponed

The WRHA authority may also defer non-urgent surgical procedures that would normally require ICU care, said health officials.

As well, the Public Health Agency of Canada has provided three epidemiologists to Manitoba to assist in assessing cases of influenza-like illness.

There are 40 people in Manitoba with confirmed cases of swine flu. There were no new cases announced Monday.

Health authorities announced last week 27 new cases of the H1N1 virus in Manitoba, affecting people between the ages of one month and 56 years. Of the new cases, three patients required treatment in hospital.

Illnesses afflict communities of St. Theresa Point and Dauphin

As well, more than 200 people from St. Theresa Point First Nation, located about 500 kilometres from Winnipeg, reported being ill last week. Of those, 21 were transported to Winnipeg hospitals and two were confirmed to have swine flu. The majority of the ill are being treated in the community.

Also, a flu-like outbreak kept hundreds of students away from schools in Dauphin, Man., last week.

The provincial government is encouraging the public to maintain their immune systems by making healthy food choices, being physically active and getting enough sleep.

Other tips to prevent the spread of any germs include:

• Covering a cough or sneeze, using a tissue or the inside of the elbow.
• Washing hands often with soap and water, especially after a cough or sneeze.
• Avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth.

Those with flu-like symptoms, such as fever, cough, aches and fatigue, are most contagious for about one week. During that time, people are encouraged to stay home from school or work and limit contact with others to reduce the chance of spreading the virus.

Anyone seeking advice or care can call Health Links at 204-788-8200 or 1-888-315-9257.

Possible Light at the End of the MRSA tunnel ?

here are some recent news releases about a strategy to possibly treat MRSA using extracts from Alligator blood. Now that would be neat ! Only hints of a strategy as yet but the old gators might have something to help out on the war on MRSA.

Alligator blood may beat MRSA

Alligator Blood May Put The Bite On Antibiotic-resistant Infections

Alligators To The Rescue

Alligator Blood May Lead to Powerful New Antibiotics

and here is the PI researcher

Mark Merchant at McNeese Univeristy

When is the Tipping Point on Gas Prices ?

An interesting question to ask is - at what price level for US average Gasoline prices at the pump will serve to catalyze a change in automobile fueling? To biofuels or otherwise, that may render significant changes in the marketplace.

Will this take 5 dollar gasoline which is approaching with almost inevitability? Will industry - fueling and vehicle manufacturers actually react in a timely manner to make the most of the potential market opportunity? That biofuel manufacturers might have sufficient supplies of compatible fuels, or vehicles and fueling stations for alternative fuel vehicles might be available in sufficient quantity to have a material effect in providing a solution to power the economy?

Something to think about.

Visible speed of change in the market is presently slow, but will there be a solution in time to avoid an otherwise possible brake to the general economy? or a catalyst to a new vehicle and fueling infrastructure that takes up the slack?

not an idle question......

Adherex Receives Orphan Drug Designation for ADH-1 in Melanoma

in plain english - after just a FDA Phase 1 B clinical testing, Adherex is granted the following status for ADH-1 in Melanoma combo with mephalan ( definition taken from FDA site )

""Orphan Product Designation

The Orphan Drug Act (ODA) provides for granting special status to a product to treat a rare disease or condition upon request of a sponsor. The combination of the product to treat the rare disease or condition must meet certain criteria. This status is referred to as orphan designation. Orphan designation qualifies the sponsor of the product for the tax credit and marketing incentives of the ODA. A marketing application for a prescription drug product that has been designated as a drug for a rare disease or condition is not subject to a prescription drug user fee unless the application includes an indication for other than a rare disease or condition.""

This milestone from the firm was a herculean task achieved by the brilliant team lead by Dr. Peters and Dr. Norris.

The news is so fresh firm this morning, that when I called their offices to congratulate the team, the receptionist was unaware that the FDA orphan drug status had been granted, nor did she understand the significance.

For a refresher of some things Adherex, google > "wendman adherex genesis" and read the post describing early days of the firm after renewal of management by the then fresh merger / takeover by the Oxiquant team.

This recent FDA orphan status approval is likely the mere beginning of realization of the promise of the firm's technology, a significant milestone in the quest by Prof. Orest Blaschuk of McGill and others to apply Cadherin technology to cancer treatments. It has been a long and arduous journey to this amazing first substantive FDA milestone by Adherex.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Press Release

Source: Adherex Technologies Inc.

Adherex Receives Orphan Drug Designation for ADH-1 in Melanoma
Friday February 22, 8:30 am ET

Additional centers to be added to ongoing Phase I/IIb trial

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NORTH CAROLINA--(MARKET WIRE)--Feb 22, 2008 -- Adherex Technologies Inc. (Toronto:AHX.TO - News)(AMEX:ADH - News), a biopharmaceutical company with a broad portfolio of oncology products under development, today announced that it has received orphan drug designation for ADH-1 from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The designation was granted for the use of ADH-1 in conjunction with melphalan for the treatment of Stage IIB/C, III, and IV malignant melanoma. Adherex is currently conducting a Phase IIb expansion trial in melanoma using systemic ADH-1 in combination with regional melphalan.

"FDA orphan drug designation for ADH-1 is an important asset in Adherex's development of this drug," said Dr. William P. Peters, CEO and Chairman of Adherex. "Orphan drug designation provides multiple incentives for Adherex to continue its accelerated development of ADH-1 for this significant clinical problem. Melanoma is a disease with an extremely poor prognosis and one in which the molecular target for ADH-1, N-cadherin, is frequently and often intensively expressed. N-cadherin is also intimately involved in the invasion and metastasis of melanoma. Our experience to date combining ADH-1 and melphalan for the treatment of in-transit melanoma has been very encouraging. To continue with the rapid development of this combination, two additional centers, Lehigh Valley and H. Lee Moffitt, have joined our Phase IIb trial which is ongoing at Duke and the MD Anderson. All four participating institutions are first-class medical centers with experienced investigators, and we are very pleased to have them involved in this development program."

The FDA orphan drug designation, administered by the Office of Orphan Products Development, provides potential incentives such as funding for clinical studies, study design assistance, waiver of FDA user fees, tax credits and, importantly, up to seven years of market exclusivity upon marketing approval.

Adherex is currently evaluating the synergy of systemic ADH-1 in combination with regionally-infused melphalan for the treatment of melanoma in a Phase I/IIb trial. The Lehigh Valley Hospital in Pennsylvania and the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Florida are being added as additional clinical trial sites to provide further multi-institutional experience. The Phase IIb portion of this trial is anticipated to complete patient accrual by approximately mid-2008, with data to be released at an appropriate scientific venue.

Another Phase I trial is also nearing completion at US Oncology in which systemic ADH-1 is being evaluated in combination with three different systemic chemotherapies: ADH-1 + docetaxel (Taxotere®), ADH-1 + carboplatin, and ADH-1 + capecitabine (Xeloda®). Subsequent Phase II and potential randomized, prospective trials of ADH-1 in combination with chemotherapy will be planned and based upon the results of the combination studies currently ongoing.

About Adherex Technologies

Adherex Technologies Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel cancer therapeutics. We aim to be a leader in developing innovative treatments that address important unmet medical needs in cancer. We currently have multiple products in the clinical stage of development, including eniluracil, ADH-1 and sodium thiosulfate (STS). Eniluracil, an oral dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) inhibitor, was previously under development by GlaxoSmithKline for oncology indications. ADH-1, our lead biotechnology compound, selectively targets N-cadherin, a protein present on certain tumor cells and established blood vessels that feed solid tumors. STS, a drug from our specialty pharmaceuticals pipeline, protects against the disabling hearing loss that can often result from treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy drugs. With a diversified portfolio of unique preclinical and clinical-stage cancer compounds and a management team with expertise in identifying, developing and commercializing novel cancer therapeutics, Adherex is emerging as a pioneering oncology company. For more information, please visit our website at www.adherex.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve significant risks and uncertainties. The actual results, performance or achievements of the Company might differ materially from the results, performance or achievements of the Company expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, those regarding the development plans of the Company and the expected results of our development. We can provide no assurance that such development will proceed as currently anticipated or that the expected results of such development will be realized. We are subject to various risks, including the uncertainties of clinical trials, drug development and regulatory review, the early stage of our product candidates, our reliance on collaborative partners, our need for additional capital to fund our operations, our history of losses, and other risks inherent to the biopharmaceutical industry. For a more detailed discussion of related risk factors, please refer to our public filings available at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov.

Contact:

     Contacts:
   Adherex Technologies Inc.
   D. Scott Murray
   Senior Vice President, Corporate Development
   919-484-8484
   info@adherex.com
  

---

Source: Adherex Technologies Inc.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

here are links to prior Adherex posts of mine

http://mark-nano.blogspot.com/2008/01/adherex-announces-phase-iib-expansion.html
http://mark-nano.blogspot.com/2007/06/adherex-trials-recruiting-and-closed.html
http://mark-nano.blogspot.com/2007/06/porf-orest-blaschuks-prolific-patents.html
http://mark-nano.blogspot.com/2007/01/adherex-phase-1-clinical-trial-for.html
http://mark-nano.blogspot.com/2005/12/cadherins-and-looming-revolution-in.html
http://mark-nano.blogspot.com/2006/03/adherex-receives-regulatory-approval.html

Recent 2008 winter cold snap helping Arctic sea ice

Some folks in the north recently have been to put it mildly freezing their rears off. The past month of January 2008 has seen in the arctic temperatures well in the -30s C and -40s C range since late January, with the mercury dipping past -50 C in some areas. ref CBC article "Recent cold snap helping Arctic sea ice, scientists find" of Feb 15th 2008

Satellite telemetry image data is indicating that the cold snap is helping the Arctic ocean
ice increase in area by about 750,000 square miles, in comparison to average winter icepack area in the prior three years. For reference, the low in summer 2007 was 1.61 million square miles, so this recent cold snap icepack growth is not immaterial, but it is as yet unclear if this is any kind of trend. Not likely, more likely it is just a normal blip long overdue.

It is nice to get some real winter weather again, much like in the early 70's of my long lost youth. Makes for great skiing and other winter sports.

Adherex Announces Phase IIb Expansion of ADH-1 Combination Study in Melanoma

Press Release

Source: Adherex Technologies Inc.

Adherex Announces Phase IIb Expansion of ADH-1 Combination Study in Melanoma
Thursday January 17, 4:40 pm ET

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NORTH CAROLINA--(MARKET WIRE)--Jan 17, 2008 -- Adherex Technologies Inc. (Toronto:AHX.TO - News)(AMEX:ADH - News), a biopharmaceutical company with a broad portfolio of oncology products under development, today announced that it has completed patient enrollment in the Phase I portion of the clinical trial of systemic ADH-1 in combination with isolated limb infusion melphalan and is proceeding with a multi-institutional Phase IIb expansion of the study.

"We have completed the Phase I portion of this study at Duke with a satisfactory safety profile at all three ADH-1 doses tested and initial tumor response data that have exceeded our expectations based upon the center's historical experience with mephalan alone," said William P. Peters, MD, PhD, Chairman and CEO of Adherex. "However, while positive, we consider the data to be early and limited both in terms of the number of patients and the length of follow-up. We have therefore decided to expand the trial to provide additional patients and more information for planning potential pivotal trials."

The Company plans to expand the clinical trial of systemic ADH-1 in combination with isolated limb infusion melphalan for the treatment of melanoma by up to 25 additional patients. Further, the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas has been added as an additional clinical trial site to gain multi-institutional experience. This Phase IIb expansion of the trial is anticipated to complete patient accrual by approximately mid-2008 and data will be released at an appropriate scientific venue.

About Adherex Technologies

Adherex Technologies Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel cancer therapeutics. We aim to be a leader in developing innovative treatments that address important unmet medical needs in cancer. We currently have multiple products in the clinical stage of development, including eniluracil, ADH-1 and sodium thiosulfate (STS). Eniluracil, an oral dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) inhibitor, was previously under development by GlaxoSmithKline for oncology indications. ADH-1, our lead biotechnology compound, selectively targets N-cadherin, a protein present on certain tumor cells and established blood vessels that feed solid tumors. STS, a drug from our specialty pharmaceuticals pipeline, protects against the disabling hearing loss that can often result from treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy drugs. With a diversified portfolio of unique preclinical and clinical-stage cancer compounds and a management team with expertise in identifying, developing and commercializing novel cancer therapeutics, Adherex is emerging as a pioneering oncology company. For more information, please visit our website at www.adherex.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve significant risks and uncertainties. The actual results, performance or achievements of the Company might differ materially from the results, performance or achievements of the Company expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, those regarding the development plans of the Company and the expected timing or results of our development. We can provide no assurance that the development will proceed as currently anticipated or that the expected timing or results of the development will be realized. We are subject to various risks, including the uncertainties of clinical trials, drug development and regulatory review, the early stage of our product candidates, our reliance on collaborative partners, our need for additional capital to fund our operations, our history of losses, and other risks inherent to the biopharmaceutical industry. For a more detailed discussion of related risk factors, please refer to our public filings available at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov.

Contact:

     Contacts:
   Adherex Technologies Inc.
   D. Scott Murray
   Senior Vice President, Corporate Development
   919-484-8484
   info@adherex.com
  

---

Source: Adherex Technologies Inc.

PhotoTechEDU Digital Photography Technology Short Course Videos - Google Tech Talks on YouTube

Here is a series of video classes given at Google campus covering many subjects in Digital Photography and Imaging - the class series is called PhotoTechEDU - online at YouTube - in the Google Tech Talk topical section.

This series of engineering grade lectures covers in depth many aspects of digital imaging, image processing/ editing and photography.

The main entry to all of Google Tech Talks is linked above in the blog post title

The YouTube PhotoTechEDU videos are linked below .... you will need a broadband connection

PhotoTechEDU Day 1: Photo Technology Overview
PhotoTechEDU Day 2: Photo Technology Overview Continued
PhotoTechEDU Day 3: Ray Tracing, Lenses, and Mirrors
PhotoTechEDU Day 4: Contrast, MTF, Flare, and Noise
PhotoTechEDU Day 5: Silicon Image Sensors
PhotoTechEDU Day 6: Digital Camera Image Processing...
PhotoTechEDU Day 7: Lossy Image Compression
PhotoTechEDU Day 8: Diffraction and Interference in Imaging
PhotoTechEDU Day 9: Amateur Astrophotography
PhotoTechEDU Day 10: Image Compression Part 2
PhotoTechEDU Day 11: Document Image Analysis with Leptonica
PhotoTechEDU Day 12: High Dynamic Range Image Capture
PhotoTechEDU Day 14: Exposing Digital Forgeries from...
PhotoTechEDU Day 16: Multi-viewpoint Mosaics
PhotoTechEDU Day 18: Non-destructive, Selective, Editing...
PhotoTechEDU Day 19: Inkjet printing...
PhotoTechEDU Day 22: Measuring, Interpreting and...
PhotoTechEDU Day23: Raw Files and Formats
PhotoTechEDU Day 25: Open-source-based high-resolution...
PhotoTechEDU Day 26: Image quality testing and...
PhotoTechEDU Day27: Focus on Resolution
PhotoTechEDU Day 28: "Capturing more Light": Pragmatic...
PhotoTechEDU Day 29: Photographing VR Panoramas
PhotoTechEDU Day 30: Imaging optics for the next decade
PhotoTechEDU Day 31 - Color Balance: Babies, Rugs & Sunsets

CleanTech Google Tech Talks on YouTube

Here is a partial list of videos of interesting presentations given at Google on various topics related to Clean Technologies. Makes for fascinating viewing from the numerous thought provoking speakers.

If one has access to a broadband connection be sure to have a look at these talks.

The page title link is to the entire topics of Google campus Tech Talks - with an emphasis on software, but covering many fascinating subject materials.

The talks liked below are those I have found so far that relate to clean technologies.

Biofuels: Think Outside The Barrel Vinod Khosla

Learn about Solar Energy and Solar Panel Installation...

Electricity use and efficiency of servers and data centers: A review of recen...

Geoengineering Earth's Climate

Should Google Go Nuclear? Clean, cheap, nuclear power...

Electricity from Orbit: The case for R & D

Windbelt Cheap Generator Alternative

My own solar system: Installing solar panels at my house

Climate Change and Health

Ocean Wave Energy

Tango EV Electric Sports Car

Fission is the new fire

Shames Mountain the Place Where POWDER Snow Falls Profusely

So if you are a real powder hound snow skier and lust after the fluffy white stuff, unfettered by long lines or crowds, and are able to revel in amazing vistas and superb slopes, check out Shames Mountain in Terrace British Columbia, where snow falls even when further south it does not.

Here is an excellent blog showing hints of the astounding ski runs