Business Analyst - Retail Scheduling and Outsourcing ? A rapidly expanding consultancy is looking for a Business Analyst to join their elite Business Analyst Managed Service that they provide to their key clients. They are looking for a Business Analyst who wants to drive their career development forward by being a part of this next generation service whilst working on one of the most interesting projects within this area for one of the largest Telecommunications organisations in the industry.
The successful Business Analyst will work with the client?s business specifically in Retail Scheduling and Outsourcing to methodically investigate, analyse, review, define and document business requirements; ensure that there is traceability back to the business requirements through the test processes throughout the development lifecycle; ensure that the ?as-is? and ?to be? processes are documented; support the business with User Acceptance Testing and establishing changes to operational processes; undertake project management activities on small projects where necessary.
If you feel that you have the desired skills then please send your CV via the portal for immediate consideration. Lawrence Hale ? The JM Group ? 02072517313.The JM Group is acting as an employment agency with relation to this vacancy.
(Reuters) - Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is set to become the first Australian to win 100 international caps after being named in the Socceroos squad for their World Cup qualifier against Jordan next month.
The 39-year-old Fulham goalkeeper could reach the figure in a September 6 friendly away to Lebanon, five days before the fourth round Group B clash.
"His contribution has been extraordinary over the years," Australia coach Holger Osieck said of Schwarzer in an interview with the Football Federation of Australia after naming his squad on Wednesday.
"It is no surprise he is the first to get to the 100 caps mark because he is the role model of the professional and a great personality."
Australia drew their opening two fourth-round matches away to Oman and at home to Asian champions Japan as they bid to qualify for their third consecutive World Cup.
As they look for their first win in the five-team group, where only two sides are guaranteed a place in Brazil in 2014, Osieck recalled forward Tim Cahill to the squad after he missed the friendly loss to Scotland earlier this month.
Also returning is South Korea-based midfielder Matt McKay to a familiar looking 22-man squad, once again led by defender Lucas Neill.
Japan lead the group on seven points from three matches with Iraq, Australia and Oman on two points and Jordan last on one.
Jordan suffered a humiliating 6-0 away defeat by Japan in June but have proven tricky to beat at their home ground in Amman.
Colon & Rectal Cancer: From Diagnosis to Treatment
Colon & Rectal Cancer: From Diagnosis to Treatment
Have You Been Diagnosed with Colon Cancer? If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with colon cancer, you?re probably already experiencing the whirlwind of emotions that come with a cancer diagnosis. You?re worried and frightened. You?re probably full of questions. You wonder how far the disease has advanced. What tests will you go through? What form of treatment will you undergo? Surgeon Paul Ruggieri, M.D., understands such pressing questions, and offers answers that help bring peace of mind. In "Colon & Rectal Cancer, " Dr. Ruggieri covers such topics as: ? symptoms and risk factors for colon cancer ? medical tests for getting a diagnosis ? the importance of staging the cancer ? benefits and risks of various treatments ? surgery, radiation, chemotherapy?how they work ? how colon cancer can be prevented A Valuable Resource for Patients and Families List Price: Price: 18.63
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ScienceDaily (Aug. 28, 2012) ? t's the gift that keeps on giving, from early fall, through the holiday season and into late spring. It's seasonal flu, caused by a virus that can fly through the air, hitch a ride on a handshake, hug or kiss, and is extremely good at infecting people and making them sick.
"Influenza is a contact virus," said Dr. Katharine Garnier, a family physician at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-School of Osteopathic Medicine. "It can spread by person-to-person contact or it can land on a surface, such as a doorknob, handrail or elevator button, only to be picked up by the next unsuspecting person to come along."
The best way to avoid the flu this year is to get the widely available flu vaccination from your family physician, pharmacy or one of the many flu vaccine clinics sponsored by local health departments. Still, some people routinely avoid this annual immunization.
For those who are looking for a reason not to get inoculated, Dr. Garnier -- with tongue firmly planted in cheek -- has prepared the following:
"Top 10 (Unwise) Reasons Not to get a Flu Shot This Year.
1. I'm feeling incredibly lucky this year.
2. The vaccine is inexpensive so it probably doesn't work.
3. I'm not afraid of body aches?or headaches?or sore throats?or dangerously high fevers?and I never get sick!
4. I like the idea of having a real reason to call out sick from work.
5. That cute little paper mask over my nose and mouth is a trendy fashion statement.
6. Getting really, really sick is a great way to lose a few pounds without dieting.
7. I'm not planning to leave my house, or let anyone in, for the next six months anyway.
8. I'm anxious to find out if my insurance company really will cover a hospital stay.
9. I went to the county fair and didn't get swine flu, so I must have a natural immunity.
10. Getting sick with the flu will give me a reason to visit relatives I don't really like so that I can share the virus with them!"
Dr. Garnier would also like to dispel certain popular myths about the flu. "Many people think you can get the flu from a flu shot, but you can't; most of the vaccines are made from inactivated (dead) viruses," she said. "Many people also believe that the flu is just a minor illness. It isn't. Each year, the flu causes between 3,000 and 49,000 deaths in the U.S. alone. Young children, the elderly and those with other health conditions are particularly vulnerable. So, getting a flu shot not only protects you, it also keeps you from spreading the virus to someone who could suffer serious health issues, or die, from the flu.
"But seriously, who should get the flu shot? Everyone over the age of 6 months old?.do you fit in that category?"
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ScienceDaily (Aug. 27, 2012) ? A new report by researchers from the Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy examines the risk factors for injuries to U.S. military personnel from crashes involving highly mobile multipurpose wheeled vehicles (HMMWVs), more commonly known as Humvees. According to the study, involvement in combat and serving as the vehicle's operator or gunner posed the greatest risk for injury. It is the first published analysis of factors associated with Humvee injury risk in a deployed setting, and is in the August issue of the journal Military Medicine.
According to the U.S. Department of Army, motor vehicle crashes -- both privately owned and military vehicles -- account for nearly one-third of all U.S. military fatalities annually and are among the top five causes of hospitalization for personnel.
"Nearly half of all those involved in motor vehicle crashes in Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan from 2002-2006 were in Humvees at the time of the crash," said principal investigator Keshia Pollack, PhD, an associate professor with the Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. "It's critical that we consider risk factors for these crashes, and use this knowledge to develop injury prevention programs and policies," she said. For example, given the association between being in a combat setting (versus crashes that do not occur during combat situations and injury), training for the military in combat-like situations through simulation or live-training exercises for all drivers could be important. Similarly, as gunners are often in an exposed position on top of the vehicle, equipment or devices that protect them from injury in rollover crashes should be explored.
The authors, who included researchers from the U.S. Army as well as the Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy, used data on U.S. Army vehicle crashes from 1999 to 2006 collected by the Army Safety Management Information System. The total documented cases of crashes was narrowed to focus on the sub-population of active duty U.S. Army, Army Reserve, and National Guard soldiers involved in military vehicle crashes in the countries of Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan, occurring during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
"The finding that the odds of being injured when the crash occurred in combat indicates that in a high-stress situation, the soldier may be distracted or less likely to take self-protective measures or follow safety regulations," said study co-author Susan P. Baker, MPH, a professor with the Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy. "As motor vehicle crashes are responsible for one-third of all U.S. military deaths annually, it's imperative that significant measures be taken to save lives."
The research was funded by grants from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to the Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy, and the Defense Safety Oversight Council through Concurrent Technologies Corporation. Dr. (CPT) Samuel Peik, an army physician who completed his MPH with the Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy in 2010, is first author on the paper, "Injuries to Deployed U.S. Army Soldiers Involved in HMMWV Crashes, 2002-2006." Additional authors are Michelle Canham-Chervak, PhD, MPH, and Keith Hauret, MSPH, MPT.
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Republican National Committee Chariman Reince Priebus gavels the 2012 Republican National Convention open in Tampa,??
TAMPA , FLA.? As powerful tropical storm Isaac churned through the Gulf of Mexico, Republicans opened their abbreviated nominating convention on Monday with a knock at President Barack Obama's record on spending and a Hollywood-style video message from Mitt Romney.
"In the campaign to come, the American ideals of economic freedom and opportunity need a clear and unapologetic defense, and I intend to make it because I have lived it," the former Massachusetts governor vowed against a swelling musical score and images of farms, New York City, a rancher with cattle, children going to school and grinning veterans.
"Though each of us comes from very different backgrounds, though each of us has chosen to walk a different path in life, we are united by one great overwhelming passion: We love America. We believe in America," he said.
"I'm Mitt Romney, I believe in America, and I'm running for president of the United States," he said.
Moments earlier, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus had presided over perhaps the shortest convention session in history?scarcely 33 seconds, the result of a schedule shortened amid concerns Isaac could have hit Tampa.
"It is my privilege to proclaim the 2012 Republican National Convention in session and called to order," he said, garnering a standing ovation from the assembled delegates. The convention will resume Tuesday, a session anchored on Ann Romney's evening speech.
Priebus drew the delegates' attention to a national debt clock counting up from zero the moment his gavel first came down. The clock, labeled "Debt From Convention Start," aimed to highlight what Priebus dubbed "the unprecedented fiscal recklessness of the Obama administration."
Romney has accused Obama of failing to stem the tide of red ink?and of feeding it with his 2009 stimulus package. The president has hit back that many of the main drivers of the debt?the global economic collapse of 2007-2008,? a GOP-crafted expansion of health care benefits, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the Bush-era tax cuts?predated his arrival in office. The national debt stands at about $15.9 trillion compared to $10.6 trillion when Obama entered the White House.
The convention opened with Romney and Obama in a dead heat?much as the race has been for months. Top Obama campaign aides predicted last week that the contest might swing one way or another after the two parties' conventions but would ultimately settle back into what both sides say will be a close race.
Still, both parties agreed that the gathering in Tampa could play a pivotal role in introducing Romney to voters who have not yet tuned in to the election. It could make him more appealing to voters unhappy with Obama but unsure about the former Massachusetts governor.
Republicans had announced Sunday that they were essentially scrapping the first session of the four-day affair, trimming their sails as Isaac churned its way across the Gulf of Mexico roughly along the path of Hurricane Katrina. The botched government response to that devastating and deadly storm dealt a political body blow to then-President George W. Bush's image.
"People around here don't seem to have their spirits dampened," said Cindy Graves, a delegate from Florida. Asked whether it might look bad if Isaac slammed the Gulf Coast with a political party roaring in Tampa, Graves replied: "I mean, it's hurricane season. People get on with their lives."
In Tampa itself, wind gusts bent trees and intermittent rain soaked the city overnight. But while the morning brought overcast skies and the occasional drizzle, it was clear that the storm would give the convention a miss. At 10 a.m., the National Hurricane Center formally discontinued the tropical storm warning affecting Tampa.
Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and first lady Michelle Obama planned a week of campaigning?but that, too, could turn on Isaac. "Obviously we?are continuing to closely monitor the storm's developments and will make additional decisions about our plans as needed," an Obama campaign official said by email. Republican vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan was campaigning in his home state of Wisconsin.
"Everybody here's got one eye on the storm," former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour told reporters. "Right now we're praying for the best and preparing for the worst."
But Barbour dismissed the notion that the storm would, or should, affect the convention, which he described as Romney's best chance to combat Democratic descriptions of him as an out-of-touch "plutocrat" married to a "known equestrian"?a joking reference to Ann Romney's fondness for dressage, a kind of horseback riding, which helps her cope with her multiple sclerosis.
Jon Burgin, a Ron Paul-supporting alternate delegate from Texas, said he was "kind of appreciative of the delay" forced by the storm. Burgin and other Paul supporters have been working on a plan to mutiny against Republican establishment-driven changes meant to sideline the veteran representative from the Lone Star state.
"I guess [the storm] is kind of an act of God. It's helping us save our party," said Burgin, who was wearing a cowboy hat with a glowing "pro-life" decal on top.
Liz Goodwin contributed reporting from the convention floor.
Everyone knows that Samsung is making a big Windows 8 push at IFA, but there's new signs emerging that it might shake up its naming scheme in the process. We now know through SamMobile that Samsung has quietly snapped up a pair of trademarks with the Ativ badge that would let its branding venture beyond the Galaxy. Ativ Tab is the most conspicuous: unless Samsung is planning a shakeup of its Android slates, there's a distinct chance we're looking at the future name for one or more Windows 8 tablets. Ativ S is slightly more nebulous, although that very familiar oversized S raises the possibility of a high-end Windows Phone 8 smartphone like the Odyssey. Whether or not Samsung wields these trademarks later this week, or at all in the near future, is still up in the air -- it may be holding on to names as a precaution rather than previewing a course of action. If the Ativ label makes its way into stores, though, it may give Samsung a much catchier (if not entirely intuitive) name for its Windows devices than Series 5 Hybrid PC.
Men undergoing prostate cancer treatment commonly suffer side effects such as the growth of breast tissue or breast pain, but the breast-cancer drug tamoxifen may reduce the risk of these effects, a new review says.
Researchers looked at four studies of men with prostate cancer, and found that men whose treatments were supplemented with tamoxifen?were less likely to have breast enlargement and breast pain than those not taking the drug.
For instance, six months after starting treatment, men who took tamoxifen were 10 percent less likely to have breast enlargement and 6 percent less likely to have breast pain compared with patients not receiving the drug, which counteracts the effects of estrogen on breast tissue.
Tamoxifen prevented these side effects about 20 percent better than other treatments, such as the drug anastrozole, which counteracts estrogen?s effects in a different way, the researchers found.
The growth of breast tissue and breast pain has been cited as reasons why men stop their prostate cancer treatments, according to the study.
?If men know that there is a successful option for reducing the breast symptoms associated with treatment for prostate cancer, they may be more likely to see their doctor when symptoms of cancer first appear, and consequently reduce the number of unnecessary deaths,? said lead study author Dr. Frank Kunath, of the University Clinic Erlangen in Germany.
Because testosterone can encourage prostate cancer?growth, some treatments are aimed at suppressing testosterone production. As the body tries to produce even more testosterone to counter the drop, some of this testosterone is converted to estrogen, which causes breasttissue to develop and can lead to pain.
?When asking a patient to comply with a regime, you have to think about what the side effects are, and if they will drive a person to stop medication,? said Dr. Freya Schnabel, professor and breast surgeon at New York University?s Langone Medical Center, who was not involved in the study.
However, Schnabel said, the new review did not include data on how many men consider stopping or actually stop treatment because of these side effects. She added that truly calculating the negative impact of breast growth or breast pain was difficult.
It is logical that tamoxifen could reduce the effects of the estrogen produced during prostate cancer treatment, Schnabel said, though she cautioned that the researchers reviewed only four studies, and further research is needed.
?They?re clearly not advocating that every man taking these medications should go on tamoxifen,? she said, but the research suggests that taking the drug ?may ameliorate their symptoms.?
The study was published today (Aug. 27) in the journal BMC Medicine.
Pass it on: Men suffering from breast problems after prostate cancer treatment may find relief in the breast-cancer drug tamoxifen.
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The human mind is perhaps the most powerful force on earth yet we only use 10% of our minds. It seems crazy when you think about it, only 10%. When you think of how powerful the human mind is, and all of the great technology and conveniences we have created, it is hard to imagine that all that was done by only using 10% of our minds. Imagine if we could use 90%!
The mind is a powerful tool and can be used for your own personal development towards success. However, if you do not use your mind properly it can have the opposite effect. People who think negative thoughts all the time often have bad or negative things happen to them but those who can get in the habit of thinking positive thoughts will reap the rewards of this type of thinking.
One way to tap into your mind power is to try to be aware of what you are thinking. Most of us go through the day just letting our mind go about its business recording memories and spewing up thoughts about what is happening. Very few people actually think about what they are thinking about.
However, controlling your thoughts is key to your personal development and success. In fact, many of the most successful people have great control over what they were thinking. Perhaps you have seen the movie the secret. The basis of this, the Universal law of attraction, has a lot to do with choosing and controlling your thoughts.
The thing is that your thoughts are pure energy and they attract like energy so what you are thinking and what you believe in your mind is what you attract into your life. Therefore, you can use the power of your mind to make your life the way you want it to be. In fact, many believe that you can use this mind power to bring you money, relationships and even to lose weight and heal illness. Surely you must have heard of people who miraculously recovered from a terminal illness simply by their faith or belief that they could?
What you think on the surface, or your conscious mind, is eventually changed into beliefs or truths in your subconscious mind. It is simply by thinking the same thing repeatedly that this happens. You might have been programmed since you were a small child to think that you will never succeed at work. All these years of thinking this have turned into a belief in your subconscious mind. However, simply by starting to think differently - by changing your thoughts from a negative to positive you will start to change your beliefs and thoughts and see positive changes in your life.
One thing you can start to do right away is be aware of your thoughts - are you thinking a negative thought right now? Stop thinking in the negative and start thinking in the positive especially when it comes to things about yourself and your life - just try it and you may be surprised at the changes you see.
Small Business Consulting Services Can Produce Change
When it comes to opening a small business for the first time or keeping an existing company running smoothly, there are many areas that need to be focused on. A person may feel as if they have everything under control, when, in fact, things are going haywire. A business owner or manager may be looking for a consultant to come in and assist. Here are just a few examples of some of the small business consulting services that can be offered.
As a new company, there are important things that should be addressed before operation begins. All businesses should have a business plan in place. This helps a company identify its strengths and weaknesses, and this is a very important key factor. A consultant can help set goals to keep the strength's firm and improve the weaknesses. It is a known fact that competition grows daily, no matter what the business is. A business plan should also include a comparison of the company and the opportunities for that company. This will ensure that company can stand firm and that there is a place in the market for that type of business. These are some of the small business consulting services that are very crucial.
Financial Analysis is another example of small business consulting services. A company needs to be able to get afloat and stay on top. When a consultant performs a financial analysis, they will look at things such as profitability, solvency, liquidity and stability. A company needs to be able to earn income and sustain growth in both short term and long term situations. Every business has creditors, and they may also have obtained third-party assistance. Reviewing the solvency will ensure that the company has the ability to pay their creditors. Having obligations should not hinder the ability to maintain a positive cash flow while taking care of these obligations. This is considered liquidity and it needs to be focused on as well. The stability of the company is an overall review in making sure that the company can stay in business without suffering great losses.
Marketing is one of the small business consulting services that gets the company recognized. People need to know what the company is and what they offer. There needs to be a plan set into place in making sure the company gets its name out there. This is considered market planning. This plan needs to be clear, concise and simple. Failure to have a marketing plan in place could have a very negative result on the company, possibly even keeping it from operating. One of the things that should be done is a market study. This would inform the business owner or manager if their type of company would survive. If there isn't a market in the area for that type of business, it would almost be pointless to even open it in that area. Competition is another thing to research. Every type of business has competition, but a company needs to make sure they can stand up to them. If two companies are offering the same product, but one offers it at a much higher price, a customer will obviously pick the least expensive. Speaking of customers, they are what keeps the doors open on any business. Without customers, the company would cease to exist.
These are just a few of the small business consulting services that are offered. There are many more that are available. There are many aspects of a company and a consultant can help with all of them. A consultant is someone who has expertise in one or more areas of business. Take an accountant, for example, one who has done it for years. This would be an ideal person to have in your corner when it comes to payroll or even profit and loss.
Consultants are considered to be problem solvers. When a problem occurs within a company, it should be addressed immediately. Problems that are left unattended can wreak havoc on a company. Little problems can turn into big problems virtually overnight. Sometimes the reason a problem is placed on the back burner is because the person responsible doesn't have the time to take care of it. They are trying to focus on so many things, and it is almost impossible to be in two places at once.
Perhaps there is a problem with the management, or even the employees. A consultant can come in and offer solutions such as management or leadership training. The bottom line is that consultants can help address problems that are present, and they can help keep problems from reoccurring. Either way, it is nice to know that there is help available when it is needed.
If you are thinking about starting your own business, or if you are a current business owner, there are small business management consulting services available to you that could get your company off to a great start. If you would like to learn more, you can click the link below.
Small Business Consulting Services are in great demand. With the shape of the current economy more and more people are turning to life of an entrepreneur. Will you be the business consultant to help them get started?
Manipulating the microbiome could help manage weightPublic release date: 26-Aug-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: John Easton john.easton@uchospitals.edu 773-795-5225 University of Chicago Medical Center
Vaccines and antibiotics may someday join caloric restriction or bariatric surgery as a way to regulate weight gain, according to a new study focused on the interactions between diet, the bacteria that live in the bowel, and the immune system.
Bacteria in the intestine play a crucial role in digestion. They provide enzymes necessary for the uptake of many nutrients, synthesize certain vitamins and boost absorption of energy from food. Fifty years ago, farmers learned that by tweaking the microbial mix in their livestock with low-dose oral antibiotics, they could accelerate weight gain. More recently, scientists found that mice raised in a germ-free environment, and thus lacking gut microbes, do not put on extra weight, even on a high-fat diet.
In a study, published Aug. 26 in the journal Nature Immunology, a research team based at the University of Chicago was able to unravel some of the mechanisms that regulate this weight gain. They focused on the relationship between the immune system, gut bacteria, digestion and obesity. They showed how weight gain requires not just caloric overload but also a delicate, adjustable and transmissible interplay between intestinal microbes and the immune response.
"Diet-induced obesity depends not just on calories ingested but also on the host's microbiome," said the study's senior author Yang-Xin Fu, MD, PhD, professor of pathology at the University of Chicago Medicine. For most people, he said, "host digestion is not completely efficient, but changes in the gut flora can raise or lower digestive efficiency."
So the old adage "you are what you eat" needs to be modified, Fu suggested, to include, "as processed by the microbial community of the distal gut and as regulated by the immune system."
To measure the effects of microbes and immunity, the researchers compared normal mice with mice that have a genetic defect that renders them unable to produce lymphotoxin, a molecule that helps to regulate interactions between the immune system and bacteria in the bowel. Mice lacking lymphotoxin, they found, do not gain extra weight, even after prolonged consumption of a high-fat diet.
On a standard diet, both groups of mice maintained a steady weight. But after nine weeks on a high-fat diet, the normal mice increased their weight by one-third, most of it fat. Mice lacking lymphotoxin ate just as much, but did not gain weight.
The high-fat diet triggered changes in gut microbes for both groups. The normal mice had a substantial increase in a class of bacteria (Erysopelotrichi) previously associated with obesity and related health problems. Mice that lacked lymphotoxin were unable to clear segmented filamentous bacteria, which has previously been found to induce certain immune responses in the gut.
The role of gut microbes was confirmed when the researchers transplanted bowel contents from the study mice to normal mice raised in a germ-free environment and thus lacking their own microbiome. Mice who received commensal bacteria from donors that made lymphotoxin gained weight rapidly. Those that got the bacteria from mice lacking lymphotoxin gained much less weight for about three weeks, until their own intact immune system began to normalize their bacterial mix.
When housed together, the mice performed their own microbial transplants. Mice are coprophagic; they eat each other's droppings. In this way, the authors note, mice housed together "colonize one another with their own microbial communities." After weeks together, even mice with the immune defect began to gain weight. They also were able to reduce the presence of segmented filamentous bacteria in their stool.
Moving from normal chow to the high-fat diet initiated a series of related changes, the authors found. First, it altered the balance of microbes in the digestive system. These changes in the microbiome altered the immune response, which then introduced further changes to the intestinal microbial community.
These changes "provide inertia for the obese state," the authors said, facilitating more efficient use of scarce food resources.
"Our results suggest that it may be possible to learn how to regulate these microbes in ways that could help prevent diseases associated with obesity," said Vaibhav Upadhyay, first author of the study and an MD/PhD student working in Fu's laboratory. "We now think we could inhibit the negative side effects of obesity by regulating the microbiota and perhaps manipulating the immune response."
Or, 20 years from now, "when there are 10 billion people living on earth and competing for food, we may want to tilt digestive efficiency in the other direction," Fu added.
The authors cautioned, however, that with more than 500 different strains of bacteria present in the gut, "the precise microbes that promote such weight gain and the specific host responses that foster their growth need to be better established."
###
The National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association supported this research. Additional authors include Valeriy Poroyko, Tai-jin Kim, Suzanne Devkota, Sherry Fu, Alexei Tumanov, Ekaterina Koroleva, Liufu Deng, Cathryn Nagler and Eugene Chang of the University of Chicago, and Hong Tang of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The manuscript is dedicated to the memory of co-author Donald Liu, MD, PhD, who died Aug. 5.
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Manipulating the microbiome could help manage weightPublic release date: 26-Aug-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: John Easton john.easton@uchospitals.edu 773-795-5225 University of Chicago Medical Center
Vaccines and antibiotics may someday join caloric restriction or bariatric surgery as a way to regulate weight gain, according to a new study focused on the interactions between diet, the bacteria that live in the bowel, and the immune system.
Bacteria in the intestine play a crucial role in digestion. They provide enzymes necessary for the uptake of many nutrients, synthesize certain vitamins and boost absorption of energy from food. Fifty years ago, farmers learned that by tweaking the microbial mix in their livestock with low-dose oral antibiotics, they could accelerate weight gain. More recently, scientists found that mice raised in a germ-free environment, and thus lacking gut microbes, do not put on extra weight, even on a high-fat diet.
In a study, published Aug. 26 in the journal Nature Immunology, a research team based at the University of Chicago was able to unravel some of the mechanisms that regulate this weight gain. They focused on the relationship between the immune system, gut bacteria, digestion and obesity. They showed how weight gain requires not just caloric overload but also a delicate, adjustable and transmissible interplay between intestinal microbes and the immune response.
"Diet-induced obesity depends not just on calories ingested but also on the host's microbiome," said the study's senior author Yang-Xin Fu, MD, PhD, professor of pathology at the University of Chicago Medicine. For most people, he said, "host digestion is not completely efficient, but changes in the gut flora can raise or lower digestive efficiency."
So the old adage "you are what you eat" needs to be modified, Fu suggested, to include, "as processed by the microbial community of the distal gut and as regulated by the immune system."
To measure the effects of microbes and immunity, the researchers compared normal mice with mice that have a genetic defect that renders them unable to produce lymphotoxin, a molecule that helps to regulate interactions between the immune system and bacteria in the bowel. Mice lacking lymphotoxin, they found, do not gain extra weight, even after prolonged consumption of a high-fat diet.
On a standard diet, both groups of mice maintained a steady weight. But after nine weeks on a high-fat diet, the normal mice increased their weight by one-third, most of it fat. Mice lacking lymphotoxin ate just as much, but did not gain weight.
The high-fat diet triggered changes in gut microbes for both groups. The normal mice had a substantial increase in a class of bacteria (Erysopelotrichi) previously associated with obesity and related health problems. Mice that lacked lymphotoxin were unable to clear segmented filamentous bacteria, which has previously been found to induce certain immune responses in the gut.
The role of gut microbes was confirmed when the researchers transplanted bowel contents from the study mice to normal mice raised in a germ-free environment and thus lacking their own microbiome. Mice who received commensal bacteria from donors that made lymphotoxin gained weight rapidly. Those that got the bacteria from mice lacking lymphotoxin gained much less weight for about three weeks, until their own intact immune system began to normalize their bacterial mix.
When housed together, the mice performed their own microbial transplants. Mice are coprophagic; they eat each other's droppings. In this way, the authors note, mice housed together "colonize one another with their own microbial communities." After weeks together, even mice with the immune defect began to gain weight. They also were able to reduce the presence of segmented filamentous bacteria in their stool.
Moving from normal chow to the high-fat diet initiated a series of related changes, the authors found. First, it altered the balance of microbes in the digestive system. These changes in the microbiome altered the immune response, which then introduced further changes to the intestinal microbial community.
These changes "provide inertia for the obese state," the authors said, facilitating more efficient use of scarce food resources.
"Our results suggest that it may be possible to learn how to regulate these microbes in ways that could help prevent diseases associated with obesity," said Vaibhav Upadhyay, first author of the study and an MD/PhD student working in Fu's laboratory. "We now think we could inhibit the negative side effects of obesity by regulating the microbiota and perhaps manipulating the immune response."
Or, 20 years from now, "when there are 10 billion people living on earth and competing for food, we may want to tilt digestive efficiency in the other direction," Fu added.
The authors cautioned, however, that with more than 500 different strains of bacteria present in the gut, "the precise microbes that promote such weight gain and the specific host responses that foster their growth need to be better established."
###
The National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association supported this research. Additional authors include Valeriy Poroyko, Tai-jin Kim, Suzanne Devkota, Sherry Fu, Alexei Tumanov, Ekaterina Koroleva, Liufu Deng, Cathryn Nagler and Eugene Chang of the University of Chicago, and Hong Tang of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The manuscript is dedicated to the memory of co-author Donald Liu, MD, PhD, who died Aug. 5.
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This article is an excerpt from a book about marriage. ?It tells the story of how an affair happened before the person involved got a divorce.
While that is undoubtedly a sad thing, it does happen. ?Often. ?The writer of the excerpt also talks about what she realized about herself in how she handled her relationship and some of the general principles for having a better relationship which I?d like to share with you.
My stepmom had all these great lines about marriage that I thought were completely ludicrous when I first heard them, but the longer I was married, I felt they were really right-on. One was: ?You can be right or you can be married.? Or: ?Marriage isn?t a 50/50 compromise ? it?s a?hundred?percent compromise. Neither person totally gets what they want.?
I?m sorry if that sounds cynical but people who think that?love conquers all, I just wonder if they?ve ever been married. Ninety percent of the secret to being married is the commitment to the?process?of being married. Whatever comes your way ? problems with sex, problems with money, whatever ? it?s essential that you?re both committed to working out a solution where both people are represented, where the well-being of the other person is just as ? if not?more?important ? than your own. It?s an easy thing to say ideologically, but it?s really, really hard to do, especially the younger you are.
Two points: ?the secret to being married is not the commitment to the marriage or the other person, but to the?process of growth that is marriage. ?Critical to that is the realization that it is 100% compromise: ?YOU WILL NOT GET EVERYTHING YOU WANT. ?The giving in marriage, however, leads to growth in yourself. ?Being able to see beyond your wants to see your needs and how you need to work that out and seek the support of your partner in seeking that is the key.
I like to say that marriage is not about compromise. ?It is about complementing. ?Not complimenting, but giving of oneself to the other person in a reciprocal way to help each other deal with their own needs by giving of your strengths. ?As a result of this, you learn more about yourself and your capacity to give.
So what if you give too much? ?That is the natural rub of doing this. ?The way out of this is to answer these questions in order:
1) ?Who am I?
What am I about? ?What is important to me in life? ?In being in relationship, you start from this point, not from the perspective of your partner. ?This is what you need to communicate with yourself and with your partner.
An activity to get in touch with this is to take a piece of paper and fill it with a list of good and bad qualities about yourself. ?I mean FILL it. ?Use as much space as you can.
2) What do I want?
What do I want in my life? ?What are the important things in my life for me, not for those in my life who want to tell me what I want? ?What interests me? ?What disinterests me?
An activity to get in touch with this is to go on a self-date. ?Dress up nice, look in the mirror, and ask yourself out. ?Out loud. ?With feeling. ?Go do something alone that you would do on a date. ?Don?t invite others, either in person or mentally. ?When you are alone in a public place, feeling alone, remind yourself that you are not alone, but that you are with yourself, the person you are going to spend the most time with during your life. ?Don?t mentally invite others with you?that would be like dating someone who does nothing but talks about his/her exes. ?Not fun. ?Use the self-date as a way to explore who you are and what you want to do.
3) ?Who do I want?
You should first want yourself as you really are, warts and all. ?If you don?t, you aren?t ready for this step yet. ?The question, although phrased this way, is not about the particular person you want, whether it be Dick or Jane. ?It is about the kind of person you are ready to love and be with. ?This does not mean that if your partner does not have these qualities that you should dump them. ?It means that in the grand scheme of things, after knowing what you want and need, that you are able to discern if you are comfortable enough with your partner to know that you are growing in the right direction with that person in your life, accepting that it is a process, not an arrived-upon destination.
An activity to work this through is to do a pro-con list about your relationship in terms of things that you are learning from your relationship about yourself?what are the good and bad things you have learned in your relationship? ?Then after doing this, ask yourself in the big picture if you are satisfied with your growth.
If you are not satisfied with your growth, ask if you need to change your partner or if you need to change yourself. ?Or both. ?We complement in order to love others and ourselves.
Marriage and relationships are not easy and need work. ?Always and perpetually. ?How committed are you to the process? ?How committed are you to complementing the needs in the other and in yourself?
Verizon Vacation Blackout Reveals The New iPhone Will Launch On Friday, September 21
A trusted Verizon employee has just confirmed to TechCrunch that the carrier is having an all-staff vacation blackout from the dates of Friday, September 21 to September 30. You know what that means, right? The next iPhone, whether it?s called the iPhone 5 or simply?...?Read More
Samsung?s New Galaxy S Duos Can Run on Two Carriers Simultaneously
Samsung announced the Galaxy S Duos on Monday, the newest addition to the company?s Galaxy smartphone lineup. Sporting a design similar to Samsung?s popular Galaxy S III smartphone, the Galaxy S Duos comes with one feature not found on many smartphones ...?Read More
Michigan Drivers to Test Crash-Avoidance System
The largest-scale test of whether lives could be saved by giving cars the ability to communicate with each other on the road got under way here Tuesday in a program that could steer the future of U.S. auto safety regulation. For the next year, about 3,000 Ann Arbor ...?Read More
New Frankenstein Virus Can Build Itself on Any Computer From Stolen Snippets of Code
What if a virus were a shapeshifter, able to change its appearance each time it infects a machine? What if a virus used your own files against you, able to ransack the programs on your computer for the bits of code it needs? Judging from the progress made on the Frankenstein?...?Read More
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An excellent alternative to siding on your home is to replace it with stucco. Stucco comes in a large array of colors and styles and can be versatile and fit your personal tastes perfectly. Stucco is also fire resistant which can be a great selling point down the road if you are trying to move.
Replace old and outdated sliding glass patio doors with french doors. The look is bold and modern, something that new buyers will really appreciate. It?s the kind of small touch that is quick, easy, and inexpensive but will give you the most bang for your hard earn buck.
Before you start painting a wall, you have to prep the surface. Prepping the wall requires washing it with soap and water, which removes built-up dirt and grease that can affect how the paint sticks to your wall. A dirty wall will cause paint to chip sooner, shortening the life of your paint job.
Make sure that any contract you sign when buying a home has your interests at heart. You need to have time to get financing, arrange a home inspection and discuss any problems in the home that may need repair. A contract that is written to protect you, is essential in giving you peace of mind and allowing you to enjoy your new home.
To remove gunk, grease and grime from your garbage disposal, add a handful of ice cubes, and a quartered lemon before turning it on. The ground ice will scrape the disposal clean, and the acid in the lemon will help to remove greasy build-up, keeping your disposal in good working order.
When you are planning a roof replacement, make sure to consider using white tiles. Not only does this give your home an unique look, it also translates into keeping your home cooler. Roof tiles that are a lighter color attract less heat, which reduces the heat that builds up in your attic or upstairs floor. With white tiles, your house is sure to stay cooler during the hotter months of the year.
If the siding on your home is ready to be updated, and you want to replace it, proper insulation is the first thing that you should have in mind. It will add to the resale value of your home and save you on energy costs. It will put more money in your pocket!
When doing home improvements for the sole purpose of increasing the value of the home for resale, do some research and find out how to spend the least amount of money for the most increase in value. Basically it is not worth the stress and effort to do a bunch of home improvements if you end up not increasing the value of the home.
Updated homes typically sell faster and for a greater amount of money than those that have had little or no renovations. Updating dark and dated kitchens is by far the best thing that you can do to improve the value of your home. It also is the most sure way to get back the most of your investment.
Consider your quality of life before visual aesthetics when starting home improvements. A pond in your front yard might be nice, but having your child fall in and drown would be horrifying. You might want to install a desk, but the money could be be better spent on installing air conditioning in a Florida home.
With these tips, you should have a good idea of what to do for basic home improvement. By using the advice given, you can save a lot of money and feel more accomplished in your home. Whether you?re repairing something broken or adding something entirely new, you can save money and take pride in doing your own home improvement.
Jules Grima is a pro concerning whole house water filter systems
2012-08-23 09:55:07 (GMT) (WiredPRNews.com - Auto News, Press Releases)
08/23/2012 (press release: CambridgePRGroup) // Stoneham, Mass. // Stoneham Ford
Student drivers can be a demanding bunch, not to mention their parents, but both groups can be happy with the 2012 Ford Fiesta, according to Kelley Blue Book?s kbb.com. The vehicle-information provider recently included the Fiesta on its 10 Best Back-to-School Cars of 2012 list, praising the subcompact for its fuel efficiency, safety and, perhaps most importantly for students, its cool looks.
Available as a four-door sedan or a five-door hatchback, the Ford Fiesta can return up to 40 mpg on the highway when equipped with the SFE package, meaning a budget based on a part-time job doesn?t have to keep students at home on weekends. Like all vehicles on the 10 Best Back-to-School Cars list, the Fiesta is available for under $16,000, according to Kelley Blue Book?s Fair Purchase Price. Meanwhile, parents can rest assured that their children are safe and secure, thanks to the car?s seven standard air bags.
?Appealing to young drivers and their parents at the same time isn?t an easy task, but Ford has done a great job of getting high grades from both groups with the Fiesta,? said Alan Melkonian, owner and general manager of Stoneham Ford, a Ford dealer in Massachusetts. ?Other cars on the market with similar pricing or fuel economy don?t have the head-turning style of the Fiesta. Or, if they do turn heads in the high school parking lot, it?s not in a good way.?
Though the Fiesta was lauded by kbb.com for its fuel efficiency, it is not the only Ford grabbing headlines for gas mileage. The 2013 Ford C-MAX Hybrid multi-activity vehicle, which will reach dealerships this fall, recently became the first Ford hybrid to earn across-the-board EPA fuel-economy ratings of 47 mpg in city, highway and combined testing. On the highway, the C-MAX Hybrid handily beats its direct competitor, the Toyota Prius v, by returning up to seven more miles per gallon. That efficiency allows Ford?s new hybrid model to travel 570 miles on a single tank of gas, topping the Prius v by 120 miles.
The key to the C-MAX Hybrid?s impressive fuel economy is its advanced gas-electric drivetrain, which combines an efficient 2.0-liter gas engine with a powerful electric motor that pulls electricity from a 1.4-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Power is channeled to the front wheels through an electronic continuously variable transmission, which allows for swift acceleration and smooth cruising in any circumstances.
While fuel efficiency is a standout characteristic of the C-MAX Hybrid, Ford engineers put an equal emphasis on versatility when designing the vehicle. Even with five passengers, there are 24.5 cubic-feet of cargo space, enough for groceries or camping equipment, but that number increases to 52.6 cubic-feet with the back seats folded, providing ample room for bikes, skis or home-improvement materials. The C-MAX Hybrid makes it easy to load all that gear too, with an available hands-free power liftgate that is activated by swinging a foot under the rear bumper.
?A lot of Massachusetts families need a multipurpose vehicle that doesn?t sacrifice fuel economy, and the Ford C-MAX Hybrid fits that mold perfectly,? added Melkonian. ?Not only is it roomy, safe and incredibly efficient, it is very reasonably priced, starting at $1,300 less than the Toyota Prius v.?
About Stoneham Ford:
Located on Route 28, just 15 minutes north of Boston, Stoneham Ford is a premier new and used Ford dealer in Massachusetts. They offer a wide selection of Ford cars, trucks and SUVS, including the latest Ford hybrid models, and their helpful sales and service staff serve their customers with integrity and respect. For more information and to view the current Ford inventory, visit Stoneham Ford online at www.stonehamford.com, or in person at 211 Main St. in Stoneham, Massachusetts. They can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MyStonehamFord, and you can reach them by phone at 781-438-0490.
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Alright friends, so it?s Friday. Just hours from the start of your weekend. Or maybe your weekend has already begun. Either way, one of my favorite ways to wind down from a stressful week is with an ice cold beverage?of some sort.
Let me tell what drinking used to look like for me back in my younger years (which were also my disordered eating years). I would wake up Friday or Saturday morning and start figuring out what was going on for the evening festivities. As soon as I realized there would be alcoholic consumption involved, I would automatically get in the mindset of ??no more food for this girl!? You and I both know how quickly alcohol calories can add up. If you aren?t careful, before you know it, you can rack up your daily recommended intake just in drinks for the night. And you wonder where your freshman 15 came from?
Well let me give you a few tips that allow you to still have a drink or two without feeling like you can?t eat all day. If a beverage is something you care to partake of, you should be able to enjoy it without feeling guilty.
source: original artwork
Drink wine. It?s lower in calories.
Drink liquor. By itself. It?s low in calories.
If you can?t do without your mixed drinks, consider diet tonic, sodas, juices, etc. WebMD offers?this list of low-calorie mixers.
If diet mixers aren?t an option, most martinis are low on calories (apart from the obvious, like chocolate martinis)
Gin and tonic is not bad (around 200 calories), but the tonic can add up fast.
Light beer is healthier than your favorite pale ale. Shocker!
If you want to compare your favorite drinks, head over to web site?Get Drunk Not Fat.
Once you have more than two drinks, you?re already in ?unhealthy? territory. If it?s a simple social gathering and not a wild night out, the healthiest thing will be to cut yourself off after a couple.
Try switching between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the night. Sparkling water with a squeeze of citrus can be refreshing, and it has the added benefit of not looking like a buzz kill.
One of my favorite tricks for keeping calories low is Crystal Light drink mixes. Yup, those little calorie-free packets of flavorful powder that you pour in water. You just whip up a glass of that and add your favorite liquor. Rum, whiskey, and vodka are the best with the mixes, in my opinion. That way, you are only taking in the calories from the liquor, and not the mixers. Mixers are where you will generally see the calories add up, but not in this case.
Now, I am no way saying that drinking is necessarily?healthy so don?t get me all twisted up here. But I am an advocate of enjoying the things that you love, and for me and many others, a glass or two is something I enjoy. No longer are the days where I have to starve myself in order to enjoy a cold Becks beer.
Besides, the hangovers were pretty darn horrid without any food to soak up the alcohol. Not a game I would suggest to anyone!
Summer is, sadly, almost over. Enjoy the weekend. Crack up a cold one and take it all in!
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Public release date: 26-Aug-2012
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