FDA Approves Diaphragm-Pacing Device

FDA approved the NeuRx DPS RA/4 Respiratory Stimulation System, an implantable electronic device that stimulates the diaphragm and allows certain spinal cord injury patients to breathe for at least four hours a day without a mechanical ventilator.
Spinal cord injuries can cause paralysis, which can impact the muscles of the chest and abdomen, including the diaphragm–the lower abdominal muscle essential for breathing. Normally, a person inhales when the diaphragm contracts and the lungs expand with air–a person exhales when the diaphragm relaxes and the air flows back out of the lungs.
"While the NeuRx RA/4 does not cure paralysis of the diaphragm, allowing patients to be free from a mechanical ventilator for at least four hours a day may enhance their quality of life," said Daniel G. Schultz, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health.
Patients with severe spinal cord injuries who cannot control their diaphragms often need mechanical ventilation to help them breathe. This usually requires a full-time connection to a ventilation machine.
The NeuRx DPS RA/4 uses four electrodes implanted in the muscle of the diaphragm to electronically stimulate contraction; this stimulation allows the patient to inhale.
The FDA approved the distribution of this device under a Humanitarian Device Exemption, an approval process for devices intended to treat or diagnose conditions that affect fewer than 4,000 people per year.
In a multi-center trial, the device has been demonstrated to be safe and to have probable benefit to the patient by allowing at least four hours per day of freedom from a mechanical ventilator.

Health Concerns Rise With Flood Waters

Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) is assisting local county health as they prepare for and respond to severe flooding throughout the state. Iowans are facing everything from basements flooded with water or sewage, into the house littered with flood waters, said IDPH Director Tom Newton. We understand that Iowans are concerned about the conservation of valuable property, but personal safety should come first.
Health workers remind Iowans to follow a few basic steps to avoid illness and injury. Floods can cause significant health risks associated with improper disposal of waste, clean drinking water, food safety, power outages, electric shock, clean-up and other issues, said Nyuton.Klyuch should exercise caution, especially during and after of flooding.
IDPH reminds Iowans that:
* Avoid contact with flood waters as much as possible. Do not wade, swim, or enter flood waters due to the unknown hazards that likely exist. Immediately wash hands and bare skin that come into contact with floodwaters with soap and hot water.
* Keep in mind that when the power goes out, chilled foods can go bad after two hours, and frozen foods can go bad after 24 hours.
* If the flooded area, use only clean water (bottled, boiled or treated) for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene such as brushing your teeth.
* Be especially careful during clean up efforts. Keep children and pets out of affected area, to refuse any items that can not be completely cleaned and disinfected, and watch where you step.
* Use only gas generators / power washers outside in a well ventilated area when cleaning.

Sexism Has a Negative Impact on Men Too

When it comes to sexist remarks, women are not the only ones who had a negative impact. Researchers say that the cat-calls produce negative feelings in women, which may affect how women think, feel and behave towards men. Sexism may have a negative effect on men too.
Just seeing women who are the target of sexism may affect the way women behave toward men. Stephenie Chaudoir and Diane Quinn of the University of Connecticut students asked students to assess their feelings after watching the video of men making cat-calls, compared with men who just met the women - for example, "Hey, Kelly, your boobs look great in that shirt or simply Hey Kelly, what's wrong. " Students were asked to present themselves as witnesses.
Sexual harassment comments provoked feelings of anger and hostility on the part of women, something that ultimately has a negative effect on men too.
When asked about anxiety, depression and hostility levels after watching the women who are victims of sexist remarks, students responded to a desire to move away from men, or take action against them. They also feel a strong sense of gender identity from male witnesses to the adoption of a cat-calls to other women.
The authors concluded, "Women clearly implicated because they suffer direct negative consequences as targets of prejudice and how the current work demonstrates, indirect effects, as passers-by. But sexism also harms men. Whenever the biased actions of one person are to their gender identity, male perpetrators impact how women view and react to men in general. "
Women in the study, the tendency to view sexual harassment as harmful to women in general, and not take the comments personally. When students consider the men making cat-calls, they are likely to feel anger and negativity, even as witnesses. Women are likely to either withdraw from men, or say that they wanted to take action against them. Sexism can harm people, too, and it's bad for everyone.