Neuroleptic medications include chlorpromazine, haloperidol, risperidone, thioridazine and trifluoperazine. Guidelines advocate prescribing these medications for patients who are seriously agitated or violent. However, the lead author of the study, Professor Clive Ballard of King’s College London, explained that the medications are used improperly in the majority of cases and cause more harm than good.

He and his team analyzed 165 Alzheimer’s disease patients at over one hundred nursing homes who were being prescribed neuroleptics. The scientists switched 50 per cent the patients to dummy (placebo) pills, whereas the other half kept taking neuroleptics medicines.

At 24 months, 78 per cent of the patients in the placebo group were still alive, in comparison to 55 per cent of those in the neuroleptic group. At 36 months, the survival rates were 62 per cent vs. 35 per cent and at 42 months, 60 per cent vs. 25 per cent, BBC News informed.

The results of the research were presented at the Alzheimer’s Research Trust conference in Edinburgh.

"Some school districts and school buildings have already made a lot of necessary alterations. However, there are some schools that have done nothing just due to the fact that they’ve never been required to," said Alicia Moag-Stahlberg, executive director of Action for Healthy Kids, a 50-state nonprofit network. "To be honest, schools that have never had this conversation are having it."

The law’s most important goal is straightforward: combating increasing rates of childhood obesity. According to the National School Boards Association, overweight children miss more schooldays than their average weight colleagues. Backers also claims that decreasing sugar in students’ diets results in greater concentration in the classroom.

Several states are making similar efforts through new laws and policies, and the federal law gives school boards wide latitude, which brings about enor,ous differences in their approaches.

In Tennessee’s Williamson County, for example, the widely worded policy runs twenty three lines; in Hampton, N.H., the five-page plan is so detailed that it indicates elementary students have "at least two colors other than white and brown as part of their lunch meal."

Committees consisting of administrators, teachers, parents and students are looking well beyond the cafeteria for methods of promoting healthier eating habits and more physical activity. In St. Paul, students can find water, fruit juice and milk in vending machines that used to dispense soda. In Farmington, Utah, schools are holding recess before lunch so pupils don’t give short shrift to their meals in the race to the playground.

Teachers in Cape Girardeau, Mo., will come across limitations on goodies they can give out in their classrooms. Lollipops and sodas will be strictly forbidden.

Rhonda Dunham, a headmaster at an elementary school in the district, will try other rewards for learners who meet homework objectives or present good behavior. One plan is to set up elegant lunches, where pupils get specially prepared meals at tables with linen cloths, china and glassware. "They feel a bit more grownup that way," she explained.

In the northwestern Minnesota district of Perham Dent classroom candy has lost favor as well. "The truth is, one Jolly Rancher is not bad, but thirteen years of several Jolly Ranchers daily is a bad habit to learn," explained superintendent Tamara Uselman. Her district is introducing more movement into the school day as well. One of the geography teachers is currently building up stations in her classroom, therefore children are on the move every twenty minutes.

A lot of school districts are making clear that recess is precious exercise time and shouldn’t be withheld as a way of penalizing. Whilst school leaders and health supporters generally laud the law’s intent, concerns still exist.

Congress did not grant schools any money to implement the policies or offer compensation for the potential loss of vending sales proceeds.

An Illinois education panel noticed one more obstacle: Schools have problems with setting aside time from their other pressing priorities such as the federal No Child Left Behind law, which carries consequences if the learners do not demonstrate progress in crucial subjects.

The wellness directive obliges school districts to evaluate progress. However, the consequences are not drawn from schools that don’t live up to the law. "I don’t think the federal government put enough teeth into this," Dunham, the elementary school principal said. "We are responsible basically only to ourselves. In some school districts, I could see this going by the wayside."

And never expect the wellness policies to bear fruit overnight. "It’s like eating an elephant," compared Brenda Greene, the National School Board Association’s director of school health programs.  "You have to do it one bite at a time."

According to the reports of the Associated Press the civet cat is a mongoose-like animal considered to be a delicacy in southern China.

The AP also reported that the China Daily state newspaper revealed that officials caught a few restaurants selling civet cat and other animals prohibited by health authorities after the Sars epidemic in late 2002.

In the course of a recent check of restaurants in Guangdong province, officials discovered one live civet cat, fourteen frozen civet cats, and eighteen frozen pieces of other exotic wildlife that were destined for the plates of regular customers.

"It seems that some people are determined to start eating civet cats again due to the fact that no new Sars cases have been reported within the past two years in Guangdong province. It’s a very hazardous sign," Huang Fei, deputy director of the Guangdong Health Department, told the China Daily.

The Sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome) outbreak started in Guangdong and then spread worldwide, striking over 8 000 people and killing over 800. The last revealed case in China was in 2004, according to the AP reported.

"The skill to detect and observe diseases through non-invasive means is a very desirable objective in health care," explained Dr David T. Wong, director of the Dental Research Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles. "Saliva, a completely non-invasive fluid, possesses this skill, however is not currently used in (the) mainstream. All of this is just about to alter."

Wong was planned to describe the new tests on Thursday at the International Association for Dental Research annual meeting, in New Orleans.

In order to improve the saliva-based screens, Wong has joined forces with the scientists from the US National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research; the University of California, San Francisco; and the Scripps Research Institute.

Interpreting saliva alphabet

Together, the scientists are involved in a painstaking mapping of so-called "diagnostic alphabets" appearing in saliva. Recognizing the components of such alphabets constitutes the key to "reading" the symptoms of the illness.

Up to the present, two such alphabets are considerably decoded: one based on salivary proteins and another based on salivary messenger RNAs (mRNA) - molecules integral to the formation of proteins.

According to the observations of the investigators, over 1 500 salivary proteins have been recognized, together about 3 000 mRNAs.

Effective diagnosis

Based on their detective work, Wong’s team informed that their study has already revealed indicators showing the way toward diagnosing both oral cancer and an autoimmune disease known as Sjogren’s syndrome.

He emphasized that oral cancer may be recognized in saliva by checking for five particular proteins and four mRNAs that mold a inimitable diagnostic signature in over ninety per cent of cases.

Likewise, a small subset of proteins and mRNAs turns out to serve as markers for Sjogren’s syndrome.

Early detection of oral cancer via saliva testing may potentially be helpful in improving survival rates among patients diagnosed with types of oral cancer.

An even larger patient pool now fights Sjogren’s syndrome, a condition in which white blood cells attack moisture-producing glands, leading to dry eyes and dry mouth.

The potential of the work now under way by Wong and his colleagues is facilitated by the specialists from the American Association for Dental Research. They are convinced that saliva, similarly to blood and urine, may be viewed as a repository of relevant information concerning disease and exposure to environmental substances.

Further tests under development

Right now, new tests are being developed that use saliva in order to detect measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis (A, B and C), breast cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and cystic fibrosis.

In 2004, a saliva-based test for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, gained the approval of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Future diagnostic tests may also finally be dependent on saliva for indications of unhealthful exposure to lead, as well as to control drugs or alcohol abuse.

Wong explained that the main goal is to place easy-to-use saliva-screening technologies in the hands of healthcare professionals, dentists and nurses as fast as possible.

"This is really an exciting and revolutionary objective," he explained, adding that current efforts intend "to establish the scientific reliability and clinical utilities of saliva."

Demonstrates real promise

Dr Robert Genco is a distinguished professor of oral biology and microbiology in the Schools of Dentistry and Medicine at the State University of New York in Buffalo. He confirmed that saliva-based diagnostics demonstrates real promise.

"The field is extremely exhilarating, and the search for such diagnostics is essential," he explained. "Due to the fact that if you can take a simple sample like saliva and then perform a test to diagnose the illness - especially for the illnesses that do not show themselves very well - you can probably have some information before the situation gets too serious."

"The crucial matter is what is the predictive value or trustworthiness of such a test in a person. And this is a very high barrier to overcome," he warned. "However, I think the cutting-edge approach these scientists are using is reasonable and holds a great deal of promise."

These tools include: a snakelike robot that could make it possible for surgeons to manipulate surgical instruments in narrow spaces like the throat region. The robotic assistant would help surgeons make incisions and tie sutures with greater dexterity and accuracy.

Another tool that is being prepared and tested is the steady-hand robot, which is able to grasp a needle and work along with movements of a surgeon, decreasing hand tremor that can complicate microsurgery. This robot could make it possible for surgeons to inject medications into miniscule blood vessels in the eye, dissolving clots that can harm vision.

Not replacing surgeons

"We are not trying to replace completely or automate surgeons," explained Russell Taylor, a professor of computer science and director of the centre, in a prepared statement. "Human hands are amazing, however they have some limitations. There are times when it would be useful to have a ‘third hand’, and we can provide such a possibility" he said.

The state-of-the-art medical tools also make it possible to record the surgeons’ work. This would allow physicians to examine how well patients react to treatment and find out which techniques and procedures are most successful.

"We could offer the equivalent of a flight-data recorder for the operating room," Taylor explain.

These robotic devices will need around five more years of examining and lots of improvements in a lab environment before they find their way into operating rooms.

According to the scientists from at the University of California, Irvine, a robotic hand is helping patients get strength and movement back so they are able to perform simple acts such as grasping and releasing objects.

"Robots may help patients decrease disability after experiencing stroke," informed lead scientist, Dr Steven C. Cramer, an associate professor of neurology, anatomy and neurobiology. "People who had weakness months to years after stroke were able to have improved movement in their arm and hand as a consequence of the robot therapy."

Cramer was scheduled to describe the new device, known as the Hand-Wrist Assisting Robotic Device (HOWARD), on Wednesday at the American Stroke Association’s annual meeting, in San Francisco.

How the research was carried out
In the research, Cramer and the team cooperated with seven women and six men, at the average age of 63, who had experienced a stroke.

Over three months after experiencing stroke, all the patients had moderate weakness and decreased function in their right hand, even though the hand was not completely paralyzed or unable to feel.

At first, the scientists tested the remaining strength in the right hand and how well patients were able to squeeze. "We also observed things that people would care about - things like picking up a cup and holding it without spilling it," Cramer said.

In the course of the sessions, the patient’s hand was strapped to the robot. "When they moved their hand, these metal brackets, Velcro-ed to the back of the hand, measured how well they were moving," Cramer explained. "If they were not able to finish the movement, the robot would finish the movement for them," he added.

According to Cramer, the movement coupled squeezing the hand and extending the wrist. "The participants practiced both grasping and releasing everyday objects," he added.

Each patient was offered training using HOWARD in 15 two-hour therapy sessions spread within three weeks.

Improvements across the board

According to the investigators, after three weeks, all patients had improved their ability to grasp and release objects.

All the patients demonstrated significant improvement in the ability to perform real-world tasks, like grasping a block, gripping a drinking glass, pinching to pick up a small marble or ball bearing, and putting their hand on their head. What’s more, they demonstrated considerable improvement on tests of dexterity.

Additionally, after three weeks, patients developed a radically wider range of motion in their hands and wrists and were rated as less disabled on a typical occupational therapy test.

Within the next month of follow-up, much of the improvement in movement was maintained, however others deteriorated, Cramer explained. But he informed that it was probable that more work with the robot would further improve movement.

Cramer is convinced that the robot is able to become a valuable part of rehabilitation after stroke.

"Robots provide several advantages for therapy after stroke," Cramer informed. "There is consistency, accuracy, durability and the potential for tele-rehab," he said. "You could treat ten patients in their homes from a single location."

Could be of real help

One of the specialists agreed that the technique could offer bona fide help to patients.

"The implementation of robotics coupled with virtual reality training holds promise for motor recovery and, optimistically, functional recovery for chronic stroke patients," informed Dr Ira G. Rashbaum, chief of stroke rehabilitation at New York University Medical Centre in New York City. "I’m delighted to see the scientists combined these modalities with the potential for synergy."

Stroke patients and their partners have to realize, though, that there must be adequate residual motor power in their arm and hand in order to set off some movement for this therapy to be effective, explained Rashbaum, who is also clinical associate professor of rehabilitation medicine at New York University School of Medicine.

"As is the case with constrained-movement therapy, one size does not fit all for stroke rehabilitation patients," he added.

"The other point to take into account is that motor recovery, whilst exciting to obtain, does not necessarily translate into functional recovery," Rashbaum explained. "The question arises, whether these patients improved many of their upper extremity activities of daily living, like grooming, hygiene, dressing, undressing and toileting?"

Reye’s syndrome normally happens a few days after the kid is recovering from a viral infection, such as the flu, common cold or chickenpox. Moreover, it may develop while the child is still ill, several days after the viral illness starts. While the precise cause of Reye’s syndrome is unknown to scientists, they are convinced that it is in some cases caused by an anomalous response to aspirin or similar medications taken during a viral illness. Due to this reason, do not give aspirin to children with fever or a flu-like illness.

Symptoms of Reye’s syndrome

The most common symptoms may include:

    * Frequent vomiting (every several hours over a day or two) that does not stop even when not eating or drinking
    * Extreme sleepiness (lethargy)
    * Confusion
    * Irritability and combativeness
    * Quick breathing (hyperventilation)
    * Loss of consciousness
    * Seizures

In infants, the symptoms of Reye’s syndrome may be very different from this usual pattern. For instance, infants with Reye’s syndrome vomit very seldom.

Diagnosis

The healthcare professional may suspect that a kid has Reye’s syndrome based on the symptoms and a history of very recent viral disorder. Blood tests, along with tests of liver function, will have to be performed. Frequently other tests are needed in order to confirm the diagnosis, such as:

    * A biopsy of the liver — A small piece of the liver is removed and tested.
    * A lumbar puncture (spinal tap) — A needle is used in order to remove fluid from the spinal cord so that it can be trsted.

Reye’s syndrome can be very complicated to diagnose, and it is sometimes mistaken for other severe conditions, including: encephalitis, meningitis, uncontrolled diabetes or medication overdose.

Expected Duration

How long does it take to recover entirely from Reye’s syndrome? Everything depends on how much the brain has swelled. Patients with mild disorder typically recover very fast and entirely.

Means of Prevention

Even though a clear connection between aspirin and Reye’s syndrome has not yet been proven, specialists agree that in order to prevent Reye’s syndrome, the safest approach is not to give aspirin or aspirin-containing medications to children. Read labels very watchfukky. Search for the word aspirin and other words related that also mean aspirin: acetylsalicylate, acetylsalicylic acid, salicylic acid or salicylate. If it is necessary, non-aspirin medications, like acetaminophen (Tylenol), for example, should be used instead.

Treatment

The method of treatment depends on the symptoms, however all patients suffering from Reye’s syndrome must be treated in a hospital and observed closely. Treatment concentrates on protecting the brain from irreversible damage by preventing or decreasing brain swelling.

Specific methods of treatment may include:

    * Giving fluids containing sugar and salts intravenously (into a vein)
    * Medicines (for instance, to reduce brain swelling or treat problems resulting from liver failure)
    * Intubation (inserting a tube that makes it easier to breath)

Patients suffering from more severe illness are normally treated in an intensive care unit.

When To Contact A Specialist

Reye’s syndrome is a severe, life-threatening disease. If your kid has had a viral infection and reveals any symptoms of Reye’s syndrome, contact your healthcare professional without any hesitation.

Prognosis

If Reye’s Syndrome is diagnosed early and treated immediately, the likelihood of recovery is very high. Some patients will recover entirely, whereas others may suffer permanent brain damage. The outlook is worse for patients with Reye’s syndrome who quickly become unconscious. If diagnosis and treatment are delayed, the likelihood of successful recovery and survival is not high. If Reye’s syndrome is not treated, death is frequent, normally within several days.

The research did not analyze specific factors of religiosity that may have some influence the sexual activity of HIV-positive patients. However, moral beliefs and membership in a religious community may be two significant elements, indicated the most important scientist and RAND senior behavior specialist, David Kanouse.

An underlying altruism

"Moral beliefs may suggest an underlying altruism and a wish to be sure that nobody one else is infected with this virus. Promoting these feelings could next be used as an element of programs promoting the prevention of HIV," Kanouse explained in a prepared statement.

"The research indicates that there is a role for religious institutions to play in the struggle against the spread of HIV," the lead author of the research, Frank H. Galvan, assistant professor in the department of psychiatry and human behaviour at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, said in a prepared statement.

"They have these systems of core belief that have a really positive influence on the lives of patients who are infected with HIV and who are sexually active. Religiosity is an unexploited resource in the whole fight against HIV and Aids, and ought to be scrutinized more carefully," Galvan explained.

The research results were published in the February issue of the Journal of Sex Research.

    * Various allergic reactions — They may be activated by:
          o Medicines such as antibiotics, seizure medicines and diuretics
          o Topical skin products, including cosmetics, perfumes or skin creams
          o Foods, particularly peanuts, seafood and eggs
          o Insect stings (such as bees, wasps and hornets)

    * Local irritants — This category comprises diaper rash (caused by prolonged skin contact with urine and stool) and rashes resulting from contact with harsh chemical substances, such as laundry soaps and fabric softeners.

    * Poisonous plants — Poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac share an enormously allergenic sap resin that may bring about allergic rashes in 70 per cent of people exposed to it.

    * Autoimmune conditions — This category involves: systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus), dermatomyositis and scleroderma, conditions in which the body’s immune defenses mistakenly attack healthy areas of the body, including the skin.

Symptoms of Rash

Even though rash is very easy to identify, each rash appears to be very different. Rashes differ in their appearance, timing, location, distribution, and duration. Generally, we may describe rashes as:

    * Macular — Flat, red spots
    * Papular — Small, raised, solid bumps
    * Macular and papular — A combination of the above two
    * Papulosquamous — A combination of papules and scaly areas
    * Vesicular — Small, raised, fluid-filled blisters

Supplementary signs and symptoms that sometimes appear along with the rash include:

    * Fever

    * Swollen lymph nodes (swollen glands)

    * Signs of a serious allergic, potentially life-threatening reaction known as anaphylaxis, which requires instant emergency medical help: problems with breathing, hives, vomiting, abdominal cramps, rapid decrease of blood pressure, confusion and unconsciousness

    * Symptoms of an autoimmune disorder, such as lupus (may include fatigue, poor appetite, fever, joint swelling) or dermatomyositis (frequently involves weak muscles, swelling and violet discoloration of the eyelids and difficulty rising after sitting)

Diagnosis

Your healthcare provider will obviously ask you about your medical history, along with your history of allergies and your work history, in order to check for possible exposure to chemical irritants or to individuals with infections. Furthermore, your physician may ask detailed questions about your rash, such as:

    * When it started — Did the rash occur after you consumed a new food, tried new skin care cosmetics or took some new medicines?

    * Location and pattern — Does the rash strike only sun-exposed areas or only those in direct contact with gloves, shoes, goggles or face masks (as would be expected with allergic reactions to a chemical in the item)? Does it mold a "butterfly" pattern over the cheeks and nose (a classic symptom of lupus), or does it bring about a bright red "slapped cheek" pattern (a symptom of fifth disease)?If you like trekking, does it form linear streaks along the lower legs (a sign of poison ivy)?

    * Duration — Did the rash occur and vanish within a day or two (as in roseola), or has it persisted for a week (as in fifth disease) or more (as in SLE)?

    * Occupational exposures — Are you perhaps a day care worker who may be exposed to children experiencing rash-producing diseases (measles, rubella, roseola, fifth disease)? Do you work or play in the wooded areas where there is an elevated risk of tick bites?

Your healthcare provider may suspect a particular cause rooted in your medical history and the history of your rash. Your physician will try to acknowledge this speculation by evaluating the rash’s appearance, location, pattern and any related symptoms. In many cases, the findings of your physical exam will elucidate the diagnosis, and further tests will not be necessary.

If necessary, other tests or examinations may include:

    * Blood tests — Even though the majority of viral rashes do not need precise identification of the virus, blood tests are obtainable to recognize some viruses and bacteria causing rash-producing infections. Blood tests may also be performed to check for autoimmune disorders.

    * Patch tests — If your healthcare provider suspects a local allergic reaction, he or she may perform skin tests known as patch tests. In the course of these tests, little amounts of various chemical substances are placed on your skin for two days in order to find out if an allergic rash develops.

    * Wood’s lamp — A Wood’s lamp is a black light used for the evaluation of rashes. The light may make the influenced area of skin glow red, pale blue, yellow or white. Everything depends on the exact cause of the rash.

    * Tzanck test — In this test, a blister is opened and scraped in order to gain a sample that is analyzed in a laboratory for the symptoms of herpes virus infection.

    * KOH preparation — In this test, an area of the skin that is suspected by the physician of having a fungal infection is scraped softly Scraped material is placed on a slide, treated with KOH (potassium hydroxide) and then analyzed under the microscope for signs of fungi.

    * Skin biopsy — In the course of this procedure, the skin is numbed and a sample of infected skin is removed and analyzed in a laboratory. Stitches may be necessary.

Expected Duration

How long a rash persists is always dependent on its cause. Nevertheless, the majority of rashes normally go away within several days. For instance, the rash of a roseola viral infection normally persists 1 to 2 days, while the rash of measles goes away within six to seven days. Rashes resulting from an antibiotic allergy may persist 3 days to two weeks, while diaper rash almost always clears up within one week (if diapers are altered very often).

Rashes resulting from lupus or dermatomyositis can go on for an extended period of time.

Prevention

Prevention is dependent on the cause of the rash:

    * Infections — Make sure that you and your kids are up-to-date in your regular immunizations. Wash your hands as often as possible, have a regular bath or shower and try not to share clothing or personal grooming items with other people. In order to prevent Lyme disease, wear light-colored clothing contrasting with the dark tick and covering most of your skin when you go into the woods. Use only approved tick repellents. Be aware that you are more prone to be exposed to ticks in areas of the country where Lyme disease is widespread.

    * Allergic reactions — Avoid the particular food, medications, skin care products or cosmetics that you didn’t have response to. Do not take any medication prescribed for somebody else.

      If you suppose that you are allergic to insect stings, consult your healthcare provider immediately. You might visit an allergist for testing and possible desensitization therapy. Moreover, you may require a bee-sting kit containing emergency medicines to prevent potentially life-threatening reactions. Be sure that you know where the kit is located at home and think about getting an additional one if you frequently take part in an outdoor sport. Keep the second kit in your sports bag.

    * Local irritants —For diaper rash, alter diapers immediately after they have become wet or soiled. Be sure that your baby’s bottom is carefully clean and dry before closing up the fresh diaper. For sensitivity to chemicals in cleaning products, substitute the chemicals you use with laundry soaps and fabric softeners that are free of dyes and perfumes. For irritation caused by cosmetics, use hypoallergenic products containing not so many skin-irritating preservatives and fragrances.

    * Poisonous plants — Find out how to identify poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. If you are a hiker and you like to trek in the forests or do yard work, always cover exposed arms and legs with long-sleeved shirts and long pants.

Treatment

Treatment is dependent on the cause of the rash:

    * Infections — Bacterial infections are normally treated with antibiotics. Fungal infections are treated with antifungal medicines. A lot of viral infections causing rash will disappear within a few days and do not require any medicines. Less frequently, antiviral medications are needed.

    * Allergic reactions — A serious allergic reaction is a life-threatening medical emergency. It needs to be treated instantly with epinephrine, a medicine opening narrowed airways and increasing hazardously low blood pressure. High doses of corticosteroids and antihistamines are also used in order to suppress the reaction of immune system’s. Localized allergic reactions may be treated by means of topical or oral corticosteroids, antihistamines and ice to alleviate the itching and swelling.

    * Local irritants — Diaper rash can be treated by changing diapers very often and using nonprescription creams or ointments containing zinc oxide and mineral oil.

    * Poisonous plants — The skin ought to be flushed carefully with warm water in order to get rid of the allergenic substance. Only then ought you to lather with soap and water. If you use soap promptly before flushing the skin with water, you are prone to spread the allergenic plant oil over your skin. When you have washed off the oil, it can’t spread. It frequently happens that the rash is treated with prescription topical steroid medicines. Nevertheless, oral steroids may be necessary for extensive rashes or rashes on the face.

    * Autoimmune disorders — These diseases can be treated with corticosteroid and immunosuppressive medications, medicines suppressing the patient’s overactive immune system.

When To Contact A Specialist

Ask for instantaneous medical attention if you start to experience difficulty breathing or develop hives, a fever, a fast pulse, confusion or nausea. These could constitute the symptoms of a life-threatening allergic reaction.

Always talk to your healthcare provider immediately if a rash:

    * Becomes worse
    * Persists more than one week
    * Demonstrates signs of local infection (oozing, redness or swelling of the skin)
    * Is followed by fever, chills, swollen glands or other symptoms of infection (sore throat, cough, headache, nasal congestion, etc.)
    * Appears along with symptoms indicating an autoimmune disorder, such as recurring fever, malaise, tiredness, unexplained weight loss or joint swelling

Prognosis

The outlook for the majority of rashes is brilliant, particularly after the cause has been recognized precisely.

In case of serious allergic reactions, a patient may die within several minutes without prompt medical attention. With appropriate treatment, recovery is normally complete. Nevertheless, the patient is still at high risk of future serious reactions if he or she is exposed to the same allergy-producing factor. Due to this reason, a prescription for a self-injection pen containing epinephrine for emergencies is normally suggested for patients suffering from severe allergies.

For long-lasting autoimmune disorders, rash is the only one of a broad variety of symptoms. The prognosis is dependent on the kind and severity of the autoimmune disease.

This research involved 153 patients with early-stage, inoperable non-small cell lung cancer. It discovered that the two-year survival rate for people who received RF ablation accounted for 57 per cent, in comparison to 51 per cent for patients who received external beam radiation (EBT).

Fewer treatments necessary

The group of researchers from Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, observed that EBT requires various treatments over a period of six weeks and frequently leads to a number of side effects. On the contrary, RF ablation is a single-day outpatient procedure bringing about very few side effects.

One year after the therapy, the survival rate for people who received RF ablation accounted for 78 per cent. At three years, it was 36 percent. At four and five years, it accounted for 27 per cent.

The results of the research are published in the April issue of the journal Radiology.

"Our research has demonstrated that this minimally invasive procedure may effectively treat patients suffering lung cancer who could not undergo operation in one fairly simple treatment. The research also proves that radiofrequency ablation has the same or even more successful effects in terms of both survival and tumor control," Dr Damian Dupuy, director of ablation at Rhode Island Hospital and professor of diagnostic imaging at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, explained in a prepared statement.

"With lung cancer screening for people who are at great risk, we will have a chance to detect lung cancers at earlier stages. In my lifetime, I predict image-guided radiofrequency ablation replacing a lot of surgical procedures for the treatment of cancer as we keep on improving these minimally invasive methods of treatment," Dupuy explained.