Maniolas

© anucha maneechote/shutterstock.com (Miami, United States–AFP) – A stubborn bacterial infection often acquired in hospitals and which can be deadly may have a new treatment on the horizon, US researchers said Wednesday. Antibiotics only work about 25 percent of the time in wiping out Clostridium difficile, or C. diff, a pathogen that infects the digestive tract and kills about 15,000 people and hospitalizes 250,000 each year in the United States. But the antioxidant drug ebselen was shown to kill C. diff by targeting its toxins, not by killing the bacteria and wiping out beneficial gut microbes at the same time, said researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine. The study in the journal Science Translation Medicine was done on mice, but researchers say human trials could be expedited because the drug is already being investigated for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, stroke, atherosclerosis and cancer. “Unlike antibiotics — which are both the frontline treatment for C. difficile infection and, paradoxically, possibly its chief cause — the drug didn’t kill the bacteria,” said senior author Matthew Bogyo, professor of pathology and of microbiology and immunology. Rather, it disabled a toxin produced by the pathogen and prevented intestinal damage and inflammation. C. diff costs the United States more than $4 billion in healthcare expenses and it often recurs in patients, requiring further hospitalization, researchers said. The infection is particularly perilous for those with weakened immune systems. About seven percent of people who are infected die within a month of diagnosis. ksh/pst

Flashback Friday: Solenn Heussaff, Georgina Wilson, Rhian Ramos, Iza Calcado, Erwan Heussaff, Richard and Raymond Gutierrez “fat kid” photos

Sitti now into swimming and biking, thanks to her husband!

Meeting of Officers and Directors of UERMMMC-Medical Alumni Association of Southern Calif. and its Auxiliary at Kusina Filipina for their upcoming Inaugural Ball at Marriott Manhattan Beach, L.A. on Oct. 17. Standing from left: Dr. Tarcisio Diaz, Dr. Rita Guiamelon, Roger Igual, Gloria Legaspi, Dr. Cathy Uyloan , Dr. Teri Pastor, Dr. Marita Guevarra, Dr. Glenn Perez, and Joel Pastor. Seated: Dr. Irene Igual, Lucy Babaran, and Dr. Joselito Babaran. There are many associations in Southern California that have worthy causes. One such organization is the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center – Medical Alumni Association of Southern California (UERMMMC- MAASC), a 501(c) (3) non – profit corporation . Members, Officers, and Directors of this association are Medical Doctors who are alumni of the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Medical Center in the Philippines and who are now practicing medicine in the U.S. This year, UERMMMC-MAASC will hold its Inaugural Ball and Dinner Dance, with the theme ‘Black and White Event,’ on October 17, 2015, at 6:00 p.m., at the  Marriott Manhattan Beach, 1400 Park View Avenue, Manhattan Beach, Los Angeles. For several years, UERMMMC-MAASC has been doing fund raising activities in the U.S. to  support its many humanitarian projects. One such major project is its Medical, Dental and Surgical Missions in various underserved provinces, towns and barangays in the Philippines providing medical services to several thousands of indigents.Proceeds of the event will benefit the underserved areas in Lucena, Quezon and District 2 of Pampanga (Lubao, Sasmuan, Guagua, and Floridablanca). The Read More …