The Scientist

NEW YORK, July 24 (Praxis Press) Whether weight loss resulting from exercise or diet causes the same improvement in health is unclear. It is also unknown whether exercise without weight loss provides health benefits for people who are overweight. To compare the effects of diet-induced weight loss with those of exercise-induced weight loss, and the effects of an exercise program without weight loss in obese persons, Ross and colleagues studied 52 obese men. The study participants were randomly as

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NEW YORK, July 24 (Praxis Press) Low-grade inflammation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). Danesh and colleagues studied the association of inflammatory markers and subsequent CAD in middle-aged British men. Coronary artery disease was associated with baseline levels of plasma C reactive protein, serum amyloid A protein, and serum albumin, and baseline leukocyte counts. However, these markers were not associated with Helicobacter pylori seropositivity, Chla

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NEW YORK, July 24 (Praxis Press) The differential diagnosis of arterial occlusive disease includes a host of conditions that cause embolism or thrombosis. Dingli and colleagues report a case of severe digital occlusive disease with an unusual infectious etiology. A woman with flulike illness subsequently developed cyanosis and pain in her fingers. Vascular studies revealed a fixed arterial occlusion, and an enzyme immunoassay revealed acute seroconversion for parvovirus B19. Parvovirus B19 infec

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NEW YORK, July 24 (Praxis Press) Th2 cytokines are strongly implicated in the immunopathology of asthma. Tamaoki and colleagues evaluated the steroid-sparing effect of suplatast tosilate, a selective Th2 cytokine inhibitor, relative to placebo in patients with steroid-dependent asthma. When steroid doses were halved, patients in the suplatast tosilate group had less deterioration of pulmonary function, asthma symptoms, and reliance on beta2-agonists for relief. These benefits were achieved with

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LONDON, July 24 (Science Analysed) The 2000-strong International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases concluded on 19 July in Atlanta, Georgia. But if you weren't there, don't despair. The organizers are offering online versions of selected presentations, with audio and slides, scheduled to go live from today, as well as a searchable abstracts system.The Atlanta programme included current work on surveillance, epidemiology, research, communication and training, bioterrorism, and the preven

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