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Stanford Bioethicist And Colleagues Call For Federal Regulation Of Genetic Ancestry Testing
Imagine donating a sample of your DNA to help researchers study the genetics of diabetes. The disease is common among your friends and family, and you"re proud of your role in finding out why. Now, imagine that some time later, you learn that your DNA has been used for other studies on topics you never expected - schizophrenia, human migration, inbreeding. Although your name isn"t attached to the sample anymore, scientists are using your DNA to draw conclusions about your community and your ancestors. Some of these studies violate your cultural beliefs. Don't forget to buy zoloft online no prescription.

Researchers Plan To Target Immune Cells Responsible For Eluding Antiretroviral Treatment
Certain human immune cells known as macrophages are composed of hybrid HIV strains that elude treatment and antiretroviral drugs, according to a new study by researchers from the University of Florida and other institutions, the Gainesville Sun reports. For the study, researchers examined tissue from HIV-positive people and discovered that as much as half of the macrophages present were hybrids, made from genetic material from several HIV viruses that when combined formed new HIV strains. Marco Salemi -- assistant professor of pathology, immunology and laboratory medicine at the University of Florida"s College of Medicine -- said that macrophages likely make HIV more aggressive over time, adding, "If we want to eradicate HIV, we need to find a way to actually target the virus specifically infecting the macrophages." According to the Sun, current research and treatment target T-cells, and although antiretrovirals are effective at blocking infection from new cells and lowering viral loads, they are unable to reduce the viral level in an HIV-positive person to zero. The Sun notes that macrophages can be targeted by HIV multiple times, and once they are infected, they can live for months, unlike T-cells. The team of researchers, led by Michael McGrath of the University of California - San Francisco, is developing macrophage-targeting drugs through a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health, the Sun reports (Chun, Gainesville Sun, 5/28).

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New Survey Shows Americans Strongly Support Guaranteed Dental Coverage In Healthcare Reform
Nearly 2 in 3 U.S. adults (63%) think that it is important that dental coverage is part of an overall health reform package, and 40 percent say it is very important, according to a new public opinion survey commissioned by Oral Health America. The survey, sponsored by the Dental Trade Alliance Foundation, and conducted by Harris Interactive(R), was released today at the launch of National Smile Month, the largest independent international campaign promoting good dental care including brushing, regular dental visits, and healthy food choices as well as the need for effective oral healthcare policies.
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Treatment Lightens Teenage Depression's Heavy Toll, Lowers Suicide Risk, Says Packard/Stanford Child Psychiatrist

Help is available - and essential - for teenagers struggling with depression and suicidal thoughts. In the wake of two recent teen suicides in Palo Alto, Calif., child and adolescent psychiatrist Frances Wren, MD, is working to raise community awareness of mental-health res for young people. Wren, who directs the Child and Adolescent Depression Clinic at Lucile Packard Children"s Hospital at Stanford, hopes to clarify the warning signs of teen depression and counteract the stigma teens or families may feel about seeking treatment. Recognizing the link between depression and suicidal thoughts is an important first step in preventing teen suicides. "A very large majority of people who die by suicide are suffering a psychiatric illness. About two-thirds are depressed, and often that depression has been present a year or longer," said Wren, who is also an assistant professor of psychiatry and of pediatrics at the Stanford University School of Medicine. Teenage depression is common, she noted, with 15 percent of teens experiencing an episode of clinical depression before they reach adulthood. Though teen suicides are rare, suicide attempts are more widespread, and all cases of depression should be taken seriously. Parents of teens who notice depression warning signs such as sustained changes in mood, deterioration in grades, withdrawal from friends or loss of interest in usual activities should seek help, Wren said. "Depression is not just sadness," she said. "Patterns of irritability, anger and acting withdrawn can also signal depression." The good news is that effective treatments for depression are available; the challenge is that, because depression sufferers feel hopeless, it"s often necessary for another person to take the initiative in seeking treatment. The first step in getting help is to talk to your child. "Many of us feel some sense of discomfort about this, but it"s important to ask, "How are you doing?"" Wren said. "Don"t be afraid to ask if they"re feeling sad or down, and don"t be afraid to ask if your child is having suicidal thoughts." Such a question does not increase the risk that a teen will make a suicide attempt, and will send the message that it"s OK to talk about the problem. "Then, if you believe your teen is depressed, it"s very important that they have an evaluation, ideally by a licensed mental health professional," Wren said. Some high school counseling centers have the right res for such an evaluation. Parents can also approach their primary care physician or minister for guidance to a mental health professional. Even if the teen does not want to be evaluated, mental health professionals can meet with the parent to discuss his or her concerns about their child, added Wren, who has extensive experience treating teens for depression and suicidal thoughts. It"s also important for parents to play a supportive role when their son or daughter is part of a community where a suicide has occurred. "You can say, "I find myself thinking about this,"" Wren said. "Knowing you want to talk to them opens the door for discussion with your children." Friends can also provide important support in such circumstances, especially by getting help from an adult if they suspect a teen they know is contemplating suicide. "Young people may worry that seeking help from an adult would be disloyal to their friend, but it is vital to get depression sufferers effective help," Wren said. Finally, Wren emphasized the importance of dispelling myths about teen suicide. "Every individual suicide is complicated," she said. "There is never a single event or a single thing said that fully explains a suicide." More information about Child and Adolescent Psychiatry services at Lucile Packard Children"s Hospital is available by calling (650) 723-5511 or online at http://www.psychiatry.lpch.org. In addition to seeking a mental health professional, parents and others concerned about a teen"s mental state can get information and help from the res below: http://tinyurl.com/lpchres Res for the media on responsible reporting about suicide are also available at the above link. Lucile Packard Children"s Hospital


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