Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.health From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: health Fri, Mar 13 1992 Date: Fri, 13 Mar 92 05:47:47 EST Message-ID: 03-13 0000 DECISIONLINE: Health USA TODAY Update March 13-15, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network FDA ISSUES HEART VALVE WARNING: The 60-degree Bjork-Shiley mitral heart valve, in nearly 23,000 people in the USA and Canada, has a risk of failure possibly five times higher than once thought, the Food and Drug Administration said Thursday. Patients with the device, which was taken off the market in 1986, should consider replacing it. New evidence suggests the failure risk is greater than the danger of replacement surgery. KISSING MAY ENDANGER TEETH: Kissing may spread the bacteria in dental plaque that is thought to cause periodontitis, according to Dr. T.J.M. Van Steenbergen, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, Netherlands. Van Steenbergen will report his findings Friday to a meeting of the American Association for Dental Research in Boston. Periodontitis, a gum disease, can lead to tooth and bone loss in severe cases. (For more, see special Meeting package below.) AIDS-RELATED CANCER STUDIED: A Japanese drug may hold promise for AIDS patients with Kaposi's sarcoma, a rare skin cancer, suggests a report in Friday's Science. The Japanese drug SP-PG was shown to shrink similar tumors in mice. Research also suggests that Kaposi's sarcoma may develop from an infectious agent other than the AIDS virus, British researchers report in Friday's Lancet. IMAGING AGENT TO BE AVAILABLE: "Cardiolite," an imaging agent used in the diagnosis of heart attack damage is expected to be available in U.S. markets in April. The agent, manufactured by DuPont Merck Pharma Co. Inc., is injected into the body, allowing the heart to be imaged for up to four hours. With the imaging, doctors can stabilize heart attack victims and evaluate the extent of heart damage. AIDS SEMINAR OFFERED: Davies Medical Center, San Francisco, and Associated Claims Management will offer a free seminar and workshop on "AIDS in the Work Place." Topics: The counseling of workers, workers' compensation and forwarding revealing reports. Davies Medical Center will host the seminar March 31, with a tour of the Institute for HIV Research and Treatment. To register, call: 415-565-6254. TEXAS OFFERS WATER PROGRAM: A new $1.25 million Texas Water Developement program will aid the 200,000 people living in nearly 950 unincorporated, low-income areas called colonias along the Mexican border. The program will make loans available to residents to get indoor plumbing and access to clean water. NEW YORK ISSUES RABIES WARNING: New York City was declared a rabies endemic area after a rabid raccoon was found on Staten Island. The incident is the first in 40 years. Under the declaration, people bitten by animals that cannot be observed must undergo a rabies vaccination. LA. DAY-CARE RULES UNENFORCED: The safety regulations governing Louisiana's 1,800 day-care centers are fundamentally flawed and not strictly enforced, according to a report from the state legislative auditor. The lack of annual inspection was cited in the report, which recommended a change in laws from the Legislature. GROUP SAYS SENIORS OVERCHARGED: The government continues to overcharge seniors for Medicare premiums, a group said Thursday. Families United for Senior Action said "this benefit is still a government secret." Since 1989, low-income seniors have been eligible for waivers on premiums and deductibles for Medicare to pay doctors. But benefits must be applied for at a welfare office or $31.80 per month is taken out. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON MEETING: COUPLES SHARE DENTAL BACTERIA: A study of 18 people shows that of those married five of seven share the bacteria porphyromonas gingivalis, believed to cause periodontitis, with their spouse. More research is needed to know if spouses will also develop the gum disease, say researchers. But the spouse of a periodontitis patient should visit a dentist. Three of four adults will have the disease at some time in their life. ORAL CANCER RISK STUDIED: Factors other than tobacco and alcohol use may be involved in the risk of developing oral cancer, suggests a study by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh. In the 24-year study, 45% of women between 70-79 developing oral cancer were non-smokers, and 75% over 80 had never used tobacco. Cited as possible causes: Estrogen loss, passive smoking, the herpes virus and genetic disposition. STUDY ADDRESSES AMALGAM FEARS: Resin composites, tooth-colored plastic materials, may offer a viable alternative to amalgam fillings, a study shows. Recent fears over mercury in amalgam and esthetic concerns have prompted researchers to test other materials. A recent five-year study in Japan revealed resin composites showed a durability comparable to the durability of amalgam. (End of package.) Health Editor: Christopher Goldthwaite. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM