A Monk's Growing Concern for African Medicine

Principles of Herbal medicine was the focus of an event recently held in Lagos. CHUKWUDI OBI who was there reports that the forum organized by Rev. Father Anselm Adodo's Pax Herbal clinic and laboratories St. Benedict's Monastery, Ewu-Ishan, Edo State, brought stakeholders together to chart a new course for herbal medicine practitioners.

Before the clock ticked 9.am, the venue had already been filled to its capacity with some participants still loitering outside exchanging banters.
The look on their faces betrayed their emotions. The excitement could only be better experienced than imagined.

So, when a couple of minutes later the parley kicked off, everybody was prepared to participate actively.

The reason, being that the issue of the day was crucial to all in attendance.

The forum was the inauguration of Herbal Medicine Reporters' Association of Nigeria (HERMAN).

The event doubled as a workshop where eminent scholars spoke on the "Principles of African Medicine."

The workshop which was put together by Pax Herbal Clinic & Research Laboratories Ltd, St Benedictine Monastery, Ewu, Edo State, had in attendance, herbal practitioners, Pax herbal distributors and journalists.

Everybody who mattered when it comes to herbal and traditional medicine practice was at the venue, the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency, NNMDA, Victoria Island Lagos, which also provided a platform for some of these practitioners to showcase their products.

In his welcome address, Co-ordinator, Pax Herbal clinic and laboratories Ltd. Fr Anselm Adodo noted that the aim of the workshop is to ensure that journalists from both the print and electronic media are well informed about current happenings in the Nigerian Herbal Medicine Sector.

"Our aim is to keep them abreast of development in the herbal industry, show them the huge potentials of African Medicine in transforming Africa economically, socially, politically and medically and encourage constructive dialogue towards the development of African Medicine," he said.

Adodo further called on journalists to always be vanguards of truth.

According to him, "As journalists, you are first and foremost reporters. Your primary duty is to seek the truth and present it as it is. A good journalist searches for the truth, and expresses it in clear, unambiguous terms. To do this, means that you take risks, for the truth is bitter. It is a fact that many people do not want to hear the truth and do not want others to see and know the truth. As journalists, you have a mandate to search for the truth and say the truth, for the good of humanity, of our society and our future."

"Your profession is one of the most powerful in the world. It is often thought that military might is the most powerful on this planet. But what is military might but ability to destroy the body? Real power lies in the ability to shape opinions, to influence people's minds and to shape the conscience of the nation."

Adodo confirmed that practices like ancestoral worship, voodooism and socery are signs of knowledge twisted towards the past instead of the future.

Fr. Adodo who is also the Editor-in-chief, The Herbal Doctor, a journal of African medicine observed that such practices are not efficient for innovation and, socio economic transformation adding that it is detrimental to the transformation of African medicine into a globally accepted venture.

"It is knowledge that is keeping a quarter of Africa constantly looking backward. No wonder many African communities who are relying on this ancestral knowledge barely move forward or beyond their immediate environments," he said.

The Editor-in-Chief, The Herbal Doctor however stressed the need for protection of the knowledge of old people who he said are repositories of knowledge.
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"In many indigenous societies, when a knowledge bearer dies, his knowledge dies with him. Indeed, a lot of knowledge is being lost, knowledge that appears to be worthless mainly because it is not properly valued. There is a need to protect endangered knowledge as a world heritage.

Today, we speak of protecting our environment from abuse, and also about protection for rare species of plants and animals.

But equally important is the need to set up international efforts to protect and preserve indigenous knowledge. With every old person that dies in our villages, a whole library of books is lost. We must therefore protect our indigenous knowledge by re-understanding, re-interpreting, re-examining and re-expressing it in the light of modern scientific knowledge," he said.

source;allafrica.com

Hit your peak with these super foods

Skip the aspirin and instead have a giant helping of spicy curry? Forget your blood pressure meds and sip another cup of green tea? Give up cholesterol-lowering statins and try a handful of almonds or walnuts?

Could good health and reduced risk of disease really be as easy as eating some super nutritious foods?

Although few nutritionists would ever guarantee that super foods will make you super healthy, most agree that edible superstars will give your body many of the nutrients it requires to operate at peak performance.

"More and more, what we see is that what we eat and do not eat is becoming the central front in (determining) whether we (are in) a state of optimum health," says Dr. David Leopold, family practitioner and integrative medicine specialist at the Scripps Center of Integrative Medicine in San Diego. "When we look at why people do well throughout life, it continually comes down to two things: Regular exercise and eating a nutritious diet."

So, which foods offer the healthiest bang for your buck?

It all depends on whom you talk to, the latest research and the hottest hype. To find a list of super nutritious foods you can really sink your teeth into, we asked six nutrition experts and one chef of healthy cuisine for their favorite nutritious super foods. Those that were recommended by the majority comprise our superstar list.

Other nutrient-rich foods advocated by some of our experts are offered as healthy runners-up and should also be part of your regular eating plan.

But, no matter how nutritious, these foods must be part of an overall healthy diet.

"Super foods are meant to replace other (less healthy) things in the diet," Leopold says. "They're not to be eaten on top of a Big Mac."

GREEN TEA

Superstar qualities: Contains beneficial polyphenols, antioxidant compounds that act as anti-inflammatory agents to promote heart and digestive health and reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes, hypertension and vision loss. If you drink flavored green tea, Dr. David Leopold, of the Scripps Center of Integrative Medicine, recommends making sure it's all green tea (not a blend), organic and without any artificial flavorings.

How much: Several cups a day, but no more than two of them caffeinated.

BROCCOLI AND OTHER CRUCIFEROUS VEGETABLES

Superstar qualities: High in vitamins A, C and K, along with antioxidants that prevent damage to the body's cells. Low calorie.

"Incredibly rich in phytochemicals (plant nutrients), broccoli is a powerful cancer-fighting vegetable," says Linda Copp, a registered dietitian and instructor of nutrition at San Diego State University.

Cynthia Thomson, diet and cancer researcher and assistant professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Arizona, encourages people to "think beyond broccoli."

"I'd like people to get adventurous and try more wasabi, horseradish and kale," she says.

How much: One-half to 1 cup three or four times a week (as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's recommended dietary guideline of 2 1/2 cups of vegetables a day.)

TOMATOES

Superstar qualities: Rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that may reduce the risk of macular degeneration and breast and prostate cancer. Lycopene is easier to absorb from cooked tomatoes, such as sauce or paste, but fresh tomatoes are also beneficial.

"You can use tomato sauce in so many things," says Cheryl Rock, professor of nutrition at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, explaining that by consuming it as a sauce, you're getting a condensed version. "Don't be stingy with the tomato sauce on the pizza. Pour plenty of it on."

How much: One serving (one medium tomato or 1 cup of cherry tomatoes or one-half cup of tomato sauce) a day.

LEAFY GREENS

Superstar qualities: Spinach, collard greens, swiss chard and mustard greens are concentrated source of carotenoids, such as beta-carotene and lutein, which provide powerful antioxidant protection.

"These greens are all high in calcium and minerals and fiber and a good addition to your diet. They provide a lot more nutrients than lettuce," says Dr. Andrew Weil, director of the integrative medicine program at the University of Arizona and author of several books, including "Eating Well for Optimum Health" (Time Warner, $25) and "Healthy Aging" (Anchor, $15).

"You can stir-fry them or steam them. By cooking them lightly, they not only taste better, but the nutrients are more bio-available."

How much: One-half to 1 cup three or four times a week.

NUTS

Superstar qualities: Nuts, especially almonds and walnuts, might lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol. High in protein and healthy unsaturated fat, which contain naturally occurring cholesterol-lowering compounds called plantsterols. High in omega-3 fatty acids. Contain ellagic acid, a cancer-fighting antioxidant.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved health claims stating that the consumption of most nuts (excluding Brazil and macadamia nuts) can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

How much: At about 200 calories per ounce, don't go nuts over nuts. A small handful or 1 1/2 ounces a day is enough. Substitute this for that candy bar you crave at 3 in the afternoon.

BERRIES

Superstar qualities: Blueberries, cranberries, blackberries or strawberries, they're all a rich source of antioxidants, so they fight cell-damaging free radicals, which may help prevent cancer and slow aging.

Weil keeps organic berries in his freezer so he can enjoy them as a snack or low-sugar dessert all year long.

How much: Eat one-half to 1 cup of fresh or frozen berries every day.

WILD SALMON

Superstar qualities: Rich in essential omega-3 fatty acids, which help keep triglyceride levels normal and may reduce the chance of heart disease. Has anti-inflammatory properties that can help with rheumatoid arthritis pain. A good protein source. Wild is better than farm-raised salmon because there are fewer contaminants. Eat it canned, frozen or fresh.

How much: Eat 3 ounces two to four times a week.

SOY FOODS

Superstar qualities: Whether in the form of tofu, soy nuts, soy milk or edamame, soy foods are good sources of vegetable protein. Soy also contains isoflavones, estrogenlike substances that protect and help maintain healthy bones. Contains omega-3 fatty acids, which promote heart health.

How much: One to two (one-half-cup) servings a day.

SUPER FOODS: RUNNERS-UP

EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL

Superstar qualities: This monounsaturated fat is considered a "good" fat that helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and some cancers. Use it as your main cooking oil and base of your salad dressings.

Studies have shown that the extra-virgin variety has anti-inflammatory properties, says Dr. Steven Pratt, an ophthalmologist at Scripps Memorial Hospital in San Diego and author of the books "SuperFoods Rx" (William Morrow, $25) and "SuperFoods Healthstyle" (William Morrow, $25). He recommends looking for the words "first cold pressed" on the label to indicate that little heat was used.

How much: 1 to 2 tablespoons a day.

YOGURT OR KEFIR

Superstar qualities: High in protein, calcium and beneficial for the gastrointestinal tract. Contains probiotics (healthy bacteria) to help with digestion and promote healthy immune system.

Make sure it contains Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermopholis, the live bacteria that host health benefits.

How much: 6 to 8 ounces a day.

SPICES AND HERBS

Superstar qualities: Turmeric, cinnamon, oregano, basil and others are concentrated forms of phytonutrients with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

"Herbs and spices are a healthy, low-calorie way to add flavor and interest to all kinds of food," says chef Rosie Daley (Knopf, $17), author of the book "The Healthy Kitchen With Andrew Weil, M.D."

Pratt notes a USDA study that found that half a teaspoon a day of cinnamon lowers blood-sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes and brought down their bad cholesterol.

Studies show that turmeric blocks the same enzymes we try to block with aspirin, offering protection from cardiovascular disease, Leopold says.

How much: Use them whenever you can.

BEANS

Superstar qualities: Red, white, brown or green, they're all low in fat and high in fiber, folate and antioxidants, and can help protect against heart disease and moderate insulin levels.

In order to make beans a complete protein, they must be eaten with a grain. Copp suggests combining beans with brown rice or quinoa.
How much: Eat one-half to 1 cup several times a week.

POMEGRANATES

Superstar qualities: Contains phytonutrients that help fight against heart disease, hypertension, some cancers and diabetes. Loaded with vitamin C.

How much: 4 to 6 ounces of juice a day. Copp suggests sprinkling pomegranate seeds on salads or eating them as a snack.

DARK CHOCOLATE

Superstar qualities: Dark chocolate (not milk) that's at least 70 percent cocoa solids is rich in flavonoids, antioxidants that are good for heart health and reducing blood pressure.

How much: Chocolate is high in calories, so don't overdo it. An ounce a day is enough to give you nutritional benefits without blowing your diet.

KIWI FRUIT

Superstar qualities: Rich in vitamin C, potassium and fiber.

According to Pratt, kiwi helps thin the blood like aspirin without the side effects.

"Compared with other fruits, the kiwi is the most nutritionally dense. It's a powerhouse of vitamin C (more than an orange) and antioxidants," Copp says.

How much: Eat regularly as part of your USDA recommended two servings of fruit a day.

OATS AND WHOLE GRAINS

Superstar qualities: Oats and other whole grains provide B vitamins and fiber to keep you feeling full until lunchtime. Oatmeal has been shown to lower cholesterol and help stabilize blood-sugar levels.

How much: Eat at least three serving of whole grains a day. One cup of cooked oatmeal or one slice of whole-wheat bread is one serving.

source:www.paramuspost.com

History of Herbal Medicine

Herbal medicine, sometimes referred to as botanical medicine or herbalism, involves the use of plants, or parts of plants, to treat injuries or illnesses. This field also covers the use of herbs or botanicals to improve overall health and wellness. Herbalist, herbal medicine practitioners, traditional medicine practitioners, and Ayurvedic, homeopathic, and naturopathic healers all use herbal remedies in their practices.

Seeds, leaves, stems, bark, roots, flowers, and extracts of all of these have been used in herbal medicine over the millennia of their use. These supplemental treatments have been delivered raw, in teas and tinctures, as topical applications, in liquid forms, and in pills and capsules. In the beginning the plants were consumed raw or combined with hot water as a soup or tea. Later, the plants were dried and crushed for other uses. The plants were found in the wild and uses were often based on superstitious or visual cues. Plants were often used to treat body systems because they were shaped like that body part or because they grew in a particular area. As science began to take a closer look at herbal remedies, their use became more refined. Herbs, and other plants, are actually the precursors to many of today’s medicinal drugs. Some of the pharmaceutical medications on the market are extracts of some of these traditional herbs.

Today, many modern, and Western, medicine practitioners are beginning to look at herbal remedies for some common, and not-so common, disorders. The lower cost, and often safer use, has attracted many medical professionals. Some physicians use herbs to off-set the side effects of pharmaceuticals.

Timeline of Herbal Medicine

No one knows, for sure, when humans began using herbs for medicinal purposes. The first written record of herbal medicine use showed up in 2800 B.C. in China. Since then the use of herbs has gained, and fallen out of, favor many times in the medical field. The timeline that follows shows some of the key dates and major points in the history of herbal medicine.

2800 B.C.- The first written record of herbal medicine use showed up. (Titled the Pen Ts'ao by Shen Nung)

400 B.C.- The Greeks joined the herbal medicine game. Hippocrates stressed the ideas that diet, exercise and overall happiness formed the foundation of wellness.

50 A.D.- The Roman Empire spread herbal medicine around the Empire, and with it the commerce of cultivating herbs.

200 A.D.- The first classification system that paired common illnesses with their herbal remedy appeared. This was prepared by the herbal practitioner Galen.

800 A.D.- Monks took over the herbal field with herbal gardens at most monasteries and infirmaries for the sick and injured.

1100 A.D.- The Arab world became a center of medicinal influence. Physician Avicenna wrote the Canon of Medicine, which gave mention to herbal medicines.

1200 A.D.- Black Death spread across Europe and herbal medicines were used along side “modern” methods such as bleeding, purging, arsenic and mercury with equal, or better, results.

1500 A.D.- Herbal medicine and herbalists were promoted and supported by Henry VII and the Parliament, due to the large number of untrained apothecaries giving substandard care.

1600 A.D.- Herbs were used in treating the poor, while extracts of plant, minerals, and animals (the “drugs”), were used for the rich. The English Physician, an herbal explaining the practice of herbal medicine, was written during this time.

1700 A.D.- Herbal medicine got another high profile endorsement from Preacher Charles Wesley. He advocated for sensible eating, good hygiene and herbal treatments for healthy living.

1800 A.D.- Pharmaceuticals began to hit the scene and herbal treatments took a back seat. As side effects from the drugs began to be documented, herbal remedies came into favor again. The National Association of Medical Herbalists was formed, and later renamed the National Institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH.)

1900 A.D.- lack of availability of drugs during World War I increased the use of herbal medicines again. After the war pharmaceutical production increased and penicillin was discovered. Herbal practitioners had their rights to dispense their medications taken away and then reinstated. The British Herbal Medicine Association was founded and produced the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. People began to express the concern over the large number of side effects and environmental impact of the drugs of the 1950s.

2000 A.D.- EU took action on regulation and testing of herbal medicines similar to those used for pharmaceuticals.

Herbal medicines have been documented for almost 4000 years. These medicines have survived real world testing and thousands of years of human testing. Some medicines have been discontinued due to their toxicity, while others have been modified or combined with additional herbs to offset side effects. Many herbs have undergone changes in their uses. Studies conducted on the herbs and their effects keep changing their potential uses.

Herbal Medicine Today

Herbal medicines are still in use today. In some respects they have gained a new momentum in the medical field. As many people seek alternative treatments and begin to check out traditional, and Eastern, medicine, herbs are becoming more popular. As physicians seek new treatments for many common illnesses they are beginning to revisit the traditional remedies, using herbal medicines.

Pharmaceutical medications, with their potential for harmful side effects and addiction, are becoming less popular. People are seeking alternatives to the modern medical interventions. Improving, and maintaining, health naturally is a very popular approach to overall wellness.

The herbs used today are generally cultivated for those purposes. Very few herbs are harvested from the wild, with the exception of a few still found in the rainforests and higher elevations. The cultivation of herbs for medicinal uses is a large field and more people are beginning to plant their own herb gardens. Many monasteries continue to grow large herbal gardens within their walls.

Elderly people also metabolize medications differently, and generally are on more medications, and therefore must also exercise caution when trying new herbal treatments. Underlying ailments that may affect the body’s ability to process or absorb medications are also an issue.

Herbal medicine has enjoyed a long, and colorful, history. From the early Chinese Empires to modern physicians’ offices, herbal medicines have continued to be a part of the medical field. Herbal treatments have matured throughout history, along with the methods of delivering them. In the beginning, the herbs were used in a hit or miss method and required major events to change their use. Research and clinical trials have helped to shape the field of medicine, and the future for herbal medicine looks bright.

source:/www.americanchronicle.com

Proposed IGCC power plant

On Tuesday, the Cochise County Board of Supervisors is expected to hire a consultant who will bring information to help them decide on a rezoning request for changes planned at the proposed 600 megawatt electric generation facility known as Bowie Power Station.

More than a year ago, the SouthWestern Power Group II, LLC (SWPG), the project developer, decided to change plans for the Bowie Power Station from a natural gas combined cycle plant to an integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) plant because of the rising and fluctuating prices of natural gas.

The natural gas plant was originally proposed in 2001. The IGCC plant, touted as a clean-coal plant compared to existing traditional coal plants, requires more acreage to accommodate the gasification portion of the plant. These additional 40 acres must also be zoned Heavy Industry (HI), said general manager Tom Wray, during an information update and barbeque at the Bowie Fire Station Saturday.

Richard Searle, County Supervisor for District 3, said the consultant's report should be completed in mid-August, and will be followed by a board of supervisors' work session, which will be public.

"We do not have the expertise in utilities needed to make a decision regarding the power plant and we will hire a consultant with that expertise to help us. Bowie Power Plant affects the whole county, not just Bowie," Searle told the crowd of about 100.

Searle said the Board should be ready to hear the rezoning proposal in early to mid September.

Wray said that the Board will hire the consultant and the consultant will work for the Board, but the consultant's fees will be paid by SWPG.

The IGCC process is about 10 years old, with commercial plants in Tampa, Fla., (Polk Power Facility) owned and operated by Tampa Electric, and Terre Haute, Ind., (Wabash River Power Facility) owned and operated by Global Energy. Each power plant generates approximately 250 megawatts, Wray said, adding that in this process, coal is not burned, but "gasified in a closed cycle process prior to combustion," which allows pollutants and by-products to be captured instead of emitted.

Wray said by-products of the gasification process include sulfur, which will be captured to sell as fertilizer; ash, which will mostly be sold for commercial uses such as asphalt; and mercury, a toxin, which will be captured and sold as much as possible to pharmaceutical companies for medicine or stored in rail cars and shipped to be disposed of as required by law.

"In traditional coal plants, mercury is not captured at all. It is emitted into the air. Traditional coal plants clean up after combustion, and most harmful pollutants have already escaped," he said.

In an IGCC plant coal is gasified and a synthetic gas (syngas) is produced. The syngas is then cleaned of harmful pollutants contained in the coal using commercially proven gas-cleaning processes. The combustion turbine-generator burns the clean syngas and generates power, he explained.

Wray said the plant must go back to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to obtain a new Certificate of Environmental Compatibility, as well as amend an Air Quality Permit, but he said, "All emissions must be under the maximum of the existing permit; we cannot pollute more. It will be as clean (as the natural gas plant) or cleaner."

As for additional pollutants, he said toxins arsenic and selenium are "essentially converted into air during the process."

He said the gasification process uses very little water and water usage will be no more than 6,000 acre-feet per year, less than current agriculture usage of the land, which he said was 9,800 acre-feet per year.

Wray added the plant will get more water from the coal it uses, which has about 75 to 80 percent moisture content, and they will recycle water 15 times, treating it to keep scaling down in the plant.

In addition, water will be used to keep dust contained on the incoming coal, he said.

A question concerning whether solar generation was being incorporated onto the site was asked.

Wray said "a section of the land (40 acres) has been set aside for renewable resources, and whether we or another party does that, it can be connected to the transmission line. We would accommodate a buyer," he said.

He added that the best area for wind-generated power is a corridor down the eastern edge of New Mexico, from its northeast corner to El Paso.

Carbon sequestration was also questioned by attendees.

Wray said carbon dioxide is more easily captured in an IGCC plant, and their plan is to liquefy it and pipe it to land set aside for a greenhouse and for a research to enhance plant growth. They want to use developing technology to sequester carbon dioxide terrestrially.

"I can't tell you how much of the product will be sequestered - maybe 40 percent - but that's much more than traditional coal."

"We have talked with Eurofresh, Inc., about using the plant's waste heat, waste water and carbon dioxide to enhance plant growth," he said. "We have set aside 250 acres for a greenhouse. We don't know how much acreage may be used. We intend for this to start at the get-go."

And about 50 acres are set aside for a research center for carbon terrestrial sequestration.

"Dr. Gene Giacomelli of the University of Arizona knows how he wants to do this; all he needs is money. He is going for a grant now," Wray said, adding it would likely be through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

When asked about where the power from the project would go, Wray said some power would go to Cochise County.

'We (SWPG) have publicly talked with Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Cooperative about purchasing power, especially for adding to peaking generation in Sierra Vista. We have also talked about SSVEC possibly owning a portion of the plant," he said.

Wray said SWPG had applied for U.S. Department of Energy tax credits under the Energy Policy Act, but were denied.

"No one received tax breaks," he said. "We applied under the sub-bituminous category, but because no one (of all applying) had commercial arrangements, no one qualified. They felt the proposals were premature.

"We can't make this work on a federal investment tax credit. We have to make it work on a stand-alone basis. We will reapply for credits, and would be nice to have. But we aren't relying on it."

"The IGCC plant will have 25 to 50 percent added cost (compared to tradition coal), but for environmental reasons, we proposed this technology," Wray said. "But to ignore 300 years of coal resources for power is asinine. The ACC (Arizona Corporation Commission) is watching carefully and they will raise the bar. New pulverized coal plants of any size are not likely to be permitted in the future."

source:www.willcoxrangenews.com

Construction is going strong in the Cowboy State, though by standards of other, larger states the volume is low

Construction added 2,300 jobs in Wyoming during the first quarter this year, an increase of 11.2 percent over March 2006, according to figures released by the Research and Planning Section of the Wyoming Department of Employment. That made construction the fastest-growing sector in Wyoming's economy, with natural resources and mining coming in second, adding 1,900 jobs in the 12 months. At the end of March, the state's unemployment rate stood at 2.6 percent, up slightly over February but well below the national rate of 4.4 percent.
Highways

Wyoming is unique among states in Rocky Mountain Construction territory. With its total population of only 510,000, it is numerically dwarfed by its neighbors — Colorado with 4.67 million residents and Utah with 2.55 million. Consequently, with such a small population base, construction needs are generally smaller. Perhaps the biggest problem confronting highway construction in the Cowboy State is that, despite the small population, the state has over 6,800 miles of highways in the system administered by the Wyoming Department of Transportation, 914 of them in the Interstate System. By comparison, Colorado has 9,148 miles in the state system, 953 of them interstates, and Utah has a state system of just over 6,000 miles, 977 of them interstates. Clearly, the funding for maintenance and improvement of the Wyoming system must come from sources largely outside Wyoming, or the cost per resident would be an unbearable burden.

So it came as no surprise when, at the initial hearing of the Wyoming Legislature's Interim Transportation Committee, state officials voiced the opinion that the federal government must assume financial responsibility for most of the maintenance and improvement of Interstate 80 that crosses southern Wyoming from border to border. "To me, this is an issue where the federal government has to do its job," said Sen. John Barrasso (R-Casper), co-chairman of the Interim Transportation Committee. "Most of the wear and tear on major highways certainly has more to do with federal commerce than it does with people living in Wyoming." Traffic on I-80 averages more than 6,000 trucks a day and is expected to increase to about 12,000 a day by 2020. John Cox, director of the Wyoming Department of Transportation, told the legislators, "I-80 and other federal highways in the state absolutely have to remain a priority at the federal level in terms of funding ... In the highway condition and funding sense, we're literally talking about survival mode when it comes to taking care of the existing system." If federal funding remains at the current level, Cox said, Wyoming will receive about $6.2 billion over the next 30 years for the entire state. The state's needs for maintenance and improvements on I-80 alone will run between $6.4 billion and $8.8 billion over that same period, depending on the extent of work undertaken and the type of surfacing employed.

In the current fiscal year, which began last Oct. 1, WYDOT was able to budget only $192 million for construction on roughly 260 miles of highway, down from nearly $225 million spent for work on 350 miles of highway the previous year. Fortunately, the state legislature provided a one-time appropriation of $102 million in March that goes a long way to increasing the amount of work being done on Wyoming highways this year.

Obligating large chunks of the available funding as quickly as possible, the Wyoming Transportation Commission last November awarded a record $61.3 million in roadwork — the most ever in a single month — including the largest single contract ever awarded for highway work in the state: a $45.9-million contract to Upper Plains Contracting of Aberdeen, S.D., to reconstruct the five miles of I-80 that loop around Rock Springs. In addition to completely replacing the aging concrete pavement, the project includes rebuilding four sets of overpasses, reconfiguring the ramps of one interchange and rebuilding those of another, and widening a half-mile of a connecting arterial. Work on the eastbound lanes is under way this construction season, with completion scheduled for November, and the westbound lanes will be tackled next year.

Another significant project currently under way is the first in a series of contracts to reconstruct, widen and improve the safety of US-26/287 over Togwotee Pass between Dubois and Grand Teton/Yellowstone National Parks. E.H. Oftedal & Sons of Miles City, Mont., began work on the 10-mile Brooks Lake segment early last year under a $23.5-million contract and is scheduled to complete the work this November.

LeGrand Johnson Construction of Logan, Utah, has since begun work on the second Togwotee Trail project, the 4.8-mile Buffalo Fork segment at the west end of the route, under a $16.9-million contract due for completion next June.

The construction season got off to a rousing start this spring, with WYDOT awarding $32 million in work during March, $28.4 million in April and $42 million in May. The year is turning out much better for highway contractors than first expected.

Meanwhile, the head of WYDOT's aeronautics division is lamenting that, even after a one-time appropriation of $10 million this spring, increased construction costs are not allowing the division to deal with crumbling infrastructure at local airports, where runway and approach improvements are badly needed.
Energy

Transportation construction, of course, is not the only building taking place or planned in Wyoming. Even as the national emphasis moves from carbon-producing electrical generating capacity to greener methods such as wind power, Wyoming remains the coal mining leader of the world, and there is currently one coal-fired power plant under construction at the southern end of the Powder River Basin — American Power Group's $655-million plant southeast of Wright — and two more going through the permitting process before the start of construction. The start of one of those two, Basin Electric Power Cooperative's $800-million, 385-megawatt Dry Fork Station near Gillette, is now scheduled for October, with completion in January 2011. The other planned plant is the 275-megawatt first phase of an 1,100-megawatt integrated gasification combined cycle plant proposed by Buffalo Energy Partners for a site on the North Platte River just north of Glenrock.

Additionally, Medicine Bow Fuel & Power LLC, a subsidiary of DKRW Advanced Fuels LLC, plans to begin construction this year of a coal-to-liquids processing facility near Medicine Bow this year, completing it in the fourth quarter of 2010. The plant will employ General Electric's coal gasification technology to produce a synthetic gas from which nearly all the carbon dioxide and sulfur can be removed. This gas will then be liquefied using the Fischer-Tropsch technology that DKRW has licensed from Rentech Inc. of Denver. Feedstock coal will come from Arch Coal's nearby Hanna mines, and the plant will have a daily capacity of 13,000 barrels of ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel that will be marketed by Sinclair Oil Corp.

Interline Resources Corp. of Alpine, Utah, has signed a letter of intent with Denver-based American Oil & Gas Inc. for a $15.5-million project to construct a 4,000-barrel-per-day oil topping refinery at Douglas. Plans call for an early summer construction start and an estimated seven-month completion time. The new refinery, which will operate as NorthCut Refining LLC, will be built at the previous site of the Interline Well Draw Gas Plant, operated by Interline for the past 17 years. It will produce a No. 2 off-road diesel and a specialty high-value gasoline product that is an essential blending ingredient for fuel grade ethanol.

As for "green" power, Happy Jack Windpower LLC, a subsidiary of Tierra Energy LLC, is building the 30-megawatt Happy Jack Windpower Project on 750 acres of city land west of Cheyenne. The turbines are to come online next year.

Rocky Mountain Power, a unit of PacifiCorp, has announced plans to construct a pair of 600-mile, 500-kilovolt transmission lines to connect Wyoming to electrical customers in Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and beyond. The lines are set from completion in 2014, when Wyoming is expected to host a significant portion of some 4,000 megawatts of new electrical generation the two lines will carry to customers. Both lines will begin near the company's existing coal-fired Jim Bridger plant at Rock Springs. One will extend to central Utah's Mona substation in Juab county and on into the Southwest. The other will run to southeastern Idaho and connect into Utah along an existing transmission corridor, with another segment crossing Idaho into Oregon. The mix of power the lines will carry hasn't been determined, but Wyoming energy officials say they expect wind and other renewable sources will help meet the demand for less carbon-intensive electricity, while most new generation will still come from coal.
Corrections

The biggest single building project currently under way in the state is the Wyoming Department of Corrections' new Torrington medium-security prison, being built under a fixed price contract by Layton Construction of Salt Lake City, serving as construction manager at risk. The start of work this spring was made possible by the appropriation of an additional $37.5 million for the project by the Wyoming Legislature. The facility, which will house 690 inmates and employ some 340 staff, is expected to take 26 months to complete. "It's full speed ahead," said WDOC director Dave Lampert of the project. "I hope that affordable housing starts and secondary employment markets in Torrington are gearing up now, because we'll be opening before you know it!"
Education

By far the biggest surprise in the education field this year came with the announcement this March by the National Center for Atmospheric Research and its managing organization, the University of Colorado's University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, selected Cheyenne as the site for a new supercomputing data center to be built and operated by a partnership including the state of Wyoming and the University of Wyoming. Construction of the $60-million facility will begin this year following approval of Wyoming's $21-million share of project funding by the legislature.

At the University of Wyoming campus in Laramie, more than a dozen construction projects are under way or in the pipeline. The university expects to spend an estimated $100 million this year on building or renovating 500,000 square feet of space, with a similar amount of spending again next year. Among ongoing projects are a $16-million home for the archeological and anthropological programs and a $14.6-million renovation and addition to the classroom building. The existing anthropological building will then be demolished and the William Robertson Coe Library expanded to fill the space. A new information technology building is also expected to start construction this summer. Construction will begin early next year on the $20-million, 40,000-square-foot Robert and Carol Berry Center for Natural History and Conservation of the site previously occupied by the university's old power plant on Lewis Street.

A university-related project also under way is the Hilton Garden Inn and attached University of Wyoming Convention Center on East Grand Street. Delta Construction is general contractor for the five-story, 135-room hotel and single-story conference center with a large ballroom and three smaller meeting rooms. The hotel is owned by Hotel Investment Services, while the conference center is owned by the UW Foundation but will be managed by HIS. Completion is scheduled for February 2008.

In the K-12 public education field, since its creation in 2002 the state School Facilities Commission has received legislative appropriations in excess of $990 million for capital construction and major maintenance work at public schools throughout the state. Over this period the commission has approved 517 major capital projects (including 10 entirely new schools), 920 minor capital projects and 5,177 major maintenance projects.

Among the many new school projects just bid or about to bid are LaBarge Elementary School (Groathouse Construction, Laramie, is construction manager at risk), McKinley Westwood Elementary School (Haselden Construction, Denver, is CMAR), Davey Jackson Elementary School (GE Johnson Construction, Colorado Springs, is CMAR), Lincoln Elementary School in Riverton, Poison Spider Elementary School, and new middle and elementary schools in Lander.

Laramie County School District No. 1 in Cheyenne is the state's largest, and it has $176.5 million budgeted this year alone for capital project, with $66 million worth to start construction this summer, including construction of a new Triumph High School, a new Baggs Elementary and remodeling of Cheyenne's East and Central High Schools.

With all the school construction planned and under way, there is some concern among Wyoming contractors about the use of out-of-state contractors, particularly from Colorado. Josh Carnahan, executive director of Wyoming Associated Builders and Contractors, has told the School Facilities Commission that Wyoming contractors are up to the task of building new schools all over the state. Most of the group's members, he said, build large projects, and together they can bond for more than a half-billion dollars. He expressed concern because some commission members have met with contractors from neighboring Colorado. Ken Daraie, director of the commission, said members did meet with Colorado contractors, but only because they were invited. He says 70 percent of Wyoming's public school construction boom is being handled by Wyoming contractors.
Miscellaneous

In Campbell County, where construction is proceeding with the Cam-Plex Multi-Event Center at an estimated cost of nearly $42 million, even though full funding for the 179,000-square-foot facility was not available at the start of construction, the county and the city of Gillette have committed to issuing bonds to fund construction of a recreation center estimated to cost $45 million. A property tax increase will be employed to fund half of a $37-million technical education center at Gillette College, the other $18.4 million having been appropriated by the legislature. The center will train mechanics, welders and electricians to help ease the skilled labor shortage in northeast Wyoming.


source:www.acppubs.com

Traditional healers' remedies for mucus conditions

We are now experiencing long, hot summer temperatures as well as some amount of wind that is blowing about plant allergens and airborne irritants. These allergens do affect the sinuses and stir up respiratory problems such as sinusitis and asthmatic attacks.

These conditions are usually triggered by allergic attacks possibly from environmental toxins, sudden change in body temperature, cigarette smoking, garbage smoke, swimming and immersing one's head in bacteria-laden pools. Pollen from plant blossoms bring on asthmatic attacks as well.

Caring for the sinuses

Once clogged by infection or excess mucus, the sinuses cannot drain and invading bacteria cause the sinus walls to swell and become filled with pus.

Symptoms

Frontal headaches and pains in the cheekbone area of the facial muscles, thick discharge via the throat or the nostrils, sore throat and, in some cases, bad breath.

Natural methods recommended

Diet plays a very important role especially during an attack.

(a) Avoid dairy products such as cow's milk, cheese, ice cream, and milky shakes.

(b) Avoid acidic foods such as pastries or flour products and acidic juices.

(c) Eliminate sugary juices and sodas from the diet.

(d) Have vegetable juices (particularly blended green juices with carrots or cucumber) as well as eat natural fruits such as cherries, guavas, apples and ripe bananas.

(e) Eat a diet with 75 per cent raw foods, for example, string beans, green peppers, carrots, lettuce, and nuts.

(f) Eat yoghurt instead of ice cream or have lactobacillus supplements to prevent stomach burns or acid reflux.

(g) Increase immune supplements such as Vitamin C, beta carotene, cod-liver oil, and the omega-3 (for adults).

Environmental house rules

(a) Isolate pets, remove carpets and rugs, or wash them often.

(b) Buy synthetic pillows.

(c) Clean windows, walls and doors to prevent dust inhalation.

(d) Keep a record of the things you should eliminate from your diet or the tree/plant blossoms that cause allergies.

Cleansing methods for adults

Aloe vera juice is alkaline and is considered a miracle plant, an immune system enhancer, and a digestive soother for the stomach. A daily concoction of this plant for seven to 10 days is highly recommended by traditional healers.

It is usually taken by peeling one to two inches of the leaf under running water and collecting the gel in a blender. Add two tablespoonfuls of honey to one ounce of your favourite juice and blend. Take this first thing in the morning to assist cleansing the body from mucus.

Garlic is well known as a culinary herb and popularly used as a natural antibiotic. It is a powerful detoxifier when a piece of or a small clove of the raw garlic is placed in two ounces of honey, allowed to soak for six hours and then taken as a syrup. It is recommended for adults to sip one to two teaspoons every four hours.

For external use only

Add a few drops of essential oils such as eucalyptus, peppermint or pine to a pot or basin of boiling water; form a 'tent hood' with a towel placed over the head and bow over the basin of oils; inhale for a few minutes to unclog the nostrils.

source:www.jamaica-gleaner.com

Respond to our human responsibility'

Neh-ahtovo! Nah-tose-tohtoxeme tsehe-skese ho'e. Listen to me. I am going to talk about our Mother the Earth.

My name is Henrietta Mann. I am a Cheyenne grandmother.

I am humbled and honored to impart this message from our elders.

The profound teachings and prophecies of our beloved ancestors predict this time. We are taught to love and protect the beauty and holiness of our Mother the Earth. We are also taught to honor the great power of Grandfather Sun. Together, the Sun and Mother Earth make life.

Theirs is a delicate relationship. As dutiful children we must never disturb their elemental ability to nurture us and all the plant and animal nations that give us our food, medicines, clothing and shelter. We must honor the life-giving power of the Sun and Earth.

The natural systems that regulate our climates - the winds, ocean currents and air and water temperatures - are changing.

Our elders instruct us to always walk upon Mother Earth with respect, gentleness and with thankful hearts. We must never deviate from the fundamental precept of stewardship or we will be capable of causing great harm.

Judging from today's concerns, human beings have acted irresponsibly.

Scientists have confirmed increases in global average air and ocean temperatures and widespread melting of polar ice. Arctic temperatures have increased at almost twice the average global rate in the past century. The Cheyenne prophet Sweet Medicine told us that the Earth would burn. Mother Earth has a fever.

Mountain glaciers and snow cover are declining worldwide. Sea levels are rising, and peoples from many island nations and coastal regions are at risk. In Alaska, the Inupiat village of Shishmaref is disappearing into the sea.

We agree with the broad consensus of our most respected international climate scientists that global warming is upon us; and it is destabilizing the natural rhythms of Mother Earth. We also agree with the broad scientific consensus that human activity, including deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions, is a primary cause.

For these reasons, we call upon all the peoples of the world to awaken and respond to our collective human responsibility to the seventh generation. Ours is a call to consciousness. Each of us is part of the sacred circle of life.

Ho'e netaome heskenon'e, nah ta-vestahamon'e. Earth is our Mother and we must care for her.

Henrietta Mann, Ph.D., Cheyenne, is professor emerita and special assistant to the president at Montana State University - Bozeman. Mann also serves as interim president of Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal College at Southwestern Oklahoma State University.

source:www.indiancountry.com

MORINGA: ‘Miracle plant’ with many healing powers

Many of the orthodox drugs being used to cure diseases today have their chemical formulations from herbs and trees, thanks to technological and medical advancement. Seye Adeniyi, in this report, X-rays the nutritional and medicinal benefits of a ‘miracle plant’ called Moringa Oleifera.

If you always complain of body pains, bowel disorder, headaches, fever, flunctuating body temperature, skin infections or diseases, as well as other ailments, then there is good news for you. Also, if you are the type that so much believe in foreign products especially drugs, and who does not believe that anything good can come out of Africa, as it is the attitude and belief of many people, then you need to have a rethink. However, for the benefit of those who have great delight and likeness for natural therapies especially what some people call alternative medicine, then you need to add this vital information to your knowledge. The news is that there is a plant which you might have been seeing either in your immediate environment or in your neighbour’s compound, but which you never given serious attention or probably, you always over-look, thinking it is irrelevant.That plants is known as Moringa oleifera — a shrub which our forefathers knew its worth and numerous benefits especially in the treatment of animal health, but which many of them did not document its nutritional and medicinal advantages for generation to come.

Every part of moringa oleifera plant, including the seeds and roots, are very useful in tackling many diseases like hypertension, chest infections, lung diseases, pains as well as skin infections. This is in addition to many other nutritional and medicinal usefulness. For instance, moringa seeds which have now become a “hot cake” in many African countries as well as USA and other Asian countries according to reports, sell for ten pounds for just ten seeds. The plant has many domestic names depending on the region or continent. Among the Yorubas, it is called Ewe-Igbale, while the Hausas refer to it as Sogele. The Ibos have their own name for the plant, just as it commands different names among different tribes. It is generally known as “drum stick,” and this is what the Asian as well as the Indians call it.

Even the World Health Organisation (WHO) has undertaken scientific researches on moringa plant, and has come to a conclusion that it is extremely nutritional and medicinal. The benefits have also been documented in some medical and nutritional journals, little wonder many pharmaceutical companies all over the world are seriously working on the plant to make a fortune from it by extracting its active ingredients to produce drugs for both human and animal benefit. Speaking with Chief (Mrs.) Grace Oluwatoye, a trained nurse, who is also a lover of traditional/natural therapy and a specialist in Moringa plant, she told Natural Health that the seeds of the plant are being used for water purification in some African countries like Zambia, Kenya, Malawi as well as in some developed nations of the world like China, Japan, Malaysia, USA and India.

“In Malawa for instance, the seed has become a major “chemical” for water purification process and it is as popular as any other drug in the country.” “To confirm this, just click to Google, and you will appreciate what I’m saying,” she stated. The flowers according to her, can be processed and used for the production of pesticides. Moringa flowers contain certain natural chemicals which insects and other pests cannot withstand. Many pharmaceuticals companies and pesticides-producing industries have realised this, and they are working on it. In fact, moringa contains a “safer environment-friendly chemicals.” It is not injurious to human health compared to other/pesticides which have some negative effects on health.” The bark of moringa plant is also useful for medicinal purposes. The oil from the seeds for instance is also used by pharmaceutical companies in the making of certain types of drugs, while the pulp from the tree is used in paper making industries. “This simply means that no part of moringa plant is useless as both human beings and animals have one thing or the other to gain from the miracle plant,” she stressed.

It should be noted that when processed into powdery or tea form and consumed, it detoxifies the body system, cleanses impurities in the arteries and works against the build-up of cholesterol. Other advantages of the plant popularly known as miracle plant in many African countries include boosting of body immunity to resist infections and diseases. For example, moringa leaves, when dried, processed and taken, fight the dual epidemic of HIV and hunger in African countries. In Lusaka, Zambia for instance, people living with HIV/AIDS are using it as a food supplement to improves their body immunity against infections. The same thing, according to Mrs. Oluwatoye, is said to be happening in Uganda, Kenya and Senegal where processed moringa powder is extensively being used to fight certain infections in people living with HIV. It is a very rich source of vitamin A, C, B-complex, E, K, as well as folate biotin.

It is a nutrient-rich food additive for pregnant and lactating women. It is also an immunity booster. Children having malnutrition also stand to gain from moringa plant as well as growing children having bone problems. It also prevents childhood blindness. On comparative analysis with other common fruits and vegetables based on gramme for gramme, moringa leaves, according to Mrs. Oluwatoye, contains four-times the calcium in milk, four times the vitamin A in carrots, two times the protein in milk, three-times the potassium in banana, and seven-times the vitamins C in oranges. “Little wonder it is referred to as “miracle plant.” Oluwatoye further stated that the World Council of Churches and Societies has endorsed the plant as a health-promoting vegetable, especially for children and for chronically-sick people. It has also recommended that the miracle plant should be used as an instrument for fighting poverty and diseases in poor countries of the world. She, however, encourages every family in the country to plant moringa in their compounds, not only for health benefits, but also as a money generating investment.

“Honestly moringa plant, though not as popular as other medical plants, is an unpopular “plant of life”; a divine gift to humanity. Once you can plant it using the seeds cuttings or the seedlings, and can process it yourself, then you are a doctor on your own. My husband is over sixty and I’m over fifty, but you cannot easily deduce our ages, because we look younger than our ages and moringa is one of our secrets. Even there are many learned fellows like medical experts, professors etc who do come to take the plant. Honestly, you need to see them looking healthy and young, she further stressed. Buttressing the efficacy of moringa plant in treating malnutrition as well as other diseases in children, Dr. Nurudeen Animasaun, a naturopath stated that without mincing words, moringa oleifera is a miracle plant especially in the treatment of certain diseases. It is also important to state that some companies in America are using moringa plants to produce soft-drinks and beverages, and as she put it, “it is being sold for a high price because people appreciate the health benefit compares to other beverages. Its also have high degree of detoxifying properties on the body.

Moringa plant is non-toxic according to different laboratory findings, even at high concentration. It is easily digestible, easy to conserve and easy to use as supplement or on most foods (adult or children). Moringa plant or its processed products has no caffeine like other beverages, thus escaping adverse effects like anxiety as well as other negative effects on health. You can also use it to enrich pap, porridge or oat meal.

source:www.tribune.com.ng

Livestock Antibiotics Can End Up in Human Foods

Foods such as corn, lettuce and potatoes have been found to accumulate antibiotics from soils spread with animal manure that contains these drugs. The study results indicate that organic foods are most likely to contain these drugs because manure is often the main source of crop nutrients for organic food production.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA, scientists at the University of Minnesota evaluated the impact of antibiotic feeding in livestock production on the environment. Study results are published in the July-August 2007 issue of the "Journal of Environmental Quality."

Plant uptake was evaluated in a greenhouse study involving three food crops - corn, lettuce, and potatoes. The plants were grown on soil modified with liquid hog manure containing Sulfamethazine, a commonly used veterinary drug.

Sulfamethazine has been used to treat bacterial diseases in human and veterinary medicine and to promote growth in cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry.
In the University of Minnesota study, this antibiotic was taken up by all three crops, with the highest plant tissue concentrations found in corn and lettuce, followed by potato.

Concentrations in plant tissue also increased as the amount of antibiotics present in the manure increased.

Concentrations of antibiotics were found in the plant leaves, and the drugs also diffused into potato tubers, which suggests that root crops, such as potatoes, carrots, and radishes, that directly come in contact with soil may be particularly vulnerable to antibiotic contamination.

Holly Swanson Dolliver, the lead scientist in this study, notes that antibiotics consumed by plants may be of particular concern to the organic farming industry.

"Manure is often the main source of crop nutrients for organic food production, since regulations prohibit the use of synthetic fertilizers," she says.

According to the USDA, producers must manage animal materials in a manner that does not contribute to contamination of crops by residues of prohibited substances, which includes antibiotics.

However, manure containing antibiotics are not formally banned or prohibited.
The ability of plants to absorb antibiotics raises the potential for contamination of human food supply, but group leader Satish Gupta says, "The adverse impacts of consuming plants that contain small quantities of antibiotics are largely unknown."

Consumption of antibiotics in plants may cause allergic reactions in sensitive populations, such as young children. There is also concern that consuming antibiotics may lead to the development of antimicrobial resistance, which can render antibiotics ineffective.

Sulfamethazine is one of a class of drugs called sulfonamides used in combination to treat a variety of infections in humans. At one time, sulfonamides were widely used in the treatment and prevention of infections such as urinary tract infections, chlamydia, rheumatic fever, toxoplasmosis and malaria. The development of resistance in many of these organisms has limited the clinical usefulness of these drugs, according to the Access Project, a national program of the AIDS Treatment Data Network.

"There is sufficient evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of sulfamethazine," according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, but this agency says there is "inadequate evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of sulfamethazine."

In a 1997 continuous breeding study in mice conducted by federal government researchers with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, sulfamethazine reduced fertility in both males and females.

A 2002 study by the U.S. Geological Survey of concentrations of antibiotics found in Midwestern streams during runoff events detected the drugs in only 1 percent of water samples. Of the 37 antibiotics tested, only sulfamethoxazole was detected in two samples.

On the issue of resistance to antibiotics that may develop as a result of using antibiotic-laden manure, a study published in March in the journal "Environmental Microbiology" suggests that "manuring of arable soils may stimulate the spread of resistance genes by introduction of resistant populations and antibiotics."

Dolliver and Gupta say further research is needed to investigate the presence of antibiotics in edible parts of plants, especially vegetables that are consumed raw, and how different plants absorb different antibiotic compounds.

source:www.ens-newswire.com

Today, products containing naturally occurring phytooestrogens (oestrogen from plant source) are being promoted as natura to Hormone Replacement Thera

Phyto-oestrogens are found in soybeans, soy products, chickpeas, lentils, legumes, citrus fruit and linseed. Menopausal supplements made from herbs like Black cohosh, Red clover and Dong quai are currently available. Consumers and patients report that these supplements provide relief from mild menopausal symptoms.

Modern medicine uses HRTs, containing oestrogens, to curb hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, mood swings and other symptoms of menopause. Over the long term, HRTs may reduce the risk of heart disease and osteoporosis. However, the use of HRTs is now mired in controversy because research has shown that their use increases the risk of breast cancer.

Human beings have used phyto-oestrogens in folk medicine for thousands of years. In the plant kingdom, these chemicals act as fungicides, deter herbivores, regulate plant hormones and protect plants against ultraviolet radiation. In human beings, they have a weak oestrogen-like effect.

Supplement makers are now promoting isoflavones (the most common group of phyto-oestrogens) to boost the levels of oestrogen in menopausal women. Some of these supplement makers promise dramatic benefits in four to eight weeks; others push the fact that phyto-oestrogens are naturally produced and, therefore, automatically beneficial.

Not a simple matter

Extensive research has identified the two major classes of phyto-oestrogens, lignans and isoflavones, and how they work inside the body. Their biologic actions are extremely complex as they rely on many existing factors within the body to work. A fuller picture is emerging as scientists compare Asian and Western populations.

Asian populations consume relatively larger quantities of phyto-oestrogens. The comparatively low rates in Asian populations of breast, prostate and colon cancers as well as coronary heart disease, suggest that these compounds have protective effects. Current medical evidence does not support the 'panacea status' that some promoters ascribe to these products.

Cautionary notes

Studies do show promising benefits from phyto-oestrogens, however researchers have some concerns about the consumption of large amounts of them, especially with regard to development and fertility. If you are considering the use of these products, discuss your particular circumstances with your pharmacist or doctor. Here are some important interactions that may occur with other medicines that you may be taking:

Black cohosh interacts with oral contraceptives, oestrogen therapy, azathioprine (Imuran), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neural) and blood pressure medication.

Donq quai interacts with anticoagulants (blood thinners) and daily aspirin.

Soy interacts with the thyroid medicine (levothyroxine). The effect of iron supplements may also be reduced.

Concentrated phyto-oestrogens may interfere with the use of tamoxifen (Novaldex).

Remember, phyto-oestrogens are not miracle agents for the relief of menopause symptoms. The issue surrounding their use is more complicated than it appears on the surface. A naturally produced substance is not automatically harmless.

source;www.jamaica-gleaner.com

Proposed plant will take three years to build

Construction of a proposed plant in eastern Carbon County to turn coal into diesel will take three years, $2 billion and 2,000 temporary workers, a company official said.

Kate Perez, spokeswoman for Medicine Bow Fuel & Power LLC, said the proposed plant is pegged to sit at the mouth of an underground coal mine that is located seven miles north of Interstate 80 between Hanna, Medicine Bow and Elk Mountain. Medicine Bow Fuel and Power is a subsidiary of DKRW Advanced Fuels LLC, the main company behind the plant.

The coal would be converted into ultra-low-sulfur diesel, among other things.

A coal gasification process would turn the coal into synthetic gas, which would then be cleaned so that nearly all of the sulfur and carbon dioxide is removed. The syngas would then be liquefied.
Once the plant is completed, which is projected for 2011, it should employ about 300 permanent workers, including accountants, security employees, heavy equipment operators, miners, mechanics, engineers, lab technicians and a host of other positions.

"We plan to offer job training, which people get excited about," Perez said Tuesday during a public meeting about the plant. "They may say, 'Hey, I don't want to work at McDonald's anymore, I'd like to be a welder.' We can help them do that."

As with many companies in Carbon County, Perez said Medicine Bow Fuel and Power is concerned about housing the temporary and permanent workers who may not already live in the area, Perez said.

Perez said Medicine Bow Fuel and Power is considering temporary housing facilities, commonly known as man camps, that could house up to 500 people on site during peak construction times and winter months.

The company also is considering a chartered busing service to take workers from areas around Carbon County to the coal-to-liquids plant, she said.

DKRW has numerous environmental permits it must obtain in order to proceed with construction.

source:www.billingsgazette.net

Medicine plant to expand

When one media executive used to prod CEO David Williams about touring the vaccine-making plants at Sanofi Pasteur, Williams nudged back by telling him: "It will be a cold day in hell."

On Tuesday, beneath a tent that shielded his audience from the heat, Williams noted it was not exactly a cool day for a news conference.
But he and other company officials were scorching with pride in showing off their investment -- a $150 million influenza-vaccine manufacturing facility.

The internationally based drug-making company announced the completion of the plant, with Williams saying it will bring more than 100 new jobs. It will also help the Monroe County facility triple its current flu-vaccine-making capabilities of 50 million doses.

Tuesday's tour was largely ceremonial: The plant still needs approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to Williams. He said officials don't expect the new building to begin operating until late 2008 or early 2009.

Workers dressed in laboratory uniforms gave visitors a simulated glimpse of how the vaccine is made, from inoculating the fertilized eggs with active virus and harvesting the virus-filled egg fluid, to filtering the final product.

Samson Lee of Bethlehem, who designed the new building, described it as "state of industry." He said the vaccine-making process provides for minimum human contact in a closed, sterile environment that features such things as double entrances.

"The other thing it was designed for was containment," Lee said. "In the event of a pandemic, the facility was designed so that we could change strains within a day."

Besides the tours, the event drew officials from the company, as well as government representatives, including Dennis Yablonsky, Pennsylvania community and economic development secretary.

Yablonsky described the project, of which Pennsylvania has contributed at least $5 million toward a sewer expansion, as a "perfect example of how public-private partnerships should work."

Lee and Williams said Sanofi will soon embark on a new venture -- renovating its existing vaccine-manufacturing facility. Between the upgrade and the addition, Sanofi will be able to produce up to 150 million vaccine doses.

Yablonsky seemed to be eager to help.

"If you have another good project, we'll be back," he said.

Sanofi Pasteur, which is based in France, acquired Aventis about three years ago. Previously, Canadian-based Connaught Laboratories owned the company, which sits in a sprawling complex off Route 611 about 35 miles northwest of Easton.

Williams, who has been with the business for 30 years, recalled his early days when the company had about 100 employees and a "group of buildings."

source:www.nj.com