Adventures of an Oxy-phile2

	Available NOW! Dr. Tom Petty's book, Adventures of an Oxy-phile2 (Click here for more information)

July 6, 2010

First Ever 100% Silicon Oxygen Cannula for COPD and Long - -Term Oxygen Patients

First commerically available 100% silicon oxygen cannula. Long term oxygen therapy patients now have a new alternative cannula that is non-allergic, soft even in very cold weather, doesn't stink of plastic, and is guaranteed to last at least one year. The Everest oxygen cannula is made from medical grade silicon and is made specifically for patients on long term oxygen therapy who are experiencing irritations, inflamations, or other adverse reactions with the standard oxygen cannula. The Everest is a possible alternative for these patients who are experiencing problems with their existing oxygen delivery accessories.

January 7, 2010 -- First Ever Silicon Oxygen Cannula Eliminates Stinking Plastic Odors and Cancerous Gases for COPD patients.
Long term oxygen patients now have a non-noxious non-toxic alternative. The new Everest nasal cannula made from 100% silicon does not have the harmful PVC gases, plastic smell or cause skin irritation, and even stays soft for over 1 year. PVC is forbidden in children’s toys and certain medical products. The exposure to phthalates from PVC is closely regulated in the work place. And phthalate gases from PVC have been identified as causing birth defects and cancer. However, for long term oxygen therapy patients and COPD patients, there has been no alternative for avoiding these noxious gases from PVC nasal cannula. These patients, which already suffer under one of several lung
diseases, must suffer in addition the effects of PVC on their lungs and bodies. In addition, some patients develop allergies to PVC and have skin and nasal irritations.

The standard oxygen cannula must be replaced every 2 weeks. In contrast, the Everest silicon oxygen cannula has a one year guarantee and will generally last longer than 2 years. It can be sterilized or boiled in water for disinfection and remains soft even at very cold temperatures or over long periods of time. However, there are some disadvantages of the new Everest silicon oxygen cannula, the most important being that it is louder than normal PVC cannula and only 1.2 meters long. The noise level can be compared to that of the sound of a refrigerator running in the background.

June 6, 2010

IMMUNOTHERAPY BREAKTHROUGH FOR CANCER PATIENT TREATMENT

Ipilimumab is a human monoclonal antibody that targets a key negative regulator (CTLA-4) of the body’s immune response against tumor cells. By relieving negative regulation, this antibody effectively takes a foot off the brake of the immune system, allowing immune cells to attack tumors more effectively. As such, ipilimumab represents a new class of promising immunotherapeutic agents and may offer hope to patients with a variety of advanced cancers, including melanoma and possibly other tumors, including lung, ovarian and prostate cancer.

The study, a phase III, randomized, double-blind, multi-center clinical trial, evaluated the safety and efficacy of ipilimumab alone and in combination with a therapeutic cancer vaccine consisting of the gp100 antigen. The study included 676 previously treated patients with inoperable, late stage melanoma tumors that had already spread through the body.

Survival of patients treated with ipilimumab alone (137 patients) and ipilimumab in combination with the cancer vaccine (403 patients) was compared to survival of patients who were treated with the cancer vaccine alone (136 patients). Compared to this control group, treatment with ipilimumab alone improved median overall survival from 6.4 months to 10.1 months (hazard ratio for death compared to gp100 alone, 0.66; p=0.003). The combination of gp100 cancer vaccine with ipilimumab provided an equivalent survival advantage to treatment with ipilimumab alone, boosting median overall patient survival to 10.0 months, compared to the control group (hazard ratio for death compared to gp100 alone, 0.68; p<0.001). After one year, 46% of patients who received ipilimumab alone were alive and 44% of patients who received ipilimumab in combination with gp100 were alive, compared to 25% of patients who received gp100 vaccine alone. Twenty-four percent (24%) of patients treated with ipilimumab alone were alive after two years as were 22% of patients treated with ipilimumab plus gp100. By comparison, 14% of patients treated with gp100 vaccine alone were alive at two years.

Additional advantages with ipilimumab were also reported for secondary outcome measures evaluated in the study, including reduction in the risk of progression, best overall response rate, and progression-free survival.

Addressng a global audience of cancer researchers and clinical oncologists at the ASCO meeting, Dr. O’Day emphasized, "For the first time, a significant improvements in overall survival has been demostrated in previously-treated advanced melanoma patients in a large, randomized Phase 3 study."

“We have been excited to follow and advance the science of CTLA-4 blockade as a means of boosting anti-tumor immune responses since this model was presented by Dr. James Allison at our Society's 1996 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., shortly after being reported for the first time in Science that year” stated Dr. Bernard Fox, President of the International Society for Biological Therapy of Cancer (iSBTc), the preeminent medical association focused on cancer immunotherapy. “This current ipilimumab clinical trial is a major landmark in cancer immunotherapy and suggests opportunities to explore additional therapeutic combinations with anti-CTLA-4 to treat other cancers. We are eager to see this strategy translated into broader clinical use and look forward to improvements in cancer outcomes with this approach.”

iSBTc member, Dr. Steven O'Day continued, "Results from this ipilimumab study are exciting and show the potentials of harnessing the immune system to treat cancers like metastatic melanoma."

In addition to these and other exciting results for cancer treatment with ipilimumab, a number of other studies reported at the ASCO meeting pointed to additional encouraging advances in cancer immunotherapy. Among these are positive reports on the recently approved therapeutic prostate cancer vaccine Provenge® (Dendreon Corp.), interleukin-2, interleukin-21, and an antibody directed at another distinct suppressor of anti-tumor immunity, PD-1. These reports, and other important results to be presented in October 2010 at the iSBTc Annual Meeting, indicate that immunotherapies and biologic treatments of cancer are delivering on their promise to offer clinicians and patients a strategy to harness the body’s own defense system in the treatment of cancer.

Founded in 1984, the International Society for Biological Therapy of Cancer (iSBTc) is a non-profit organization of clinicians, researchers, students, post-doctoral fellows, and allied health professionals dedicated to improving cancer patient outcomes by advancing the development and application of biological therapy/immunotherapy through interaction, innovation and leadership. For more information about iSBTc, please visit the Society website at www.isbtc.org.

March 30, 2010 From: COPDGuide

This clip is one in a series of seventeen within a DVD called Take Control of Your COPD: A Guide to Better Living. The DVD was created by and for persons with COPD, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, as well as the inclusive conditions of chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

There are twelve parts of the DVD: Introduction, Chronic Lung Disease, Medications, Activities of Daily Living, Exercise, Oxygen, Staying Well, Diet & Nutrition, Mental Health, Caregivers, Summary, and Conclusion.

This DVD was created to teach patients and caregivers ways to control COPD in order to lead long, productive, and normal lives. It is catered towards individuals with all severity levels and stages of progression.

For those newly diagnosed, the DVD will serve as an introduction to COPD and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. For others, it will serve both as a refresher and a source of new information.

To access the other parts of this series go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOV5No7j9LM

Dec 13 2009

We have lost one of the world's greatest teachers, a dear friend.

We have lost one of its greatest teachers and friend. It deeply saddens me to write:
Dr. Thomas L. Petty, will be missed by all in the COPD/ Lungworld.

How much I learned from Dr. Petty's publications and from him in person at our Colorado COPD conferences. He was the most kind, caring, considerate and respectful of doctors ever towards patients. He was a patient advocate teaching us how to help ourselves (every patient should have an oximeteris one example. He wrote in language a patient could understand).

Dr. Tom was my idol. He helped everyone, and best besides medications and treatments was - he gave patients freedom by helping to develop the portable oxygen we now carry about, freedom to get out of the house. He even invited patients to his 6th Long Term Oxygen Therapy 4 day conference with top doctors and manufacturers. Asking us what we wanted and needed to have a better quality of life. Listening to the patients there in 2005 LTOT conference, has helped oxygen users get better designed equipment, and made the respiratory field listen, and learn how to better interact with patients.

Roxlyn Cole

Read the Everything Respiratory Article, Fall 2009 on Tom Petty

Tom Petty, born in Boulder, CO on Christmas Eve, 1932, died December 12, 2009 in Denver, CO. His family includes wife Carol, daughter Caryn (Jonathan) Winkler, sons Tom and John (Gina), 8 grandchildren, and long time colleague and friend, Louise Nett. Donations may be sent to: Colorado COPD Connection, 7035 S. Ash Circle, Centennial, CO 80122, or the Aspen Lung Conference, 1414 S. Lima St., Aurora, CO 80012-4127. Funeral services will be held at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 11150 E. Dartmouth Ave., Aurora, at 10:30 AM, Saturday, December 19, 2009. Please share condolences at HoranCares.com. Published in Denver Post from December 15 to December 16, 2009 Obituary and Guest Book at http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/denverpost/obituary.aspx?n=tom-petty&pid=137297913 or http://tinyurl.com/ydzdspg Dr. Petty's website http://drtompetty.org/

November 7, 2009
Changes in Weather May Trigger Child's Asthma

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., September 15, 2009 – Changes in humidity and temperature result in an increase in Emergency Department (ED) visits for pediatric asthma exacerbations according to a report published this month in Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). READ ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE

September 16, 2009
National Jewish Takes Aim an Indoor Air Quality
Considering that most Americans spend an estimated 90 percent of their time inside, indoor air quality has a great impact on our everyday lives. In addition, indoor air pollutants are one of the foremost triggers of allergies and asthma. With these issues in mind, National Jewish Health recently developed the Family Air Care® Indoor Allergens and Mold Test Kit to measure the levels of the most common indoor allergens and mold. READ ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE

August 29, 2009
AstraZeneca's "Rethink COPD" Campaign

New COPD Web site Encourages Patients to Think Differently about their Approach to COPD ”I am one of the millions of people, just like you, living with COPD. I encourage you to take action today so you can breathe easier.” –Robert Klein READ ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE

Top News 8/27/09
Lung Allocation Score Improves Transplant Likelihood, But Mortality Still High
Implementing a system based on the lung allocation score (LAS) has improved the likelihood of lung transplantation for individuals with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH), but mortality on the waiting list is still high when compared with lists for other major diagnoses, according to new research out of the University of California San Francisco which appears in the September 1 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, published by the American Thoracic Society. READ ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE

Is This The Face Of Alpha-1? YES, AND IT’S MELISSA BIGGS – ACTRESS, FASHION INDUSTRY ENTREPRENEUR, AND AN EXAMPLE OF LIVING AND THRIVING WITH ALPHA-1 ANTITRYPSIN DEFICIENCY READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE

June 4, 2009
COPDGene
Currently there is a $37 million dollar NHLBI study underway titled COPDGene; a research study being conducted by doctors and scientists in the U.S. They plan to enroll 10,000 people, 6,000 with COPD and 4,500 current or former smokers without COPD, to find inherited factors that make some people more likely than others to develop COPD. Only a minority of smokers develop COPD. The study wants to learn why some smokers get COPD and the majority do not. It's a comprehensive search for genetic differences having nothing to do with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
The study involves many leading medical centers.

(June 3, 2009)
Congressman Introduces Sleep Apnea Awareness Resolution to House of Representatives
Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla) introduced House Resolution 384 to the House of Representatives “recognizing the importance of increased awareness of sleep apnea, and for other purposes.” House Resolution 384 was submitted on April 30 and has been referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
“I got a call about month ago from the deputy chief of staff for Congressman Bilirakis, and he advised me that the Congressman was introducing a resolution wanting to increase awareness about sleep apnea,” says Ed Grandi, executive director for the American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA). “Congressman Bilirakis might utilize the time set aside at the beginning of the congressional day to speak on the subject of sleep apnea.”
According to Grandi, Mike Honda (D-Calif) has also been vocal about supporting sleep apnea research and awareness. “This could be the beginning of a bipartisan effort to raise awareness,” says Grandi. “This dovetails nicely with the ASAA’s efforts to raise awareness of congressional staff and even the President.”

“The ASAA is hopeful that this is the beginning of a much larger effort to recognize sleep apnea as a serious condition,” adds Grandi.

Although House Resolution 384 could be a welcome boost to raising awareness in Washington, Grandi stresses that this is only a small first step.

“In order to take advantage of this, it will take a lot of work and it will be a long process. The ASAA has offered its help to Congressman Bilirakis’s office. Hopefully, we can get a congressional briefing set up and bring in some guest speakers,” says Grandi.

PRESS RELEASE (May 26, 2009)
Nonin Medical's GO2 Personal Fingertip Pulse Oximeter Empowers Patients Worldwide

Affecting an estimated 600 million people worldwide, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive chronic respiratory disease that restricts the ability of the lungs to transfer oxygen to the blood. Complications from low blood oxygen saturation include stroke and even death. According to the American Lung Association®, COPD is responsible for one death every four minutes in the United States and is currently the fourth leading cause of death (heart disease, cancer and stroke precede it). Insidious in nature and without a cure, COPD sufferers often have trouble performing routine daily activities without experiencing fatigue and breathlessness.
 
Patients with COPD often say that one of the worst aspects of their illness is the feeling that they have lost control over their health. In an effort to help them take back control, Nonin Medical has developed a patient-friendly tool designed to empower COPD and other long-term oxygen users to live actively and independently. The recently introduced GO2™ fingertip pulse oximeter enables patients to confidently self-monitor their oxygen saturation at home with accurate, immediate feedback for added peace of mind and safety.

Engineered with Nonin’s proven PureSAT® pulse oximetry technology, the GO2 addresses the need for a high quality, affordable self-monitoring solution for chronic respiratory disease patients. An oxygen user’s well-being depends on the successful management of their oxygen saturation, and with an influx of off-brand imitators flooding the fingertip pulse oximetry market, it is imperative that patients and their doctors, who may be conversing by phone, can trust the reported oxygen saturation readings to be accurate every time.
 
Nonin invented the fingertip pulse oximeter in 1995 and remains the most trusted manufacturer in the world. Used by clinicians worldwide, pulse oximetry is utilized in almost all areas of healthcare to monitor conditions ranging from sleep apnea to post-anesthesia recovery. A pulse oximeter noninvasively measures blood oxygen saturation by passing red/infrared light waves, typically through the finger, from a light emitting diode to a receiving photodetector that detects the amount of oxygen in the blood.
 
The GO2 is available in three fun colors: sapphire blue, jade green and sunstone orange. Also available are three new convenient accessories: carrying case with belt loop, lanyard, or retractable clip holder.
 

For more information, please contact me at 800.356.8874 www.nonin.com

COLORADO MAN TO BE THE FIRST COPD OXYGEN PATIENT ALLOWED TO RUN IN BOSTON MARATHON!

UPDATE!!! MIKE MC BRIDE COMPLETES BOSTON MARATHON!!!!

Mike McBride, COPD sufferer and oxygen user is running in the Boston Marathon on Monday April 20, 2009.  READ ENTIRE ARTICLE and Mike's Diary updates

Why Belly Fat Is Bad for Your Lungs, and Why Exercise Is Good
Mike McBride's perspective on COPD and exercise.

READ ENTIRE ARTICLE

 From our 2008-9 Winter Issue

CAROL THOMPSON, POLIO SURVIVOR AND VENT USER, EMBARKS ON A FOUR-PART NARRATIVE DESIGNEDTO TEACH US ABOUT HER LIFEAND THAT OF THE LIFE OF AN AVERAGE VENT USER. THIS FIRST ISSUE RELATES HOW SHE SURVIVED POLIO ONLY TO BE BESET BY OTHER RELATED RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS THAT ULTIMATELY LED TO HER BEING A VENT USER.

READ ENTIRE ARTICLE

POLIO MUST BE STOPPED – NOW
© Carol J. Hinkley Thompson

POLIO TODAY - 2009
"The Centers for Disease Control has reported that 92% of US toddlers are vaccinated against polio. Ninety-two percent sound good, until you realize that leaves more than one million US children unvaccinated. READ ENTIRE ARTICLE

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is sponsoring a study and is looking for people with COPD and who have smoked 10 pack years or more (this is an external link and will take you outside of the Everything Respiratory website)

COPD ALERT - Watch this informative video!

Click Here

February 05, 2009
National Jewish Health Pulmonologist Outlines Unique Features of Asthma in Women
Higher prevalence, severity and unique features suggest different management strategies

Women suffer asthma more frequently than men, they often have more severe disease, and they experience unique features associated with their reproductive system. These differences, which suggest different management strategies, are often underappreciated, said National Jewish Health pulmonologist Esther Langmack, MD, Thursday morning during a presentation at the 31st Annual National Jewish Health Pulmonary and Allergy Update at Keystone, Colorado. READ ENTIRE ARTICLE

Newly Recognized Asthma Risk Factors
Exposure to household cleaners, increased use of acetominophen instead of aspirin, and low levels of vitamin D have recently been recognized as risk factors for asthma. National Jewish Health Professor of Medicine Dr. Harold Nelson will outline the evidence that brought these risk factors to light during a talk Friday, February 6, at the 31st Annual National Jewish Health Pulmonary and Allergy Update at Keystone, Colorado.

January 23, 2009
Proper Precautions Can Prevent Asthma Attacks Triggered by Cold Weather
Many asthma patients shy away from outdoor exercise in the winter because it can trigger an asthma attack. If they take proper precautions, however, the vast majority of asthma patients should be able to enjoy winter activities, from sledding and skiing to a walk in the park. READ ENTIRE ARTICLE

Regeneration of cells - CBS Cutting Edge News segment highlighting cell regeneration and the future of growing organs from the body's own cells. A medical break-through.

White Blood Cells May Be to Blame for CF-Related Lung Damage
In individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF), white blood cells called "neutrophils" actually work against patients, releasing large quantities of human neutrophil elastase, the enzyme that destroys the elastic fiber of lung tissue. This according to new research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences by investigators at the Stanford University School of Medicine and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. READ ENTIRE ARTICLE

COPD Foundation Assisting with Medicare Home-Oxygen User Complaints

MARCH 9, 2009

MIAMI, FL — In order to address the complaints that have arisen as a result of changes in Medicare home oxygen equipment reimbursement, the COPD Foundation’s resource hotline—the C.O.P.D. Information Line (1-866-316-2673)—will be receiving calls from those with COPD who have complaints about their home oxygen service.

MARCH 4, 2009
FDA Approves Symbicort for COPD

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of Symbicort, a metered-dose inhaler previously used to treat asthma, to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

According to AstraZeneca, which makes Symbicort, the FDA approved Symbicort for COPD based on two clinical trials that included more than 3,600 COPD patients aged 40 and older.

Symbicort' s active ingredients are formoterol (a long-acting beta agonist) and budesonide (a corticosteroid).

In the clinical trials, COPD patients taking Symbicort had a greater improvement in their lung function, compared to patients using a placebo, formoterol, or budesonide.