MEDICAL TIPS FROM THE UAB OFFICE OF MEDIA RELATIONS
1. UAB Site of Leukemia Study
There is now a central repository for information on children with juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML), a rare and lethal blood cell cancer that is difficult to diagnose and cure. UAB pediatric oncologist Robert Castleberry, M.D., pioneered the first effective treatment for JMML. He recently opened a registry and tissue laboratory at UAB with Leukemia Society and National Cancer Institute funding. "We hope this will help get enough patients enrolled in one study for the results to be scientifically relevant." He is directing a North American clinical trial comparing treatments, with all data and tissue to be collected at UAB and made available to researchers around the world. The lab currently has the largest frozen cell bank for JMML in the world. Call Hank Black, Media Relations, 205-934-8938.
2. Belly Up to Breakfast
Children who skip breakfast run the risk of not getting enough calcium, phosphorous, magnesium and vitamins A, C, B12 and folate, says registered dietitian Kathy Hubbert, RD, of UAB's EatRight program. "Most kids who don't eat breakfast fail to make up the lost calories in other meals throughout the day," Hubbert says. She advises parents to model good behavior for their children. "Eat a good breakfast yourself and your child will want to imitate you. And make it simple: cereal, toast or a granola bar with a glass of milk or even a slice of pizza or a taco from the night before." Getting up as little as 10 minutes earlier gives you and your child time to have breakfast. Call Bob Shepard, Media Relations, 934-8934.
3. Ozone: How Bad is Bad?
Unusually hot days have given rise to high ozone levels in some parts of the country, and ozone warnings are urging people to stay inside. But do experts really know at what levels ozone is harmful? "To determine that, you must first know at what level the body begins to respond to exposure," says Henry Jay Forman, Ph.D., chairman of environmental health sciences at UAB. "Although ozone is clearly harmful to our lungs, we have some natural defenses against it. We really don't know at what level tolerance ends. An ozone warning says 'based on the data we have, we believe this situation is harmful.'" Although more research is needed, Forman says people should heed warnings. Call Joy Carter, Media Relations, 205-934-1676.
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