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Features

Grape juice may prevent
breast cancer growth

[SEPT. 6, 2002]  Concord grape juice inhibits the growth of breast cancer tumors in laboratory animals, according to University of Illinois research. In this study, rats fed purple grape juice had significantly fewer and smaller tumors than those that were not.

"In an animal model, grape juice could prevent or slow the development of breast cancer," said Keith Singletary, U of I professor of nutrition.

In a project funded by the Illinois Council for Food and Agricultural Research, female rats developing breast cancer were given concentrated grape juice to drink. The result was that tumors in these rats were reduced by 28 to 36 percent compared with those that did not have grape juice in their diet.

In addition, on a cellular level, "polyphenolics" from grape juice were shown to suppress mammary tumor growth. These phenolic constituents include the grape’s purple pigment, said Singletary, but it is unclear at this point which constituent or combination is suppressing tumor growth. It is also unclear how polyphenolics inhibit cancer.

"Previous research suggests that polyphenolics, which are found in grapes, berries and chocolate, are high in antioxidants," said Singletary.

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Antioxidants fight damaging molecules in the body called oxygen-free radicals that may contribute to the aging process as well as the development of cancer.

"From this study, we can’t identify specifically the biological mechanism that is stopping tumor growth. Antioxidants may play a role, but there may a combination of factors effectively preventing the development of breast cancer.

"The results of this study are quite promising," said Singletary. "They suggest the need to explore the effect polyphenolics have on human cells so we can identify any benefits that grape juice might offer to women."

[U of I news release]

Blood drive in Mount Pulaski
to help patients in local hospitals

[SEPT. 6, 2002]  Central Illinois Community Blood Center, which supplies all of the blood and blood products for 12 central Illinois hospitals, including those in Lincoln, Springfield, Hopedale, Taylorville, Jacksonville, Carrollton, Hillsboro, Pana and Pittsfield, needs the help of community members to replenish the blood supply for local hospitals. The Mount Pulaski American Legion Women’s Auxiliary will host a blood drive on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Mount Pulaski American Legion Hall. The patients you will be helping are your friends, neighbors and family members. Please help save lives in central Illinois. Please donate blood.

Central Illinois Community Blood Center is a nonprofit humanitarian organization that has been serving area hospitals for over 31 years. CICBC is FDA-licensed and tests every unit of blood as required by the FDA. CICBC is dedicated to providing a safe, adequate and cost-effective blood supply to the hospitals it serves. However, this cannot happen without the support of the communities that use these hospitals. After supplying the local hospitals, any extra blood collected is shared with other areas of the country in need.

Donating blood is safe and easy to do. If you are at least 17 years old (16 years old with written permission of a parent or guardian), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in good health, you can be a hero and save a life.

For more information, call Robin Benson at 523-2587.

[CICBC press release]

Illinois receives additional
funding to fight West Nile virus

[AUG. 29, 2002]  CHICAGO — Gov. George Ryan announced Wednesday that Illinois will receive $400,506 from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to assist in the control of West Nile virus.

"Illinois welcomes these additional dollars," Ryan said. "Along with state dollars, this funding will help us sustain our continuing efforts to manage West Nile virus in Illinois." Illinois plans to use the additional funds for laboratory enhancements, increased public awareness and local surveillance of conditions that result in the spread of the virus.

The state’s West Nile Virus Task Force was organized by the governor last fall after the virus was detected in two birds in the Chicago metropolitan area. The group, which began regular sessions last fall, meets regularly with Ryan to update him on West Nile virus activity and prevention measures throughout the state.

State Public Health Director Dr. John R. Lumpkin, who leads the West Nile Virus Task Force, said the state is doing all it can to monitor West Nile virus activity. The Chicago laboratory for the Department of Public Health has been working seven days a week to assist hospitals and doctors with the testing of human samples. The funding will support increased staffing, equipment and supplies.

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Human cases of West Nile virus have been identified in Chicago and 10 Illinois counties: Chicago, 12 cases; suburban Cook County, 40; DuPage County, four; Ford County, one; Jackson, one; Madison County, three; Montgomery County, one; Sangamon County, two; Shelby County, one; St. Clair County, one; and Will County, five.

The average age of people who have contracted the virus in Illinois is 52.5 years. There have now been a total of four deaths due to West Nile virus illness.

A total of 439 birds, 236 mosquito batches and 62 horses in 92 Illinois counties have tested positive this year for West Nile since surveillance for the mosquito-transmitted virus began May 1.

A complete listing of the positive birds, mosquito batches, horses and humans identified so far in Illinois, by county, is available on the Illinois Department of Public Health’s site at http://www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/
wnvsurveillance_data02.htm.

[Illinois Government News Network
press release]

[For links to more information on the West Nile virus, click here.]

Health Matters

A monthly feature from  Logan County Health Department

The flu and you

[SEPT. 3, 2002]  As the fall weather approaches, flu season begins. Influenza is a serious and widespread illness that is the cause of as many as 4,000 deaths each year in Illinois. Influenza is caused by a virus that spreads from infected people to the nose or throat of others and can cause fever, cough, chills, sore throat, headache and muscle aches in people of any age. Influenza should not be confused with intestinal illness.

People considered at high risk should get a flu shot every year. The optimal time for these individuals to receive influenza vaccine is during October and November.

High-risk categories include:

•  People 65 years of age or older.

•  People with chronic medical conditions.

•  People with immune system problems.

•  Women who will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during flu season.

•  Children receiving long-term aspirin therapy.

•  Employees of nursing homes or other chronic care facilities.

•  Health-care workers.

•  Household contacts of people at increased risk for influenza-related complications.

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All others should begin their flu shots in November and later, for as long as vaccine is available.

Beginning in October, Logan County Health Department will have flu and pneumonia immunizations available at the Health Department, 109 Third St., and on the Rural Health Van.

Flu shots and pneumonia shots cost $16 each. Medicare will pay for flu and pneumonia shots; clients must bring their Medicare card with them. Medicaid will pay for only flu shots; clients must bring their Medicaid card with them.

Watch the newspapers for upcoming schedules of flu clinics or call Logan County Health Department at (217) 735-2317 for more information.

[News release]

Red Cross

September Red Cross classes

[AUG. 22, 2002]  The American Red Cross will offer CPR and first-aid classes Sept. 10, 11 and 12 at their office at 125 S. Kickapoo St. in Lincoln.

Adult CPR will be on the 10th, first aid on the 11th, and infant and child CPR on the 12th. All classes will be from 5:30 until 9:30 p.m.

To register for any of the classes or for further information, call 732-2134. Office hours are from noon until 4 p.m. weekdays.

West Nile Virus

West Nile virus links

LDN articles

• Local authorities watching WNV

Federal websites

• CDC WNV home page

State websites

• State WNV website

• Protect your home against mosquitoes
• State surveillance site
• Logan County surveillance site

Honors & Awards

Announcements

The Rural Health Partnership has announced the schedule for its mobile health unit for 2002.

For more information on the mobile health unit schedule and services, contact Dayle Eldredge at (217) 732-2161, Ext. 409.

Community resource list

This family resource list to save and use is provided by the Healthy Communities Partnership and the Healthy Families Task Force, 732-2161, Ext. 409.         

(updated 2-15-02)

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