Developments in HIV Prevention for Women

By Lydia Charney

There are an estimated 20 million women infected with HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, worldwide. This sexually transmitted disease can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, commonly known as AIDS.

HIV is the leading cause of death for African American women aged 25-34 years, according to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention.

African American women represent the largest demographic of HIV infected women.

 ”It is certainly true that HIV/AIDS is a disease that younger people are more likely to acquire than older people,” reported Dr. George Schmid, a medical officer with the World Health Organization, about the unexplored story of HIV and aging.

 

However, scientists have developed a topical preventive method for women, in hopes of reducing these startling statistics.

A microbicide gel has for the first time shown some promise to prevent HIV infection in women in a clinical trial involving more than 3,000 subjects in the U.S. and southern Africa, according to Global Coalition on Women and AIDS.

The high prevelance of AIDS in South Africa makes is a prime location for clinical microbicide testing.

Microbicides are substances intended to reduce or prevent the sexual transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections when applied topically.

Tests are signaling that a microbicide gel may be able to prevent women from HIV infection, reported Dr. Salim S. Abdool Karim, professor of clinical Epidemiology at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, pro vice-chancellor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa, and director the Center for the AIDS Program of Research in South Africa.

Dr. Karim led the multi-center study for the U.S.-based Microbicide Trials Network.

According to HealthNews.com, a clinical trial of 3,099 HIV-uninfected women conducted between February 2005 and September 2008 in South Africa, Zimbabwe and the United States, PRO 2000, a gel made by Massachusetts-based Indevus Pharmaceuticals, reduced the rate of HIV infection in women by 30 percent, compared to those using no gel.

Further research is needed; however, development of such a product will undoubtedly reduce the number of infected women worldwide.

“This microbicide gel would change the lives of women. Decreasing the risk of spreading HIV is the first measure scientists and doctors can take to fight this deadly disease,” said bio-med major Abby Ketner.

Currently, there are 13 microbicide candidates are in various stages of clinical development, and over 50 products are being tested pre-clinically.

Cost of Fitness Too High for Marist Students

By Lydia Charney

Students feel the economic crunch and are looking to cut back on non-essential expenses. Additional gym memberships, aside from the inclusive McCann Center membership students receive with Marist enrollment, are among these avoidable expenses many students have been forced to forgo.

“I initially joined Mike Arteaga’s Health and Fitness Club because the Marist gym doesn’t offer classes like aerobics or cycling,” said junior Jordan Kosinski.

Kosinski continued, “This semester I cancelled my membership. It had nothing to with being dissatisfied with the health club, I just feel like everyone is being more mindful of money with the economy being so bad right now.”

Mike Arteaga's Health and Fitness

Mike Arteaga’s is located directly across from Marist on Route 9. Plant Fitness, another gym popular among students, is located on Albany Post Rd, less than two miles from campus.

Marist student discounts are available, according to Janet Chianese, CEO. “I encourage all students to take a tour of facility and meet with one of our representatives,” she said.

We offer top of the line strength-training equipment, trainers, cardio equipment, a pool with lap lanes, and a steam room, just to name a few features. Our instructors offer great classes, including group-power, yoga and variations, cycling, dance, and many others,” said Chianese.

Sophomore Bill Lyons said he is dissatisfied with Marist College’s gym equipment. “[The McCann Center] kind of looks like someone threw a bunch of exercise stuff in a high school gym. The setup doesn’t really encourage students to workout, yet the gym always seems to be overcrowded,” Lyons said.

Lyons has a membership at Planet Fitness. However, he said he will not cancel it due to the poor economy. “There is a Planet Fitness near my home in Albany and my membership works there as well,” Lyons said.

Though Plant Fitness does not offer a specific discount for students, memberships are still seemingly affordable in a college student’s budget. Potential members can now sign up for a full membership for just 20 dollars a month.

Both Planet Fitness and Mike Arteaga’s Health and Fitness Club are located close the the Marist Campus.

 

For students looking for an economic and perhaps more inviting workout, there are plenty at-home, or at-dorm, options for fitness.

The New York Times recommends running stairs as a free and result-producing workout. For more information, visit http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/19/health/nutrition/19fitness.html?_r=1&ref=health.

Good Housekeeping has a full body, at home workout using just a small ball, a bath towel; a chair on wheels,  and a furniture-free area.

Home Based Workouts offers several fitness and nutrition tips, including dance,pilates, and taebo workouts.

Those lacking the funds or time to get to a gym can also try online workout videos.

Say “I heart you” with chocolate: The benefits of eating chocolate

By Cynthia Dagenais

Valentine’s Day: red and pink, biggest date night of the year, hearts, kisses, flowers. But most of all, chocolate!

Valentine's Day chocolates for the Nintendo players

For all those people out there that popped a few more chocolate pieces from cardboard heart-shaped boxes than their winter diet allowed, no need to worry. There are naturally more benefits to this candy than you think.

When asked why he eats chocolate, Marist College student Nicholas Palumbo said, “Well, I actually eat a handful of M&M’s before a huge exam because of the multiple benefits that come with chocolate.”

Chocolate comes from the cacao plant, which is grown in the tropical regions of the Americas. The beans are roasted and the shells are removed to extract what is called the nib. The nibs are ground and liquefied, resulting in chocolate in a fluid form.

This fluid is also known as chocolate liquor, which can be further processed into cocoa solids and cocoa butter. Add sugar and other ingredients and voila! Chocolate! Click here to watch how chocolate is made.

Chocolate contains many different chemicals that can boost your mood. Chocolate contains a number of substances that give ‘natural highs’, including caffeine, theobromine and phenylethylamine. This chemical is produced by the body when people are in love.

Neurophysiologist Dr. David Lewis led a study to find out the physiological effects of chocolate on kissing couples. His study found that when chocolate melts in the mouth, all regions of the brain are boosted far more intensely and longer lasting than the excitement produced by just kissing alone. It’s no wonder why giving chocolate is such a popular way to say “I love you.”

Other studies have shown that chocolate can help people suffering from depression. According to anxiety-and-depression-solutions.com, participants in the study with atypical depression, one of the most common types of depression, felt that chocolate had a positive effect on their feelings of irritability, sadness, and anxiety.

Dark chocolate is the healthiest choice. Dark chocolate contains more cacao, which has natural antioxidants called flavonoids that studies have shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, according to the BNet Business Management website.

Milk chocolate, though it contains cacao like its sister, dark chocolate, contains more milk and sugar, which can inhibit the antioxidants from lowering high blood pressure that leads to heart problems, according to WebMD.com.

“Our findings indicate that milk may interfere with the absorption of antioxidants from chocolate … and may therefore negate the potential health benefits that can be derived from eating moderate amounts of dark chocolate,” said Mauro Serafini, PhD, of Italy’s National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research in Rome.

Mars, Inc., the maker of the popular candy M&Ms, is currently funding chocolate research to improve the health benefits of their candies.

Because of the numerous studies being done on the health benefits of chocolate, Mars, Inc. recently developed a process to preserve the flavonoids in their candies that have in the past been unintentionally taken out of in the chocolate-making process.

Research is currently being done on the effects of chocolate for women suffering from PMS, dieting, hormone levels, concentration for taking exams, and other health concerns.

In summary, chocolate provides a healthy heart, more stimulation in the brain for kissing, and a natural high; three things that are perfect for setting the mood on Valentine’s Day.

Do You Recall the Peanut Butter Contamination? Salmonella Outbreak Causes Recall of Peanut Butter Products

By Cynthia Dagenais

Salmonella outbreak caused recall of products containing peanut butter.

Marist College sophomore Laura Osberg walked briskly toward the sandwich station in Marist’s main dining hall, intent on making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on white bread for her lunch one day before class. She stopped abruptly when the serving containers that hold sandwich toppings and condiments did not include peanut butter. It was nowhere to be found, but what was found in lieu of the pasty spread was a sign explaining why the peanut butter was missing.

Since early July 2008, peanut butter products have been recalled due to a salmonella outbreak. The type of bacteria reported to have contaminated the peanut butter is called Salmonella Typhimurium, which causes gastroenteritis when contracted by humans or animals. Diarrhea, fever, nausea, and vomiting are common symptoms of gastroenteritis. According to CNN.com, this type of bacteria was found in 502 in 43 of the states in the U.S. and Canada, and at least eight deaths have been linked to the outbreak.

The Food and Drug Administration had traced the outbreak to Peanut Butter Corporation of America, located in Blakely, GA. This processing plant makes peanut butter and peanut butter paste that is packaged and sold in bulk for retail purposes only. The packaging for the peanut butter ranges from five to 1,700 pounds, so once the plant is contaminated by bacteria such as salmonella, all products containing Peanut Butter Corp. brand will be contaminated as well.

The FDA also found that plant surfaces and equipment were contaminated with salmonella and other microorganisms. Roaches were discovered near the production and packaging areas, and poor ventilation throughout the plant contributed to the violations cited by the FDA.

The FDA has a list of the foods affected by the peanut butter recall, which is available on the FDA’s website.

Though she cannot make her favorite sandwiches in the cafeteria, Osberg can still enjoy her favorite Reese’s peanut butter cup chocolates.

Salmonella Typhimurium