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Saturday, January 22
No Part of Mad Cow is Safe to Eat
by
Linda Thieman
on Sat 22 Jan 2005 05:00 PM CST
 No Part of Mad Cow is Safe to Eat
Dr. Thomas Blythe, Earthtimes.org
Mad Cow Disease Triggered by Inflammation
Mad Cow
disease, which was thought to spread in humans only if they consume
infected brain or intestinal tissues of infected cows, may have other
routes of entry. If the study done on mice by a group of researchers
led by Adriano Aguzzi at the University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland
holds true then BSE/CJD testing programmers will have to change their
ways and practices in what could turn into another major problem for
the beef industry.
Since
earlier screening showed Prions, that cause BSE, are present only in
specific organs like brain and intestines, "the assumption has been
that other parts are safe to eat," says Aguzzi.
"People
in countries with BSE still eat steak because the authorities say if
you stay away from the brain and lymphoid tissue, you should be safe.
However, most Prion testing has been done in healthy animals. If you
have a sick cow, these rules may no longer apply."
Aguzzi’s
study showed inflammation can let the disease causing protein Prion to
be replicated (produced) in other parts of the animal body which were
earlier thought to be safe for consumption. The mice used in the study
were having inflammation due to several reasons including kidney and
liver diseases. It was seen in all the cases that chronic inflammation
leads to a build up of prion proteins in organs that are usually Prion
free.
"The organ transforms itself into a bioreactor for Prions," says Aguzzi.
The mice
having inflammation due to diabetes had its pancreas full of the Prions
while the organ in healthy mice was left unaffected.
Researchers
have not yet worked out how exactly inflammation leads to Prion
production and the spread of deadly protein in other parts of the body.
However, they feel that it has got something to do with the cells
playing a role in the immune system. These cells produce a substance
called lymphotoxin to fight invading pathogens. Aguzzi feels that the
lymphotoxin starts a reaction that turns a normal cell into a prion
producing bioreactor. They have observed that mice lacking the
lymphotoxin receptors lack prion disease in inflamed organs.
(Source)
Howard Dean Wins Support of Latinos for America for DNC Chair
by
Trish Nelson
on Sat 22 Jan 2005 11:10 AM CST
 Howard Dean Wins Support of Latinos for America for DNC Chair
Latinos for America.com
"To have someone with the integrity and conscience of Gov. Dean
at the helm of a major party, would be a coup not only for
progressives, but for every American wishing to restore integrity to
our political system. "
Since its founding almost one year ago, Latinos for America
has taken a stand for Latinos/Hispanics of all backgrounds. Our main
focus has been to provide trainings, materials, and educational
announcements to thousands of activists and first-time voters around
the country. Our message to Latinos and Friends of the Community is
simple: by speaking up and standing up for your values, and by
organizing with like-minded people, you can make a difference.
We
trained campaign managers, as well as new activists, in how to get
involved in their communities and their country. We created radio and
television public service announcements in Spanish and English to help
get out the vote. In the Tucson, Arizona area alone, two of our Latino
training graduates gained elected office.
Yet none
of these things would have been possible without the active support and
encouragement from Governor Howard Dean, and his grassroots
organization, Democracy for America. Democracy for America provided LFA
with valuable funds and support to make our acclaimed trainings
available to people around the country. Thanks to Dr. Dean, LFA
organized the first-ever high-level campaign management training
entirely in Spanish, tailored to active members of a janitor’s union.
Dr.
Howard Dean has been a strong supporter of Latino/Hispanic rights
throughout his life. As a young man, Gov. Dean learned to speak Spanish
by working in a Florida cattle ranch alongside immigrant farmers. As a
national candidate for president, he surprised his critics by gaining
the endorsement of the majority of members of the Congressional
Hispanic Caucus, along with that of Dolores Huerta, of the celebrated
United Farm Workers Union.
As the leader of Democracy for America,
which has sought to regenerate the farm-worker organizer model of the
1970’s and 80’s, Gov. Dean has proven that he can make the dream of
effective progressive grassroots organizing at the national level a
reality.
For
Latinos for America, an endorsement of Dr. Dean for the post of DNC
Chair is about more than progressive beliefs. A person like Governor
Dean has broad-based appeal. He appeals to moderates and progressives
of all the major parties, because he believes in the goals he lays out,
and he stands up for fundamental values, even when it is not popular to
do so.
To have someone with the integrity and conscience of Gov. Dean
at the helm of a major party, would be a coup not only for
progressives, but for every American wishing to restore integrity to
our political system.
With an
overwhelming vote of support among LFA’s officers, training graduates,
and other active members, Latinos for America proudly and
enthusiastically endorses Governor Howard Dean to lead the Democratic
National Committee. Because the future of our nation rests on the
validity of our electoral process and the integrity of our political
leaders, we encourage individuals and organizations around the country
to join us in taking this important step, and supporting Governor Dean
in this quest to reintroduce values to our political system, and
putting our nation back on track.
Sincerely,
The Board of Directors of Latinos for America
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