=============================================================== == == == ----------- ALS INTEREST GROUP ----------- == == ALS Digest (#74, 17 December 1993) == == == == ----- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) == == ----- motor neurone disease (MND) == == ----- Lou Gehrig's disease == == ----- == == This e-mail list has been set up to serve the world-wide == == ALS community. That is, ALS patients, ALS researchers, == == ALS support/discussion groups, ALS clinics, etc. Others == == are welcome (and invited) to join. Currently there are == == 180+ subscribers. == == == == To subscribe, to unsubscribe, to contribute notes, == == etc. to ALS Digest, please send e-mail to: == == bro@huey.met.fsu.edu (Bob Broedel) == == == == All interested people may "broadcast" messages to == == ALS Digest (not a peer reviewed journal, and not edited == == by an MD) subscribers by sending to: == == als@huey.met.fsu.edu == == == == Bob Broedel; P.O. Box 20049; Tallahassee, FL 32316 USA == =============================================================== == Back issues are available via e-mail from: == == LISTSERV@mailer.fsu.edu == == send an e-mail message that says INDEX ALS == == Also available via anonymous FTP at mailer.fsu.edu == == directory ftp/pub/als == == Hardcopy versions (with extensive indexing) available == == from Grant Nicholas (gnicholas@pcgate.lanl.gov) == =============================================================== (1) ===== Tyson & Associates ========== CompuServe Mail Date : 16-Dec-93 22:27 EST >From: Grant L. Nicholas [74000,1616] : 74000.1616@compuserve.com Subj : Article for the ALS Digest Bob, My Mother-in-Law has been working hard at finding anything of interest and of possible use in the fight against ALS. Her research has put her in touch with TYSON AND ASSOCIATES. Enclosed is a verbatim transcription of a letter they included in a very informative set of documents they sent to her. I've included it as a possible article in the digest. ********************************************************************** Dear Doctor: HIGHLIGHTS OF ALS RESEARCH DISCOVERIES FOR REDUCING ALS SYMPTOMS Tyson and Associates has assisted in funding research into Threostat (TM) and Branch-Chain Amino Acids and has gathered information to help determine the possible mode of action and optimum usage for these substances in the treatment of ALS. Both Dr. Patten's discovery of L-threonine and Dr. Plaitakis' discovery of the branch-chain amino acids for use in the effective treatment for ALS sufferers is exciting news in the medical community. The current research has inspired many questions from ALS patients desiring relief of their symptoms. "How do these amino acid supplements work? How much needs to be taken? When should they be taken? What should they be taken with?" Through trials and further study these question can now be answered. MODE OF ACTION: THREOSTAT(TM) (L-THREONINE) Dr. Patten, in supplementing ALS patients with threonine noticed better voice, improved swallowing, less drooling, decreased fasciculation, increased energy and decreased spasticity, especially in those patients with bulbar symptoms. Feedback from physicians, pharmacists, researchers and patient questionnaires have indicated that a positive response to Threostat(TM) is dependent upon proper administration. Without exception, patients who did not experience positive results were either: 1) taking Threostat(TM) at the wrong time, 2) taking too little Threostat(TM), 3) needed to add or adjust Aminoxin(TM), 4) were not monitoring their amino acids level. The apparent problem facing the ALS patient is either a decrease in the glycine concentration in the brain or a reduction in glycine in the spinal cord. In the brain, threonine converts to glycine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, which can not cross the blood-brain- barrier. This conversion takes place with the help of the enzyme, threonine aldolase, and the cofactor, pyridoxal-5'-phosphate. Threonine, which can cross the blood-brain-barrier, is an essential amino acid (must be obtained from dietary sources as the body does not synthesize it). Threonine Aldolase Threonine(TM) -------------------> Glycine Pyridoxal-5'-Phosphate It is believed that glycine will, in turn, act on the post synaptic membranes to inhibit abnormal neuronal stimulation, thus alleviating some of the ALS symptoms. Threonine may have a detoxifying effect on high levels of aspartate and glutamate (amino acids which Dr. Patten has shown to be present in high levels in ALS patients). Research into glycine's potential detoxification role is being pursued. MODE OF ACTION: AMINOTOXIN(TM) (PYRIDOXAL-5'-PHOSPHATE) Another mechanism of glycine production has proven to be pyridoxal-5'- phosphate (Aminoxin(TM)) dependent, in the conversion of O-phospho L- serine (which is normally present in the brain) into serine then to glycine. The activation of this pathway may also benefit ALS patients. O-phospho L-serine ----> Serine ---->P-5'P ----> Glycine MODE OF ACTION: BRANCH-CHAIN AMINO ACIDS The branch-chain amino acids (isoleucine, leucine, and valine), appear to increase muscle support and to relieve many of the symptoms associated with ALS. It must be noted that branch-chain amino acids may compete with Threostat(TM) for absorption via the same transport system, resulting in decreased or complete loss of symptom relief. Branch-chain amino acids must be carefully administered separately. Dr. Patten found an inverse relationship between ALS severity and cerebrospinal fluid levels of the excitatory amino acids aspartate and glutamate. Dr. Patten speculated that the excessive neuronal activity in ALS might be due to a metabolic imbalance caused by an increase in excitatory amino acids. Observational data suggests that the excitatory amino acids, when present in excess in the nervous tissue, can cause neuronal degeneration. Dr. Plaitakis attempted to reduce excitatory activity by administering branch-chain amino acids which increase the activity of the enzyme glutamate dehydrogenase. This enzyme breaks down glutamate, an excitatory amino acid. The branch- chain amino acids leucine and isoleucine are known to increase glutamate dehydrogenase activity in late-onset atrophic disorders that can present as atypical ALS. Dr. Plaitakis noted less deterioration in mean spinal performance scores in a branch-chain amino acid supplemented group than in a control group. Aatron Medical Laboratories offers a full amino acid analysis panel for determining elevations and deficiencies to monitor a patients progress and treatment. For questions and additional information, please ask for the ALS Technical Representative (Susan Goles) at Tyson and Associates (310) 675-1080. Tyson & Associates 12832 S. Chadron Avenue Hawthorne CA 90250 TEL: 310-675-1080 FAX: 310-675-4187 E-M: none ********************************************************************* We spoke with Susan Goles and found her to well informed. The package of information she sent us is very comprehensive. I urge any one interested to contact these people. Best regards, Nick (2) ===== CDC WONDER ========== Date : Tue, 7 Dec 1993 06:23:00 -0800 Sender : Medical Libraries Discussion List >From : Craig_Haynes%UCSDLIBRARY.UCSD.EDU%SDSC.BITNET@UBVM.cc.buffalo.edu Subject: Re: CDC WONDER I recently submitted an article for publication to the Bulletin of the Medical Library Association entitled, "A WONDER Emerges from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention". Of course, the WONDER in the title is the relatively new (the system was publicly announced in August 1991) CDC WONDER which stands for "Wide-ranging ONline Data for Epidemiological Research." WONDER is a computerized information system that brings together huge public health (epidemiological) textual and statistical files into one database, so to speak. Having done so, WONDER users are able to access information very fast. The system is currently serving over 3000 users in local health departments, public health services, hospitals, clinics, foundations and the academic community. CDC WONDER is a menu-driven system with various datasets which include: MMWR, Census data, SEER, Cost benefit references, AIDS data, ICD-9 coding scheme, STD's, hospital discharges and more. Judging by this kind of content, you can see how very useful WONDER can be. Currently, there are two versions of WONDER. CDC WONDER/PC and CDC WONDER/MF. The PC version is the latest version and is most impressive. Both versions are easy to use, but the PC version offers a Windows-like environment (no GUI's). There are pop-up templates to guide the user and context-sensitive online help screens. WONDER/PC offers graphics and tables, email access to various CDC experts, and for surveillance participants, WONDER/PC allows direct submission of data to the CDC. There is much more to say about WONDER. However, WONDER/PC or WONDER/MF or both are yours for the asking. There is a toll-free number to access the system once you've registerd and received the software. There is currently no charge for using WONDER and the CDC plans to offer the system to the public in the future. Contact: CDC WONDER Customer Support Centers for Disease Control and Prevent. PH# 404-332-4569 press 2,2,1 to speak to a customer support rep. Or 2,2,2 to receive a registration form and info automatically by FAX. If I can help you further feel free to contact me. Craig Haynes Head, Medical Center Library University of California, San Diego chaynes@ucsd.edu (3) ===== The Scientist ========== ---------------------------------------------------------------- Date : Fri, 5 Nov 1993 16:26:27 -0500 Sender : Medical Libraries Discussion List >From : "E. Garfield" Subject: THE SCIENTIST ON INTERNET ---------------------------------------------------------------- THE SCIENTIST 3501 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19104 For more information, contact: EUGENE GARFIELD, Ph.D. Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Phone : (215)386-0100 Ext. 1504 Fax : (215)387-1266 E-mail: garfield@aurora.cis.upenn.edu June 4, 1993 PRESS RELEASE---- THE SCIENTIST newspaper, now available on internet---- THE SCIENTIST a biweekly newspaper for scientists and the research community, is now available electronically -- in full text and free of charge -- on the internet network via ftp, WAIS, and Gopher. Eugene Garfield, publisher of THE SCIENTIST states that electronic access to the newspaper's articles and features has been made available following a successful trial experiment on NSFnet, the electronic communications network of the National Science Foundation. Founded in 1986, THE SCIENTIST is published in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, and is circulated internationally to researchers, administrators, and policy makers in academia, industry, and government. THE SCIENTIST is the only newspaper that exclusively covers current issues and events that impact the professional research environment-- including funding legislation, new grants, employment and salary trends, career advancement opportunities, ethics and conflicts of interest, representation of women and minorities in science, and the interplay of industrial, academic, and governmental research. In addition, THE SCIENTIST reports on trends in research and features the opinions of leaders in science. THE SCIENTIST can be accessed on the InterNIC (AT&T) server by the instructions provided below. The full text of issues from November 1992 onward are accessible. New issues are added every two weeks on alternate Mondays, coinciding with the cover date of the printed edition. Back issues are being loaded every other week, until the full seven year file is complete. INSTRUCTIONS FOLLOW... THE SCIENTIST@@ ON THE INTERNET The Scientist is now available on-line. Via ftp: type: ftp ds.internic.net at name prompt,type: anonymous at password, type: your username@internet address at prompt, type: cd pub/the-scientist If you know the issue date at prompt,type: get the-scientist-yymmdd Or, for directory listing, type:dir then, to select issue, type: the-scientist-yymmdd to end, type: quit ======================================= Via WAIS: type: telnet ds.internic.net at login, type: wais at search prompt, type: db the-scientist at search prompt, type: query_(term/s to be searched) to view a retrieved item, type: view_(item number to be viewed) to search within the issue retrieved, type:find_(term/s to be searched) to search forward or, nfind_(term/s to be searched) to search backward in an issue. to end, type: quit [the help menu can be accessed at any time by typing ? or help?] ======================================= Via GOPHER: On InterNic (AT&T) Gopher Server: If you don't have Gopher software on your PC, you can use AT&T's Gopher. To do this, at prompt type: telnet ds.internic.net at login, type: Gopher at Terminal Type is "unknown"; enter a new value or press RETURN: type terminal type if you know it, or type:vt100 from successive menus, choose: 4. InterNIC Directory and Database Services (AT&T)/ 4. InterNIC Database Services (Public Databases)/ 5. The Scientist - Newsletter If you have Gopher software on your PC, at prompt, type: gopher Internic.net 70 from successive menus, choose: 4. InterNIC Directory and Database Services (AT&T)/ 4. InterNIC Database Services (Public Databases)/ 5. The Scientist - Newsletter Via E-MAIL You can access The Scientist via AT&T mail server, an automatic program that delivers information by electronic mail. To request an issue, send the following message: at prompt, type: mail mailserv@ds.internic.net leave the subject blank the text of the message should be as follows: file/ftp/pub/the-scientist/the-scientist-yymmdd path_(type your username@internet address) end NOTE: yymmdd = year, month, date of isssue requested The mail server will split the document into 64k chunks by default and the requested information will be transmitted to your mailbox. =======#======= == end of als 74 ==