Active ingredient of cannabis has no effect on the progression of multiple sclerosis, study suggests

ScienceDaily (June 15, 2012) ? The first large non-commercial study to investigate whether the main active constituent of cannabis (tetrahydrocannabinol or THC) is effective in slowing the course of progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) shows that there is no evidence to suggest this; although benefits were noted for those at the lower end of the disability scale.

The CUPID (Cannabinoid Use in Progressive Inflammatory brain Disease) study was carried out by researchers from the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry (PCMD), Plymouth University. The study was funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and managed by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) on behalf of the MRC-NIHR partnership, the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Multiple Sclerosis Trust.

The preliminary results of CUPID are to be presented by lead researcher Professor John Zajicek at the Association of British Neurologists' Annual Meeting in Brighton on May 29th.

CUPID enrolled nearly 500 people with MS from 27 centres around the UK, and has taken eight years to complete. People with progressive MS were randomised to receive either THC capsules or identical placebo capsules for three years, and were carefully followed to see how their MS changed over this period. The two main outcomes of the trial were a disability scale administered by neurologists (the Expanded Disability Status Scale), and a patient report scale of the impact of MS on people with the condition (the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale 29).

Overall the study found no evidence to support an effect of THC on MS progression in either of the main outcomes. However, there was some evidence to suggest a beneficial effect in participants who were at the lower end of the disability scale at the time of enrollment but, as the benefit was only found in a small group of people rather than the whole population, further studies will be needed to assess the robustness of this finding. One of the other findings of the trial was that MS in the study population as a whole progressed slowly, more slowly than expected. This makes it more challenging to find a treatment effect when the aim of the treatment is that of slow progression.

As well as evaluating the potential neuroprotective effects and safety of THC over the long-term, one of the aims of the CUPID study was to improve the way that clinical trial research is done by exploring newer methods of measuring MS and using the latest statistical methods to make the most of every piece of information collected. This analysis will continue for several months. The CUPID study will therefore provide important information about conducting further large scale clinical trials in MS.

Professor John Zajicek, Professor of Clinical Neuroscience at PCMD, Plymouth University, said: "To put this study into context: current treatments for MS are limited, either being targeted at the immune system in the early stages of the disease or aimed at easing specific symptoms such as muscle spasms, fatigue or bladder problems. At present there is no treatment available to slow MS when it becomes progressive. Progression of MS is thought to be due to death of nerve cells, and researchers around the world are desperately searching for treatments that may be 'neuroprotective'. Laboratory experiments have suggested that certain cannabis derivatives may be neuroprotective."

He added: "Overall our research has not supported laboratory based findings and shown that, although there is a suggestion of benefit to those at the lower end of the disability scale when they joined CUPID, there is little evidence to suggest that THC has a long term impact on the slowing of progressive MS."

Dr Doug Brown, Head of Biomedical Research at the MS Society, said: "There are currently no treatments for people with progressive MS to slow or stop the worsening of disability. The MS Society is committed to supporting research in this area and this was an important study for us to fund. While this study sadly suggests THC is ineffective at slowing the course of progressive MS, we will not stop our search for effective treatments. We are encouraged by the possibility shown by this study that THC may have potential benefits for some people with MS and we welcome further investigation in this area."

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The above story is reprinted from materials provided by The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry.

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Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

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Report: LA Wal-Mart lobbyist posed as reporter

LOS ANGELES (AP) ? An associate at a lobbying firm tapped to bring a Walmart store to downtown Los Angeles has left the firm after she posed as a reporter at a news conference held by a labor group that opposed the big-box store.

City Ethics Commission records show Stephanie Harnett worked for Mercury Public Affairs, which received $60,000 from Walmart to lobby for a Wal-Mart store to be built in Chinatown, the Los Angeles Times said in its Friday edition (lat.ms/KLzwYh).

The project provoked opposition from labor groups, which complain about unfair conditions at the retailer.

Last week, one of those groups, Warehouse Workers United, held a news conference and Harnett signed a media sheet saying she was a student at the University of Southern California named "Zoe Mitchell."

Union Spokeswoman Elizabeth Brennan said Harnett interviewed a warehouse worker using an audio recorder for 20 minutes without saying she was working for Wal-Mart.

"She told him she was a journalism student at USC and that she was a storyteller from the heart," Brennan said.

Brennan said she saw Harnett again at another news conference, and an activist pointed out that she was actually a lobbyist.

Mercury released a statement saying Harnett's actions were "in no way approved, authorized, or directed by Wal-Mart or Mercury."

"Stephanie is a junior member of our team who made an immature decision," Becky Warren, managing director for Mercury, said in the statement. "She showed very poor judgment, and Mercury takes full responsibility. We are taking the necessary disciplinary actions. This is an isolated incident that has never happened before and will not happen again."

Warren would not confirm to the Times whether Harnett was fired or resigned, saying only she is "no longer with our firm."

Wal-Mart spokesman Steven Restivo said what Harnett did was "unacceptable, misleading and wrong."

"Our culture of integrity is a constant at Wal-Mart, and by not properly identifying herself, this individual's behavior was contrary to our values and the way we do business," Restivo told the Times.

Harnett did not respond to an email seeking comment from the Times, and a phone message left by The Associated Press at a listing in her name was not immediately returned.

The incident was first reported by the website Gawker.

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Information from: Los Angeles Times, http://www.latimes.com

3 10 to yuma west virginia football

With tiring tactics, England needs quick recovery

By ROB HARRIS

AP Sports Writer

Associated Press Sports

updated 11:11 a.m. ET June 12, 2012

DONETSK, Ukraine (AP) -England's opening draw against France has showed just how hard it'll be to break them down at the European Championship, but their exhausting, defensive tactics rely on veteran players and have won few admirers.

Scott Parker and Steven Gerrard, charged with taking the sting out of the French attacks, are both in their 30s and endured grueling club campaigns.

Gerrard has had niggling injuries in recent years, while Parker has required a painkilling injection to keep him going.

Just how obstinate England was on Monday was underscored by the fact that no goalkeeper in the tournament is yet to make more saves than Joe Hart, while Gerrard, Parker and Joleon Lescott have made the most blocks in the opening eight games.

And after the initiative England had for the first 20 minutes was lost, a French onslaught curtailed any plans to make marauding runs through the center to feed the forwards.

That meant a quiet, often frustrating night for Danny Welbeck and Ashley Young as they made their first tournament appearances.

With Wayne Rooney suspended for the second game against Sweden on Friday, Hodgson could switch the stylish Welbeck for the battering-ram forward Andy Carroll, who can bully defenders.

"He's a different type of player to the others in the squad," England coach Roy Hodgson said. "He has that aerial ability that is very useful, but also the ability to make the runs behind defenders and use the strength and power ... (to) turn defenses around, and can do damage on crosses."

The surprise selection of Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain on the left of midfield against France showed that Hodgson is prepared to take risks rather than sticking with tried and tested formulas, although the teenager's opportunities to burst down the flanks were limited.

The challenge on Friday will be finding the space to pass the ball forward.

"Obviously sometimes, especially in tournament football, you are going to be outplayed and it is just about getting the right result. We got a good result," Chamberlain said. "I think I did OK, just OK. I think it was a bit frustrating for me getting space to do what I like to do and run at people.

"I like to find space out wide but the way we play, we like to play compactly, and I think we had to against a good French team who almost overran us in midfield."

But while Sweden coach Erik Hamren was berating his "cowards" for falling to a 2-1 loss to co-host Ukraine on Monday, Hodgson was praising his team's grit and determination.

It didn't help that the England players appeared to wilt more in the Ukrainian heat than their counteparts, who appeared to be more forward thinking by wrapping their players in ice jackets at half time.

Now England has four days to recover before taking on Sweden on Friday in its second Group D match in what should be cooler conditions in Kiev.

The newspapers the fans read back home on Tuesday were also resoundingly positive, reflecting contentment that Hodgson's side avoided defeat in his first competitive match in charge of England.

? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Pros and Cons of Travel Insurance

Is travel insurance really necessary?? It depends on where you?re traveling, for how long, what you?ll be doing.? It also depends on your tolerance for risk.? You need to consider what might happen, and then decide if you?re adequately covered if such a thing does happen.? Travel insurance policies are designed to protect you from things that can, and do, happen to travelers.? It can be costly, but ask anyone who?s had something happen while vacationing, and they?ll tell you they are glad they had it.?

But it?s up to you.? To get you thinking, here are some pros and cons of travel insurance.

Probably the most important benefit of travel insurance is medical coverage.? Most health plans have restrictions on coverage when you?re traveling.? If you, or someone in your family, gets sick or injured while traveling, you want access to proper medical care and treatment.? Depending on where you are vacationing, your options could be limited.? It may be necessary for you to be transported to another facility that can provide treatment.? The costs can really add up.

Another benefit is being covered for natural disasters.? Have you noticed the rise in frequency and magnitude of hurricanes and tornadoes in the United States?? Are you going to a country that could experience an earthquake, or a catastrophic flood?? What about terrorism and political upheaval?? The chances may be remote, but what if a situation does occur, and you need to get out of that country?? Travel insurance can help you make arrangement for an early departure, and get you reimbursed for your canceled vacation.

Finally, travel insurance covers your for the loss or theft of personal property, beginning with loss baggage.? You have to admit, this is something that happens all the time, and usually at the worse possible times.? By filing a simple claim, you can be reimbursed for lost items, get assistance with your credit cards and passport, and have medication replaced.

So what about the cons?

Naturally, there are good travel insurance providers, and bad ones.? The bad ones will entice you to buy coverage you don?t need, and may not tell you about requirements you must satisfy to be covered.? One common situation with most insurers is that you need to contact them before you receive any medical treatment.? It?s common to file a claim, and get some kind of approval, even with a good company.? The trick is to make sure you know what is required.

Another common complaint is a company that tells you to pay your medical costs upfront and then submit a claim to be reimbursed.? If a travel insurance agent tells you this, tell that agent you are not interested in purchasing their policy.? And move on to another company.

Lastly, some representatives are not necessarily well-versed in customer service.? This is something you should be able to judge from the sales representative.? If you are still not sure, make a call to claims number and ask questions.? If you sense negativity, move on to another company.

There are good providers.? Keep looking until you find one.

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SecureIT Plus

Did you get your security suite through a deal with your ISP? If so, you may already be using a branded version of the SecureIT Plus ($5.95/month) suite. However, ISPs don't necessarily know what's best in consumer security products. The quality of the components in SecureIT Plus varies wildly.

The basic SecureIT antivirus is quite a bit cheaper, at $1.95/month for three licenses. The Plus edition offers exactly the same antivirus, the same firewall, and the same phishing protection as the basic edition. SecureIT Plus adds a tuneup component and parental control.

Possibly more importantly, with the Plus edition you get 24/7 help and support. This includes a built-in chat-based help system that strongly resembles that of Password Genie ($15/year direct for five licenses, 3 stars), another product from the same parent company. With your permission, the tech support agent can remotely diagnose and fix problems.

Good Malware Protection, Poor Cleanup
Since the antivirus component is the same as that of SecureIT ($1.95/month direct for three licenses, 3 stars) I'll simply summarize here.

SecureIT's malware removal score of 3.6 points is the lowest achieved by any product tested using either my current collection of malware samples or the previous set. It left behind tons of malware traces from threats it managed to detect and even left some running. Looking specifically at rootkits it scored a dismal 3.2 points. Company representatives concurred that this product is really aimed at keeping clean systems clean, not at dealing with existing infestations. Click below for a score chart. To understand where the scores come from, please read How We Test Malware Removal.

In my malware blocking tests, SecureIT soared. With 9.7 of 10 possible points, it has the best score of any product tested using the current set of samples. It detected all the rootkit samples and scored 9.8 points. ZoneAlarm Free Antivirus + Firewall (free, 3.5 stars) earned 10 points against those same rootkits, but 9.8 is darn good. SecureIT also did a good job at blocking malware downloads. The article ?How We Test Malware Blocking explains how I test products and come up with these scores.

Firewall and Phishing Protection
I made sure that SecureIT's antiphishing component was turned on for testing, but it didn't detect a single fraudulent site, not even when I dug up some week-old examples. Consistent antiphishing champion Norton blocked 94 percent. Internet Explorer alone managed to block 45 percent. Don't rely on SecureIT for phishing protection. The chart below details the sad news, and the article How We Test Antiphishing explains exactly how I derive these scores.

The firewall component, shared by SecureIT and SecureIT Plus, has its own set of problems. It failed a couple Web-based attack tests, to start with. It nominally controls which programs can access the network, but the only ones I ever observed it blocking were essential Windows processes. A cyber crook could easily write code to disable this product's protection.

The one bright spot in my firewall testing involved exploits. When I attacked the test system using the Core Impact penetration tool, SecureIT blocked 60 percent of the exploits and identified them by name. No exploit managed to break through security. For a more detailed view of the firewall please see my review of the basic, non-Plus SecureIT edition.

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