Statement by Vincent Lombardi

STATEMENT OF VINCENT LOMBARDI, PhD
CLINICAL LAB DIRECTOR
VIP Dx

A number of recent publications and individuals have mischaracterized the nature of certain clinical laboratory results reported by VIP Dx, a CLIA certified clinical laboratory. VIP Dx has met the required CLIA Program standards and is certified to offer and perform only clinically validated laboratory tests. The “XMRV test” offered by VIP Dx is clinically validated and performed under rigorous protocols to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the test results. XMRV testing was offered based upon the existing scientific knowledge at the time. The original assays for XMRV testing were based on the 2009 Science publication. Those assays, as well as all subsequent modifications, were internally validated prior to being used to process patients’ samples. WPI’s Research Director was instrumental in the decision to make such a test available to physicians. The interpretation of the XMRV test results, as with all laboratory tests, is the responsibility of the ordering physician.

Before offering any test to the public, VIP Dx established comprehensive performance specifications including accuracy, precision, analytical sensitivity, specificity, and others required for test performance.

Study using cycle ergometers shows that exercise exacerbates ME/CFS

Exercise testing to quantify effects of fatigue on functional capacity in patients with CFS.
Keller BA, Micale FG.:



Objective:

The purpose of this study was to assess
the effects of post-exertional malaise (PEM) on
functional capacity and anaerobic threshold
in subjects diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).


Methods:

Subjects were
10 females and 2 males (41.3+1.11 yrs) diagnosed with CFS
by a physician experienced in the diagnosis of CFS.

To induce PEM, each subject completed a maximum exercise test on a cycle ergometer.

A second maximum exercise test was performed 24 hrs later
to assess the effects of exercise-induced PEM on functional capacity.

Maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), maximum heart rate (HRmax),
anaerobic threshold (AT), maximum workload (Wmax),
workload at AT (ATwork), and respiratory exchange ratio (RER)
were measured.

RER is an objective indicator of
substrate utilization and subject effort during exercise.


Results:

Significant decreases
from test 1 to test 2 were
13.5% for VO2max (21.5 to 18.6 ml.kg-1.min-1; p<0.01),
8 bpm for HRmax (p<0.01),
18.8% for AT (12.0 to 9.7 ml.kg-1.min-1; p<0.05),
9.4% for Wmax (121 to 109 W, p<0.05), and
17.3% for ATwork (58.3 to 48.2 W; p<0.05).

However, there was no change in maximum RER
indicating that subject effort was maximum and also comparable during both tests.


Conclusion:

Results indicate that
PEM decreased maximum functional capacity by more than 13% to below 5 METS;
a level at or below that which is required by many job-related activities and IADLs.

To compare,
VO2max in healthy individuals is highly reproducible
over days and even months (r>.95), with a SEM of < 6%.

Thus, for subjects in this study,
an expected variation between tests would be ±1.29 ml.kg-1.min-1
in contrast to the observed decrease of 2.9 ml.kg-1.min-1.

Furthermore,
PEM decreased AT to below 3 METS
(e.g., light-moderate speed walking),
which is a level of many activities considered to be sedentary in nature.

Thus,
completion of sedentary ADLs and IADLs for those with CFS
requires production of energy via anaerobic processes
that will further contribute to PEM and exacerbate symptoms of CFS.

Since many daily activities fall into the 3-5 MET range,
individuals with CFS will exacerbate symptoms associated with PEM
simply by completing normal daily activities.

See also: The main characteristic of ME is an abnormally delayed muscle recovery after doing trivial things, if you don't have that, you don't have ME 
See also: GET (graded exercise therapy) is torture for ME patients and directly contravenes the do NO Harm principle of the GMC
See also: Post-exercise acid exposure 50 times higher in ME/CFS patients vs healthy controls, with no reduction with repeat exercise 
See also: CFS Patients Try to Help Researchers Despite The Fact that Researchers try To Kill Them with CBT and GET
See also: Pacific Labs in California (Snell, Stevens et al): it is dangerous to put patients with M.E. through a graded exercise program
See also: PACE trial's Prof Peter White: Exercise causes Immunological damage in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and is NOT safe
See also: Jan 2011, Spanish study shows that CBT and GET make things WORSE in ME/CFS !!! See also: Journal for Psychotherapy 2011: CBT and GET are ineffective and potentially harmful for many ME/CFS patients

Will has fuck all to do with getting better

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Jocelyn:
Seven years of being ill has given me plenty of time to get familar with this, the dominant narrative imposed on people with severe and/or chronic illness in our culture. The person falls ill, and they battle bravely against their disease.

After all, how many times have you heard it said that someone “defeated” cancer, or “lost her battle with” cancer?

We have this schema of disease as a war, that it’s something you mount your body’s defenses against via your will, that you show valor by battling bravely, that your fighting against it and not “giving up” is inspirational.

And all that, frankly, is bullshit. I had to learn that the hard way. I really did think, when I fell ill, that my getting better would be a matter of willing myself to.

After all, I’d gotten sick plenty of times before, and I’d willed myself to get better, and I got better.

But that’s not how it works. Whether you will yourself to get better or not, your body has an immune system, and either it does its job or it doesn’t.

You take drugs, and either they work against the disease or they don’t.

You undergo chemo, and either it turns the tide or it fails to. Will has fuck all to do with it.

But ... Read more>>

FDA's Laboratory of Retroviruses: it is prudent to minimize the risk of human exposure to XMRV infection

Investigation of xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV) in human and other cell lines

Dhanya K. Williams, Teresa A. Galvin, Hailun Ma, Arifa S. Khan:

Laboratory of Retroviruses, Division of Viral Products, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 8800 Rockville Pike, HFM-454, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA

Received 1 June 2011; revised 17 August 2011; Accepted 18 August 2011. Available online 12 October 2011.

Abstract
Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV) was discovered in human prostate tumors and later in some chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients. However, subsequent studies have identified various sources of potential contamination with XMRV and other murine leukemia virus (MLV)-related sequences in test samples. Biological and nucleotide sequence analysis indicates that XMRV is distinct from known xenotropic MLVs and has a broad host range and cell tropism including human cells.

Therefore, it is prudent to minimize the risk of human exposure to infection by evaluating XMRV contamination in cell lines handled in laboratory research and particularly those used in the manufacture of biological products.

Nested DNA PCR assays were optimized for investigating XMRV gag and env sequences in various cell lines, which included MRC-5, Vero, HEK-293, MDCK, HeLa, and A549, that may be used in the development of some vaccines and other cell lines broadly used in research.

The sensitivity of the DNA PCR assays was <10 copies in approximately 1.8 x 105 cells equivalent of human DNA. The results indicated the absence of XMRV in the cell lines tested; although in some cases DNA fragments identified as cellular sequences were seen following the first round of PCR amplification with the env primer pair.

It has been known for 2 years that AZA was used in Lombardi et al. !!

Thx to S.M.: Dan Petersons's slides from the Oct 29 CFSAC 2009 (.pptx).

John Coffin was in the audience and spoke after. So it has been known that AZA was used in Lombardi et al.

"10/33 Protein expression in Decitibine (5Aza2DC) treated PBMC" XMRV Association with CFS - Part 4 http://www.hhs.gov/advcomcfs/meetings/presentations/xmrv_cfs.html

 XMRV Association with CFS | HHS.gov www.hhs.gov

 XMRV Association with CFS so not only known, but posted on a public access government website for the last 2 years !!


See also: A big thank you to Dr. Judy Mikovits
See also: New Message from Dr. Mikovits
See also: Direct evidence of Human gamma retrovirus infection in M.E. shown clearly by electron microscopy

To any rational human being, What acts like a virus, infects like a virus, is a Virus

Lesley McLeod:
October 12, 2011 10:50 PM EDT

Judy, the scientists that discovered HIV and its links to Aids went through this fight.

 We stand by your side and believe in your work and will not abandon you in this battle for answers.

 What acts like a virus, infects like a virus, to any rational human being is a Virus.

 I am far away in Australia. Hoping endlessly that you can continue your work to its own end. I have never liked the Mass Mentality of Medical Practices that makes a pact that leaves millions of people sick as dogs and lets them suffer without regard.

 I ask loudly that all people who are enrolled in your Research into Gamma Retroviruses to add their voices together and state clearly ... " that they will withdraw from the research unless it is done under your direction." I admire your integrity to stand and fight for us, the way you have.

 Sincerely Lesley McLeod
- Lesley aka Sleepy Sunshine

 See also: A big thank you to Dr. Judy Mikovits
See also: New Message from Dr. Mikovits
See also: Direct evidence of Human gamma retrovirus infection in M.E. shown clearly by electron microscopy

New Message from Dr. Mikovits

Source: CP.

Dr. Judy Mikovits:

 To UK/Ireland and all others in the Mikovits Research studies:

 I am writing this note today to reassure everyone who consented into the Research program of the WPI including but not limited to the 5 year R01 pathophysiology of ME/CFS, that as Principal investigator, I have the legal right to continue that research at another institution and to take with me the samples and materials and supplies purchased for the sole purpose of that research.

Since the sudden closing of the WPI research program on September 30th, I have been in active discussion with several institutions who are enthusiastic about the opportunity to participate with me in this important research. I strongly encourage you to voice your support by emailing me at jamikovits@gmail.com.

As you know, your consent form stated that you could withdraw from these studies at any time.

The funding agencies need to know that you will withdraw your consent if the research is not done under my direction and thus two years of precious samples and resources will be wasted. Emails from participants in support of me continuing my research will greatly help me.

 I deeply appreciate not only your participation in my research but also your ecards, emails, encouragement and most importantly your trust in my integrity during this difficult time.

 Judy

CP's PS: This is direct from Judy and can be posted, it is VERY important. With reference to the statement by WPI to research participants to request the return of their blood samples: It is an IRB/privacy violation to send anyone but me your information. Annette and Andrea are not approved to know participants in any studies. Please DO NOT write to the WPI under any circumstances as they do not have permission to know participant identity or contact. They cannot return processed blood samples and should not have any access to identifying participant information.
 See also: A big thank you to Dr. Judy Mikovits
See also: Message from Dr. Judy Mikovits

Direct evidence of Human gamma retrovirus infection in M.E. shown clearly by electron microscopy

by The Academy of Nutritional Medicine (AONM) on Tuesday, October 11, 2011:

Dr. Judy Mikovits MD

Virological and immune evidence of Human gamma retrovirus infection in M.E.

On the second anniversary of the publication Dr Judy A Mikovits presented a paper regarding evidence supporting infection of ME patients with Xenotropic MLV-related viruses at the Fibromylagia ME conference in Tullamore, Ireland. Dr  Mikovits explained the recent finding that DNA samples described in the 2009 Lombardi et al. publication were found to be contaminated with an XMRV virus clone named VP62. 

The reporting of incorrect viral sequences explains why the experiments designed to replicate the PCR data described in the Lombardi et al. paper have given negative results in many laboratories.

Dr.  Mikovits described the detection of gammaretrovirus protein directly from un-manipulated plasma, direct isolation of gamma retroviruses from blood cells of ME/CFS patients shown clearly by electron microscopy, cell-associated and cell-free transmission of virus to uninfected primary cells and cell lines, antibodies against an envelope protein derived from a murine leukemia virus in serum of CFS/ME patients.  In the 2009 work, serum from more patients than controls exhibited antibodies against the viral envelope protein.  

These findings are not affected by the errors in Figure 1 and in the virus genome sequencing and in fact explain discrepancies in Figure 1 and the protein/antibody data shown in the paper.    

Individuals whose immune systems have made antibodies to a gammaretrovirus envelope protein have been exposed at some time to similar polypeptides.  The identity of the proteins that elicited in the antibodies is not presently known; all that is known is that they are highly similar to proteins known to be present in gammaretroviruses.


Dr Mikovits described how XMRV has suffered from an issue of nomenclature.  Dr Mikovits and colleagues used “XMRV” to mean viruses with sequences similar to the virus reported by Urisman et al. in 2006 to be present in prostate cancer tissues.  


However,  “XMRV” has come to mean only the sequence of the virus molecularly cloned (but not isolated) in 2006 and the nearly identical viruses that have been found in some cell culture lines.  


In order to clarify nomencaltrue for future research on gammaretroviruses, Dr Mikovits proposes referring to gammaretroviruses detected in humans as “HGRVs”, human gammaretroviruses. 

Although it is known that ...

Presentation Summaries from Tullamore Conference 2011

by The Academy of Nutritional Medicine (AONM) on Tuesday, October 11, 2011:

 Dr. Peter Julu, MB ChB MSc PhD

Cardiorespiratory challenges in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Fibromyalgia

Breakspear Medical Group, Wood Lane, Hertfordshire House, Hemel Hempstead

The autonomic nervous system controls all the organs in the body and receives all visceral sensory inputs from the periphery. The central autonomic driver neurones are situated in the brainstem where they are organised in a pattern described as organotopic. It means the neurones are sited according to the organ they control in the body, for example, all those neurones controlling the gut are sited together and all those controlling the heart are also together and so on. Both the sympathetic driver neurones in the rostral (or upper part) ventrolateral medullar oblongata and the parasympathetic central relay and integrative neurones in the Nucleus Tractus Solitarius (NTS) have organotopic arrangements, sometimes referred to as viscerotopic pattern of spatial organisation.

It has been technically impossible to study functions of the central autonomic nervous system in real-time in humans. A breakthrough came with the publication in 1998 of a workshop demonstrating real-time monitoring of the autonomic outcomes of breathing dysrhythmias in a neurodevelopmental disorder known as Rett syndrome using the NeuroScope method. This method has been extended to study the interactions of visceral afferents (or sensory signals coming from organs in the body), mainly from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), with the central autonomic nervous system.

We have introduced this novel clinical technique of monitoring brainstem autonomic activity in real-time in the study of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Fibromyalgia (FMS). Our preliminary results show extensive cardiorespiratory heterogeneity in patients carrying both clinical diagnoses of FMS and ME. We have identified three pathophysiological entities in both conditions. There are three types of cardiorespiratory dysregulations; chronic tissue hypoxia, hypocapnoea and hypercapnoea all with elements of vascular endothelial dysfunctions. There is also a group of patients with cardiodynamic dysregulation usually in the form of abnormal inotropic function in the heart. The third category is a group of patients with patchy dysautonomia of various causes; many are associated with environmental pollutants.

There is strong evidence based on real patients’ data to suggest that the dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system is a major factor in the symptoms of patients with FMS and ME and a proper controlled research in this field is overdue. 

Dr Daniel Goyal MB ChB DTM&H

Where we are clinically with ME and Fibromyalgia.  

 Many chronic diseases require a whole systems approach.  Hypertension, diabetes, and others, require diet, exercise, medications and nutritional support to achieve disease resolution.  ME too requires this whole system approach.This modern illness joins other neuro-immune disorders with a probable basis in environmental toxicity. Such toxicity has variable effects often detectable through real-time autonomic profiling. This presentation discusses these issues and presents some simple methods for patients to implement in order to achieve improved bodily systems associated with their impairments.  Whole food, organic, high anti-oxidant and low sugar are the cornerstones of the various diets discussed. Correction of nutritional deficiencies and supplemental support for inadequate metabolic pathways all lead to the elimination of pro-oxidative xenobiotics, improvement in the redox state and eventually improved immunity. Often the immune system requires direct assistance through anti-microbials and/or immunotherapies.Physicians should consider screening for herpes viruses, and if clinical suspicion remains, commencement of an anti-viral therapeutic trial.  Immunovir, where normal kidney function remains, is probably first line and requires 1-3 months trial.  Maintenance dose should be titrated to patient response.  Valacyclovir is probably second line.  Responders should be referred to infectious disease or immunology for further interventions. It is unlikely the immune system will recover without successful elimination of toxin.

Greg Crowhurst RNLD PG dip

Speak Your Truth

There is a huge amount of misinformation  surrounding  Myalgic Encephalomyelitis; I emphasized , in my presentation, how important it is to stand up for the  truth of ME, as a devastating,  neurological disease .

For the last seventeen years I have cared fill time for my wife, who has Very Severe ME. I have learned a lot about how to cope, how to care for someone that ill and how to fight.

It is very difficult, there are  not many doctors or consultants with the experience and knowledge to know how to treat people with ME.  The fact is, if  you  are to achieve anything for the person you will have  to fight  every step of the way. 

We  have shown  how it is possible to get a biomedical service , that the person with Severe ME does not have to be left , with nothing being done for them, for decades on end, as is so often the case.

It  takes enormous courage , as a carer, not to compromise, to keep on struggling despite  the odds, to put oneself on the line, time and time again; to  never give up, to find a way through  the never-ending,   grinding pain and suffering, to   make the  necessary connections, to advocate , to push , to deal with the inevitable inertia and snails pace rate of change - and your own anger.

For sure you will be pushed to the edge , as I showed through the  paintings I shared, but with my wife  so completely ill, giving up has never been an option for me.

Hearing  the person’s  truth - which  brings its own issues and then standing up for it,   is the only way ultimately, I believe ,  that you can help the person  with Severe ME and yourself. 

In my presentation I tried to share a little of what I have learned : how to  be in the moment with the person, how to  focus , how to be gentle ,  how to keep going and growing .

Art, music, writing, these things keep me alive, and give me enormous hope .

I am greatly encouraged these days by the pioneering work of the AONM ;  they have seemingly burst out of nowhere , with  a  fresh new energy, a  dynamic , ultra-committed  approach to working alongside patients and carers and an uncompromising determination  to  find a way forward, especially for the most severely ill. 

In all these years, I  have never known anything like it. I feel we are riding a wave of change, at last.

 One  day soon and it won’t be long, now I feel,  we will , all of us, surely make that long-awaited and desperately needed biomedical  breakthrough.

Ms Catherine Norton

An exploration of the biopsychosocial and neuropsychological aspects of Fibromyalgia Syndrome in the

Republic of Ireland

Ms Catherine Norton, a PhD candidate in the School of Psychology, University College Dublin, reported on her large-scale study of Fibromyalgia. The study (with 249 participants) involved an investigation of self-reported quality of life, cognitive functioning and emotional status in a cohort of Irish chronic pain patients, 

primarily exploring Fibromyalgia, Raynaud’s and Scleroderma. Patients with Fibromyalgia syndrome report great levels of 

pain and suffering on a daily and hourly basis. The results indicate that their pain is having a very adverse impact on their 

physical, psychological, social and occupational functionality, with a severe impact on their overall quality of life. 

Her research is continuing, with special emphasis on quality of sleep. 

Dr. Raymond N. Perrin DO, PhD

The involvement of cerebrospinal fluid and lymphatic drainage in Fibromyalgia & ME

Dr Perrin who is an osteopath  and honorary senior lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire’s school of public health and clinical sciences, presented the scientific basis of the Perrin Technique, a manual system of diagnosis and treatment of ME which he has developed through over twenty years of clinical research. The lecture explained how the central nervous system has a little known process of drainage into the lymphatic system and in Fibromyalgia and ME this drainage system is reversed. This leads to a build up of toxins in the brain and spine which causes pain, sleep problems,  cognitive difficulties and many other severe health problems experienced by patients with Fibromyalgia syndrome and ME.

With clinical examples and drawing on evidence from many other research studies and  the latest findings from other recent international conferences, he explained how Fibromyalgia and ME are very similar and often both affect the patient. He discussed and demonstrated how to physically examine for visible and palpable signs of Fibromyalgia and ME . He offered hope to the many patients at the conference showing how one can restore a healthy ‘neuro-lymphatic drainage’ and together with other therapies discussed in the conference help to produce a balanced and healthier future.

Dr. Judy Mikovits MD

Virological and immune evidence of Human gamma retrovirus infection in M.E.

On the second anniversary of the publication Dr Judy A Mikovits presented a paper regarding evidence supporting infection of ME patients with ...

Malta's shabby treatment of M.E. patients

Dr John H Greensmith:

Malta Today Letters.

It is difficult to decide which would be worse: (1) not to accept that M.E. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) exists at all as a seriously disabling discrete neurological illness - even though the World Health Organistion has done so since 1969 and the most recent International Consensus Criteria (Carruthers et al, August 2011) reinforces that M.E. is separate from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), or (2) to admit that M.E. may exist, obfuscate it within the heterogeneous CFS bundle, where it does not belong, since the nebulous symptom "fatigue" is not a prerequisite for M.E. but then reckon that M.E. is not sufficiently debilitating to make the sufferer eligible for welfare payments (A sick joke? Study reveals how ME sufferers excluded from welfare system, Malta Today, 9 October 2011 - http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/2011/1008/a-sick-joke-ME-sufferers-welfare-system). There's no humour here, only rotten science, poor logic, feeble morality and utter carelessness for one's fellow beings.

May I suggest that representatives of the Maltese Government, who hold either of these views, visit just one or two people whose M.E. meets the International Consensus Criteria and, perhaps be shocked into the reality that current welfare policy is untenable. I am sure that ...

To most scientists it's all about a test, not a disease and most certainly not about patients

Jamie Deckoff-Jones MD said...:
 If XMRV wasted some money, what about the CAA? If these scientists were truly objective, they wouldn't all be so happy about the outcome. Mikovits, Ruscetti and Hanson, a very few others, are the only scientists in the world who know anything at all about the disease. And the fact that they care about us, doesn't make them wrong. The rest of the scientists in this story are completely ignorant of the pathophysiology.

Clueless, and not interested. Racaniello, ERV, commenter Jason, ("Jason' is a graduate student at Columbia, working in a lab next to Prof Racaniello, who has been posting comments recently".) et al have not an iota of understanding about why simple retroviral disease is such a good fit. To them, it's all about a test, not a disease.

Money, glory, fame. Most certainly not about patients.

They seem shocked to find out there are real people impacted. The idea that it is better for the patient community if research into gamma retroviruses stops now, so that all the money can be spent on investigating the same old downstream effects and known pathogens, is a cruel joke.

 From the limited anecdotal evidence we have, I'm pretty sure the response to antiretrovirals, even without specific drugs and without a PI, is better than placebo. Read more>>


 See also: Professor Wessely: A placebo is MORE effective than CBT
See also: Harvard Medical School: EEG spectral coherence data distinguish chronic fatigue syndrome patients from healthy controls and depressed patients 
See also: The putative agent of ME/CFS can be transferred to monkeys 
See also: Almost 5% of ME/CFS patients contracted ME/CFS from a blood transfusion
See also: Cerebrospinal fluid profiles can differentiate between Lyme disease, ME/CFS and healthy controls
See also: The main characteristic of ME is an abnormally delayed muscle recovery after doing trivial things, if you don't have that, you don't have ME

Message from Dr. Judy Mikovits

Wildaisy said...

Dr. Judy Mikovits asked me to post this for her:

Dr. Judy Mikovits thanks patients and friends for their support. She intends to continue her research and she will not give up. She will never participate in perpetrating fraud on patients or funding organizations.

See also: A big thank you to Dr. Judy Mikovits

Natalie Boulton and Josh Biggs' ME film "Voices from the Shadows" available for live streaming, free of charge online from now until 10/30/11

Anonymous said...:
 I would just like to ask all those from "research/scientific community" to please watch Natalie Boulton and Josh Biggs' ME film "Voices from the Shadows".

It is available for live streaming, free of charge online from now until 10/30/11. The film is just over an hour and I think it may a useful tool to understanding where the patients' mistrust of the medical establishment/scientific community is coming from and why their is such allegiance to people who "get it" like Dr.'s Deckoff-Jones and Mickovitz.

I would also hope it would help to explain why the tone of Abbie's blog is so offensive and that it would encourage researchers, scientists, doctors, commentators, etc., to take some responsibility for building trust with the patient community (rather than being dismissive), particularly if they are so certain that they can provide answers.

The film can be accessed for live streaming at http://mubi.com/festivals/mill-valley

 It will not be downloadable. -MSD








 See also: A big thank you to Dr. Judy Mikovits
See also: Harvard Medical School: EEG spectral coherence data distinguish chronic fatigue syndrome patients from healthy controls and depressed patients 
See also: The putative agent of ME/CFS can be transferred to monkeys 
See also: Almost 5% of ME/CFS patients contracted ME/CFS from a blood transfusion
See also: Cerebrospinal fluid profiles can differentiate between Lyme disease, ME/CFS and healthy controls
See also: The main characteristic of ME is an abnormally delayed muscle recovery after doing trivial things, if you don't have that, you don't have ME See also: GET (graded exercise therapy) is torture for ME patients and directly contravenes the do NO Harm principle of the GMC

Mechanisms of Mitochondrial Defects in Gulf War Syndrome

clinicaltrials.gov:

This study is currently recruiting participants.

Verified on September 2011 by Medical Neurogenetics, LLC

First Received on December 17, 2010.   Last Updated on September 20, 2011   History of Changes

Sponsor:	Medical Neurogenetics, LLC
Collaborator:	Department of Defense
Information provided by (Responsible Party):	John M. Shoffner, Medical Neurogenetics, LLC
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:	NCT01264471

  Purpose

The purpose of the study is to investigate possible causes for Gulf War Syndrome. Gulf War Syndrome is associated with increased incidences of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease), pain syndromes, muscle complaints that include fatigue and myalgias (muscle pain), as well as other neurological symptoms. Abnormalities in the part of the cell known as mitochondria have been delineated in Gulf War Syndrome. Mitochondria are the "power plants" of the body. Mitochondria take the food you eat and break the food down into a form of energy that the body can use. The investigators propose that Gulf War Syndrome is determined by a complex interaction of factors that interfere with mitochondrial function. This study will be the first investigation of mitochondrial function inGulf War Syndrome. The investigators objective is to establish the cause for symptoms in affected veterans, develop testing that can more easily identify Gulf War Syndrome, and ultimately develop treatment protocols for Gulf War Syndrome.

Read more>>

RIP Mr Apple

thesun.co.uk: The pioneer, who died at home in California, is survived by wife Laurene, 47, daughters Eve and Erin, and son Reed.

A family statement said: "In his public life, Steve was a visionary. In his private life, he cherished his family."

He also had another child Lisa Brennan-Jobs by a previous relationship with Chrisann Brennan. His complex family life means lawyers could struggle to split up his £5.4billion fortune.

The San Francisco-born guru was adopted as an infant after being given up by Syrian Abdulfattah Jandali and Joanne Simpson. It is said they did not want to raise him out of wedlock.

Jobs dropped out of university after just one term and saved money from his first computer job to go on a spiritual retreat to India.

He returned a shaven-headed Buddhist and admitted experimenting with mind-bending drug LSD.

In 2004 he was diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer. His health deteriorated rapidly in recent years and after two temporary leaves of absence he stepped down as CEO and became Apple chairman

He started the firm in the 1970s in the garage of parents Paul and Clara. Co-founder Steve Wozniak said he will "miss him as much as everyone".

The company went on to develop one of the first commercially successful lines of PCs. Its market value today is $350billion (£227billion). In August it briefly topped Exxon as the world's most valuable company.