31 January, 2010

The man accused of biting the nipple off a Chicago police officer during a struggle for the cop's gun — and spitting it out on the sidewalk in front of Gibsons Steakhouse on Rush Street — was in bond court Tuesday.

I stopped by to hear the details. But before nipple biter suspect Fernando Cooper was brought before Judge Ramon Ocasio III, there were dozens of other cases — assaults, drugs, beatings, shootings at cars with kids inside, a veritable march of the barbarians.

One by one, the defendants stood before Ocasio — the 220-pound nipple biter was No. 58 on the list — and often they bowed their heads as Assistant State's Attorney Erin Antonietti read the charges and extensive criminal records. Meek, eyes lowered, they didn't look as I pictured them with weapons in their hands, somebody bleeding on the ground, a neighbor calling 911.

One was accused of using his car to ram a police squad car, then blowing through several red lights and stop signs before crashing his car on the South Side. Police who pulled him out of the wreck found a semi-automatic pistol and several bags of cocaine. Authorities said he had seven felony convictions before this charge, including a conviction for aggravated criminal sexual assault.

Then came the two Insane Deuces, street gang members, almost dwarfish, heads shaved, topping out at a little less than 5 feet, accused of standing in the middle of 44th and Wallace, guns in their hands, firing at a car. The car contained a man, a woman and a toddler. They allegedly shot the man in the leg, twice. Their family members stood up in the gallery to protest. A skinny geezer, toothless, wispy hair, and two women, mouths open while listening, saying it was all lies.

Up next was a man accused of beating his girlfriend to a pulp, a thick-set fellow with too much grease in his hair. Allegedly, as he was being handcuffed, he pulled away, swinging the arm with the dangling cuff and slamming it the face of the arresting officer.

On and on it went, like the white kid in the black silk outfit with the skull design. He said he was 18, though he looked like an eighth-grader, charged with possession of heroin. The judge tossed the boy back into the bullpen until his father could arrive from Wisconsin with $5,000 in bail. "That's ridiculous!" said the skinny in silk, a victim waiting to happen in County Jail.

Finally, it was No. 58, the nipple biter case of Fernando Cooper.

Cooper has been arrested more than 90 times since 1995, on charges from theft to battery and other various thuggeries. Last year alone, he was arrested 20 times, records show. He stands more than 6 feet tall and was listed at 220 pounds, making a living, sometimes, shining shoes. It's an honest trade. My grandfather shined shoes for money as a kid.

Authorities said Cooper was outside Gibsons in the Viagra Triangle on Sunday night, hassling customers, grabbing at their feet. It sounded like he intimidated the Viagra out of them.

The police officer was off duty at the time, working security for Gibsons. The cop tried running Cooper off the corner and showed his badge, but Cooper wouldn't leave, and as the officer called for backup on a cell phone, Cooper allegedly punched him in the face.

The two began wrestling. Cooper was reaching behind the officer's back, trying to grab for the holstered gun, Antonietti said. That's when the biting began.

"He then raised his head and bit the officer in the chest, biting the right nipple off," Antonietti said. "The nipple was found at the scene and was brought to the hospital, but it could not be reconnected. The officer requires extensive reconstructive surgery."

Outside court, Cooper's wife, who did not want her name to be published, said they'd been a couple since each was 12 years old and began "living over by my father's house."

She said her husband told her he didn't think he was dealing with a cop. She mentioned that Cooper often became violent when full of whiskey.

"The alcohol is the main reason (for his problems)," she said. "When you're intoxicated, the alcohol does the talking for you."

Judge Ocasio imposed a $500,000 bond. Cooper disappeared back into the lockup.

I thought of those times when a cop slaps somebody around. The politicians begin shrieking, and TV announcers excitedly warn viewers about the shocking video to come. The video is played again and again and again.

There was no video of the cops getting rammed by the car on the South Side. There was no video of the handcuffs whipping against that other officer's face. And so far, there's no video from Rush Street, a chunk of the officer's chest ripped out by human teeth, then spat upon the sidewalk to be picked up later with a napkin and carried to the hospital.

Sometimes, it's what you don't see that shocks you. Unless you're a cop, a prosecutor or a judge. They'll see it over again tomorrow in bond court. Day after day.

source: www.chicagotribune.com

31 January, 2010

The government should ensure Vietnam is not a place where “anything goes,” Dr. Marjatta Tolvanen-Ojutkangas, Chief of Child Survival and Development Section, UNICEF Vietnam, and Dr. Jean-Marc Olivé of the World Health Organization told Thanh Nien Weekly.

Four years after the government decree on Marketing and Use of Nutrition Products for Young Children, how would you assess its impact on the breastfeedingpromotion campaign in Vietnam?

Marjatta Tolvanen-Ojutkangas: The decree is action in the right direction but there are obvious obstacles to its implementation. Firstly, there is a gray area in the decree regarding the definition of support groups and associations, such as Pediatric Association, Mid-Wives’ Association and Nutrition Association. The companies have effectively used the gaps to their marketing benefit, which has weakened the contribution of this decree. Secondly, the tools required to implement the decree need to be updated to make it more effective.

Jean-Marc Olivé: Currently, the breastfeeding rate in Vietnam is very low; only 17 percent of mothers breastfeed their children during the first six months. How the decree contributes to protect breastfeeding among mothers in Vietnam very much depends on compliance to this decree by health sector and milk companies and content of the decree itself.

However, from the report by the Health Inspection Unit of the Ministry of Health, there are a number of violations of the decree by health facilities and milk companies. By this, I want to say that the compliance with this decree needs to be enhanced. On the other hand, promotion activities on breastfeeding should be conducted more intensively through different channels including through mass media, health system and medical professional associations.

How have the companies cashed in on the gaps [existing in the decree]?

Jean-Marc Olivé: The gaps that do not cover role of medical professional associations, applications limited in health facilities, silence on promotion of breast milk substitutes in shops, and public places; age limits of children for whom the products are advertised can allow milk companies to cash in on these gaps.

[For example], the decree limits the selling or advertising breast milk substitutes for infants less than 12 months to health facilities. There is silence on promoting milk formula in shops and public places. The age of children for whom the decree strictly regulates selling or advertising breast milk substitutes is under 12 months. This allows milk companies to sell and advertise their products for children more than 12 months old. However, in reality, as many products are branded, it is not always clear for what age the milk product is advertised.

The decree bans pictures or text that encourages bottle feeding; (labeling) words that describe a product as equivalent or superior to mother’s milk: photographs, drawings [used in labels] of children below 12 months; and donation and acceptance of materials bearing names or symbols of milk for children below 12 months in health facilities. But many milk companies violate these regulations.

Marjatta Tolvanen-Ojutkangas: Since there has not been any improvement in screening of the advertisements by the Communication Department of Vietnam Food Administration, the false advertisements in TV continue, and many violations continue also in the facilities. No formula company is unaware of the decree, in my opinion, for the International Code is some 30 years old, and many national Codes are passed and implemented. The companies often choose to ignore them or try to use their ignorance as an excuse. It is the responsibility of the government of Vietnam to enforce the decree to protect the best interests of the Vietnamese children from the false advertising and marketing of the companies, and make them aware that this is not the country where ‘anything goes’. This is now the case with the nutrition products for children, but with increasing integration with global markets the same phenomenon can be true with so many other foods, unless the new Food Law that is now being finalized is fully enforced and implemented.

Is it realistic to have a complete separation of Vietnamese health professionals from infant formula milk companies at an organizational level in order to deal with the conflict of interest?

Jean-Marc Olivé: The way to improve compliance by health professionals is to raise their awareness of the national code and enhance monitoring of code violations among health professionals. There is need to limit contact of individual health inspectors with companies to prevent intimidation by companies, and corruption and abuse of power on the part of government officers. Dealings with companies should always be committed to writing and central and provincial authorities must be encouraged to inform each other of the actions and decisions taken to ensure consistency and uniformity. A monitoring report on marketing practices which violate the decree should ideally be prepared as a shaming device and circulated widely so that companies, health workers and shop owners will refrain from blatantly violating the decree.

Marjatta Tolvanen-Ojutkangas: Since Vietnamese women have a very high attendance of ante-natal care clinics and give birth in the health facilities, close to 100 percent, we obviously cannot separate the health professionals from breastfeeding promotion. At organizational level we do need to be able to separate them from the influence of the companies, otherwise the advice that they give and task that they are expected to perform in ante-natal care clinics and maternity hospitals will be compromised. We need to ensure that the basic training of health professionals includes a good knowledge base on benefits of breastfeeding, so that the health professionals know what the best practice is, and with that information be prepared to stand against the false information of the companies. The financial incentive for the health personnel by the companies is one of the main reasons for them to ignore the best practice. Increasing the pay for civil servants would obviously be the best way to make that incentive disappear. Finally, in order to achieve this goal, revising the decree is a must.

Has there been any headway in enforcing the decree?

Marjatta Tolvanen-Ojutkangas: After the launch of breastfeeding awareness campaign last August there has been increasing exposure of the violations, thanks especially to journalists and the media. The process of reviewing the decree and respective tools is now included in the UNICEF supported annual work plan for this year. What is needed is commitment by the relevant MoH departments to speed up the process that in any case is time-consuming. But we believe that this will proceed in 2010.

Can the latest hike in formula prices be considered an opportune moment to talk Vietnamese mothers into exclusive breastfeeding?

Marjatta Tolvanen-Ojutkangas: We need to update our calculations of the cost of formula per child – it is a huge sum of money! This year there will be substantial communication campaigns coming up, so we need to use also this information for awareness rising. When a family knows of the better option, of breastfeeding, one would expect that rational behavior is to save the money for something else and at the same time improve the child’s health and nutrition.

30 January, 2010

Pregnancy is a beautiful time, but that doesn’t mean it’s not also plagued with questions you feel too embarrassed or guilty to ask. So we’ve asked the experts for you…

1) Should I neaten up my pubic hair before I have people examining me down there?
Having a stranger investigate your bits is never a fun five minutes, but don’t worry that a hairy barnet-below will bother the person examining you. Mr Ahmed Ismail, director of Queens Gynaecology Clinic, London, says, ‘As a doctor, I’ve seen it all and nothing I observe will affect the treatment given to a patient. It’s more important to be clean, both for you and in respect for whoever is examining you.’ If you’re more comfortable after a tidy-up, it’s OK to wax, the only thing is your skin’s likely to be more sensitive than usual, so be ready to wince.

2) If I’m lying on a bed for hours then being told to push, isn’t it going to get messy?
Erm, yes. NCT antenatal teacher, Gillian Fletcher, explains, ‘This is pretty much part and parcel of giving birth. While you’re pushing, the anus will be under pressure. The midwife usually puts a pad across that area, or if you’re in a pool they’ll use a sieve to get rid of anything – most women are so focused on pushing they hardly notice. The midwife isn’t going to be embarrassed, and she’ll deal with it discreetly. Years ago, women routinely had an enema to clear their bowels before labour, but it makes faeces more liquid, which can be just as problematic.’ The good news is most women need the loo in early labour, while they’re still able to walk, so there tends not to be too much later.

3) I got drunk in the weeks before I realised I was pregnant and now I’m terrified. Will my baby be OK?
First off, stop stressing. ‘There’s no point getting anxious about things you can’t change – stress isn’t good for you,’ says Gillian. Easier said than done? Well, here’s some good news. ‘It’s highly unlikely an isolated incident of over-indulgence in very early pregnancy will have an effect,’ says Mr Ismail. ‘Experts are more concerned about regular intake throughout pregnancy, which may have a devastating effect on foetal wellbeing in the womb, during delivery and after delivery.’ Everyone has regular scans to check the baby’s wellbeing, the important thing for you is to follow drink and dietary advice from now on.

4) I’ve been told to have pads in my hospital bag for post-labour bleeding. Will normal sanitary towels do?
No, they won’t. ‘A lot of women are surprised how heavy the bleeding is, especially if you’re breastfeeding,’ says Gillian. ‘The hormone that lets down breast milk also helps the uterus lining to shed, so it’s a good idea to change your pad before you do a feed.’ The heavy bleeding usually only lasts a week to 10 days, then most women have a lighter discharge for about six weeks.

5) Should I buy something to wear for the birth, or do you get given a gown?
You’ll be given a gown in hospital, but some people prefer clothes that smell of home. Gillian advises, ‘Long T-shirts are good for covering up and still allow the midwife to get to your arm to take blood pressure and examine you. Cheap, Ugg-style boots are a good idea too, in case you’re padding around.’ Whatever you buy, make it cheap – it’ll get messy and probably get binned afterwards.

6) I haven’t been doing my pelvic floor exercises. Will I regret it?
Mr Ismail thinks you might. ‘These are extremely important because they decrease the chance of problems in and after labour – there’s no excuse! But it’s never too late to start. Pick it up as soon as you can, and keep it going for as long as possible. You’ll appreciate the benefits when you resume your sex life, and doing the exercises lessens the chances of post-birth stress-incontinence.’

7) I’ve been invited to a breastfeeding class before my baby is due, but I can’t believe it’ll be difficult. Surely it comes naturally?
Baby. Nipple. Milk. What could be easier? But chuck sore nipples, wrong positioning and helpful mum-in-law observations into the mix and confidence is easily shattered, especially at a time when your hormones are spinning. It’s a good idea to get groundwork in before the baby arrives, plus meeting women at the same stage as you can help to build up a support network in case you do run into problems later. ‘A lot of women think if you’ve not cracked it by day two, you’re not going to,’ says Gillian, ‘But sometimes it takes a while for you and your baby to understand each other. With the right support, most women can breastfeed for as long as they want. Often it will come naturally, but if not, having a chance to talk things through is helpful.’ If you’re struggling to breastfeed after the birth, the NCT Breastfeeding helpline can help on 0300 33 00 771.

8) Once I’ve pushed out a baby, is sex ever going to be the same again afterwards?
It certainly can be. ‘For straightforward vaginal deliveries, (provided you do those pelvic floor exercises) you should enjoy a full recovery fairly quickly. Some women even report having better sex after a baby,’ says Mr Ismail. ‘But sometimes stressful births cause problems for the mother, from minor injury which can be painful, through to major muscle damage. These can almost always be put right, and gynaecologists specialise in this type of restorative surgery, so seek help if you need it.’

9) Is my belly button going to become an ‘outy’? Will it go back to normal afterwards?
It doesn’t take much to batter bedroom confidence – even funny tummy buttons don’t help. ‘Most people will get this because the abdominal muscles get so stretched, but yes, it goes back again eventually,’ says Gillian. Depending what shape yours is, it may go out or go flat, and there’s not much you can do except cover it with clothing. Some women stick it down with a plaster to flatten it.

10) I’m coming out of my first trimester and I’m so tired and sick all the time. I feel like a wuss, everyone else seems to manage. Are they just hiding it better?
‘A lot of women really underestimate how tired they’ll get, and people aren’t always honest about how bad they feel,’ says Gillian. This can be particularly difficult in the weeks before you want to tell friends and colleagues. It usually gets better in the second trimester, but it’s not unusual for symptoms to continue, and not just in the morning either. ‘Sometimes people are afraid to complain, but if you speak up, you often find other women felt exactly the same,’ adds Gillian.

• Mr Ismail is a consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician at Queens Gynaecology Clinic, Harley Street (www.queensgynaecologyclinic.co.uk, 020 7935 5540)
• Gillian Fletcher is the former president of the National Childbirth Trust (www.nct.org.uk)

source: www.mirror.co.uk

29 January, 2010

The health benefits of breast-feeding for mothers and babies are widely known. Studies have shown it may improve cognitive development among children and could reduce a woman's risk of getting breast cancer or cardiovascular disease. But new research suggests that some very obese woman may not breast-feed as much or for as long as their normal-weight counterparts.

The study, released in the January issue of the journal Obesity, looked at information about 3,517 white women and 2,846 black women from 2000 to 2005.

Overall, a greater number of white women (67.2%) than black women (41.2%) initiated breast-feeding, and white women breast-fed for longer periods compared with black women. Among white women, breast-feeding was highest among those who were normal weight and went down as their pre- pregnancy body mass indexes rose, with very obese white women having lower odds of beginning breast-feeding than normal-weight white women. Among black women, BMI was not a factor in beginning to breast-feed.

BMI was also relevant in breast-feeding duration. Very obese white women had on average the shortest breast-feeding period, while normal-weight white women had the longest. Among white women, the odds of breast-feeding at 10 weeks decreased as their BMIs increased.

The authors point to other studies that show overweight and obese women may have a harder time breast-feeding than women of normal weight, and they urge that overweight and obese women as well as black women may need more guidance to start breast-feeding.

source: Copyright © 2010, The Baltimore Sun

24 January, 2010

In developed and developing countries alike, studies show, the importance of breastfeeding to the health of newborn children cannot be underemphasized.

Controversial research has emerged to support the claim that breastfeeding may improve a child’s mental health. The study was published in the Journal of Pediatrics and was conducted on Australian children.

However, the University of Southampton has debunked this idea, stating that the relationship was a spurious one, better accounted for by genetic factors, the mother’s intelligence and education, and family upbringing.
That said, there are most definitely beneficial effects from breastfeeding, as well as from extending the length of time that mothers breastfeed their children. But, for breastfeeding to be advantageous, the mother most be properly nourished. For instance, in order to ensure optimal health, Australian authorities have just recently announced that pregnant or breastfeeding women should take iodine supplements. Iodine deficiency in expecting mothers translates into a deficiency in the child. This can adversely affect the development of a baby’s brain and hearing. Iodine deficiencies are common in the developing world; however, for a long time, it has been easy to get it to the population by adding iodine to salt. Also important is folic acid, a nutrient needed to prevent neural tube defects. In well-developed countries, folic acid is usually added to foods in order to ensure adequate intake by the population. Developing countries with less access to processed or supplemented food are not so lucky.

For HIV-positive mothers in the developing world, conventional wisdom has been that avoiding breastfeeding is an important part of reducing the transmission of the HIV virus to infant children. International health research has begun to challenge this idea. Numerous studies from around the world have seemed to indicate that breastfeeding children for at least 6-18 months is the best option for the nutrition and health of the child.

Research from Zambia indicates that stopping breastfeeding before or at 4 months did not decrease the likelihood of HIV transmission from mother-to-child. It did, however, increase child mortality and vulnerability to infectious diseases. With periods of breastfeeding shorter than 6 months, said another study published in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, the risk that babies will die from diarrhea and/or vomiting increases. Dr. Tracy Creek, conducting research in Botswana, found that almost 90% of babies hospitalized for these causes were not breastfed.

Highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) and other treatment/containment strategies that make breastfeeding for the HIV-positive safe are needed to reduce child mortality in the poorest regions. HAART is a very effective HIV treatment regimen involving a combination of anti-retroviral medications. Another method of reducing mother-to-child-transmission while breastfeeding is flash-heating. A 2007 study by the University of California at Berkeley found that heating breast milk containing the HIV virus in a glass jar in a pan or over a flame (a form of pasteurization) can inactivate the virus. The extreme low-cost, low-technology nature of this intervention makes it is an easily adaptable strategy for resource-poor populations. The strategy has been recommended by the WHO; yet, more research on its implementation in pandemic-affected countries is needed.

One thing is certain, according to Dr. Creek: “Breastfeeding is critical to infant survival in the developing world.”

source: www.soschildrensvillages.ca