Trident Nov 14 2005 - Tridentnews.ca

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28 TRIDENT, NOVEMBER 14, 2005 Protein linked events leading to heart attack THE Ff FILES By CIHR DNews Ateam led by Dr. Janos Filep and funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), has uncovered a novel function for a protein known to elevate the risk of cardiac death. Their finding gives further insight into new avenues of treatment for combating heart attacks. The team’s research revolved around the role of the C-reactive protein and its link to acute coronary artery disease. The team expanded on recent research on C- reactive protein which showed that it acts as an indicator of inflammation. The team found that a modified form of CRP called mCRP stimulates the production of other proteins (cytokines) which control the level of leukocytes or white blood cells in circulation. In this instance, the presence of increased amount of white blood cells into the injured tissues causes inflammation around the coronary artery, and injury to the heart. “Our findings suggest that changes in the structure of the C- Research gives insight into treatment and prevention of heart attacks. reactive protein cause the formation of other proteins that increase the presence of leukocytes in the injured tissues,” said Dr. Janos Filep, lead CIHR investigator, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal. “This aggravates the injury, tightens circulation to the coronary artery and consequently causes inflammation and may provoke cardiac events.” This new understanding of the biological role of various forms of CRP may allow for treatments to be adjusted to reduce inflammation in the coronary arteries, thereby preventing the occurrence of acute coronary events and ultimately to reduce death from coronary artery disease. “The results of this research suggest that by targeting the C-reactive protein, we’ll have a better chance of one day countering coronary heart disease” said Dr. Bruce McManus, Scientific Director, CIHR’s Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health. Ph.D. students Tarek Khreiss and Levente Jozsef, recipients of CIHR Doctoral Research Awards, and Dr Lawrence A. Potempa of Immtech International where also part of the research team. These findings are published in the September 30, 2005 print and online edition of Circulation Research. This C-reactive protein study is part of a larger study funded by CIHR looking into the molecular mechanisms of how various forms of CRP regulate events underlying coronary artery disease. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Quebec also contributed to this study. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is the Government of Canada’s agency for health research. CIHR’s mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to catalyze its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health care system. Composed of 13 Institutes, CIHR provides leadership and support to close to 10,000 health researchers and trainees across Canada. BASS RIVER relaxed. life. style. bassriver.ca · 1 800 565 4272 Brian Arsenault (902) 880-0228 brianarsenault@royallepage.ca Serving Halifax/Dartmouth and surrounding areas Raised in military family, and understands their real estate needs I guarantee “Royal Treatment” at Royal LePage Atlantic 1 Bedroom Upgraded Halifax Condo 767 Parkland #202 $15,6900
TRIDENT, NOVEMBER 14, 2005 29 Shannon Ringette Association celebrates Ringette Week By Virginia Beaton Trident staff November 14 marks the start of Ringette Week in Canada. Ringette is a truly Canadian game, invented in 1963 by Sam Jacks, who also invented floor hockey. More than 50,000 people play the sport across Canada and for more than 30 years, the Shannon Ringette Association has produced some keen players. One of them is Lieutenant Commander (LCdr) Beth Vallis, a Navy reservist at HMCS SCOTIAN. “I started when I was just shy of five years old,” she recalled. Now Vallis is president of the Shannon Heights Club, and two of her three sons are registered in the sport. “One thing we excel at is teaching our athletes how to skate,” she observed. More girls than boys play ringette so Vallis knows that her sons may not continue on, but noted “It’s a great stepping stone for them to hockey, if they choose to play.” They are in the introductory level, called Bunnies, which is the first of eight possible levels, including masters, of ringette play. “The Bunnies program is for ages four to six.” Ringette is a fast-paced team sport played on ice. Using a straight stick, the players pass, carry and shoot a rubber ring to score goals. “We are often compared to hockey and I think it is because there are five players and a goalie and we are on the ice. But it is a very different sport,” said Vallis. “We have a shot clock now, similar to basket ball. You have 30 seconds to move the ring from one end to the other to take a shot. So that has sped the game up quite a bit.” The ringette slogan is the fastest team sport on ice,and the speed makes the sport exciting to watch as well as to play, Vallis believes. There is a National Ringette League, “similar to the National Hockey League. They have sell-out games and the ticket sales are going well beyond what is expected for the sport.” There are hopes that the Maritime region could someday put a team together, according to Vallis. “I’d like to see the women we have had at Shannon, who developed their skill there, be on this team. But we are just hitting our second generation now. The women who started playing, and the men who coached and officiated are starting to register their children to play now, so it’s nice.” Practices for the Shannon Heights group take place on Saturdays and Sundays at the Shannon Park Arena. The coaches are nationally certified, having gone through the National Coaching Certification Program, and Vallis, who as a Level Three coach is at the highest level possible for ringette, heads the Shannon Ringette Association produced teams for more than 30 years. coaching group. On Sundays, there are several hours of play booked. There is a time for the open competitive team, ages 18 and over, and as well, “There is a four to five hour that we’re trying to get people to come to, called Mothers and Others. There are a lot of women who could play, but they’ve never skated before so they are really shy. So this gives them an opportunity to get to know the sport and develop skill.” Vallis has coached such players and commented “I deal with some women who are almost in their late 60s, and they’re playing goalie and they love it. It’s the first sport they ever played and they started playing when they were 60. So there is lots of potential there.” The gear required for play is similar to that for hockey, said Vallis. “Except in ringette, we wear long pants.” Younger children are allowed to wear hockey pants. “The one thing that is significantly different from hockey would be the face mask.” In ringette, the facemask is a criss-cross cage as a precaution because of the straight stick. There is also a plexiglass shield. Ringette players are looking forward to the 2007 national championships, which will be held in the Halifax Regional Municipality. Vallis is chairing the tournament and stated “It is a huge undertaking.” She noted that more than 600 athletes will participate, which is expected to attract large audiences. Ringette is especially popular in Ontario and Quebec, but it is experiencing a resurgence in the Maritimes as well, Vallis believes. “We are recruiting... We had a bit of a lull for a while but it’s starting to come back again.” Anyone wishing further information on the Shannon Ringette Association may check the PSP website at www.psphalifax.ns.ca/Club.
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Trident Nov 14 2005 - Tridentnews.ca

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