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To: wlheatmoon who wrote (2074)	12/8/2000 8:46:55 AM
From: wlheatmoon	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 2850

interesting SCIENCE BIOMEDICINE: A Wonder Drug? --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paula A. Kiberstis In a relatively short time, the group of molecules known as statins has revolutionized the practice of preventive cardiovascular medicine. The well -documented benefits of statins in preventing coronary heart disease arise from their ability to inhibit an enzyme essential for cholesterol synthesis, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, which leads in turn to lowering of serum cholesterol levels. Kwak et al. now provide evidence that statins also may modulate the immune system. In cell culture studies, statins were found to inhibit the expression of class II major histocompatibility (MHC) antigens, leading to repression of T cell activation. Should future studies confirm the immunomodulatory activity of statins in vivo, the drugs could have new clinical applications as immunosuppressants in the context of organ transplants and various autoimmune disorders. Meanwhile, in two independent epidemiologic analyses, Wolozin et al. and Jick et al. report that the use of statins is associated with a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and dementia. If these observations (and a previous finding that statin use may protect against osteoporosis) survive further scrutiny, statins may one day rival aspirin as a wonder drug. -- PAK Nature Med. 6, 1399 (2000); Arch. Neurol. 57, 1439 (2000); Lancet 356, 1627 (2000). MIDDLE SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT: Asia Stays on Top, U.S. in Middle in New Global Rankings (p. 1866) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Constance Holden Eighth graders from the United States are still running in the middle of the global pack when it comes to science and math achievement, according to the latest results from the Third International Mathematics and Science Study. And Asian nations continue to lead the way, with Singapore and Taiwan emerging as the star performers among the 38 participating countries. The news is not good for U.S. science and math educators, who have spent much of the decade pursuing reforms aimed at raising student achievement. Full story at sciencemag.org INFECTIOUS DISEASES: Polio Outbreak Raises Questions About Vaccine (p. 1867) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Liese Greensfelder A small cluster of polio cases in the Dominican Republic and Haiti marks both the first polio outbreak in the Western Hemisphere in more than 9 years and the first reliable report that a vaccine-derived polio strain may have reverted to a virulent form and spread contagiously. Although a massive vaccination campaign already in the works is expected to contain the outbreak, the unusual incident raises troubling questions about a vaccine that has been in widespread use for nearly 40 years.