In the 44th Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Liver (EASL) in Copenhagen, Denmark, a study was presented showing corticosteroids as a possible treatment for patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis, improving their survival rate by as much as a month. In the study, two scales have been developed to gauge the severity of a patient’s disease making it possible to predict which of the patients might respond best to steroid therapy—a treatment considered to be controversial.

According to the results of a meta-analysis presented by Philippe Mathurin, MD, of the Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology in Hôpital Claude Huriez, Lille, France, patients who have a poor prognosis for survival may benefit from steroid therapy. The study involved 202 patients who were treated with corticosteroids and 185 patients in control groups, and was based on 5 randomised, controlled trials. Patients treated with steroids had a 79.2% over-all 28-day survival rate as opposed to only 64.1% for patients who were mot treated with steroids. Using a univariate analysis, factors that were anticipated of having a poor outcome such as the patient’s age, leucocyte and albumin levels, serum creatine, and the presence of encephalopathy were included. Two scores, the Lille scale and the Maddrey scale of discriminant function (Maddrey DF), were used to measure the severity of the patient’s illness and were also an indication of a poor outcome.

In the Maddrey DF scale, the patient’s bilirubin measurements and prothombin time were considered to determine poor outcome. In this scale, a score of >=32 is considered to be predictive of poor outcome. In the Lille scale, bilirubin, change in bilirubin over a seven-day period, and renal insufficiency were included. 85% of the patients who score >0.45 were predicted to die within 6 months compared to only 25% of those with a score of <0.45.

In the meta-analysis, patients who received steroids had lower levels of bilirubin after a period of seven days, compared to patients who did not receive steroids; the rate was 73.1 mcmol/L for those administered with steroids vs. 36.1 mcmol/L for those who were not administered with steroids. In addition, those who received steroids had a lower Lille score at 0.225, compared to those who did not receive steroids with a score of 0.391.

Another significant finding of the study is that 66.4% of those patients who received steroids were considered as responders to the treatment having Lille scores of less than 0.45, as opposed to 54.6% of those who did not receive steroids treatment.

The meta-analysis also showed that for patients who had Lille scores less than 0.45 at baseline, they had a 94.1% 28-day survival for the patients who received steroid treatment, as opposed to patients who did not receive steroid therapy, having a 78.6% 28-day survival rate where P=.002.

In conclusion, Dr. Philippe Maruthin said that the analysis helps to shed light on the controversy of whether steroids should be used as a treatment for patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis. He also said that the study demonstrates that among a subset of patients that had better Lille scores at baseline, corticosteroid treatment could actually extend 28-day survival.

When asked why Brian Cushing was his first-round draft pick, Texans’ defensive coordinator Frank Bush said that it was partly because Cushing reminded him of someone with the same demeanor and intensity in playing the game, someone he coached at Denver. When asked who this player was that reminded him of Cushing, Bush said it was Bill Romanowski—a player who has also been surrounded with steroid talk in the past. Rumors of steroid use have followed Brian Cushing so long that it has become part of his public persona yet Cushing has never tested positive for steroid use or has been proven to take any performance enhancing drugs.

These days, however, with the looming shadow of the NFL steroid era, anyone who is fast, strong, and well-cut is subjected to the suspicions that the player must be cheating. Cushing said that he told every team that he never did steroids and that he passed every drug test out there. He added that, “I’m not that kind of guy.” At this point, is it foolish to believe that one can still achieve stellar scores and extraordinary success with hard work and good genes? Weighing 246 pounds and measuring 6-3 in height, Cushing is a self-confessed health nut who does not eat junk food. His meals are prepared and delivered to him by his nutritionist, he has worked with a trainer since high school, and he regularly lifts weight with passion. Granted, it is still possible to achieve excellent form and stamina the natural way but to many, excellent form and stamina is immediately equated to steroid use.

People’s suspicions are not without basis, of course. Brian Cushing used to be a 165-pound freshman who later transformed into a 225-pound linebacker terror playing for his alma mater, Bergen Catholic in Park Ridge, New Jersey. Students from rival high schools taunted Cushing with chants alleging he was using steroids.

Some weeks ago, a web site falsely reported that Cushing and fellow first-round draft pick Trojan linebacker Clay Matthews tested positive for steroids at the NFL Combine for February. Regarding the rumors, Cushing simply said that he’s going to prove the people wrong. Instead of putting him down, it seems that the rumors even drive Cushing to pursuing greatness.

Texans general manager Rick Smith said that they investigated the steroid rumors on Cushing, as they would with any other player, before taking Cushing in the team. He said that they have vetted the process thoroughly and that they feel really good about who he is as a man and as an athlete and player. He also said that they are excited about adding him in to their football team.

Cushing’s high school coach can only agree with Smith. In an interview with Sports Illustrated, he said that Cushing had a “wild dog” in him (a certain nastiness), which was an excellent mentality for a strongside linebacker, adding that one problem with that is that Cushing sometimes hit quarterbacks in practice when hitting quarterbacks is not allowed. In describing his strength, Cushing used the word ‘intensity,’ which sums up his asset as a player.

Six additional athletes tested positive for doping during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. This brings a total of 15 athletes caught for doping in the said event. This just triggered a stricter implementation of the anti-doping policies set by the International Olympic Committee.

Athletes that were caught positive for CERA were Bahrain’s Olympic 1,500-meter track gold medalist Rashid Ramzi, Italian cycling silver medalist Davide Rebellin, Dominican female weightlifter Yudelquis Contreras, Greek race walker Athanasia Tsoumelaka, cyclist Stephan Schumacher and Croatian 800-meter runner Vanja Perisic.

Continous Erythroprotein Receptor Activator (CERA) works by increasing endurance through the stimulation of red blood cell production. Serves as a blood boosting drug, carrying oxygen and improving performance of the athletes.

The IOC has 948 blood samples re-tested since the test for CERA has been available. Should the Beijing samples have positive results, the athletes involved will be banned from the next Olympics, and medals will be retrieved and be disqualified. Testing has started and it focused on events which involved endurance such as cycling, swimming and track and field.

Despite the findings, The International Association of Athletics Federations refused to give any names seeing to it that all results were confidential. They are still waiting for any additional details from the IOC before granting any sanctions.

The first athlete to have tested positive was Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain. This Moroccan native was responsible for Bahrain to earn its first ever Olympic gold medal for track and field. He finished the course at 3 minutes, 32.94 seconds in the Beijing Olympics. He also won at the 2005 world championship for the 800-1,500 double track and fields.

The Bahrain Olympic Committee ensures that before Ramzi was sent to compete in the Olympics, he was tested for doping and all the results were negative. They are deeply apologizing for the news released by the IOC.

On June 8, Ramzi’s samples will be sent to France for testing and face an IOC hearing the same day. If his samples come out positive, his medal will be returned, and Asbel Kipruto Kiprop of Kenya will hold the gold.

For Davide Rebellin, the Italian Olympic Committee has suspended this 37- year old Diquigiovanni-Androni cyclist while analysis of his “B” sample is still pending. Ettore Torri, anti- doping prosecutor called him on to a hearing.

This silver medalist denies any intake of prohibited substances claiming that these are “paths” that can ruin his image. He does not see the point of involving in these acts. Still unsure if he could still come back in the racing world, he will still ride for the love of it.

Athanasia Tsoumelaka had been identified by a source outside of the IOC also announced that she had tested positive in the retesting done in Beijing last January. She was charged with the use of banned drugs.

Stephan Schumacher, 27-year old German cyclist has found his way again in the involvement of the use of these drugs. He was one of the positive cases in the Beijing re-tests. He had already been banned for two years by the International Cycling Union for also testing positive for CERA during the Tour de France. This cyclist finished 13th in the Beijing race and dropped out before the finish.

The IOC had already disqualified nine athletes for doping cases at the August 8-24 Olympics. They also had stripped four athletes of Beijing medals.

Actress Alyssa Milano has released her latest book, “Safe at Home: Confessions of a Baseball Fanatic” in late March 2009. This former Charmed star talks about steroids and other performance enhancing drugs used by baseball athletes. “There have always been scandals in baseball,” Milano says about the constant involvement of baseball players with steroids. She said that steroids is a sign of the times and claims that the modern world have become a pharmaceutical nation.

Despite all this Hollywood talk, what people do not know is how much of a baseball fan she is. She puts her personal touch in writing her book which tackles all about baseball and the issues that come with it.

She claims to understand where the steroid usage for players have come from but does not understand how the situation got out of hand, having been going on for such a long time.

Milano, in her book, suggested “The players’ union should support a come-clean program.” In the event that they have been involved in steroid usage, they should apologize for it then move on. She sees nothing wrong about being honest with the issue. Players should just admit to it and then go on with life. She could forgive players if they are honest about the whole issue.

Taking A-Rod as an example, who admittedly used steroids due to the pressure of a good play being a Yankee. Milano thinks that the sport is any worse just because of his actions. Apart from the link between steroid use and baseball players, she also mentioned Botox in actresses. She states in the book that there are no actresses over 40 who have not used Botox. This has been a worldwide phenomenon as one of the anti-aging remedies available.

Alyssa Jayne Milano, 36- year old actress have been exposed in show business for a long time, but her break came when she landed a role in Melrose Place as Jennifer Mancini in 1997. She also played Meg Winston in Spin City. She is also landed roles in theatre and is involved in the performing arts. This is where she had her first taste of freedom when she starred as Annie in Broadway. She has also starred in various plays such as Tender Office by John O’Keefe, and All Night Long, the first musical adaptation of Jayne Eyre. 1991, she returned to theatre in which she starred and at the same time produced, Butterflies Are Free, a Los Angeles production.

Viewers may also recognize her as one of the three witches, Phoebe Halliwell in the now defunct show, Charmed which ran for eight years from 1998 up to 2006. She as well as friend Holly Marie Combs then became producers of Charmed during the fifth season of the show.

Milano would also lend her voice in the upcoming ‘Ghostbusters: The Video Game” as Dana Barrett. This character was played by Sigourney Weaver in the movie. She appeared in music videos as well as televisions ads. She even had a recurring role in the new series My Name Is Earl as Billie Cunningham.

Der Spiegel, the German news magazine, reports that Andreas Kloeden and Matthias Kessler, former T-Mobile cyclists have been involved in illegal EPO doping. There was also an independent investigation conducted on these two riders. Rumors have been spreading about the two cyclists after receiving banned blood transfusions in Freiburg University Clinic from the doctors there. Two years of investigations has passed for the doping claims on the two cyclists. The doctors who have reported to have adopted a doping system for the former T-Mobile and Team Telekon cycling team were Lothar Heinrich and Andreas Schmid.

Matthias Kessler refused to comment further on the issue. He is serving a doping ban. Another cyclist, Patrik Sinkewitz confesses to have received banned blood transfusions from the doctors of the same hospital. Klöden has constantly denied doping and is continuing his cycling career, emerging as one of Germany’s top cyclists.

Andreas Klöden, 33-year old German cyclist has been racing professionally for quite a long time. He rode for UCI ProTour Team Astana. This tall and not too much of a buff professional racer has achieved a lot in his cycling career. He has constantly been finishing races with a high overall place in the most prestigious tours. He has received a bronze medal in the 2000 Olympic Games. He also garnered finishing second place in both the 2004 and 2006 Tour de France.

Matthias Kessler, 29 year old professional cyclist of Germany, entered the cycling world with a good start. Klöden’s teammate, also riding for team Agustana, has proved his worth during the 2000 race season. In 1999, he had won a bronze medal in the under 23 cycling world championships. Counting his achievements, he also had three wins in the Gran Premio Miguel Induráin and the 2003 LUK- Cup.

On the other hand, Erythroprotein (EPO) is the most commonly used drug by cyclists to boost their endurance during a race. It is a glycoprotein hormone usually used for anemia treatment. This boosts red blood cell productions to enhance oxygen in blood improving endurance. This promotes an increase in the RBC produces in the kidneys and lungs and carried into the bloodstream. Inducing artificial EPO in the body is termed as “doping”. This has been considered as an illegal substance used by athletes. The use of EPO has been banned in 1995 by the International Olympic Committee. This can cause a high risk of irreversible damage to the cardiovascular system which can eventually lead to death.

Synthetic EPO have already been produced in the year 1983. Tests were only developed to identify synthetic EPO levels in the body only in 2000. Testing for EPO include obtaining urine samples which are analyzed. This method of analysis has only been applied to cyclist in 2001 by the UCI. Through time, not only does cyclist adopt this test but also other sports confederations and as well as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) use this procedure.

Baseball superstar Lenny Dykstra, also known as “Nails” has gained fame, being one of the most competitive baseball players there is in Major League Baseball. He had the baseball world all to himself when reports of his steroid usage suddenly turned everything around. This steroids was allegedly supplied by his brother. People saw him in a different light, along with this came the downfall of his career. Admitting to steroid and other PED usage while doing wonders for his performance, apparently did not do wonders for his reputation. People felt that they were cheated on, with him lying about his profile. They saw him as an athlete who just want to build up his statistics to gain fans and fame.

His business ventures have been really successful, it looks as great as it can get. Once a cheater, always a cheater. This line has been used a couple of times. He may have been known to cheat in baseball with the use of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs (PED’s), but it also seems that he has been cheating with business too. There were reports that Dykstra has been fabricating business data, to deceive clients, family and friends. He lived a luxurious life. He had a lot of properties, spending a lot of money on acquiring Rolls Royce, private jets and even Wayne Gretzky’s old house.

With all of this said, it would be hard to believe that he had not aimed on living a life like this. He has received a lot of lawsuit from here and there, which may suggest only two things that either this former Philadelphia Philly player has never really liked the idea of paying the bills or he just has no intention of paying them. In the past two years, he has received no less than 24 lawsuits, 18 of them since November.

Last January 29, three lawsuits against him headed for the courts. He has been sued by a couple of publishers and printing companies, by pilots and a financial and litigation consulting firm which even offered to testify on his behalf in a previous lawsuit. There was even a case where he was sued by a close friend and investor due to financial issues.

Athletes may not think that drug use in competitions may not be a big deal. Although it may seem unimportant, this can say a lot of things about them as people. People can really be judgemental when it comes to these things. They can easily assume that people who cheat in small things will eventually carry that bad trait and cheat on bigger things. Lenny Dykstra just proved this to have been true.

He has destroyed the trust of fans because of these steroid issues and lawsuits. Especially for die-hard fans, they demand for the truth. That athletes need to really show who they really are, their abilities should be genuine. The tendency is for them to idolize these people, and letting them down by being a fake can cause serious damage to them. The reputation of these athletes will forever be destroyed.