- Study shows many diagnosed, some unreported with asthma in Imperial County 0 Nov 19, 2009
Asthma is one of the most common long-term respiratory diseases, according to the study. It causes wheezing, chest tightness and repeated coughing. (El Centro Imperial Valley Press, CA)
11 More Children Die From Swine Flu Nov 19, 2009
Instead of reaching a goal of 40 million doses by the end of October, fewer than 30 million doses will be available, Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said during an afternoon press conference ... SOURCES: Oct. 16, 2009, teleconference with Anne Schuchat, M.D., director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Oct. 16,... (MEDLINEplus)
CONGRESS: How Did H1N1 Vaccine Fall Short? Nov 18, 2009
Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC testified before the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing this afternoon. "One thing I think we can look back and say was a mistake is some of our communication whether we meant to or not, I think we led expectations of availability to be higher than they have been, and so that, that I think can lead to frustration," Schuchat testified. (ABC News)
Egypt: Over the Top With Anti-Swine Flu Steps Nov 18, 2009
"By all standards, the H1N1 virus in its current form is a weak one - comparable to seasonal influenza - with a fatality rate in Egypt of one percent or less," Dr. Mohamed Awad Tageddin, professor of respiratory diseases at Cairo's Ain Shams University, told IPS. "More than 99 percent of those who contracted the virus in Egypt have recovered.". Authorities in this country - where the H1N1 virus first appeared in early June - have taken drastic steps to contain the virus, beginning with the delay... (allAfrica.com)
Medical debut for smart band aid Nov 17, 2009
Finally, said Dr Oliver, the band aid will be used to monitor the health of those recovering from more serious respiratory diseases. Training could be enhanced with wireless health monitors. (BBC News -- Technology)
Global swine flu deaths slow as WHO toll passes 6,250 Nov 14, 2009
While still imprecise, the new numbers provide "a bigger picture of what has been going on in the first six months of the pandemic," Anne Schuchat, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, told reporters. She said previous estimates were based on "laboratory confirmed cases of hospitalisation and death, potentially giving an incomplete picture of the story of this pandemic.". (Yahoo! Asia News)
H1N1 death toll: 3,900 in U.S. Nov 14, 2009
But Dr. Anne Schuchat, the director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said the estimate gives a "more accurate picture" of the scale of the pandemic. The figure was based on a detailed analysis of data from several dozen districts around the country, she said. (CNN)
Swine flu shows signs of peaking in some areas Nov 14, 2009
While saying "high to very high intensity of respiratory diseases" have been reported in some parts of Europe including Belarus, Bulgaria and Russia, it said experts were now less concerned about a big outbreak in Ukraine. "The initial analysis of information from Ukraine indicates that the numbers of severe cases do not appear to be excessive when compared to the experience of other countries and do not represent any change in the transmission or virulence of the virus," it said in a statement... (MSNBC -- Health)
MediciNova Reports Third Quarter 2009 Results Nov 13, 2009
D., President and Chief Executive Officer of MediciNova, Inc. "In addition, we are excited to expand the utility of MN-221 into other respiratory diseases with a Phase Ib clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of MN-221 in patients with stable, moderate to severe COPD.". About MediciNova. (Primezone Releases)
Get your flu shots Nov 13, 2009
Your browsers security settings are preventing some features from appearing. By Justin Fritscher jfritscher@jackson. (The Clarion-Ledger)
Vaccine fear has pregnant moms, kids risking flu Nov 13, 2009
These are "striking" numbers that have never been seen before, according to Dr. Anne Schuchat, the director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. The increased mortality from swine flu among pregnant women is believed related to a condition of pregnancy. (Daytona Beach News Journal)
Black Carbon: A Visible but Overlooked Factor in Warming Nov 13, 2009
And cutting back on black carbon will also pay immediate health dividends, with less air pollution and fewer deaths from respiratory diseases. We might even be able to see the sky in New Delhi again. (Time.com)
Behind the CDC's Soaring H1N1 Death Totals Nov 13, 2009
"We know that a number of deaths that we're seeing are occurring outside of the hospital where testing is not possible," Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, told reporters at a briefing on Thursday. "We also know that not every patient with influenza gets a diagnosis of flu. For influenza it's virtually impossible to find every case with a lab test. So the estimation method we are using now we believe gives a bigger picture, a probably... (Time.com)
* Clean air is key in talks between Hu and Obama Nov 13, 2009
Respiratory diseases have become the No. 1 cause of death in China. All previous US administrations criticized the Chinese government for its human rights violations, but all of them selectively focused on political and religious freedom in China. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Swine Flu Infects 22 Million, Kills 3,900 in U.S. in Six Months, CDC Says Nov 13, 2009
U.S. health authorities are seeking a more accurate model to analyze the effects of the pandemic flu, also known as H1N1, , director of the Atlanta-based CDCs Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said today. Swine flu, first reported in April, is spreading at unprecedented rates for this time of year, Schuchat said. (Bloomberg -- Canada)
National H1N1 spike: Flu claims tenth PBC life Nov 13, 2009
The data suggest the novel H1N1 flu strain is behind the deaths of 3,900 people, and the hospitalization of nearly 100,000, said the CDC's Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. That's more than five times the number of lab-confirmed cases reported last week. (The Palm Beach Post)
Swine flu has killed 540 kids, sickened 22 million Americans Nov 13, 2009
"We've been tracking influenza for decades," says Anne Schuchat, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. "What we are seeing in 2009 is unprecedented.". (USA Today -- News)
22 Million Sickened by Swine Flu in 6 Months Nov 13, 2009
The earlier numbers were based on laboratory-confirmed cases, Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said during an afternoon press conference. "The estimation method we are using now, we believe, gives us probably a more accurate picture of the full scope of the pandemic," Schuchat said. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
90 per cent of Africans still exposed to second-hand smoking Nov 12, 2009
" Global cigarette consumption has been rising steadily since James Bonsack invented the first cigarette rolling machine in 1881. By the 1960s, the controvertible health consequences of smoking had become apparent. The Third edition of the Tobacco Atlas states that all forms of tobacco are addictive and lethal while scientific evidence confirms that smokers face significantly elevated risk of death from numerous cancers particularly lung cancer, respiratory diseases, stroke and many fatal... (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Officials discuss apartment mold problem Nov 12, 2009
Tests on a piece of drywall she sent to an independent lab in Casper, Western Environmental Services and Testing, came back positive for cladosporium, which in large amounts can severely affect asthmatics and those with respiratory diseases. Air testing of one unit by Environmental Assessors, Inc., of Park City, Utah, also confirmed elevated levels of stachybotrys spores, more commonly known as black toxic mold, in the living room and second level hallway. (Green River Star, WY -- Local)
Poll: One-third able to get swine flu vaccine Nov 10, 2009
But it was encouraging to see that nine in 10 people who couldn't get vaccine will try again, said Schuchat, who heads the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. The poll also found. (Orangeburg Times and Democrat, SC)
Cough into your cell phone, get diagnosis Nov 10, 2009
New research by American and Australian scientists aims to diagnose cold, flu, pneumonia or other respiratory diseases by analyzing coughs with software ... With that data the scientists eventually want to develop sound profiles of all respiratory diseases, adjusted for a person's age, weight, sex and other factors that influence coughs. (MSNBC -- Health)
Evotec and Boehringer Ingelheim Extend and Broaden Research Collaboration Nov 9, 2009
At the same time, based on the success to date in the areas of CNS, inflammation, cardiometabolic and respiratory diseases the scope of the collaboration has been expanded to also include oncology targets. Over the term of the extension Evotec will receive research funding of around EUR 15 million plus success milestones and royalties. (Primezone Releases)
Dr. Mary Ellen Wohl, pioneer in treating children’s lung disease Nov 9, 2009
At Children s Hospital, where she served as chief of respiratory diseases for 22 years and director of its Cystic Fibrosis Center for 19, Dr. Mary Ellen Wohl became known internationally for her breakthrough research in pediatric pulmonary diseases ... Mary Ellen was a force of nature, said Dr. Craig Gerard, chief of respiratory diseases at Children s, whom Dr. Wohl trained ... Children s recently created and endowed the Mary Ellen Beck Wohl Professorship in Pediatric Respiratory Diseases. (Boston Globe)
Most Who Want Swine Flu Shot Can't Get It Nov 7, 2009
"I think it was understandable that people were finding it difficult for people to find vaccine at the time of the poll, because we were and still are at a point where the supply is relatively limited, compared with the demand," Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said during a news conference Friday. One positive finding of the Harvard poll was that nine out of 10 people said they... (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
A H1N1 flu vaccine supply recovering Nov 7, 2009
So far, there have been 38 million doses produced and another 8 million is expected perhaps next week, said Anne Schuchat, the director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. "The pace of our progress is picking up," she said, noting that the supply has doubled in two weeks. (The Augusta Chronicle)
World first as swine flu found in cat... Nov 5, 2009
After ruling out most common causes of respiratory diseases, a team of university and state vets looked at the family history of the owners and guessed swine flu might be the cause. After five days of tests, their fears were confirmed. (The Drudge Report)
Disease related to indoor pollution (7) Nov 5, 2009
Indoor air pollution can cause chronic respiratory diseases (such as asthma), headaches, nausea, fatigue, liver damage, harm to the immune, reproductive, nervous and cardiovascular system, and cancer. To achieve healthy indoor air, keep things out of your home that cause air pollution, such as harmful Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). (Sebastopol Sonoma West Publishing, CA)
Redefining America Nov 5, 2009
We could anticipate a strong market for small, fuel-efficient cars that emit less pollution, reducing the medical cost of treating respiratory diseases. We would see more people using alternative transportation such as walking and riding bicycles, which in turn might help with our obesity epidemic and related medical expenses. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
MediciNova Announces Initiation of a Phase Ib Clinical Trial for MN-221 in Patients With Stable, Moderate to Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Nov 4, 2009
According to a more recent report on respiratory diseases from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institutes of Health, the prevalence and age-adjusted death rate for COPD increased more than 30 percent since 1980. The same report also indicated that the direct costs of health care services and indirect costs through loss of productivity related to COPD amounted to approximately $26 billion in 1998. (Primezone Releases)
Ukraine closes schools a week to curb swine flu spread Nov 3, 2009
According to the ministry's previous report the number of people who have died of influenza and respiratory diseases has reached 60 and the number of people suffering from the flu is 200,000. All schools have been closed for a week across Ukraine, even in the capital, Kiev, where there have been no confirmed cases of swine flu. (Xinhuanet, China)
One Dose of Swine Flu Vaccine Works for Pregnant Women Nov 3, 2009
Meanwhile, Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said Monday at the press conference that the shortage of H1N1 swine flu vaccine continues, because of variables with the egg-based production process. "Expect continued challenges over the days ahead, but over time we expect that supply will start to increase and eventually catch up with the tremendous demand we are seeing now," she said. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
1 dose of H1N1 vaccine protects pregnant moms Nov 3, 2009
According to Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the , who also attended the news conference, 30 million doses of the vaccine are available for states to order. She explained that that does not mean 30 million shots are available to the public at this point. (CNN -- Health)
Vaporized Propylene Glycol, a Key Ingredient in Electronic Cigarettes, May Prevent Pneumonia, Influenza, and Other Respiratory Diseases Nov 2, 2009
Inhalation of vaporized propylene glycol, the primary ingredient in the electronic cigarette cartridge, may prevent pneumonia, influenza, and other respiratory diseases ... The 1942 study by Dr. Oswald Hope Robertson of the University of Chicago's Billings Hospital showed that Propylene glycol, the most prevalent ingredient in electronic cigarette cartridges, was found to possibly prevent pneumonia, influenza, and other respiratory diseases when vaporized and inhaled ... Now the electronic... (Yahoo News -- Press Releases)
Full Story » Nov 2, 2009
Vaporized Propylene Glycol, a Key Ingredient in Electronic Cigarettes, May Prevent Pneumonia, Influenza, and Other Respiratory Diseases - Yahoo ... Vaporized Propylene Glycol, a Key Ingredient in Electronic Cigarettes, May Prevent Pneumonia, Influenza, and Other Respiratory Diseases ... Inhalation of vaporized propylene glycol, the primary ingredient in the electronic cigarette cartridge, may prevent pneumonia, influenza, and other respiratory diseases. (Yahoo News -- Press Releases)
H1N1 vaccine supply is impacted by various factors Nov 1, 2009
The rough, unedited transcript of Thursdays Centers for Disease Control and Prevention press briefing involved comments from national Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases director Anne Schuchat. The director was asked about what communication there is between the CDC and the vaccine manufacturers. (Williston Daily Herald, ND)
Swine flu deaths soar, Ukraine closes schools Oct 31, 2009
"We have been saying that we were just finding the tip of the iceberg with our laboratory confirmed reporting," Anne Schuchat, the director of the national center for immunisation and respiratory diseases, told reporters. The A(H1N1) virus has also spread in European football leagues, just days after the French first division clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille was postponed after three Parisian players were diagnosed with swine flu. (Yahoo! Asia News)
FLU SEASON: How to get through unscathed Oct 30, 2009
Test tubes of cultures wait to be checked by a scientist for signs of the H1N1 virus and other respiratory diseases. LEARN MORE. (USA Today)
Daily chart: Out of puff Oct 30, 2009
Residents of richer countries are suffering more now because they have been smoking longer: cancers and chronic respiratory diseases caused by tobacco smoke take a long time to develop. Deaths in poor countries, where many more people have taken on rich-world smoking habits in recent decades, are predicted to rise dramatically in the next 20 years. (The Economist)
Flu protein changes can alter outbreak Oct 30, 2009
6 million more doses than the day before, said Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Those numbers and the progress of the pandemic will be updated by CDC today. (The Augusta Chronicle)
CDC: 5.7M Swine Flu Cases in First Few Months Oct 30, 2009
Though there are scattered shortages of pediatric doses, adult-strength Tamiflu pills are in good supply and pharmacies can turn them into a Tamiflu syrup for children, said Schuchat, who heads the CDC s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. MORE. (Time.com)
Up to 5.7m US H1N1 flu cases in four months: study Oct 30, 2009
7m US H1N1 flu cases in four months study. 7m US H1N1 flu cases in four months: study Posted: 30 October 2009 0838 hrs. (Channelnewsasia.com)
Almost 6 Million U.S. Cases of Swine Flu in First Few Months Oct 30, 2009
Speaking at an afternoon teleconference on Thursday, Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, explained why the CDC uses such models to get an idea of the actual number of H1N1 flu cases. "Not every case will result in a person seeking medical care," she noted. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
Iranian scholars share Avicenna's medieval medical wisdom Oct 30, 2009
In particular, they aimed to highlight Avicenna's work on respiratory diseases, which may be informative or interesting to physicians and pulmonologists today. Avicenna discusses respiratory diseases in volume three of the Canon of Medicine, covering the functional anatomy and physiopathology of the pulmonary diseases that were known in his time in detail ... His descriptions of the signs and symptoms of various respiratory diseases and conditions are remarkably similar to those found in modern... (EurekAlert!)
Norovirus Gastroenteritis Oct 29, 2009
From the Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD (R.I.G.); the Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta (R.I.G., U.D.P.); and Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston (M.K.E.). Address reprint requests to Dr. Glass at Fogarty International Center, 31 Center Dr., Rm. (New England Journal of Medicine)
U.S. Issues Swine Flu Guidelines for Day-Care Programs Oct 27, 2009
Vaccination, good hygiene practices are among recommendations to protect young children. Friday, September 4, 2009. (MEDLINEplus)
Hand Washing 10 Times a Day May Help Keep Flu Away Oct 27, 2009
In an update of a 2007 study, Dr. Tom Jefferson of the Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Group in Rome, Italy, and colleagues reviewed the results of 59 studies that looked at the effectiveness of strategies to reduce the spread of viral germs that cause respiratory diseases such as the flu and SARS. The new review appears online Sept. 22 in BMJ. ... The researchers called for national school programs to encourage hand washing and stressed that gloves, gowns, masks and isolation of certain... (MEDLINEplus)
Cigarette Smoke May Impair Lungs Natural Defense Against Harmful Pathogen Oct 27, 2009
26, 2009) Exposure to cigarette smoke may impair the ability of immune cells to clear bacterial infections from the lungs, specifically nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI), a pathogen often associated with respiratory infections and the progression of respiratory diseases. See also. (Science Daily)
EXPERTS: 'National emergency' for H1N1 no cause for alarm Oct 26, 2009
Anne Schuchat, director of the 's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, agrees. "It's really more a continuation of our preparedness steps," she told USA TODAY on Sunday. (USA Today -- News)
Vaccine shortage spurs frustration Oct 25, 2009
While the CDC had hoped for 40 million doses by the end of October, the real numbers will be about 30 million doses because of manufacturing delays, said Dr. Anne Schuchat, CDC's director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Public health departments across the country are quickly running out of vaccine and don't know when the next batches will arrive. (CNN)
Tips from the journals of the American Society for Microbiology Oct 24, 2009
Exposure to cigarette smoke may impair the ability of immune cells to clear bacterial infections from the lungs, specifically nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI), a pathogen often associated with respiratory infections and the progression of respiratory diseases. The researchers from Spain and the United Kingdom report their findings in the October 2009 issue of the journal Infection and Immunity. (EurekAlert!)
Black Abortions Outpace Seven Deadliest Diseases Oct 24, 2009
Those seven death causes were heart disease, cancer, strokes, accidents, diabetes, homicide, and chronic lower respiratory diseases, CNSNews. com said. (Newsmax)
Frustration looms as H1N1 vaccines run out Oct 24, 2009
While the CDC had hoped for 40 million doses by the end of October, the real numbers will be about 30 million doses because of manufacturing delays, said Dr. Anne Schuchat, CDC's director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Public health departments across the country are quickly running out of H1N1 vaccine and don't know when the next batches will arrive. (CNN)
Production Problems Plague Delivery of Swine Flu Vaccine Oct 23, 2009
"I understand and share everyone's desire to have more vaccine. I wish that we had more than we have right now, but we do have more coming out every day," Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said during a press conference. The resulting shortage has forced the delay of many mass vaccinations, and harried doctors are dealing with worried parents anxious to get their children inoculated. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
CDC Concedes Vaccine Production Behind Schedule Oct 23, 2009
Schuchat heads the Atlanta-based CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. (Copyright 2009 by The A 00004000 ssociated Press. (13WMAZ.com, GA)
Hospitals: Don't visit if you're sick Oct 22, 2009
"It's almost completely reversed," said Schuchat, who heads the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. The figures are similar to what the CDC saw in the spring, she said. (Brainerd Daily Dispatch)
Swine Flu Still Strikes Younger People Hardest Oct 21, 2009
"This is dramatically different than what we see with seasonal flu," Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said during a press conference. "For seasonal flu, 90 percent of fatalities occur in people 65 and over -- it's almost completely reversed here," she said. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
Swine flu deaths in U.S. mostly in those under 65, CDC reports Oct 21, 2009
In a typical season, the majority of deaths are among people over age 80, said Anne Schuchat, head of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC, in a conference call with reporters today. Almost 5,000 people have been hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza, more than 53 percent under the age of 25, the agency said. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Minnesota Pig Infected With H1N1 Flu Oct 20, 2009
Instead of reaching a goal of 40 million doses by the end of October, fewer than 30 million doses will be available, Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said during a Friday afternoon press conference. "The delays the manufacturers have will have a substantial impact for the states in their planning efforts. We are seeing more and more vaccine become available -- we wish it were more than... (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
Parks, Green Spaces Protect Your Health Oct 20, 2009
Among the physical health conditions, the apparent protective benefits of living in greener areas appeared strongest for respiratory diseases such as asthma, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) and upper respiratory infections. A much weaker association was seen for other common health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. (CBS News)
China warns of tougher flu control work in western regions Oct 20, 2009
Besides, it's located in high altitude areas, which adds up difficulties to the treatment of patients infected with respiratory diseases, said Health Minister Chen Zhu at a meeting on flu prevention and control especially for the western regions. Chen said the ministry will help improve the ability of flu prevention and control in the regions, including training local medical staff and supplying vaccines and medicines. (Xinhuanet, China)
Bloggers' challenge: Will you make any effort to limit your contribution to air pollution this winter? Oct 18, 2009
These particles are so small that they can become imbedded in human lung tissue, causing or exacerbating respiratory diseases and cardiovascular problems. Other negative effects are reduced visibility and accelerated deterioration of buildings. (Logan Herald Journal, UT)
Click to read:H1N1's Links to Pneumonia Appear Clearer Oct 18, 2009
Officials had predicted that about 40 million doses would be available by the end of October, but that projection will probably fall short by about 10 million to 12 million doses, said Anne Schuchat, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases ... "Officials had predicted that about 40 million doses would be available by the end of October, but that projection will probably fall short by about 10 million to 12 million doses, said Anne Schuchat, director of the... (CBS News)
Short on H1N1 vaccines: Enough doses for 2% of PBC Oct 17, 2009
The agency had hoped to have 40 million doses out by the end of October, but it looked like it would have no more than 30 million doses, said Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC.. "The next couple of weeks will continue to be challenging," Schuchat said. (The Palm Beach Post)
CDC: Production of H1N1 flu vaccine lagging Oct 17, 2009
But due to manufacturing delays, "we think at most it will be 10 to 12 million doses less," said Dr. Anne Schuchat, CDC's director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. She told reporters Friday that manufacturers are making unprecedented amounts of vaccine, but difficulties growing the vaccine, as well as time-consuming potency and purity testing, are contributing to the delay. (CNN -- US)
