Detoxification Techniques Oct 10, 2008
This is a European technique that has been used to remove the top layer of old skin, aiding in the elimination of mucous residues and uric acid crystals. Dry skin brushing increases cell renewal, cleanses the lymph system, and stimulates circulation. (Suite101.com)
Media coverage of drug studies lacking, study says Oct 6, 2008
Framingham study subjects yield genetic clues to gout Researchers scrutinizing genetic data including samples from three generations of the Framingham Heart Study have discovered two new genes and confirmed a third that are linked to an elevated risk of developing gout - a painful form of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid in the blood. The findings are the first published results based on Framingham medical information, which was made available to scientists around the world a year ago. (Boston Globe)
Officer in taser case kills self, police say Oct 3, 2008
washington, d.c. Study identifies gout risk indicators WASHINGTON - Scientists have pinpointed three genes related to the high blood levels of uric acid that cause gout, in a step that could help identify people at special risk for this common and painful type of arthritis ... The genes seem to be involved in how the kidneys handle uric acid, researchers said. (Boston Globe)
New Genes Linked To Gout Oct 3, 2008
2, 2008) Researchers have identified two new genes and confirmed the role of a third gene associated with increased risk of higher levels of uric acid in the blood, which can lead to gout, a common, painful form of arthritis ... Gout can develop when excess amounts of uric acid build up in the blood and form crystals, which accumulate in the joints causing swelling and pain ... Association of three Genetic Loci with Uric Acid Levels and Gout Risk. (Science Daily)
Three Genes Raise Gout Risk Oct 3, 2008
Gout is a very painful form of arthritis caused by a buildup of uric acid. This causes uric acid crystals to be deposited on the cartilage of joints, tendons and other surrounding tissue, especially in the feet, causing an inflammatory reaction ... "We identified two novel loci [genes] for uric acid that were also associated with gout," said lead researcher Dr. Caroline Fox, from the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (MEDLINEplus)
Healthy People With Elevated Levels Of Uric Acid Are At Risk Of Developing Kidney Disease Sep 23, 2008
22, 2008) Elevated uric acid levels in the blood indicate an increased risk of new-onset kidney disease, according to a study appearing in the December 2008 issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN). The results suggest that it may be appropriate to prescribe uric acid lowering drugs, such as allopurinol and probenecid, to these otherwise healthy individuals ... High levels of uric acid in the blood, called hyperuricaemia, can be caused by a diet high in purines or by... (Science Daily)
Bismarck Tribune Breaking News Bridge going out with a burn, not a bang Sep 22, 2008
Kopp said rust took its toll in places on the old bridge, and, of all things, pigeon droppings, very high in uric acid, hastened the corrosion process. Myers said the actual demolition will be done by a subcontractor, DemTech out of Wyoming. (Bismarck Tribune, ND)
New Pegloticase and Treatment Failure Gout Data to be Featured in Six Abstracts At American College of Rheumatology 72nd Annual Scientific Meeting Sep 22, 2008
In both Phase 3 studies, pegloticase was shown to rapidly reduce and maintain plasma uric acid level less than 6mg/dL during the study period in the TFG population whose hyperuricemia and severe gout symptoms were inadequately managed with current urate lowering therapy. The most commonly reported adverse events included gout flares induced by uric acid lowering, and infusion-related reactions ... Pegloticase treated patients with the highest anti-pegloticase antibody titers failed to maintain... (Primezone Releases)
A Regeneron Drug Minimized Recurrence of Gout in Clinical Trial Sep 3, 2008
Gout occurs when uric acid builds up in the blood to the point where it can no longer stay in solution ... Patients can take drugs, particularly one called allopurinol, to reduce the level of uric acid and eventually eliminate symptoms of gout ... That discourages many patients from starting treatment to reduce uric acid levels. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Health)
Family displaced by flood catches some breaks writeLink("vid_id=1109&file=lucasfamily.flv"); Aug 31, 2008
Lesch-Nyhan syndrome is characterized by a buildup of uric acid in the body, which results in moderate retardation, poor muscle control and self-mutilating behaviors such as finger and lip biting. Financial issues made matters worse for the family, who not only lost all of their possessions in the flood, but were left with a 55,000 mortgage on a house that was no longer inhabitable. (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Rising Uric Acid Levels Tied to Migraine Drug Aug 29, 2008
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - In migraine patients, treatment with the drug topiramate (sold as Topamax) may result in increasing blood levels of uric acid, a study shows. Some research has linked high uric acid levels in the body to a higher risk of cardiovascular trouble ... Excess uric acid in the body can create oxidative stress, a state that damages body cells and contributes to diseases, including the buildup of artery-clogging plaques. (MEDLINEplus)
High Levels Of Uric Acid May Be Associated With High Blood Pressure Aug 28, 2008
27, 2008) Reducing levels of uric acid in blood lowered blood pressure to normal in most teens in a study designed to investigate a possible link between blood pressure and the chemical, a waste product of the body's normal metabolism, said researchers at Baylor College of Medicine in a recent report ... "If you reduce uric acid, at least in some patients, you may be able to reduce blood pressure," said Dr. Daniel Feig, associate professor of pediatrics-renal at BCM and chief of the pediatric... (Science Daily)
Drug May Lower Blood Pressure in Adolescents with Hypertension Aug 28, 2008
Allopurinol, used to cut uric acid levels, could work better than current options, study says ... TUESDAY, Aug. 26 (HealthDay News) -- The drug allopurinol -- a drug used to lower uric acid levels -- may lower blood pressure in adolescents with high blood pressure, a new study shows ... Because high blood pressure is commonly associated with high uric acid levels, some studies suggest that elevated uric acid may be one cause of high blood pressure. (MEDLINEplus)
Gout Drug Cuts Teen High Blood Pressure Aug 27, 2008
Aug. 26, 2008 -- The drug allopurinol, often prescribed to lower uric acid levels in adults who suffer the painful arthritic condition known as , also appears to help lower in , according to a new study ... He conducted the study to test the hypothesis that lowering uric acid levels can lower blood pressure in teens ... If future, larger studies also find that lowering uric acid in teens with high blood pressure normalizes their pressure, Feig says, "the impetus will be ... to find better ways... (WebMD)
Gout A Type Of Arthritis Aug 6, 2008
is a disease that develops due to the build up of uric acid. Uric acid crystals precipitate on the cartilage of joints, tendons, and surrounding tissues ... This happens because there is such a high elevation of uric acid in the blood stream. (Suite101.com)
Nephrologists Debate Uses Of Estimated Kidney Function Aug 1, 2008
21, 2008) For patients with type 1 diabetes, increased levels of uric acid in the blood may be an early sign of diabetic kidney disease -- appearing before any significant change in urine albumin level, the. . (Science Daily)
Flood devastates family already dealing with sons' rare disease writeLink("vid_id=1109&file=lucasfamily.flv"); Jul 26, 2008
Lesch-Nyhan syndrome stems from an enzyme deficiency and is characterized by a buildup of uric acid in bodily fluids that leads to symptoms such as severe gout, poor muscle control, moderate retardation and self-mutilating behaviors such as finger and lip biting ... Their bodies' excess uric acid causes many kidney and renal problems. (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Structural analysis of urate oxidase in complex with its natural substrate inhibited by cyanide: Mechanistic implications. Jul 21, 2008
3) or UOX catalyzes the conversion of uric acid and molecular oxygen to 5-hydroxyisourate and hydrogen peroxide. The catalytic mechanism was investigated using a ternary complex formed between the enzyme, uric acid, and cyanide that stabilizes an intermediate state of the reaction ... When uric acid is replaced by a competitive inhibitor, no complex with cyanide can be formed. (BioMed Central)
Could Global Warming Increase the Incidence of Kidney Stones? Jul 16, 2008
Could Global Warming Increase the Incidence of Kidney Stones. Could Global Warming Increase the Incidence of Kidney Stones. (Scientific American)
Blood Vessel Inhibitor Shows Promise Against Metastatic Thyroid Cancer Jul 7, 2008
Five patients had grade 4 (life-threatening) adverse events, including low calcium levels, high levels of uric acid, low potassium levels, cerebral hemorrhage, mental confusion, agitation, or decreased urine production. Two patients whose disease had progressed died of pulmonary hemorrhage. (Science Daily)
Gout may boost heart attack risk Jun 26, 2008
Gout results from too much uric acid in the body - either the body makes too much of it or doesn't excrete enough, causing uric acid crystals to form in the joints ... This isn't the first study to find higher rates of heart problems such as angina (chest pain that occurs when the heart doesn't get enough blood and oxygen) and heart attack in men with gout and high uric acid levels ... A 2004 study of 1,423 middle-aged Finnish men found that those with excess uric acid in their bloodstream had... (Globe and Mail)
Find Out Your Mutt's Family Tree Jun 22, 2008
Dalmatians are prone to uric acid stones. Old English sheepdogs are prone to a type of anemia. (KFOR Oklahoma City, OK)
Gout Tied to Higher Risk of Heart Disease Mortality Jun 5, 2008
Gout arises when uric acid crystals build up in the joints. The body produces uric acid when it breaks down purines -- substances found naturally in the body, but also in certain foods, like organ meats, anchovies, mushrooms and some seafood, such as herring and mackerel ... Some research has linked high uric acid levels in the body to a higher risk of cardiovascular trouble. (MEDLINEplus)
The MOTHERS Act: Thalidomide Revisited? May 24, 2008
A disease must have a demonstrable physical abnormality, such as cancer cells on a "Pap" smear or biopsy, or high blood sugar in diabetes, or uric acid in gout. The only actual abnormality -- disease in any mother "treated" with drugs for "PPD" is the intoxication-poisoning due to ingestion of the psychiatric drug itself. (PR Newswire)
Ardea Biosciences Presents Preclinical Data on RDEA119 Demonstrating Favorable Anti-Inflammatory Profile for Potential Use in Ulcerative Colitis May 21, 2008
RDEA594, our lead development candidate for the treatment of gout, is in preclinical development and is believed to be an inhibitor of the URAT1 transporter in the kidney, which is responsible for regulation of uric acid levels. We are evaluating our lead MEK inhibitor, RDEA119, in a Phase 1 study in advanced cancer patients, as well as in a Phase 1 study in normal healthy volunteers as a precursor to trials in patients with inflammatory diseases. (PR Newswire)
Elevated Urate Levels May Slow Parkinson's in Men Apr 16, 2008
Urate is a salt derived from uric acid, and it is a normal component of blood; however, high levels can lead to gout and kidney stones. In a two-year study of 800 men recently diagnosed with Parkinson's, researchers from the MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease and Harvard School of Public Health found that those with the highest urate levels at the study's start had almost half the risk of needing to start Parkinson's treatment drugs as did those with the lowest levels. (MEDLINEplus)
Uric Acid May Help Spot Diabetic Kidney Disease Early Apr 8, 2008
FRIDAY, April 4 (HealthDay News) -- Elevated levels of uric acid in the blood may be an early sign of diabetic kidney disease in people with type 1 diabetes, a new study suggests. Researchers at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston noted that increased uric acid levels may appear before any significant change in urine albumin levels, the standard screening test for diabetic kidney disease ... In the study, the researchers checked serum uric acid concentration and urine albumin levels in 675... (MEDLINEplus)
Your Health: Soft drinks trigger gout attacks; coffee prevents them Apr 4, 2008
The condition occurs when a chemical known as uric acid begins to accumulate in the bloodstream. Uric acid is a normal by-product of human metabolism ... Most healthy individuals are able to excrete excess uric acid in the urine so it doesn t accumulate in the bloodstream. (Green Valley News & Sun, AZ)
Blood Test for Parkinson's Shows Promise Mar 25, 2008
These included significantly reduced concentrations of the antioxidant uric acid and an increase in another antioxidant, glutathione. Results also showed increased levels of 8-OHdG -- a marker of oxidative damage to DNA -- but there was considerable overlap between Parkinson's patients and controls. (MEDLINEplus)
Ghanaians Drinking Less Water Mar 23, 2008
Giving the medical benefits of water to the body, Dr Addai said in the kidneys water removes wastes such as uric acid; urea and lactic acid; all of which must be dissolved in water. When there isn't sufficient water, those wastes are not effectively removed, which may result in damage to the kidneys. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Uric Acid May Provide Early Clues To Diabetic Kidney Disease Mar 22, 2008
21, 2008) For patients with type 1 diabetes, increased levels of uric acid in the blood may be an early sign of diabetic kidney disease--appearing before any significant change in urine albumin level, the standard screening test, reports a study in the May 2008 issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology ... The results raise the possibility that treatments to reduce uric acid might slow the decline of renal function in patients with diabetes ... The researchers measured... (Science Daily)
The tale of a royal pain in the toe Mar 22, 2008
Because, oh king, the physician explained, your blood contains high amounts of a substance called uric acid ... Purines are the source of uric acid that can aggravate your painful gout ... " the king inquired. Call for the royal pharmacist, said the physician. He will prepare medicines to help prevent the formation of uric acid crystals in your joints.". (Corvallis Gazette Times, OR)
Gene 'linked to higher gout risk' Mar 10, 2008
In a healthy body, uric acid, a waste product found in the blood, is removed by the kidneys and passes out of the body in urine ... The gene variation they found, in the SLC2A gene, appears to make it harder for the body to remove uric acid from the blood ... Professor Alan Wright, who led the research, said: "The gene is a key player in determining the efficiency of uric acid transport across the membranes of the kidney.". (BBC News -- UK)
Urine Protein May Be Present Before Hypertension Diagnosis In At-risk Adolescents Mar 1, 2008
3, 2006) New research shows that higher levels of uric acid are strongly associated with high blood pressure in African Americans, suggesting that a simple blood test could predict risk and that treatments to. . (Science Daily)
Smoking ban sparks dispute of wood-burning stoves, fireplaces Feb 27, 2008
" Reality to Pants wrote on Feb 25, 2008 4:17 PM:" What are the facts that wood that I cut and chop out in a thicket or grove is more harmful than cigarettes with ammonia, uric acid, cyanide residue, fiberglass residue for menthols, etc. What is your argument that us demanding this guy to pay our gas bill should be considered equality for casinos and bar owners have us pay for their losses. (The Pantagraph newspaper)
Yamuna: A ghariyal killer? Feb 22, 2008
The bodies show uric acid deposition in visceral organs and also in joints of animals. This point towards kidney failure and toxin, according to the findings so far, as the cause. (India Times, India)
New Finding May Help Explain Development Of Preeclampsia Feb 12, 2008
29, 2005) Pregnant women with hypertension who also have elevated levels of uric acid in their blood may face an increased risk of complications that could be fatal for mother and baby, University of. . (Science Daily)
Sugary Soft Drinks Linked To Increased Risk Of Gout In Men Feb 2, 2008
It is caused by excess uric acid in the blood (hyperuricaemia) which leads to uric acid crystals collecting around the joints. In the United States, levels of gout have doubled over the last few decades, which coincided with a substantial increase in the consumption of soft drinks and fructose (a simple sugar and the only carbohydrate known to increase uric acid levels) ... (May 25, 2007) Among its complex effects on the body, coffee or its components have been linked to lower insulin and uric... (Science Daily)
Fizzy drinks linked to gout Feb 2, 2008
Gout is caused by a build-up of uric acid in the bloodstream and can cause joint swelling, inflammation and acute pain in the extremities. Uric acid is produced by the kidneys and digestive system from purines, which normally occur in rich food, meat and beer. (Guardian Unlimited)
Blood analysis screening under way Jan 30, 2008
May 6 The screening will include the following tests: glucose, BUN, creatinine, SGPT, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, triglyceride, cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, total protein, albumin, uric acid, iron, sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, TSH, white and red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelet count. Appointments required Appointments MUST be made for the blood analysis screening. (Harlan Tribune, IA)
Common Types of Arthritis Jan 27, 2008
Gout is the result of years of accumulation of uric acid in the joints, which causes the pain and swelling. Uric acid is the product of purine metabolism, thus taking increased amounts of purine will lead to increased accumulation of uric acid ... Presence of uric acid crystals on microscopic examination of synvoial fluid indicates gout. (Suite101.com)
Judah Folkman, 74; pioneer in cancer treatment Jan 18, 2008
His theory received a near-fatal blow when other researchers implanted crystals of uric acid near the iris and also observed the growth of new blood vessels, suggesting that inflammation was the culprit. "That silenced us for a couple of years," Folkman later said. (Los Angeles Times)
A Woman with Postpartum Visual Loss, Shortness of Breath, and Renal Failure Jan 17, 2008
Aminotransferase and uric acid levels were normal. . (New England Journal of Medicine)
The prevalence and impact of arthritis and other rheumatic conditions in the United States Jan 3, 2008
An inflammatory arthritis linked to elevated uric acid in the blood, gout tends to be most prevalent among older men and more prevalent in older African American males than in older white or Hispanic males. Juvenile Arthritis: Based on recent data from pediatric ambulatory care visits, an estimated 294,000 children between the ages of infancy and 17 are affected by arthritis or other rheumatic conditions. (EurekAlert!)
Gout is no joke. This I know from painful experience Dec 22, 2007
Daily pills reduce the levels of uric acid that form the crystals which lodge in the joints to produce gout. Who knows, in 2008 I may even go on a walking holiday again. (Guardian Unlimited)
Savient's Gout-Buster Dec 14, 2007
Gout, which is caused by excessive amounts of uric acid, is a severe form of arthritis and causes sudden pain and swelling in joints ... For those in this group, Savient estimates that allopurinol, the main therapy for control of uric acid, has failed to treat up to 100,000 patients, leaving tens of thousands without treatment options ... "We believe that the Phase 3 data show that pegloticase (Puricase) has the potential to be the first effective therapeutic option to control uric acid in... (Forbes -- Markets)
Too much fructose could leave dieters sugar shocked Dec 13, 2007
Eating too much fructose causes uric acid levels to spike, which can block the ability of insulin to regulate how body cells use and store sugar and other nutrients for energy, leading to obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, said Johnson, the division chief of nephrology and the J. Robert Cade professor of nephrology in the UF College of Medicine. UF researchers first detailed the role of uric acid on insulin resistance and obesity in a 2005 study in rats. (EurekAlert!)
Oil stops flirting with $100 a barrel Nov 29, 2007
Ardea conducted a Phase 1 study that showed that its RDEA806, which had been evaluated as a potential treatment for HIV, reduced serum uric acid, which contributes to gout. The company is preparing to initiate a Phase 2 efficacy study in gout patients. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Business)
Discovery About Urine May Lead To Hypertension Treatment Nov 16, 2007
3, 2006) New research shows that higher levels of uric acid are strongly associated with high blood pressure in African Americans, suggesting that a simple blood test could predict risk and that treatments to. (Jun. (Science Daily)
Phase III Study Reveals Potential New Therapy For Gout Nov 13, 2007
(May 25, 2007) Among its complex effects on the body, coffee or its components have been linked to lower insulin and uric acid levels on a short-term basis or cross-sectionally. These and other mechanisms suggest. (Science Daily)
Gout May Protect Against Parkinson's Disease Nov 10, 2007
Gout is caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood. And while several studies have suggested that higher levels of uric acid are associated with a lower risk of Parkinson's disease, none of these studies have specifically evaluated the potential association between gout and the risk of Parkinson's ... Alonso and colleagues note that different biologic mechanisms might explain the association between gout, high uric acid levels, and lower risk of Parkinson's. (MEDLINEplus)
Decreased blood antioxidant capacity and increased lipid peroxidation in young cigarette smokers compared to nonsmokers: Impact of dietary intake Nov 9, 2007
We compared resting plasma antioxidant reducing capacity (ARC; expressed in uric acid equivalents), serum trolox-equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), whole blood total glutathione, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), and plasma oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) between 15 young (24+/-4 years), novice smokers (pack-year history: 3+/-2) and 13 nonsmokers of similar age (24+/-5 years). Detailed dietary records were maintained during a seven-day period for analysis of total energy, macro- and... (Nutrition Journal)
Arthritis may predispose patients to gout Oct 13, 2007
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Arthritis may trigger the deposit of uric acid crystals in joints, the main cause of gout, according to a report in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. Case reports and hospital-based case series have linked gout with the presence of arthritis in the same joints, the authors explain. (Scientific American)
Mini-strokes Linked To Uric Acid Levels Oct 6, 2007
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have found that high-normal uric acid (UA) levels may cause barely detectable mini strokes that potentially contribute to mental decline in aging adults. Diet, exercise and drugs like allopurinol (all of which lower UA levels) could eventually be of value in reducing this risk, especially for those with additional risk factors such as diabetes, obesity and hypertension, the researchers say. (Science Daily)
Clue to chemistry of mini-strokes Oct 2, 2007
Elevated levels of uric acid may be to blame for mini-strokes that potentially cause mental decline in ageing adults. Brain scans showed mini-strokes - white matter hypersensitivities (WMHs) - were more common among elderly patients with higher uric acid levels ... Having found that uric acid levels are linked to both mild cognitive decline and mini strokes we need to learn how these are related. (BBC News -- Health)
The Definition of Protein Sep 29, 2007
Since the body cannot store unused protein it will be converted into urea which can form into uric acid and make the blood acidic. The most important thing to remember in all of this is that digestion will always result in waste products and the more complete digestion is the fewer wastes produced. (Suite101.com)
Are Humans Omnivores? Sep 29, 2007
Carnivores also secrete the enzyme uricase which breaks down uric acid in meat. By comparison herbivores have long digestive tracts and digestion begins in the mouth. (Suite101.com)
Add these vines to chain link for privacy Sep 27, 2007
The white part of each dropping is uric acid which was deposited internally onto their fecal matter. It isn't likely the reptiles will be a permanent problem. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Sugary Drinks May Raise Uric Acid Levels in Men Aug 21, 2007
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A higher intake of added sugars or sugar-sweetened drinks may lead to higher blood levels of uric acid in men, a study suggests ... High serum uric acid, they explain, has been suggested as a possible risk factor for high blood pressure, heart and vascular disease, as well as metabolic syndrome -- a cluster of risk factors, such as high blood pressure, obesity and high blood sugar levels, that together increase the likelihood of developing heart problems or diabetes... (MEDLINEplus)
Stool Pigeons Aug 15, 2007
According to MnDOT reports, the uric acid in pigeon droppings is highly corrosive and may have contributed to metal fatigue on parts of the bridge. Yet the question remains: Who sent the pigeons to shit all over America's infrastructure. (City Pages)
523000 a day on alternative medicine Jul 28, 2007
are a build up of uric acid (ugh)4 ... If your arthritis is of the uric acid type, you will be relieved of your pain within a month. (Scotsman)
Living with arthritis Jul 27, 2007
An attack can begin when crystals of uric acid form in the connective tissue and/or joint spaces. These deposits lead to swelling, redness, heat, pain and stiffness. (Marco Island Sun-Times, FL)
High Blood Urate Tied to Lower Parkinson's Risk Jul 13, 2007
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - High blood levels of urate -- a salt derived from uric acid -- are associated with a decreased risk of Parkinson's disease, researchers report. The finding suggests that urate levels could serve as a biological marker for Parkinson's disease risk, Dr. Marc G. Weisskopf, of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston and the study's lead author, told Reuters Health. (MEDLINEplus)
Robotic bathrooms make him flush with anger Jul 12, 2007
He continued: "Automatic soap dispensing systems provide just the right amount of soap for an efficacious washing. AutoFlush products and AutoClean systems for toilets and urinals reduce maintenance costs by preventing stains and damage from uric acid and calcium deposits. Everyone benefits from these and other features, from facility owners to building service contractors to consuming customers using the rest rooms" (emphases added). See what the canny chief executive is up to. (Newsday -- Opinion)
Whitey and Mickey: Be Good Boys Jul 1, 2007
To sweeten the pot, Ford's salary was increased to $37,000 and the Yankees explained to Whitey that the conditions the club wanted to impose did not involve his being a "good boy," but rather required that he observe specific dietary restrictions in order to control his high uric acid condition ... It was the fact that Whitey had missed too many starts the last two seasons due to arm problems that were traced to his uric acid levels, which is a form of gout. (Suite101.com)
