50% of HIV-infected get treatment now: UNAIDS

Organ donation up 4-fold in India

Organ donation up 4-fold in India, but still a long way to go (The Times of

India: 20170801

http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31808&articlexml=Organ-donation-up-

4-fold-in-India-but-01082017011067

Over 2.5 Lakh Die In The Country Due To Organ Failure Annually While Cadaver

Donations Are Marginal In Comparison

Some States Are Yet To Make A Debut

The death of a teenager who consumed rat poison after being repeatedly so domized shook

Mumbai last week. The boy fought liver failure in a public hospital as his parents and doctors

desperately prayed for an organ. But no matching donor could be found for a liver transplant

and the 13-year-old succumbed 13 days later.

Of the 85,000 liver failure patients who join the country's waitlist annually , less than 3% get

an organ. Also, of the two lakh fresh annual registrations for kidneys, 8,000 manage a

transplant. Thousands waiting for heart or lungs face bigger odds as barely 1% get an organ

before time runs out.

Despite cadaveric organ donations witnessing a near fourfold increase in the last five years,

the demand-supply disparity in the country remains grave.Over 2.5 lakh deaths in India are

attributed to organ failure annually , while cadaver donations are still very few in

comparison.India's organ donation rate in 2016 stood at an abysmal 0.8 persons per million

population compared to Spain's 36 per million, Croatia's 32 per million or US's 26 per

million.

DAILY NEWS BULLETINLEADING HEALTH, POPULATION AND FAMILY WELFARE STORIES OF THE Day

Tuesday 20170801

Experts say the gap exists because only ten states and two UTs have an active donation and

transplant programme.States such as UP , Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Goa and the

North-East are yet to make a debut. Stakeholders blame lack of awareness, infra and political

will as well as myths and misconceptions for the sluggish pace of cadaver donation.

“Even after decades, the programme is a non-starter because of systemic complexities.The

problem lies within hospitals and is not so much about people's acceptance any more. Police

formalities remain difficult and time-consuming, discouraging people from donating,“ says

Dr Sunil Shroff of Chennaibased Mohan Foundation. “There have been cases where people

have approached us wanting to donate organs but either the hospital or the city lacked the

infrastructure to retrieve organs,“ he says, underlining how in a country with an acute

shortage, organs get wasted.

Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, Telengana and Gujarat currently lead the way .

Delhi and Chandigarh too managed 30 donations in 2016.

Dr Vimal Bhandari, director of the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation, says

the government is aware of the crisis. “We have signed an MoU with Spain which has the

world's highest donation rate. About 100 countries are learning their model. Their experts

will train five of our regional coordination centres,“ he says, adding that Spain took 30 years

to build its programme.Unlike Spain, where majority of brain deaths occur due to

haemorrhage, in India, road accidents are the main killer.

India's infrastructure too is growing. The national network facilitated 136 instances of organ

sharing between cities and states. “Last year, we even saved the lives of two foreigners who

underwent heart transplants here,“ Dr Bhandari says.

Tamil Nadu runs India's most successful programme by taking a slew of decisions to ease

donations about a decade back; families donating organs don't have to move for NOCs or

post-mortems. Also, the state offers free kidney , liver and heart transplants in government

hospitals like developed nations.

Maharashtra, that crossed 100 cadaver donations last year despite one of Mumbai 's top

hospitals being involved in a kid ney racket, has carried out 1,064 transplants in the last five

years. Pune has suddenly emerged as a high-donation centre, surpassing Mumbai. “Till April

2017, 69 donations took place in Maharashtra,“ said Dr Gauri Rathod, Maharashtra's nodal

officer for organ donation.

Hyderabad and other dis tricts of Telangana have crossed over 1,000 organ donations since

2013. From less than 1 per million population, the donation rate has now reached 4.4.From

just 41 being recorded in 2013 to 106 organ donations in 2016. In 2017, over 80 organ dona

tions have already been reported. “But there is an urgent need for education among doctors.

In many cases, doctors are uncomfortable in declaring brain death. This is true of government

hospitals,“ says Dr G Swarnalatha, in-charge Jeevandan.

Karnataka, too, is charting its own success story with donations taking a leap from 18 in 2013

to 70 in 2016. Dr Kishore Phadke, convener at Jeevasarthakathe--the state organ transplant

authority--attributes this to linked Aadhaar cards with pledging organs. “ Anyone who enrols

for Aadhaar will be directed to the website of Jeevasarthakathe where they can pledge

organs,“ he says.

However, many states face unique problems. Consider Kerala which has recorded only 11

donations after 73 in 2016. “ A doctor filed a PIL in the high court alleging hospitals are

falsely declaring brain deaths to procure organs. It led to negative propaganda in the social

media.Even government authorities didn't stand by the transplant doctors,“ says Dr Jose

Chacko Periappuram of Lisie Hospital in Kochi. Kerala, however, has to its credit some of

the unique organ transplants that include larynx, pancreas, small intestine and hand

transplants

Eastern India is the worst, with most states not having conducted cadaver donations at

all.Only seven cadaver donations, including five in 2016, took place in West Bengal since

2012. According to Aditi Kishore Sarkar, state's nodal officer for cadaver donation, “The

drive to popularize organ donation through donor card distribution has failed.In 2017, there

has not been a single cadaver organ transplant so far.'' The state plans to introduce new laws

to improve brain death screening.

Even states like Karnataka show a unhealthy skew . As Dr H Sudarshan Ballal, senior

nephrologist and chairman at Manipal Hospitals, Bengaluru, says, “Of more than 300

transplants conducted by private hospitals, only 20% are cadaver organ transplants.'' He says

India needs more retrieval centres. “India's largest centre of neuroscience, NIMHANS, is still

not recognized as a retrieval centre.“

Mumbaikar's heart saves Washim man

atish Aakhand had just fiS nished his first year in me chanical engineering at a Nagpur

college when the griping stomach aches and breathlessness started. A local doctor diagnosed

right away that the problem lay with his heart.

“I rushed back home to Washim where a doctor said I could be treated with life-long

medication. But medicines gave me relief for barely 15 days,'' said Satish, who belongs to a

farming family .

This was in November 2016.It took two more months and visits to several doctors before he

got a full diagnosis at Andheri's Kokilaben Ambani Hospital: He had a heart failure and

needed a transplant. He registered for transplant on January 9 and got a donation after six

months, on June 22. “I am grateful a Mumbai family donated their dear one's organs,'' he said

over phone from Washim.

This former govt employee gave gift of life after death

n July 10, Samita Banavali spoke to her 70-year-old mother O Smita Habbu for a few

minutes when the latter said she was feeling dizzy. “She got up but fell down again,“ recalled

bank officer Banavali. Smita had suffered a massive brain bleed and was taken to a nearby

hospital.

“We shifted her to Kokilaben Hospital but tests showed she was brain dead,“ said Banavali.

Her father, Shashikant, who had heard about organ donation, was keen to donate his wife's

organs when the hospital coordinator brought up the topic. “We were familiar with the

concept. My mother was a helpful person. I am sure she would have approved,“ said

Banavali.

As Smita was a diabetic, her kidneys couldn't be donated. “We wanted to donate her heart,

lungs and cornea as well but doctors said it wasn't possible. We only donated her liver,“ she

said. Habbu, an ex-government employee, was one of the 32 donors this year.

Obesity

Key to check obesity is in our brain (The Times of India: 20170801)

http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31808&articlexml=Key-to-check-

obesity-is-in-our-brain-01082017017029

Newly Found Cells May Help Control Hunger

Cells in the brain that may help control the hunger im pulse have been discovered, with the

development holding out hope of new treatments for obesity . The research adds weight to

evidence that eating is a surprisingly complex biological behaviour.

“We have identified two new populations of cells in the brain that potently regulate appetite,“

said Alexander Nectow, who published a paper about the study in the journal `Cell'. The area

of the brainstem under scrutiny is the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), where the two types of

cells are located. It is thought new drugs to treat obesity by controlling hunger messages that

prompt people to seek out and consume food could be targeted at those cells.

Nectow, an associate research scholar at Princeton Uni versity, US, found that the DRN

section becomes activated in mice when they are hungry . This was discovered through

images taken using a pioneering technique called iDisco. Imaging mice that were given more

than their normal amount of food showed a different pattern of DRN activity . This showed

that neurons in this part of the brain clearly had a function in feeding behaviour. Further

research is needed to discover which neurons that make up the DRN are involved in the

process. “There are two possibilities when you see something like that,“ Nectow said.

“One is that the cells are just along for the ride -they are getting activated by hunger but

they're not actually driving the food intake process... The other possibility is that they are in

fact part of the sense-and-respond mechanism to hunger -and in this case, we suspect the

latter.“

The new research findings could be effective in creating treatments for obesity and its related

issues including diabetes.

One-fifth of the world's adults are expected to be obese by 2025, according to a paper

published in `The Lancet'.

Turmeric

Turmeric can be used to fight cancer in children, find U.S. scientists (The

Hindu: 20170801)

http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/turmeric-can-be-used-to-fight-cancer-in-children-

find-us-scientists/article19397418.ece

Scientists in the US have found yet another use for curcumin, the bioactive component of

turmeric.

Scientists in the US have found yet another use for curcumin, the bioactive component of

turmeric that is widely used in Indian cuisine, this time to treat cancer in children.

Researchers at Nemours Children’s Hospital and the University of Central Florida (UCF)

have found that nanoparticles loaded with curcumin can target and destroy neuroblastoma

tumour cells. Neuroblastoma is the most common cancer in children younger than five years

old.

High-risk neuroblastoma can be resistant to traditional therapy, and survival can be poor. The

cancers start in early nerve cells and commonly form in the tissue of the adrenal glands, near

the kidneys. They are also associated with developmental delays, hearing loss, or other

disabilities even after traditional treatments have ended.

In their study, the researchers attached curcumin to cerium oxide nanoparticles and tested the

nano-curcumin formulation in cell lines of a high-risk form of neuroblastoma.

“This formulation induced substantial cell death in neuroblastoma cells while producing no or

only minor toxicity in healthy cells,” says their report in the journal Nanoscale.

Anti-carcinogen

Curcumin has been shown to have substantial anti-cancer ability, but its low solubility and

poor stability have restricted its use in therapeutic applications.

According to a statement from UCF, the study conducted by its scientists demonstrates a

novel method of treating this tumour “without the toxicity of aggressive therapy” and shows

that nanoparticles can be “an effective delivery vehicle” for cancer drugs.

“We are hopeful that in the future, nanoparticles can be utilised to personalise care to patients

and reduce the late effects of therapy.”

The fact that curcumin, when formulated as nanoparticles, is able to increase its

bioavailability and thereby improve its therapeutic ability has earlier been shown by Indian

scientists as well at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi in the case of

tuberculosis (TB).

Current therapy for TB involves treatment with antibiotics such as Isoniazid (INH). But the

long treatment required with INH invariably leads to premature withdrawal by patients

resulting in the TB organism developing drug—resistance.

Prof. Gobardhan Das and his colleagues at the JNU had reported their study last month which

showed that mice treated with curcumin nanoparticles — as an adjunct to INH — “exhibited

a dramatically accelerated clearance of the TB organisms in a short time.”

Kidney Centre

Government orders door-to-door survey in Uddhanam region (The Hindu:

20170801)

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/Government-orders-door-to-door-

survey-in-Uddhanam-region/article17063612.ece

Ministers meet 800 kidney patients in Sompeta; Kamineni to meet Union Health Minister

today

SRIKAKULAM: The State government, which had recently announced a series of measures

to help patients suffering from Chronic Kidney Diseases (CKD) in Uddhanam region, on

Thursday ordered a door-to-door survey to create the health profile of every individual in 107

villages of seven mandals. Six mobile teams comprising doctors and technical staff would

conduct preliminary tests in the identified villages till May, 2017. The State government will

also seek the Union government’s support for establishment of a research unit of the Indian

Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in Srikakulam itself to identify the exact reasons for

the spread of the disease in the region since 1982.

Minister for Medical and Health Kamineni Srinivas will submit a detailed report to Union

Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda in New Delhi on Friday to step up pressure for the

ICMR centre and 19 more dialysis units in AP. Dr. Srinivas, Labour Minister K.

Atchannaidu, Government’s expert committee head and Vice-Chancellor of Dr. NTR Health

University T. Raviraj and other senior officials interacted with the patients in Sompeta on

Thursday. As many as 800 patients from various mandals including Itchapuram, Sompeta,

Palasa, Mandasa, Kaviti and other areas attended the public meeting. For the first time, a

huge number of patients gathered at one place in anticipation of positive news and measures

from the government.

Dr. Srinivas assured them that a dialysis unit would be established in Palasa and Sompeta

within two months. He said the door-to-door survey would help provide quick treatment to

new patients. “After the survey, we will conduct almost 40 tests free of cost for the new

patients. It helps to control further damage to the kidneys. The government supplies

medicines to the existing patients. They will also be provided free transport facility.”

Mr. Atchannaidu and Srikakulam MP Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu said the State government

was keen on utilising the services of foreign experts also in finding the exact reasons. “Chief

Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has given absolute freedom to the Health Department to

extend all possible help to the patients and others. We will also ensure pensions to the

patients after completion of the survey,” said Mr. Atchannaidu.

Earlier, the Ministers visited the Palasa hospital and sanctioned Rs.1 crore for its

modernisation. They also promised facelift to the Sompeta government hospital. Principal

Secretary of Medical and Health Poonam Malakondaiah, Director of Medical Education B.

Balaraju, Srikakulam Collector P. Lakshmi Narasimham, Palasa MLA G. Shyam Sundar

Shivaji, Itchapuram MLA Bendalam Ashok and others participated in the meeting.

Green tea

Here’s why you should drink green tea (Hindustan Times: 20170801)

http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

Your love for green tea may help improve memory as well as insulin resistance in the brain

caused by a highfat and high-fructose diet, researchers say.

A study, involving mice, showed that green tea contains an ingredient known as EGCG

(epigallocatechin-3gallate), the most abundant catechin and biologically active component.

This component has the potential to alleviate insulin resistance — a precursor to type II

diabetes — that is induced by obesity as well as improve age-related cognitive decline,

accompanied by peripheral inflammation, the researchers said.

“Green tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world after water, and is grown in at

least 30 countries,” said Xuebo Liu from the Northwest A&F University in Yangling, China.

“The ancient habit of drinking green tea may be a more acceptable alternative to medicine

when it comes to combatting obesity, insulin resistance, and memory impairment,” Liu

added.

Previous research pointed to the potential of EGCG to treat a variety of human diseases such

as bone marrow disorders, reducing the kidney toxicity and damage caused by cancer drug, as

well as some heart conditions.

For the study, published in The FASEB Journal, the team divided three-month-old male mice

into three groups based on diet: 1) a control group fed with a standard diet 2) a group fed with

an high-fat and highfructose (HFFD) diet and 3) a group fed with an HFFD diet and 2 grams

of EGCG per liter of drinking water.

The researchers monitored the mice for 16 weeks and found that those fed with HFFD had a

higher final body weight than the control mice, and a significantly higher final body weight

than the HFFD+EGCG mice.

Psychological issues’

43% elderly deal with ‘psychological issues’ (The Tribune: 20170801)

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/43-elderly-deal-with-psychological-

issues/445284.html

Every 43 out of 100 elderly people in India are victims of psychological problems due to

loneliness, and other relationship issues, a new study has said.

Based on the feedback from 50,000 elderly persons across the country during June and July

this year, the study by Agewell Foundation revealed that almost half of the elderly population

was not taken care of by their families.

“It was also observed that more than 45 per cent elderly claimed that their family members do

not care for their needs and interests,” the study revealed.

The foundation has appealed to the government and other stakeholders to make provisions in

government schemes keeping in mind the welfare and empowerment of the older people.

“Today, there is an urgent need to include elderly-friendly provisions in all governmental

schemes and programmes because their lifespan and their share in national population have

increased remarkably.

“Ignoring their needs and rights and leaving these unaddressed can pose a great threat to our

social development agenda. Older persons need to be brought into the mainstream by

focusing on their issues and encouraging their active participation in the society,” Himanshu

Rath, chairman of Agewell Foundation, said.

Rath said with the changing socio-economic scenario and demographic transition, older

people are the worst-affected. — PTI

Neglected by kin

Based on the feedback from 50,000 elderly persons across the country during June and July

this year, a study revealed that almost half of the elderly population was not taken care of by

their families

“It was also observed that more than 45 per cent elderly claimed that their family members do

not care for their needs and interests,” the study revealed

Life- Treating Infection (The Asian Age: 20170801)

http://onlineepaper.asianage.com/articledetailpage.aspx?id=8686267

Depression (The Asian Age: 20170801)

http://onlineepaper.asianage.com/articledetailpage.aspx?id=8686268

Gender inequality (The Asian Age: 20170801)

http://onlineepaper.asianage.com/articledetailpage.aspx?id=8686265

Hyper somnolence

Hyper somnolence: Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment (Medical News

Today: 20170801)

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318677.php

Hypersomnolence is a condition where a person experiences significant episodes of

sleepiness, even after having 7 hours or more of quality sleep.

Other terms used to describe hypersomnolence include excessive daytime sleepiness,

excessive daytime somnolence, and hypersomnia.

Many people find themselves sleep-deprived or excessively tired at various times in their

lives. On the other hand, a person with hypersomnolence can feel the need to sleep even after

they have slept well for the recommended number of hours.

Hypersomnolence can be problematic because it affects a person's abilities at work and

school. It can also affect their safety while driving and can be an indicator of an underlying

medical disorder.

The symptoms of hypersomnolence usually begin when people are 17 to 24 years old.

According to an article in the journal Psychosomatics, the average age of onset is 21.8 years.

Left untreated, hypersomnolence can impact a person's quality of life.

Symptoms

Struggling to wake up.

Symptoms of hypersomnolence include struggling to wake up, falling asleep at random times,

and constantly feeling tired.

In people with hypersomnolence, excessive sleepiness is not due to another underlying

medical disorder or medication.

The primary symptom of hypersomnolence is excessive sleepiness, even though a person is

getting 7 hours of sleep a night. Other symptoms include:

falling asleep several times during the day

taking naps to combat the sleepiness but not waking up refreshed

sleeping more than 9 hours but not feeling rested

having difficulty waking up from sleep

feeling confused or combative while trying to wake up

Excessive sleeping may cause problems at work, school, or for other daily activities.

Hypersomnolence has three categories: acute, subacute, and persistent.

acute hypersomnolence, lasting 1 month or less

subacute hypersomnolence, lasting 1 to 3 months

persistent hypersomnolence, lasting more than 3 months

Hypersomnolence is similar to another sleep disorder known as narcolepsy in that people

experience episodes of sleepiness during the day.

However, people with narcolepsy often describe episodes of sleepiness as sudden sleep

"attacks." In contrast, hypersomnolence episodes tend to come on gradually.

Causes

Researchers are still working to identify what interactions in the brain cause

hypersomnolance. It is possible that people have an increase in brain chemicals that are

known to cause sleepiness. This increase can act much like a sleeping pill.

Although researchers have not yet identified the specific substance or molecule that may be

involved in hypersomnolence, they believe it interacts with a substance called y-aminobutyric

acid (GABA), which is responsible for promoting sleep in the brain. Sedative medications

used in surgery work on the same GABA substance to keep a person asleep during surgery.

Risk factors for a person developing hypersomnolence include:

stress

excessive alcohol consumption

previous history of viral infection

previous history of head trauma

family history of hypersomnolence

medical history of depression, substance abuse, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer's disease, or

Parkinson's disease

While these are known risk factors and potential contributors to the condition, some people

may have hypersomnolence for no known reason.

Hypersomnolence without a known cause is called idiopathic hypersomnolence, which

affects an estimated 0.01 to 0.02 percent of the population.

Diagnosis

Hypersomnolence is one of several disorders described in the "sleep-wake disorders"

category of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Other

conditions in this category include nightmare disorder, restless legs syndrome, and breathing-

related sleep disorders.

Doctors often diagnose hypersomnolence by first ruling out other possible causes of the

excessive sleepiness.

A doctor will ask questions about a person's symptoms, which may include:

When did you first notice them?

Does anything make them worse? Does anything make them better?

What other medical conditions are you currently being treated for?

What are your sleeping patterns?

What is your sleep environment like?

A doctor will also review any medication a person might be taking to help identify if this

could be causing the daytime drowsiness.

A doctor may also recommend a sleep study. This involves an overnight stay in a "sleep lab"

where a person is hooked up to various monitors, including a pulse oximeter, an

electrocardiogram, and a brain wave monitor. This equipment helps the doctor decide if a

person's daytime sleepiness could be due to a sleep disorder, such as obstructive sleep apnea.

If there are no signs of an underlying disorder or medical cause, a doctor may diagnose a

person with hypersomnolence.

Treatment

Sleep routine.

Establishing a bedtime routine, and limiting distractions before going to sleep, can help to

treat hypersomnolence.

Stimulants are most commonly prescribed to treat hypersomnolence. Examples of these

medications include:

amphetamine

methylphenidate

modafinil

Additional drugs used to treat hypersomnolence include clonidine, levodopa, bromocriptine,

antidepressants, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

In addition to medications, a doctor may recommend making changes to a person's "sleep

hygiene" to help them get a good night's sleep.

Examples of these changes include:

Avoiding stimulant substances before bedtime, such as caffeine and nicotine.

Drinking alcohol only in moderation. Although alcohol can make a person feel drowsy,

drinking it in excess can result in poorer sleep quality.

Avoiding foods that cause heartburn or impact digestion. Examples include foods made with

high-fat creams, fried foods, spicy meals, citrus fruits, and carbonated drinks.

Using visual lighting cues to differentiate between day and night. This can include being

exposed to plenty of outdoor light during the day, and making a room darker before going to

sleep.

Establishing a bedtime routine that a person finds relaxing and helps to signal to their body

that it is time for bed. Examples include taking a shower or reading a book.

Changing a sleep environment to make it m

ore comfortable. This includes cooling a room to between 60°F-67°F, avoiding light from

artificial sources, including cell phones and computers, and sleeping on a comfortable

mattress.

Mediterranean-style diet

Cognitive decline could be reduced with a Mediterranean-style diet

(Medical News Today: 20170801)

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318685.php

A wealth of studies have suggested that a healthful diet may help to protect the brain against

the effects of aging. New research adds fuel to the fire, after finding that following a

Mediterranean-style diet in later life could help to stave off cognitive decline.

Researchers found that older adults who had diets similar to the Mediterranean diet or the

Mediterranean-DASH diet Intervention for Neurodegeneration Delay (MIND) - which is a

diet that incorporates features of the Mediterranean diet - scored significantly better on

cognitive tests than those who followed less healthful diets.

Study co-author Dr. Kristine Yaffe, of the University of California, San Francisco, and

colleagues recently reported their findings in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Low in junk foods and dairy products and high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and olive

oil, the Mediterranean diet is considered one of the most healthful diets to follow.

Not only have studies linked the Mediterranean diet to better heart health and reduced cancer

risk, but research has also shown the diet to have cognitive benefits.

Another diet associated with better cognitive function is the appropriately named MIND diet.

This eating plan consists of 10 foods that are considered beneficial for the brain, many of

which are included in the Mediterranean diet, such as vegetables, whole grains, and olive oil.

For the new study, Dr. Yaffe and colleagues set out to gain a better understanding of the link

between Mediterranean-style diets and cognitive function, noting that "variation between

studies makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions."

'Important public health implications'

To reach their findings, the researchers analyzed the data of 5,907 older adults who were a

part of the Health and Retirement Study.

All adults completed food frequency questionnaires. The researchers used information from

these questionnaires to determine how closely subjects followed a Mediterranean or MIND

diet.

Parts of Mediterranean diet shown to prevent colorectal cancer

Parts of Mediterranean diet shown to prevent colorectal cancer

A study finds that certain components of a Mediterranean diet may lower colorectal cancer

risk.

Participants also underwent cognitive assessments, which included tests of working memory,

episodic memory, and attention.

The team found that adults who had higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet were 35

percent less likely to have poor test scores, compared with adults who followed less healthful

diets.

Even older adults with moderate adherence to the Mediterranean diet were 15 percent less

likely to have poor test scores, the researchers report.

Similar results were found for subjects with moderate or high adherence to the MIND diet.

Additionally, the study revealed that the incidence of cognitive impairment was lower among

older adults with greater adherence to the Mediterranean or MIND diets.

According to Dr. Yaffe and colleagues, these findings indicate that a Mediterranean-style diet

could protect against cognitive decline among older adults, which may "have important

public health implications for preservation of cognition during aging."

"Given the limited evidence base and lack of clear dietary recommendations for cognitive

health, further prospective population-based studies and clinical trials are required to

elucidate the role of dietary patterns in cognitive aging and brain health," conclude the

researchers.

Gold injections

Gold injections: Can they treat rheumatoid arthritis? (Medical News

Today: 20170801)

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318680.php

Gold treatments were one of the earliest treatments for rheumatoid arthritis going back at

least 75 years.

There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Medications can slow down the disease, while

complementary therapies can help people cope with the joint pain and stiffness, chronic

fatigue, and other symptoms, such as low-grade fevers and dry skin and eyes.

While gold injections were once praised for their high rates of remission, their use has

declined. This is due to potentially severe side effects and the development of stronger and

better-tolerated RA medicines.

Contents of this article:

What are gold injections?

Treating RA with gold

How are gold treatments administered?

Side effects and risks

Current RA treatments

The future of gold treatment

What are gold injections?

Gold injections are made from a compound called sodium aurothiomalate, which contains

gold. Sodium aurothiomalate belongs to a class of drugs called disease-modifying

antirheumatic drugs, or DMARDs.

DMARDs are known for their inflammation-blocking qualities. If inflammation in the body

is not blocked, it can cause the joints and tissues to wear down to the point of disability in just

a few years.

Like other DMARDs, gold injections reduce the immune system's response. As a result, they

should be used with care.

As these medications suppress the immune system to stop inflammation, they also increase

the risk of infection. It is therefore important for people to take care to avoid infections, get

treated quickly for symptoms of a possible infection, and discuss the use of any live vaccines

with their doctors.

Examples of live vaccines include:

the nasal spray flu vaccine

vaccine injections for varicella (chickenpox)

the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella)

Treating RA with gold

rheumatoid arthritis hands

Gold injections may decrease the inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis.

Gold injections have long been used to treat RA and other inflammatory joint diseases. They

have previously been proven successful for many people with RA.

These injections are not pain relievers, but they decrease pain because they decrease

inflammation. They may also help in managing morning joint stiffness and swelling

associated with RA.

Gold treatment was once the norm for treating moderate to severe RA. Its use goes back to

the 1920s when gold compounds were treatments for tuberculosis.

Researchers once thought that RA and tuberculosis were related. Eventually, that theory was

debunked, and the idea that gold could treat RA and provide significant symptom relief was

confirmed.

The anti-inflammatory properties of gold compounds are unknown. However, there has been

enough evidence to confirm that gold can inhibit behavior of substances responsible for

production of antibodies and the release of inflammatory cytokines.

Due to the number and severity of side effects that they cause, gold treatments are now rarely

used to treat RA and other inflammatory conditions. Doctors are prescribing other DMARDs

instead, including methotrexate, which is considered safer.

Previous research has shown gold injections to be just as effective as methotrexate, according

to a historical report of RA treatments in the medical journal, JSM Arthritis. Although rarely

prescribed, gold therapy remains the most effective treatment for some people.

How are gold treatments administered?

Gold injections are injected into a muscle, usually the buttock, by a medical professional.

Individuals need to lie down during injection and wait at least 10 minutes before sitting up or

standing to avoid lightheadedness.

Dosage depends on the person's medical condition, the severity of symptoms, and their

response to treatment. Injections are given once a week until there is improvement. After that,

they are given twice a month or less. If RA symptoms return or worsen, then an individual

will go back to having the injections weekly.

Gold injection treatment must be used regularly for the best results. It can take up to 3 months

before people see significant results. People should inform their doctors if symptoms do not

get better or worsen after this time.

Side effects and risks

Just like other DMARDs, gold injections may cause side effects, including:

stressed senior

Side effects of gold injections may include lightheadedness, nausea, and dizziness.

dizziness

nausea and vomiting

flushing and sweating

lightheadedness

increased joint pain at the start of treatment

kidney disease

People should inform their doctors of any serious side effects, including any of the following:

eye pain

mood or mental state changes, such as confusion or hallucinations

fainting

difficulty breathing

stomach pain

skin rash or another allergic reaction

lower leg edema

Current RA treatments

The drug methotrexate has been used since the 1940s as a cancer treatment. Following a 1985

report in the New England Journal of Medicine, doctors began using it to treat RA.

This research showed that methotrexate was effective for treating RA symptoms, including

pain and swelling. It was not long before it replaced gold as the standard treatment for RA

and inflammatory arthritis.

Methotrexate may be one of the safest RA drugs, but it can still cause side effects. These

include raised levels of liver enzymes, which may cause long-term liver problems, oral

ulcers, and gut symptoms. Taking folic acid on a daily basis can help reduce these side

effects, however.

Some people, especially pregnant women, should not take methotrexate. People should

always discuss use of the drug with a doctor to weigh up the risks and benefits.

If methotrexate does not provide adequate symptom relief on its own, doctors may prescribe

it in combination with other medications. Options include other DMARDs, such as

sulfasalazine doxycycline and hydroxychloroquine.

For people who do not respond to DMARDs, either alone or in combination with other

medications, doctors may consider biologic drugs. Biologics hinder over-reactive immune

system responses, which are the main culprits for heightened inflammatory responses.

Biologics include TNF inhibitors, such as adalimumab, that block TNF, a protein that

encourages inflammation.

The future of gold treatment

Even though the use of gold compounds to treat RA has declined due to the introduction of

newer DMARDs and biologic therapies, some researchers are looking to reintroduce it.

Researchers who have studied the anti-inflammatory qualities of metallic gold have reported

in the Journal of Inflammation about the unique effect that gold compounds have on

inflammation. Their research could potentially lead to new therapies involving the use of

metallic gold implants to treat RA and other inflammatory diseases.

Reviewing the use of old therapies is not a new concept. Newer studies on gold compounds

are looking at more cost-effective ways to better manage the inflammatory process with

acceptable side effects.

Researchers also want to take advantage of gold treatments for their antibacterial and

antiviral properties. Moreover, the future use of gold therapy in treating cancer may be

promising.

Gene variations

Scientists identify gene variations that determine lifespan (Medical News

Today: 20170801)

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318698.php

Sixteen gene variations linked to life expectancy, of which 14 are newly discovered, have

been recently identified by specialists. They also revealed three genes whose low expression

in the brain is linked with longevity.

In the United States, life expectancy is currently averaged at 78.8 years, according to data

from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). They also identify the leading

causes of death, naming heart disease, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases as some of the

main culprits.

Scientists have previously looked at our genetic makeup for clues that indicate how long each

person is likely to live. However, until now, only two genes had been identified as linked

with longevity (defined as living beyond age 85) in humans.

A new study led by Prof. Zoltán Kutalik - from the Institute of Social and Preventive

Medicine and the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, both in Lausanne, Switzerland - has now

identified a total of 16 genetic markers that dictate how long a person will live. Of these, 14

are completely new discoveries.

The findings were published this week in the journal Nature Communications.

Three genes linked with longevity

Prof. Kutalik and his colleagues analyzed data collected from 116,279 people, and

investigated 2.3 million single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which are genetic

variations that can reveal whether or not an individual is predisposed to a particular illness or

condition.

Could stem cells reverse the aging process?

Could stem cells reverse the aging process?

Researchers have found that stem cells could be used to reverse aging.

According to the researchers, around 1 in 10 people have a combination of genetic markers

that determine a shorter lifespan than average. They explain that inheriting a variation

indicative of a diminished life expectancy may mean shortening life by up to 7 months.

The study found that SNPs impact an individual's lifespan by linking to several factors of

disease or addiction risk, thus making it likely that a person who is predisposed to a particular

health condition might also be susceptible to dependence on a substance, such as nicotine.

In addition to the identification of the 14 new SNPs, data on gene expression led to the

discovery that a low expression of three genes associated with the SNPs in the brain - RBM6,

SULTA1, and CHRNA5 - determines a prolonged lifespan.

This finding is compatible with previous research indicating that CHRNA5 is linked with

nicotine addiction leading to lung cancer, so it makes sense that a low expression of the

encoding gene would be more beneficial.

Human and animal models compatible

Study collaborator Prof. Johan Auwerx, from the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

in Switzerland, explains that to test whether these genes could cause longevity, the team

performed additional experiments on mice.

The researchers found that mice with a low expression of the RBM6 gene in the brain lived

much longer than their counterparts.

"Interestingly, the gene expression impact of some of these SNPs in humans is analogous to

the consequence of a low-calorie diet in mice, which is known to have positive effects on

lifespan."

Prof. Marc Robinson-Rechavi, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics and the University of

Lausanne

The researchers also showed interest in the parallels between molecular mechanisms in

human and animal models, and they expressed a wish to continue exploring these similarities.

In addition to these discoveries, the study also promotes the use of a new and more efficient

computational framework in the context of genetics and bioinformatics. Prof. Kutalik and his

colleagues suggest that this framework could have more wide-reaching uses in precision

medicine.

SENIORS / AGING

RECOMMENDED RELATED NEWS

Nicotine may help treat schizophrenia, study finds

Ana Sandoiu, Medical News Today

Small Genetic Variant Can Predict Response To Hepatitis C Treatment

Medical News Today

Genetic Variations Influence Nicotine Addiction For Young Smokers

Medical News Today

Doubts Raised Over 'Longevity Gene', Other Factors Now Thought To Be Responsible

Catharine Paddock PhD, Medical News Today, 2011

Meta-Analysis Links Two Loci to Shorter Lifespan in Humans

GenomeWeb, 2016

GWAS IDs Variants For Predicting Exceptional Longevity in Humans

GenomeWeb, 2010

Genetic Risk, Adherence to a Healthy Lifestyle, and Coronary Disease

PracticeUpdate, 2016

Schizophrenia Risk From Complex Variation of Complement Component 4

PracticeUpdate, 2016

Powered by TrendMD

RELATED COVERAGE

Lack of sleep can make our genes less active

A new study has revealed that insufficient sleep for only one week is enough to dramatically

alter the activity of over 700 human genes.

Parkinson's risk linked to specific genetic variants

Specific genes and changes in their expression may impact on a person's risk of developing

Parkinson's disease (PD), researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM)

reported in...

Doubts raised over "longevity gene", other factors now thought to be responsible

Researchers who re-tested findings of previous studies suggesting the so-called 'longevity

gene' prolonged lifespan through the production of sirtuin proteins, say the effect is most...

Understanding bipolar disorder

Dr. Inti Pedroso and colleagues examined results of three studies, which examined the

association of common gene variants with bipolar disorder throughout the genome.

Scientists find clue to longevity hidden in worm gene

US scientists have found a gene that appears to be involved in extending the lifespan of

laboratory worms when they are kept on a severely calorie restricted diet.

Swine Flue (Dainik Gagaran: 20170801)

http://epaper.jagran.com/ePaperArticle/01-aug-2017-edition-National-page_2-5454-21129-

262.html

Diabetic (Dainik Gagaran: 20170801)

http://epaper.jagran.com/epaper/01-aug-2017-262-edition-National-Page-1.html

Depression (Dainik Gagaran: 20170801)

http://epaper.jagran.com/ePaperArticle/01-aug-2017-edition-National-page_14-5475-19835-

262.html

Mental Health (Dainik Gagaran: 20170801)

http://epaper.jagran.com/ePaperArticle/01-aug-2017-edition-National-page_14-5475-19831-

262.html

Dengue (Hindustan: 20170801)

http://epaper.livehindustan.com/story.aspx?id=2117876&boxid=62609712&ed_date=2017-

08-01&ed_code=1&ed_page=2

Asthma ((Hindustan: 20170801)

http://epaper.livehindustan.com/story.aspx?id=2117890&boxid=99693384&ed_date=2017-

08-01&ed_code=1&ed_page=16