RARE MUTATIONS OF GENE INSPIRE NEW HEART DRUGS.

What is you carried a genetic mutation that left you nearly impervious to heart disease? What if scientists could bottle that miracle and use it to treat everyone else? In a series of studies, the most recent published on 24th May, 2017 (Wednesday), scientists have described two rare genetic mutations that reduce levels of triglycerides, a type of blood fat, far below normal. People carrying these genes seem invulnerable to heart disease, even if they have other risk factors.

Drugs that mimic the effects of these mutations are already on the way, and many experts believe that one day they will become the next blockbuster heart treatments. Tens of millions of Americans have elevated triglycerides levels. Large genetic studies have consistently suggested a direct link to heart disease.

Added to the existing arsenal of cholesterol-reducers and blood pressure medications, the new medications 'will drive the final nail in the coffin of heart disease', predicted Dr. John Kastelein, a Professor of Vascular Medicine at the University of Amsterdam who was not involved in the new research.

These experimental triglyceride-reducers are in early stages of development, however, and human trials have only just begun. At the moment, the optimism of researchers is rooted less in clinical trial data than in the fact that nature has produced strong evidence they should work. Finding people who are impervious to a disease like heart disease can open a door to letting the rest of the population share their genetic luck.

"It's a huge advance", said Dr. Christie Mitchell Ballantyne, Chief of Cardiology and Cardiovascular research at Baylor College of Medicine  and a consultant for Regeneration (although not for the triglyceride studies). "That doesn't mean it's easy". Still, he added, "what we are seeing is anew approach towards drug development".

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YOUR FITNESS TRACKER CAN'T ACCURATELY COUNT CALORIES.

FitBits and other wrist worn fitness trackers are a popular way of counting steps walked, calories burned and measuring heart rate but new research has cast doubt on their accuracy. Researchers at Stanford University in California analysed 60 participants who wore a variety of wrist-worn activity measuring devices whiel they were sitting, walking, running and cycling. They were simultaneously assessed with other methods to measure heart rate and energy use.

The study said that overall, the wrist-worn devices 'adequately' measure heart rate but 'poorly estimate' the amount of energy used, which in many devices is measured in calories (kcals). The researchers said an error rate of 5% was what shoudl be considered acceptable, but the median error rate of the devices across tasks varied from 27.4% to 92.6% in some cases. Even in the activity which produced the lower error rate, which was walking, it was still found to be 31.8%. They concluded that none of the wrist-worn monitoring devices reported the energy expenditure 'within an acceptable error range'.

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SLEEP DEPRIVATION CAN LEAD TO BRAIN 'EATING ITSELF', SAYS STUDY.

When you feel particularly exhausted, it can definitely feel like you are also lacking in brain capacity. Now, a new study has suggested this could be because chronic sleep deprivation can actually cause the brain to eat itself. New research, conducted by Micehele Bellesi of the Marche Polytechnic University in Italy, analysed the brains of mice who had regular sleep, spontaneous wake, sleep deprivation and chronic sleep deprivation.

Using block-face scanning software, the scientists measured the synapses and cell processes in the mouse's frontal cortex. Specifically looking at cells called astrocytes cells, the researchers found that the sleep deprived mice showed more activity with these cells.

"We show for the first time that portions of the synapses are literally eaten by astrocytes because of sleep loss", Bellesi said. He added that it is not necessarily a bad thing as it could just be the brain's way of 'cleaning' up old brain 'debris'.

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YOUR MOBILE OBSESSION MAY UP BEHAVIOUR ISSUES IN KIDS.

Do you spend too much time on your smartphone during mealtime, playtime  and routine activities or converstaions with your kids? If so, it may lead to behavioural issues in your children, warned researchers. A study suggests that even low or seemingly normal amounts of technology-related interruption were associated with greater child behaviour problems, such as over-sensitivity, hot temper, hyperactivity and whining. Brandon T. McDaniel, Assistant Professor at Illinois State University in the United States and lead author of the study, said when parents use mobile phones, their responsiveness to their kids changes and the device use causes less-than-ideal interactions with their children. "It's really difficult to toggle attention between all of the important and attention-grabbing information contained in these devices, with social and emotional information from our children, and process them both effectively at the same time", added Jenny Radesky, Child Behaviour Expert. The team had surveyed mothers and fathers from 170 two-parent households. 

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MARIJUANA EXTRACT MAY HELP FIGHT RARE EPILEPSY DISORDER.

Marijuana extract may help reduce the frequency of seizures in patients with a rare and severe form of epilepsy by nearly 40 percent, a new study claims. Dravet Syndrome is a rare genetic epileptic encephalopathy (dysfunction of the brain) that begins in the first year of life in an otherwise healthy infant. Cannabidiol, or CBD, is a compound in the cannabis plant that does not contain psychoactive properties that induce a high.

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WANT MORE SEX? TRY USING CONTRACEPTION, SAY EXPERTS.

If you are looking to boost your sex life, birth control may be the answer, health experts say. A study by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health showed that couples who use contraception have as much as three times more sex than couples who do not. "Contraception is a tool that can separate sex from pregnancy. That can transform the role of sex in a relationship from just procreation to also enjoyment", said Suzanne Bell, an author of the findings released at a three-day family planning conference in Bali, Indonesia on 28th January, 2016. 

The researchers examined national health surveys in 47 low to middle income countries, with data on 2,10,000 women - all of them in relationships and in need of contraception. The women were asked if they had had sex in the last month and more currently using a family planning method. About 90% of women who used contraception said they had had sex over the last month, compared with 72% not using contraception. Many women do not use or stop using contraception such as the pill or intrauterine devices (IUD) because they suffer side effects. Bell suggested offering women a wider choice of contraceptives to address this problem.

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SCHIZOPHRENIA MAY BE LINKED TO GENE FLAW.

Scientists reported that they have taken a significant step towards understanding the cause of schizophrenia, in a landmark study that provides the first rigorously tested insight into the biology behind any common psychiatric disorder. More than two million Americans suffer from schizophrenia, which is characterised by delusional thinking and hallucinations. The drugs available to treat it blunt some of its symptoms but do not touch the underlying cause. The finding will not lead to new treatments soon, but the results provide researchers with their first biological handle on an ancient disorder whose cause has confounded modern science for generations. The finding also helps explain some other mysteries, including why the disorder often begins in adolescence or young adulthood. The researchers pieced together the steps by which genes can increase a person's risk of developing schizophrenia. That risk, they found, is tied to a natural process called synaptic pruning, in which the brain sheds weak or redundant connections between neurons as it matures. During adolescence and early adulthood, this activity takes place primarily in the section of the brain where thinking and planning skills are centered, known as the prefrontal cortex.

People who carry genes that accelerate or intensify that pruning are at higher risk of developing schizophrenia than those who do not, the new study suggests. Some researchers had suspected that the pruning must somehow go awry in people with schizophrenia, because previous studies showed that their prefrontal areas tended to have a diminished number of neural connections. The new paper not only strongly supports that this is the case, but also explains it and identifies the genes responsible: People with schizophrenia have a gene variant that apparently facilitates aggressive 'tagging' of connections for pruning, in effect accelerating the process.

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LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS CAN HELP YOU PREVENT AND MANAGE DIABETES.

Currently nearly 70 million people have diabetes in India, and these figures are predicted to increase to 124 million by 2040. The main reasons are the demographic increase and the rapid lifestyle changes occurrence in India.

Increasing Physical Activity: One of the strongest drivers of the diabetes epidemic is a marked increase in urban areas. Along with following a healthy meal pattern, promotion of physical activity in the community is a key step towards controlling the twin epidemic of diabetes and obesity. The ICMR-INDIAB study has shown only a dismal 10 percent of adults in India are involved in any type of leisure time physical activity! The diabetes Community Lifestyle Improvement Program (D-CLIP) - a primary prevention study conducted in Chennai revealed that though 83 percent of non-exercisers were aware of the many benefits of exercise that did not translate to increase in their physical activity. Why is this happening?

The reasons can be many. Starting on an exercise program can take some time and once a person has begun, the adherence to exercise regimes is even more challenging. This is where doctors can play crucial role. Specific instructions should be given to patients rather than giving general advice. For example, rather than just saying, "You need to exercise", a doctor should be saying, "You would benefit very much by a brisk walk for 30 minutes everyday". Such instruction clearly outlines the type and amount of time to be spent on the exercise. Dr. V. Mohan, Chairman, Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre says, "We need to encourage lifestyle changes by providing simple tips like using the stairs instead of lifts or parking further from one's destination should be in addition to programmed exercise like setting aside a time each day for the purpose of exercise. Most important in India, we need to make our surroundings more suitable to encourage physical activity. Our built environment plays a crucial role in the promotion of exercise. Even roads, greenery, clean pavements and pathways, walking/cycling tracks, parks, safety on the road, playgrounds in schools and colleges, etc. can go a long way in promotion physical activity from people".

"Pleasant surroundings reduce stress and encourage outdoor activities such as walking, cycling and jogging, which help people stay fit and happy. In a 2005 population study done by MDRF in middle income neighbourhood in Chennai showed that increasing physical activity through community empowerment can help in the primary prevention of diabetes. The construction of a park in this colony gave rise to a 300 percent increase in the number of people who exercised in this community", he added.

Psychological Benefits of Exercise: Dr. R.M. Anjana, Joint Managing Director, Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre says, "When you shop, cook or eat out, make healthy choices. Always read labels and select foods that are low in fat, salt, sugars. Avoid processed foods and meats. They will be rich in salt and oil. Use fresh foods. Avoid fried and fatty foods. Choose foods that are boiled steamed, grilled or baked. In our attempt to provide quality foods to consumers sincerely looking for a change to prevent/manage their diabetes, we have brought out high fibre white rice and rava which compared to other rices in the market is one of the only one to have the highest fibre content (almost 7 gm.) when most white rices have close to 0.5 to 1 gm. fibre. Retaining the colour of the rice (white) and yet increasing its nutritional content makes this a very healthy proposition for the consumers. Thus, they still can consume rice but will not tend to overeat as the fibre will fill their stomach".

"When you learn more about good nutrition habits, you will find more choices than you thought! If you slip up occasionally do not get discouraged just get back to your nutrition plan at your next meal", she added. Dr. Ranjit Unnikrishnan, Vice-Chairman, Dr. Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre says, "Inability to manage our time properly leads to undue stress in our lives. Hence, time and stress management have become an integral component of lifestyle modification measures. The combination of diet, exercise, and behavioural modification is the most effective approach to healthier lives. Behavioural approaches that teach patients to rearrange their daily schedule and thus support healthy eating habits, time and stress management and exercise routines are important for long term adherence to lifestyle measures".

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REASONS WHY YOU MAY BE STRUGGLING TO GET PREGNANT.

According to statistics, millions of people around the globe struggle to conceive naturally. This is not an insignificant figure, amounting to one in seven couples, meaning someone you know may very well be having a hard time trying to have a baby. It may even be a situation you are all-too familiar with personally. Women are very much aware of which factors can cause fertility issues. We are all told to not leave it too late. But it remains that many of these factors are outside of our control. Shedding some light on this matter is Dr. Anne Poliness, who reveals key reasons why women aren't able to immediately fall pregnant.

1. Blocked Fallopian Tubes: Sperm may be prevented from meeting the egg if the fallopian tubes are blocked. According to Dr. Poliness, the reasons behind blocked fallopian tubes may be either endometriosis or previous pelvic infections. One possible solution is surgery removing external scarring to unblock the tubes. IVF treatment can also bypass damaged or blocked tubes.
2. Irregular Cycles: Although irregular menstrual cycles may lead to problems with ovulation, and are not always dangerous. It's important to look into what's causing the irregularity. To treat irregular cycles, especially for those who are trying to conceive, Dr. Poliness suggests the use of medication or a follicle stimulating hormone.
3. Fibroids: Non-cancerous masses located in the uterus or cervix are called fibroids. How much they affect fertility depends upon their size and location. Most fibroids don't need surgery. Dr. Poliness stresses not all gynaecologists would say, for certain, whether fibroids cause infertility. However, she also points out it's useful to have an understanding of the damage they cause. While surgery is not always necessary, there's a small risk the uterus may have to be removed, in which case surgery should be given some serious thought.
4. Endometriosis: Dr. Poliness says although another cause of infertility could be endometriosis, there's not much correlation between how severe your condition is and your chances of conceiving. "It doesn't have to be severe endo to change the body parts that make it hard to conceive", she explains. To experience difficulties conceiving naturally, endometriosis can be on the ovaries, tubes or even behind the uterus. A laparoscopy to remove endometriosis can improve the chances of natural conception.
5. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), the ovaries secrete large amounts of testosterome, which interferes with ovulation leading to fertility issues. Not only this, but women who have PCOS have enlarged ovaries that contain multiple small cysts. "For women with PCOS, the main issue is how frequent the periods are. If someone has a cycle every four or five weeks, it's not always necessary to be on hormone suppressants. However, if the cycles are every three to six weeks it might be necessary", Dr. Poliness says. In terms of treatment, ovulation may also be induced with medication. Otherwise, IVF is another option for women who cannot conceive after other options haven't worked.
6. Age: Age is something we are all hyper-aware of Dr. Poliness believes the best conception rates for normal healthy couples are 20 to 25 percent per menstrual cycle. In order to boost your chances, doctors recommends couples under 35 who have been struggling to get pregnant for 12 months, seek help from a fertility specialist. Those over 35, who have been trying for six months, should also seek help.

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EMPATHY MAY BE KEY TO PARTNERS' GOOD HEALTH.

Showing empathy to your partner or spouse suffering from chronic pain or with osteoarthritis may improve his or her physical functioning over time, a new study has showed. The results showed that patients with spouses who responded to their expressions of pain with empathic behaviours such as providing emotional support, affection and attention on a daily basis showed improved physical function six and eighteen months later relative to patients with less empathic spouses.

"We found that osteoarthritis patients whose spouses were more empathically responsive in daily interactions fared better in terms of their physical function than patients whose spouses were less reponsive", said lead author Stephanie J. Wilson of Ohio state in the United States. 

Further, they were able to stand better from a chair unassisted, maintained better balance and could walk more quickly. On the other hand, partners whose spouses acted frustrated and appeared irritated (punishing behaviours) would show diminished functioning over time, the researchers stated.

"Other research suggests that people who perform better on these tasks also are more likely to remain independent and to live longer", Wilson explained, adding: "Thus, our findings have direct clinical implication for chronic pain patients".

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AIR POLLUTION EXPOSURE MAY UP RISK OF PRE-TERM BIRTH.

Exposure to high levels of small particle air pollution is associated with an increased risk of premature birth, a study has found. Researchers at the United States Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Centre and the University of Cincinnati, identified a 19% increased risk, with the greatest risk when exposed to air pollution during the third trimester of pregnancy. "Decreasing the amount of particulate matter in the air below the United States Environmental Protection Agency's standard threshold could decrease preterm birth in women exposed to high levels of small particulates by about 17%, which corresponds to a 2.22% decrease in the preterm birth rate in the population as a whole", said Emily DeFranco, a Professor.
The researchers studied birth records in Ohio between 2007 and 2010. The population included nearly 2,25,000 singleton live births. Of these, more than 19,000 births were preterm, that is birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy. The birth records were linked to average daily measures of fine particulate matter of 2.5 microns or less in width. The majority of births, 97%, occurred in highly urbanised areas.
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HOW SMARTPHONES CAN PREVENT WEIGHT GAIN.

People bored of following sedentary lifestyle should start consulting their smartphones as it can help them get active and reduce chances of weight gain, a new study has claimed. According to a pilot study, using smartphone reminders to prompt people to get moving may help reduce sedentary behaviour, increase activity and reduce chances of weight gain, higher body mass index (BMI) and obesity. For the study, researchers Darla E. Kendzor and Karem Shuval made participants wear accelerometers to measure movement and carry their phones for seven days.

Participants who reported more than two hours of sitting during the day received a message emphasising that long uninterrupted sitting is bad for health.It encouraged them to stand up and move around more. Over the seven-day study period, participants had significantly fewer minutes of daily sedentary time and more daily minutes of active time. Accelerometers recorded 3% less sedentary time than control participants, equalling about 25 minutes of time spent engaged in activity rather than in sedentary behaviour on any given day.

"Smartphone prompts appear to be a promising strategy for reducing sedentary behaviour and increasing activity", the authors said. Adults in the United States spend an average of about eight waking hours per day being sedentary. The study appeared in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.

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HOW AMAZING ARE OUR KIDNEYS?

Human body is a cluster of wonderful organ systems. One of the complex yet amazing organ system among these organs are the kidneys. They are the flag bearers of Blood Purification System. Human beings are blessed with two kidneys. Even though kidneys do weigh less than 0.5 percent of the total body weight, they utilise around 25% of the blood pumped by the Heart. The functional unit of the kidney is the 'Nephron'. Each kidney do contain around one million Nephrons. They are akin to the Chip of a computer. Therefore, both kidneys contain around two million such Nephrons, which carry out the task of blood purification. If the nephrons in both the kidneys are retrieved and arranged hypothetically end to end, they stretch to a distance of around sixteen kilometers!
Kidneys are the mighty organs which filter the blood wholly for four hundred times in a day. Kidneys excrete around 0.1 percent of such filtered blood volume as Urine. They are designed not only to filter the blood but are entrusted with other diverse biological functions. One of such functions is the production of Erythropietin, an essential substance which acts like a trigger in the production of Red Blood Cells from the bone marrow. Another important function of kidney is the generation of Vitamin D. Therefore, some patients of kidney failure are prone for bone problems due to the blunting of this Vitamin D production.
Further, kidneys play a pivotal role in regulating Blood Pressure. Kidneys secrete 'Renin' which in turn tightly regulates Blood Pressure. Kidneys are virtually the Command Center for blood pressure regulation. But even such spectacularly designed kidneys are prone for various malfunctions. The most common reasons for kidney failure are long standing and uncontrolled diabetes, long duration High Blood Pressure, Pain Killers and Environmental Toxins such as Flourosis.
Like any other health issue, Prevention is the ultimate cure for kidney failure. Such preventive strategies include tight control of Blood Sugar in diabetics, optimum control of High Blood Pressure and avoidance of the indiscriminate use of pain killers. Always remember that kidney diseases are very preventable if the efforts for positive health such as regular exercise, limiting calorie dense diet along with regular monitoring of Blood Sugar and Blood Pressure should be enforced by all of us..!
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HEALTHY BONES FOR A HEALTHY LIFE.

Muscles, joints and bones are vital to movement. They enable us to accomplish complex feats such as running, jumping and simple tasks like writing with a pencil. As we age, our bones lose density, muscles lose flexibility and joints become worn. This affects mobility and balance, making us more at risk for falling and fracturing bones. Senior citizens are especially prone both to falling and to diseases such as osteoporosis and arthritis. How likely you are to develop osteoporosis, a condition that causes bones to become weak and brittle depends on how much bone mass you attain by the time you reach age thirty and how rapidly you lose it after that.

Who gets osteoporosis? There are many things that can increase your chances of getting osteoporosis. These things are called 'risk factors'. Some risk factors are things you can control, and some things are outside of your control.

Risk factors you can control: 

Diet: Getting too little calcium and vitamin D can increase your chances of getting osteoporosis.

Physical Activity: Not exercising and not being active for long periods of time can increase your chances of getting osteoporosis.

Body weight: Being too thin makes you more likely to get osteoporosis.

Smoking: Smoking cigarettes can keep your body from using the calcium in your diet. Also, women who smoke go through menopause earlier than those who don't smoke.

Alcohol: People who drink a lot are more likely to get osteoporosis.

Medicines: Certain medicines can cause bone loss. These include Glucocortiocoids which are given to people who have arthritis, asthma and many other diseases.

Risk factors you cannot control:

Age: Your cahnces of getting osteoporosis increase as you get older.

Gender: You have a greater chance of getting osteoporosis if you are a woman.

Family history: Having a close family member who has osteoporosis or has broken a bone may also increase your risk.

How do I know if I have osteoporosis? A bone density test measures how strong or dense your bones are and whether you have osteoporosis. Bone density tests are quick, safe and painless.

What can I do to make my bones healthier? 

• Protecting your bone health is easier than you think. Understand how diet, physical activity and other lifestyle factors can affect your bone mass;
• Maintaining a Healthy Diet for Your Bones and Joints;
• Incorporate more calcium rich foods into your diet. The best way to make sure that you are getting enough calcium is to eat a diet that includes lots of calcium rich foods. Calcium rich foods include low-fat dairy products, such as low-fat yoghurt or milk. Green leafy vegetables and foods fortified with calcium, such as orange juice, cereal, bread, soy beverages and tofu products;
• Eat foods that contain Vitamin D and Vitamin C;
• Avoid alcohol consumption;
• Exercising to promote Healthy Bones and Joints.

Talk to your doctor before you begin an exercise regimen. Your doctor can help you to decide what exercises will be best for you based on your age, weight, and any medical conditions.

• Include weight-bearing exercises to build bone density;
• Choose low-impact exercises to protect your joints;
• Try resistance  training;
• Wear protective gear when doing exercises to protect your joints;
• Consider taking a yoga class;
• Allow your body time to recover;
• Take care of your body after exercising;
• Quit smoking if you are a smoker;
• Maintain a healthy body weight;
• Change positions throughout the day;
• Wear the right shoes.

Talk to your physician about bone and joint health: Your doctor can perform tests to determine if your bone density is adequate or if you have low bone density. Ask about medications that might help to treat or prevent bone loss. Discuss surgical options if you have severe joint pain.

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