28 Şubat 2013 Perşembe
Animals Help Children With Autism Interact Better
Animals Help Children With Autism Interact Better28 Feb 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;
Animals help children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) interact better; they show increased positive social behaviors when an animal is present.
The finding came from a new study by researchers, led by Marguerite E O'Haire, from the University of Queesland, Australia and was published in the journal PLOS ONE.
Kids between the ages of five and thirteen with ASD were involved in the investigation. The experts analyzed their interaction with adults and with peers who were developing normally, while two guinea pigs were present. The interactions were compared a second time with toys instead of the guinea pigs.
According to the results, when the animals were present, the kids with ASD displayed more social behaviors such as:
talking
making physical contact
looking at faces
Compared to when they were playing with toys, the kids with ASD were more receptive to social advances from their peers when the animals were in sight.
The children laughed and smiled more when the animals were present compared to the toys, and also reduced behaviors of:
frowning
whining
crying
Prior research has indicated that people have a higher probability of receiving overtures of friendship from strangers when taking a dog for a walk as opposed to when they walk unaccompanied.
Comparable outcomes have also been examined for individuals who have smaller animals, such as rabbits or turtles with them.
This 'social lubricant' effect of animals on human social interactions may be especially critical for people with socio-emotional disabilities, according to the researchers.
The capability of the animals to assist boys and girls with ASD communicate with adults may also be used to help them interact with teachers, therapists, and other adults in their life.
Animal-assisted interventions may also benefit the classroom dynamics as well, the scientists said.
The authors concluded:
"For children with ASD, the school classroom can be a stressful and overwhelming environment due to social challenges and peer victimization. If an animal can reduce this stress or artificially change children's perception of the classroom and its occupants, then a child with ASD may feel more at ease and open to social approach behaviors."
There have been several studies over the last week on ASDs. One published in BMC Medicine demonstrated that autistic kids have a structural difference in brain connections than those without the disorder, while another found that five major psychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, share genetic links.
Written by Sarah Glynn
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
Five Major Psychiatric Disorders Share Genetic Link
Five Major Psychiatric Disorders Share Genetic Link28 Feb 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;
Five common psychiatric disorders - bipolar disorder, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia - have been found to have the same genetic risk factors.
Specifically, two variations in genes play a role in the balance of calcium in brain cells and are a common factor in a few of these disorders, and may be a goal for new treatments.
These new findings, published in The Lancet, are from the biggest genetic study analyzing psychiatric illness, and could aid in eventually identifying these disorders based on what causes them, rather than their symptoms.
Jordan Smoller from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, one of the lead researchers explained:
"This analysis provides the first genome-wide evidence that individual and aggregate molecular genetic risk factors are shared between five childhood-onset or adult-onset psychiatric disorders that are treated as distinct categories in clinical practice."
In an attempt to analyze the potential of common genetic markers - or nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) - that could influence susceptibility to the five disorders, the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC) reviewed the genome of 33,332 patients and 27,888 control subjects of European descent.
They found four risk gene mutation positions that have significant and similar associations with all five diseases or disorders - regions on chromosomes 3p21 and 10q24, and SNPs in two genes that make up parts of channels that control the flow of calcium in the brain cells.
The polygenic risk scores verified cross-disorder outcomes, most notably between adult-onset disorders: schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder.
More in depth examination confirmed that calcium channel activity is a significant factor in the development of all five disorders.
Smoller said:
"Significant progress has been made in understanding the genetic risk factors underlying psychiatric disorders. Our results provide new evidence that may inform a move beyond descriptive syndromes in psychiatry and towards classification based on underlying causes. These findings are particularly relevant in view of the imminent revision of classifications in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)."
In a linked editorial comment, Alessandro Serretti and Chiara Fabbri from the University of Bologna in Italy mentioned:
"the present study might contribute to future nosographic [classification] systems, which could be based not only on statistically determined clinical categories, but also on biological pathogenic factors that are pivotal to the identification of suitable treatments."
The authors conclude that with these new findings, psychiatric diseases or disorders could be predicted and prevented by genetics in the future.
Geneticists are starting to identify gene variants that occur in several psychiatric disorders and/or diseases. Scientists from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia said they found 25 extra gene variants occurring in some people with an autism spectrum disorder.
Written by Kelly Fitzgerald
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
Strain Of Acne-Causing Bacteria Found To Actually Preserve Skin
Strain Of Acne-Causing Bacteria Found To Actually Preserve Skin28 Feb 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;
Everyone has acne-causing bacteria living on their skin, but researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine have identified that there are "good" and "bad" strains of the bacteria, which determine the frequency and severity of developing pimples.
The findings, which were published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, reveal that not all acne bacteria trigger pimples, they even identified one strain that can actually help maintain healthy skin.
Little is known about the scientific causes of acne, a disease which affects close to 80 percent of Americans - at least once in their lives. The treatment options have remained the same over the past few decades, with much need for improvement. A report in The Lancet said that further research is urgently needed for effective non-antibiotic treatments for acne, given the concerns of long-term antibiotic use and bacterial resistance.
Lead author of the study, Huiying Li, PhD, said:
"We hope to apply our findings to develop new strategies that stop blemishes before they start and enable dermatologists to customize treatment to each patient's unique cocktail of skin bacteria."
Propionibacterium acnes is a tiny microbe that lives in the oily region of the skin's pores. The bacteria can aggravate an immune response which causes red, swollen bumps to develop on the skin (acne).
The researchers collected samples of P. acnes from the noses of 49 pimply people and 52 people with clear skin. They extracted the microbial DNA from the strips and tracked a genetic marker to identify the bacterial strains.
They sequenced the genomes of 66 different P. acnes strains, which allowed them to analyze the genes in each of the strains.
Co-author of the study, George Weinstock, PhD, professor of genetics at Washington University in St. Louis, said:
"Our research underscores the importance of strain-level analysis of the world of human microbes to define the role of bacteria in health and disease. This type of analysis has a much higher resolution than prior studies that relied on bacterial cultures or only made distinctions between bacterial species."
The investigators were specifically looking for any differences in the bacterial strains of those suffering from acne versus those with healthy skin.
They identified two unique strains of P. acnes found in 20 percent of the participants with pimples, that were close to non-existent among those with healthy skin. In addition, another strain of P. acnes was commonly found among the volunteers with healthy skin, yet quite rare in participants with acne.
The researchers believe that this "good" strain has a natural defense mechanism that targets and eliminated attackers that try and infect the cell.
The finding should help in the development of future acne treatments. The researchers believe that by increasing the body's concentrations of the friendly P. acnes strain - through the use of a cream or lotion - acne severity could be reduced.
Li added: "This P. acnes strain may protect the skin, much like yogurt's live bacteria help defend the gut from harmful bugs. Our next step will be to investigate whether a probiotic cream can block bad bacteria from invading the skin and prevent pimples before they start."
Further studies will look into possible drugs that can eliminate the bad strains of the bacteria whilst at the same time preserving the good strains, as well as assessing whether a simple skin test can effectively predict if someone will develop acne in the future.
A previous study, presented at the Society for General Microbiology's Spring Conference in Dublin, revealed that herbal preparations of thyme could well be more effective at treating skin acne than current prescription creams - promising to be a gentler and more effective treatment.
Written by Joseph Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
Innovative Smartphone App Tests Your Urine For Medical Issues
Innovative Smartphone App Tests Your Urine For Medical Issues28 Feb 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;
A 29-year-old entrepreneur from India has developed a smartphone app that can analyze your urine for the presence of up to 10 markers
covering 25 different medical conditions.
uChek is the brainchild of Myshkin Ingawale, who showed off his new invention at the TED (Technology, Education and Design) 2013 conference in
Los Angeles this week.
App Analyzes Color of Urine-Dipped Chemical Strips
The app uses the smartphone's camera to take photos of chemical strips that you dip in a sample of your urine. It then compares them to a color-coded map and within a few seconds reports the results, showing levels of glucose, bilirubin, proteins, ketones, leukocytes, and up to 5 other
parameters in a chart that you can view on the screen of the smartphone.
The information is presented in an easy to understand format, using positive or negative results, or numbers, and you can click on keywords like
"leukocytes" for further information.
The test results from uChek could help people managing diabetes, and also kidney, bladder and liver problems. They may also reveal a urinary
tract infection.
The app also stores previous results, thus making it easy to monitor trends.
Currently In Testing, Soon to Be Available for IPhone, then Android
The app is currently undergoing testing in a Mumbai hospital and making its way through the Apple approval system.
uChek's smartphone app is said to detect up to 25 diseases. Photo: uchek.in.
Ingawale says he hopes it will soon be available on the iPhone, and after that, an Android version is also planned, although that will take a bit
longer because of all the different types of cameras in Android smartphones.
In initial testing with 1,200 samples, Ingawale says the app delivered more accurate results than humans looking at the color-strips by eye.
With more expensive equipment the reading would be more accurate, but then you are talking about machines costing up to $10,000.
For a cost of 99 cents for the app, plus $20 for the packet of strips and a color-coded map, you can run uChek on your smartphone, says
Ingawale, who emphasizes that the point of the app is not to diagnose disease but to make you, your friends, family, and even your doctor, better
informed about health issues.
Revolutionizing Healthcare
uChek is not the first device that Ingawale has presented at TED. Last year he demonstrated a blood test that can be taken without drawing
blood, that can help diagnose anemia. Called ToucHb, it uses LEDs and photodiodes to analyze the absorption pattern of hemoglobin.
Ingawale is keen to revolutionize the medical device industry, which he says operates on the idea of "proprietary, closed hardware and a recurring
revenue business model".
He says he wants to help people better understand what is happening in their own bodies. He told the BBC:
"I wanted to get medical health checks into users' hands. There is huge potential to get the world of biochemistry out to users via apps."
"I am trying to democratize healthcare," he says, in a report published this week in Wired.com.
Ingawale's apps are examples of a growing trend in personal electronic health that includes "self-tracking", where computing tools such as wearable sensors and mobile apps
collect, process and display a wealth of personal data to help you keep track of and manage all aspects of your health.
Throughout areas of medicine, applications on tablets and smartphones, and the iPad and iPhone in particular, are bringing about more than just
an information revolution. In some hospitals, the demand for change from clinicians is so great, they have started developing their own
apps.
However, while there are many good apps around, there are also many bad apps, and people are starting to push for regulation, in much the same
way as drugs and medical devices are regulated.
For example, a recent review of smartphone apps where you can upload
photos of skin lesions and have them analyzed for likelihood of cancer shows they can get it wrong an alarming number of times.
Written by Catharine Paddock PhD
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
Animals Help Children With Autism Interact Better
Animals Help Children With Autism Interact Better28 Feb 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;
Animals help children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) interact better; they show increased positive social behaviors when an animal is present.
The finding came from a new study by researchers, led by Marguerite E O'Haire, from the University of Queesland, Australia and was published in the journal PLOS ONE.
Kids between the ages of five and thirteen with ASD were involved in the investigation. The experts analyzed their interaction with adults and with peers who were developing normally, while two guinea pigs were present. The interactions were compared a second time with toys instead of the guinea pigs.
According to the results, when the animals were present, the kids with ASD displayed more social behaviors such as:
talking
making physical contact
looking at faces
Compared to when they were playing with toys, the kids with ASD were more receptive to social advances from their peers when the animals were in sight.
The children laughed and smiled more when the animals were present compared to the toys, and also reduced behaviors of:
frowning
whining
crying
Prior research has indicated that people have a higher probability of receiving overtures of friendship from strangers when taking a dog for a walk as opposed to when they walk unaccompanied.
Comparable outcomes have also been examined for individuals who have smaller animals, such as rabbits or turtles with them.
This 'social lubricant' effect of animals on human social interactions may be especially critical for people with socio-emotional disabilities, according to the researchers.
The capability of the animals to assist boys and girls with ASD communicate with adults may also be used to help them interact with teachers, therapists, and other adults in their life.
Animal-assisted interventions may also benefit the classroom dynamics as well, the scientists said.
The authors concluded:
"For children with ASD, the school classroom can be a stressful and overwhelming environment due to social challenges and peer victimization. If an animal can reduce this stress or artificially change children's perception of the classroom and its occupants, then a child with ASD may feel more at ease and open to social approach behaviors."
There have been several studies over the last week on ASDs. One published in BMC Medicine demonstrated that autistic kids have a structural difference in brain connections than those without the disorder, while another found that five major psychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, share genetic links.
Written by Sarah Glynn
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
Five Major Psychiatric Disorders Share Genetic Link
Five Major Psychiatric Disorders Share Genetic Link28 Feb 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;
Five common psychiatric disorders - bipolar disorder, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia - have been found to have the same genetic risk factors.
Specifically, two variations in genes play a role in the balance of calcium in brain cells and are a common factor in a few of these disorders, and may be a goal for new treatments.
These new findings, published in The Lancet, are from the biggest genetic study analyzing psychiatric illness, and could aid in eventually identifying these disorders based on what causes them, rather than their symptoms.
Jordan Smoller from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, one of the lead researchers explained:
"This analysis provides the first genome-wide evidence that individual and aggregate molecular genetic risk factors are shared between five childhood-onset or adult-onset psychiatric disorders that are treated as distinct categories in clinical practice."
In an attempt to analyze the potential of common genetic markers - or nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) - that could influence susceptibility to the five disorders, the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC) reviewed the genome of 33,332 patients and 27,888 control subjects of European descent.
They found four risk gene mutation positions that have significant and similar associations with all five diseases or disorders - regions on chromosomes 3p21 and 10q24, and SNPs in two genes that make up parts of channels that control the flow of calcium in the brain cells.
The polygenic risk scores verified cross-disorder outcomes, most notably between adult-onset disorders: schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder.
More in depth examination confirmed that calcium channel activity is a significant factor in the development of all five disorders.
Smoller said:
"Significant progress has been made in understanding the genetic risk factors underlying psychiatric disorders. Our results provide new evidence that may inform a move beyond descriptive syndromes in psychiatry and towards classification based on underlying causes. These findings are particularly relevant in view of the imminent revision of classifications in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)."
In a linked editorial comment, Alessandro Serretti and Chiara Fabbri from the University of Bologna in Italy mentioned:
"the present study might contribute to future nosographic [classification] systems, which could be based not only on statistically determined clinical categories, but also on biological pathogenic factors that are pivotal to the identification of suitable treatments."
The authors conclude that with these new findings, psychiatric diseases or disorders could be predicted and prevented by genetics in the future.
Geneticists are starting to identify gene variants that occur in several psychiatric disorders and/or diseases. Scientists from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia said they found 25 extra gene variants occurring in some people with an autism spectrum disorder.
Written by Kelly Fitzgerald
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
Strain Of Acne-Causing Bacteria Found To Actually Preserve Skin
Strain Of Acne-Causing Bacteria Found To Actually Preserve Skin28 Feb 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;
Everyone has acne-causing bacteria living on their skin, but researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine have identified that there are "good" and "bad" strains of the bacteria, which determine the frequency and severity of developing pimples.
The findings, which were published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, reveal that not all acne bacteria trigger pimples, they even identified one strain that can actually help maintain healthy skin.
Little is known about the scientific causes of acne, a disease which affects close to 80 percent of Americans - at least once in their lives. The treatment options have remained the same over the past few decades, with much need for improvement. A report in The Lancet said that further research is urgently needed for effective non-antibiotic treatments for acne, given the concerns of long-term antibiotic use and bacterial resistance.
Lead author of the study, Huiying Li, PhD, said:
"We hope to apply our findings to develop new strategies that stop blemishes before they start and enable dermatologists to customize treatment to each patient's unique cocktail of skin bacteria."
Propionibacterium acnes is a tiny microbe that lives in the oily region of the skin's pores. The bacteria can aggravate an immune response which causes red, swollen bumps to develop on the skin (acne).
The researchers collected samples of P. acnes from the noses of 49 pimply people and 52 people with clear skin. They extracted the microbial DNA from the strips and tracked a genetic marker to identify the bacterial strains.
They sequenced the genomes of 66 different P. acnes strains, which allowed them to analyze the genes in each of the strains.
Co-author of the study, George Weinstock, PhD, professor of genetics at Washington University in St. Louis, said:
"Our research underscores the importance of strain-level analysis of the world of human microbes to define the role of bacteria in health and disease. This type of analysis has a much higher resolution than prior studies that relied on bacterial cultures or only made distinctions between bacterial species."
The investigators were specifically looking for any differences in the bacterial strains of those suffering from acne versus those with healthy skin.
They identified two unique strains of P. acnes found in 20 percent of the participants with pimples, that were close to non-existent among those with healthy skin. In addition, another strain of P. acnes was commonly found among the volunteers with healthy skin, yet quite rare in participants with acne.
The researchers believe that this "good" strain has a natural defense mechanism that targets and eliminated attackers that try and infect the cell.
The finding should help in the development of future acne treatments. The researchers believe that by increasing the body's concentrations of the friendly P. acnes strain - through the use of a cream or lotion - acne severity could be reduced.
Li added: "This P. acnes strain may protect the skin, much like yogurt's live bacteria help defend the gut from harmful bugs. Our next step will be to investigate whether a probiotic cream can block bad bacteria from invading the skin and prevent pimples before they start."
Further studies will look into possible drugs that can eliminate the bad strains of the bacteria whilst at the same time preserving the good strains, as well as assessing whether a simple skin test can effectively predict if someone will develop acne in the future.
A previous study, presented at the Society for General Microbiology's Spring Conference in Dublin, revealed that herbal preparations of thyme could well be more effective at treating skin acne than current prescription creams - promising to be a gentler and more effective treatment.
Written by Joseph Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
Innovative Smartphone App Tests Your Urine For Medical Issues
Innovative Smartphone App Tests Your Urine For Medical Issues28 Feb 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;
A 29-year-old entrepreneur from India has developed a smartphone app that can analyze your urine for the presence of up to 10 markers
covering 25 different medical conditions.
uChek is the brainchild of Myshkin Ingawale, who showed off his new invention at the TED (Technology, Education and Design) 2013 conference in
Los Angeles this week.
App Analyzes Color of Urine-Dipped Chemical Strips
The app uses the smartphone's camera to take photos of chemical strips that you dip in a sample of your urine. It then compares them to a color-coded map and within a few seconds reports the results, showing levels of glucose, bilirubin, proteins, ketones, leukocytes, and up to 5 other
parameters in a chart that you can view on the screen of the smartphone.
The information is presented in an easy to understand format, using positive or negative results, or numbers, and you can click on keywords like
"leukocytes" for further information.
The test results from uChek could help people managing diabetes, and also kidney, bladder and liver problems. They may also reveal a urinary
tract infection.
The app also stores previous results, thus making it easy to monitor trends.
Currently In Testing, Soon to Be Available for IPhone, then Android
The app is currently undergoing testing in a Mumbai hospital and making its way through the Apple approval system.
uChek's smartphone app is said to detect up to 25 diseases. Photo: uchek.in.
Ingawale says he hopes it will soon be available on the iPhone, and after that, an Android version is also planned, although that will take a bit
longer because of all the different types of cameras in Android smartphones.
In initial testing with 1,200 samples, Ingawale says the app delivered more accurate results than humans looking at the color-strips by eye.
With more expensive equipment the reading would be more accurate, but then you are talking about machines costing up to $10,000.
For a cost of 99 cents for the app, plus $20 for the packet of strips and a color-coded map, you can run uChek on your smartphone, says
Ingawale, who emphasizes that the point of the app is not to diagnose disease but to make you, your friends, family, and even your doctor, better
informed about health issues.
Revolutionizing Healthcare
uChek is not the first device that Ingawale has presented at TED. Last year he demonstrated a blood test that can be taken without drawing
blood, that can help diagnose anemia. Called ToucHb, it uses LEDs and photodiodes to analyze the absorption pattern of hemoglobin.
Ingawale is keen to revolutionize the medical device industry, which he says operates on the idea of "proprietary, closed hardware and a recurring
revenue business model".
He says he wants to help people better understand what is happening in their own bodies. He told the BBC:
"I wanted to get medical health checks into users' hands. There is huge potential to get the world of biochemistry out to users via apps."
"I am trying to democratize healthcare," he says, in a report published this week in Wired.com.
Ingawale's apps are examples of a growing trend in personal electronic health that includes "self-tracking", where computing tools such as wearable sensors and mobile apps
collect, process and display a wealth of personal data to help you keep track of and manage all aspects of your health.
Throughout areas of medicine, applications on tablets and smartphones, and the iPad and iPhone in particular, are bringing about more than just
an information revolution. In some hospitals, the demand for change from clinicians is so great, they have started developing their own
apps.
However, while there are many good apps around, there are also many bad apps, and people are starting to push for regulation, in much the same
way as drugs and medical devices are regulated.
For example, a recent review of smartphone apps where you can upload
photos of skin lesions and have them analyzed for likelihood of cancer shows they can get it wrong an alarming number of times.
Written by Catharine Paddock PhD
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
Animals Help Children With Autism Interact Better
Animals Help Children With Autism Interact Better28 Feb 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;
Animals help children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) interact better; they show increased positive social behaviors when an animal is present.
The finding came from a new study by researchers, led by Marguerite E O'Haire, from the University of Queesland, Australia and was published in the journal PLOS ONE.
Kids between the ages of five and thirteen with ASD were involved in the investigation. The experts analyzed their interaction with adults and with peers who were developing normally, while two guinea pigs were present. The interactions were compared a second time with toys instead of the guinea pigs.
According to the results, when the animals were present, the kids with ASD displayed more social behaviors such as:
talking
making physical contact
looking at faces
Compared to when they were playing with toys, the kids with ASD were more receptive to social advances from their peers when the animals were in sight.
The children laughed and smiled more when the animals were present compared to the toys, and also reduced behaviors of:
frowning
whining
crying
Prior research has indicated that people have a higher probability of receiving overtures of friendship from strangers when taking a dog for a walk as opposed to when they walk unaccompanied.
Comparable outcomes have also been examined for individuals who have smaller animals, such as rabbits or turtles with them.
This 'social lubricant' effect of animals on human social interactions may be especially critical for people with socio-emotional disabilities, according to the researchers.
The capability of the animals to assist boys and girls with ASD communicate with adults may also be used to help them interact with teachers, therapists, and other adults in their life.
Animal-assisted interventions may also benefit the classroom dynamics as well, the scientists said.
The authors concluded:
"For children with ASD, the school classroom can be a stressful and overwhelming environment due to social challenges and peer victimization. If an animal can reduce this stress or artificially change children's perception of the classroom and its occupants, then a child with ASD may feel more at ease and open to social approach behaviors."
There have been several studies over the last week on ASDs. One published in BMC Medicine demonstrated that autistic kids have a structural difference in brain connections than those without the disorder, while another found that five major psychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, share genetic links.
Written by Sarah Glynn
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
Five Major Psychiatric Disorders Share Genetic Link
Five Major Psychiatric Disorders Share Genetic Link28 Feb 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;
Five common psychiatric disorders - bipolar disorder, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia - have been found to have the same genetic risk factors.
Specifically, two variations in genes play a role in the balance of calcium in brain cells and are a common factor in a few of these disorders, and may be a goal for new treatments.
These new findings, published in The Lancet, are from the biggest genetic study analyzing psychiatric illness, and could aid in eventually identifying these disorders based on what causes them, rather than their symptoms.
Jordan Smoller from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, one of the lead researchers explained:
"This analysis provides the first genome-wide evidence that individual and aggregate molecular genetic risk factors are shared between five childhood-onset or adult-onset psychiatric disorders that are treated as distinct categories in clinical practice."
In an attempt to analyze the potential of common genetic markers - or nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) - that could influence susceptibility to the five disorders, the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC) reviewed the genome of 33,332 patients and 27,888 control subjects of European descent.
They found four risk gene mutation positions that have significant and similar associations with all five diseases or disorders - regions on chromosomes 3p21 and 10q24, and SNPs in two genes that make up parts of channels that control the flow of calcium in the brain cells.
The polygenic risk scores verified cross-disorder outcomes, most notably between adult-onset disorders: schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder.
More in depth examination confirmed that calcium channel activity is a significant factor in the development of all five disorders.
Smoller said:
"Significant progress has been made in understanding the genetic risk factors underlying psychiatric disorders. Our results provide new evidence that may inform a move beyond descriptive syndromes in psychiatry and towards classification based on underlying causes. These findings are particularly relevant in view of the imminent revision of classifications in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)."
In a linked editorial comment, Alessandro Serretti and Chiara Fabbri from the University of Bologna in Italy mentioned:
"the present study might contribute to future nosographic [classification] systems, which could be based not only on statistically determined clinical categories, but also on biological pathogenic factors that are pivotal to the identification of suitable treatments."
The authors conclude that with these new findings, psychiatric diseases or disorders could be predicted and prevented by genetics in the future.
Geneticists are starting to identify gene variants that occur in several psychiatric disorders and/or diseases. Scientists from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia said they found 25 extra gene variants occurring in some people with an autism spectrum disorder.
Written by Kelly Fitzgerald
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
Strain Of Acne-Causing Bacteria Found To Actually Preserve Skin
Strain Of Acne-Causing Bacteria Found To Actually Preserve Skin28 Feb 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;
Everyone has acne-causing bacteria living on their skin, but researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine have identified that there are "good" and "bad" strains of the bacteria, which determine the frequency and severity of developing pimples.
The findings, which were published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, reveal that not all acne bacteria trigger pimples, they even identified one strain that can actually help maintain healthy skin.
Little is known about the scientific causes of acne, a disease which affects close to 80 percent of Americans - at least once in their lives. The treatment options have remained the same over the past few decades, with much need for improvement. A report in The Lancet said that further research is urgently needed for effective non-antibiotic treatments for acne, given the concerns of long-term antibiotic use and bacterial resistance.
Lead author of the study, Huiying Li, PhD, said:
"We hope to apply our findings to develop new strategies that stop blemishes before they start and enable dermatologists to customize treatment to each patient's unique cocktail of skin bacteria."
Propionibacterium acnes is a tiny microbe that lives in the oily region of the skin's pores. The bacteria can aggravate an immune response which causes red, swollen bumps to develop on the skin (acne).
The researchers collected samples of P. acnes from the noses of 49 pimply people and 52 people with clear skin. They extracted the microbial DNA from the strips and tracked a genetic marker to identify the bacterial strains.
They sequenced the genomes of 66 different P. acnes strains, which allowed them to analyze the genes in each of the strains.
Co-author of the study, George Weinstock, PhD, professor of genetics at Washington University in St. Louis, said:
"Our research underscores the importance of strain-level analysis of the world of human microbes to define the role of bacteria in health and disease. This type of analysis has a much higher resolution than prior studies that relied on bacterial cultures or only made distinctions between bacterial species."
The investigators were specifically looking for any differences in the bacterial strains of those suffering from acne versus those with healthy skin.
They identified two unique strains of P. acnes found in 20 percent of the participants with pimples, that were close to non-existent among those with healthy skin. In addition, another strain of P. acnes was commonly found among the volunteers with healthy skin, yet quite rare in participants with acne.
The researchers believe that this "good" strain has a natural defense mechanism that targets and eliminated attackers that try and infect the cell.
The finding should help in the development of future acne treatments. The researchers believe that by increasing the body's concentrations of the friendly P. acnes strain - through the use of a cream or lotion - acne severity could be reduced.
Li added: "This P. acnes strain may protect the skin, much like yogurt's live bacteria help defend the gut from harmful bugs. Our next step will be to investigate whether a probiotic cream can block bad bacteria from invading the skin and prevent pimples before they start."
Further studies will look into possible drugs that can eliminate the bad strains of the bacteria whilst at the same time preserving the good strains, as well as assessing whether a simple skin test can effectively predict if someone will develop acne in the future.
A previous study, presented at the Society for General Microbiology's Spring Conference in Dublin, revealed that herbal preparations of thyme could well be more effective at treating skin acne than current prescription creams - promising to be a gentler and more effective treatment.
Written by Joseph Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
Innovative Smartphone App Tests Your Urine For Medical Issues
Innovative Smartphone App Tests Your Urine For Medical Issues28 Feb 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;
A 29-year-old entrepreneur from India has developed a smartphone app that can analyze your urine for the presence of up to 10 markers
covering 25 different medical conditions.
uChek is the brainchild of Myshkin Ingawale, who showed off his new invention at the TED (Technology, Education and Design) 2013 conference in
Los Angeles this week.
App Analyzes Color of Urine-Dipped Chemical Strips
The app uses the smartphone's camera to take photos of chemical strips that you dip in a sample of your urine. It then compares them to a color-coded map and within a few seconds reports the results, showing levels of glucose, bilirubin, proteins, ketones, leukocytes, and up to 5 other
parameters in a chart that you can view on the screen of the smartphone.
The information is presented in an easy to understand format, using positive or negative results, or numbers, and you can click on keywords like
"leukocytes" for further information.
The test results from uChek could help people managing diabetes, and also kidney, bladder and liver problems. They may also reveal a urinary
tract infection.
The app also stores previous results, thus making it easy to monitor trends.
Currently In Testing, Soon to Be Available for IPhone, then Android
The app is currently undergoing testing in a Mumbai hospital and making its way through the Apple approval system.
uChek's smartphone app is said to detect up to 25 diseases. Photo: uchek.in.
Ingawale says he hopes it will soon be available on the iPhone, and after that, an Android version is also planned, although that will take a bit
longer because of all the different types of cameras in Android smartphones.
In initial testing with 1,200 samples, Ingawale says the app delivered more accurate results than humans looking at the color-strips by eye.
With more expensive equipment the reading would be more accurate, but then you are talking about machines costing up to $10,000.
For a cost of 99 cents for the app, plus $20 for the packet of strips and a color-coded map, you can run uChek on your smartphone, says
Ingawale, who emphasizes that the point of the app is not to diagnose disease but to make you, your friends, family, and even your doctor, better
informed about health issues.
Revolutionizing Healthcare
uChek is not the first device that Ingawale has presented at TED. Last year he demonstrated a blood test that can be taken without drawing
blood, that can help diagnose anemia. Called ToucHb, it uses LEDs and photodiodes to analyze the absorption pattern of hemoglobin.
Ingawale is keen to revolutionize the medical device industry, which he says operates on the idea of "proprietary, closed hardware and a recurring
revenue business model".
He says he wants to help people better understand what is happening in their own bodies. He told the BBC:
"I wanted to get medical health checks into users' hands. There is huge potential to get the world of biochemistry out to users via apps."
"I am trying to democratize healthcare," he says, in a report published this week in Wired.com.
Ingawale's apps are examples of a growing trend in personal electronic health that includes "self-tracking", where computing tools such as wearable sensors and mobile apps
collect, process and display a wealth of personal data to help you keep track of and manage all aspects of your health.
Throughout areas of medicine, applications on tablets and smartphones, and the iPad and iPhone in particular, are bringing about more than just
an information revolution. In some hospitals, the demand for change from clinicians is so great, they have started developing their own
apps.
However, while there are many good apps around, there are also many bad apps, and people are starting to push for regulation, in much the same
way as drugs and medical devices are regulated.
For example, a recent review of smartphone apps where you can upload
photos of skin lesions and have them analyzed for likelihood of cancer shows they can get it wrong an alarming number of times.
Written by Catharine Paddock PhD
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
Innovative Smartphone App Tests Your Urine For Medical Issues
Innovative Smartphone App Tests Your Urine For Medical Issues28 Feb 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;
A 29-year-old entrepreneur from India has developed a smartphone app that can analyze your urine for the presence of up to 10 markers
covering 25 different medical conditions.
uChek is the brainchild of Myshkin Ingawale, who showed off his new invention at the TED (Technology, Education and Design) 2013 conference in
Los Angeles this week.
App Analyzes Color of Urine-Dipped Chemical Strips
The app uses the smartphone's camera to take photos of chemical strips that you dip in a sample of your urine. It then compares them to a color-coded map and within a few seconds reports the results, showing levels of glucose, bilirubin, proteins, ketones, leukocytes, and up to 5 other
parameters in a chart that you can view on the screen of the smartphone.
The information is presented in an easy to understand format, using positive or negative results, or numbers, and you can click on keywords like
"leukocytes" for further information.
The test results from uChek could help people managing diabetes, and also kidney, bladder and liver problems. They may also reveal a urinary
tract infection.
The app also stores previous results, thus making it easy to monitor trends.
Currently In Testing, Soon to Be Available for IPhone, then Android
The app is currently undergoing testing in a Mumbai hospital and making its way through the Apple approval system.
uChek's smartphone app is said to detect up to 25 diseases. Photo: uchek.in.
Ingawale says he hopes it will soon be available on the iPhone, and after that, an Android version is also planned, although that will take a bit
longer because of all the different types of cameras in Android smartphones.
In initial testing with 1,200 samples, Ingawale says the app delivered more accurate results than humans looking at the color-strips by eye.
With more expensive equipment the reading would be more accurate, but then you are talking about machines costing up to $10,000.
For a cost of 99 cents for the app, plus $20 for the packet of strips and a color-coded map, you can run uChek on your smartphone, says
Ingawale, who emphasizes that the point of the app is not to diagnose disease but to make you, your friends, family, and even your doctor, better
informed about health issues.
Revolutionizing Healthcare
uChek is not the first device that Ingawale has presented at TED. Last year he demonstrated a blood test that can be taken without drawing
blood, that can help diagnose anemia. Called ToucHb, it uses LEDs and photodiodes to analyze the absorption pattern of hemoglobin.
Ingawale is keen to revolutionize the medical device industry, which he says operates on the idea of "proprietary, closed hardware and a recurring
revenue business model".
He says he wants to help people better understand what is happening in their own bodies. He told the BBC:
"I wanted to get medical health checks into users' hands. There is huge potential to get the world of biochemistry out to users via apps."
"I am trying to democratize healthcare," he says, in a report published this week in Wired.com.
Ingawale's apps are examples of a growing trend in personal electronic health that includes "self-tracking", where computing tools such as wearable sensors and mobile apps
collect, process and display a wealth of personal data to help you keep track of and manage all aspects of your health.
Throughout areas of medicine, applications on tablets and smartphones, and the iPad and iPhone in particular, are bringing about more than just
an information revolution. In some hospitals, the demand for change from clinicians is so great, they have started developing their own
apps.
However, while there are many good apps around, there are also many bad apps, and people are starting to push for regulation, in much the same
way as drugs and medical devices are regulated.
For example, a recent review of smartphone apps where you can upload
photos of skin lesions and have them analyzed for likelihood of cancer shows they can get it wrong an alarming number of times.
Written by Catharine Paddock PhD
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
Innovative Smartphone App Tests Your Urine For Medical Issues
Innovative Smartphone App Tests Your Urine For Medical Issues28 Feb 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;
A 29-year-old entrepreneur from India has developed a smartphone app that can analyze your urine for the presence of up to 10 markers
covering 25 different medical conditions.
uChek is the brainchild of Myshkin Ingawale, who showed off his new invention at the TED (Technology, Education and Design) 2013 conference in
Los Angeles this week.
App Analyzes Color of Urine-Dipped Chemical Strips
The app uses the smartphone's camera to take photos of chemical strips that you dip in a sample of your urine. It then compares them to a color-coded map and within a few seconds reports the results, showing levels of glucose, bilirubin, proteins, ketones, leukocytes, and up to 5 other
parameters in a chart that you can view on the screen of the smartphone.
The information is presented in an easy to understand format, using positive or negative results, or numbers, and you can click on keywords like
"leukocytes" for further information.
The test results from uChek could help people managing diabetes, and also kidney, bladder and liver problems. They may also reveal a urinary
tract infection.
The app also stores previous results, thus making it easy to monitor trends.
Currently In Testing, Soon to Be Available for IPhone, then Android
The app is currently undergoing testing in a Mumbai hospital and making its way through the Apple approval system.
uChek's smartphone app is said to detect up to 25 diseases. Photo: uchek.in.
Ingawale says he hopes it will soon be available on the iPhone, and after that, an Android version is also planned, although that will take a bit
longer because of all the different types of cameras in Android smartphones.
In initial testing with 1,200 samples, Ingawale says the app delivered more accurate results than humans looking at the color-strips by eye.
With more expensive equipment the reading would be more accurate, but then you are talking about machines costing up to $10,000.
For a cost of 99 cents for the app, plus $20 for the packet of strips and a color-coded map, you can run uChek on your smartphone, says
Ingawale, who emphasizes that the point of the app is not to diagnose disease but to make you, your friends, family, and even your doctor, better
informed about health issues.
Revolutionizing Healthcare
uChek is not the first device that Ingawale has presented at TED. Last year he demonstrated a blood test that can be taken without drawing
blood, that can help diagnose anemia. Called ToucHb, it uses LEDs and photodiodes to analyze the absorption pattern of hemoglobin.
Ingawale is keen to revolutionize the medical device industry, which he says operates on the idea of "proprietary, closed hardware and a recurring
revenue business model".
He says he wants to help people better understand what is happening in their own bodies. He told the BBC:
"I wanted to get medical health checks into users' hands. There is huge potential to get the world of biochemistry out to users via apps."
"I am trying to democratize healthcare," he says, in a report published this week in Wired.com.
Ingawale's apps are examples of a growing trend in personal electronic health that includes "self-tracking", where computing tools such as wearable sensors and mobile apps
collect, process and display a wealth of personal data to help you keep track of and manage all aspects of your health.
Throughout areas of medicine, applications on tablets and smartphones, and the iPad and iPhone in particular, are bringing about more than just
an information revolution. In some hospitals, the demand for change from clinicians is so great, they have started developing their own
apps.
However, while there are many good apps around, there are also many bad apps, and people are starting to push for regulation, in much the same
way as drugs and medical devices are regulated.
For example, a recent review of smartphone apps where you can upload
photos of skin lesions and have them analyzed for likelihood of cancer shows they can get it wrong an alarming number of times.
Written by Catharine Paddock PhD
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
27 Şubat 2013 Çarşamba
Breast Cancer Rates Increase Among Young Women
Breast Cancer Rates Increase Among Young Women27 Feb 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;
There has been a small increase in the incidence of advanced stage breast cancer among women 25 to 39 years old, according to a recent study in JAMA.
Breast cancer is the most common form of malignant tumor in women aged 15 to 39 and accounts for nearly 14% of all cancer cases in men and women in that age group. The risk of a woman developing breast cancer before the age of 40 is 1 in 173, according to a 2008 study.
The authors wrote:
"Young women with breast cancer tend to experience more aggressive disease than older women and have lower survival rates. Given the effect of the disease in young people and a clinical impression that more young women are being diagnosed with advanced disease, we reviewed the national trends in breast cancer incidence in the United States."
The study involved assessing three U.S. National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registries from 1973-2009, 1992-2009 and 2000-2009. Rebecca H. Johnson, M.D., the leader of the study, and her colleagues obtained information from the registries regarding the incidence of breast cancer, any incidence trends, the survival rate as a function of age, and the extent of the cancer at diagnosis.
The SEER defines localized breast cancer as cancer only found in the breast, regional cancer as cancer that's spread to adjacent organs such as the chest well, and distant cancer as cancer that's spread from one part of the body to another part not directly related to it (in this case the brain and lungs would be an example).
Over the past three to four decades, the incidence of distant breast cancer in young women aged 25 to 39 has gone up steadily, from a rate of 1.53 per 100,000 in 1976 to 2.90 per 100,000 in 2009. This difference translates to an annual increase in incidence of 2.07 percent per year.
The authors added:
"The trajectory of the incidence trend predicts that an increasing number of young women in the United States will present with metastatic breast cancer in an age group that already has the worst prognosis, no recommended routine screening practice, the least health insurance, and the most potential years of life."
The increasing incidence of distant cancer was greatest among women aged 25 to 34 and got progressively smaller in women as they got older, by 5-year age intervals. There was no real increase in the incidence of distant breast cancer in women 55 years old or above. The authors added that: "For young women aged 25 to 39 years, the incidence of distant disease increased in all races/ethnicities assessed since at least 1992, when race/ethnicity became available in the SEER database."
This finding is particularly concerning, considering that young women, between 20 to 34 years of age who develop breast cancer, have the lowest 5-year breast cancer survival rate as a function of age.
Researchers from the Institut Jules Bordet, in Brussels, Belgium, identified that breast cancer in young women is in itself a biologically unique disease, requiring customized management strategies, and is associated with age related biological processes that are independent from other, more common factors, used in prognosis by oncologists.
Young women who are diagnosed with breast cancer often find themselves feeling isolated and alone, given that most medical resources for the disease are designed for women over 50. In addition, a study in the Journal of National Cancer Institute revealed that health-related quality of life is a lot lower in young women with breast cancer - it is linked with weight gain, increased psychological distress and early onset of menopause.
Written by Joseph Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
Superbug's Weak Spot Could Be Its Protein Factory
Superbug's Weak Spot Could Be Its Protein Factory27 Feb 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;
Researchers in the US have spotted a weakness in the internal machinery of a superbug that could offer new targets for drugs. They
believe the key lies with the molecular mechanisms that antibiotic-resistant bacteria use to manufacture life-essential proteins, without which they
soon perish.
Biologists Gloria Culver and Keith Connolly came to this conclusion while studying bacterial ribosomes at the University of Rochester in New York.
(Connolly has since moved to Harvard Medical School in Boston). They write about their findings in the March print issue of Molecular
Microbiology.
Superbugs
"Superbugs" is the term given to bacteria that cause infections that have become virtually impossible to treat, even deadly, because misuse of
antibiotics has led to strains that are highly resistant to current drugs, in some cases, even those of last resort.
For their study, Culver and Connolly thought they might spot a weakness, an "Achilles heel", by examining the internal workings of a particularly
nasty superbug, E. coli.
E. coli is normally found in the gut, where it lives quite harmlessly in the abudant garden of intestinal flora. But some strains, if they get
into the bloodstream can cause food poisoning, and if they happen to be ones that are also difficult to treat, the infection becomes very serious and
potentially life-threatening.
Ribosomes in E. coli Don't Work If Proteins RbfA and KsgA Not In Balance
Ribosomes are the protein-producing factories in the cells of all living organisms, with different organisms using different types of ribosome
to make proteins that are unique to their particular life-forms.
Culver says in a statement that they decided to study ribosomes because "cells and organisms can't live if they don't make proteins, and they can't
make proteins if their ribosomes aren't functioning properly".
When they looked at ribosomes in E. coli, Culver and Connolly noticed that two proteins already present in the bacterium's cell, RbfA and
KsgA, have to be in balance with each other, or the ribosome machinery won't function.
If there is an imbalance in the two proteins with respect to each other, the ribosomes don't mature properly, to the extent that they can't make
proteins, and eventually the cells die.
Culver explains that a healthy ribosome has two compartments that must come together, but only when each one is mature.
Too much RbfA speeds this process up, and can result in an ineffective structure. KsgA binds with the smaller of the two compartments, holding
back their union until both parts are ready.
Potential Drug Target: Disrupt KsgA - RbfA Balance
The findings suggest a potential drug target against the E. coli superbug could be to disrupt the balance between KsgA and RbfA.
The added benefit is that RbfA does not exist in humans. Culver says this means it may be possible to kill E. coli in infections without
harming patients.
Eric Brown is a a professor of biochemistry and biomedical sciences at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and was not involved with the
study. He describes Culver and Connolly's work as "creative and scholarly".
"Ribosome assembly represents a rich target for much needed antibacterial drugs to treat drug-resistant infections, and this work offers new and
important insights into the process," he says.
Another study published online on 5 February in Environmental Science and Technology, shows how it may be possible to starve antibiotic resistance out of
superbugs.
Written by Catharine Paddock PhD
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
Brits Drinking Up To 60% More Than They Admit
Brits Drinking Up To 60% More Than They Admit27 Feb 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;
The British are drinking much more, possibly 60% more than they admit, according to a new survey which is published in the latest issue of the European Journal of Public Health.
Apparently, over three-quarters of the country's population drinks more than the recommended daily alcohol limit.
The study was carried out by a group of investigators in the UCL Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, and is the first of its kind to explore the possible public health outcomes associated with the under-reporting of alcohol intake.
Historically, research around the world has revealed that self-reported alcohol intake only makes up between 40 and 60 percent of alcohol sales.
The research team examined the discrepancy to point out the possible outcome of this 'missing' alcohol on public health.
Sadie Boniface, lead author of the study at UCL, said:
"Currently we don't know who consumes almost half of all the alcohol sold in England. This study was conducted to show what alcohol consumption would look like when all of what is sold is accounted for, if everyone under-reported equally. The results are putative, but they show that this gap between what is seen in the surveys and sales potentially has enormous implications for public health in England."
Brits Exceed the Alcohol Limit
Weekly alcohol intake should be limited at 21 units for men and 14 units for women in the UK, according to the Royal College of Physicians.
The UK Chief Medical Officer emphasizes that people should not go over four units per day for men and three a day for women.
After adjusting the data for the under-reporting of alcohol intake, the researchers revealed that the incidence of drinking more than the weekly guidelines increased by 15 percent in men and 11 percent in women - implying that 44 percent of men and 31 percent of women are over their limits.
Additionally, the prevalence of drinking above the daily suggested recommendations increased by 19 percent in men (to 75 percent) and 31 percent in women (to 80 percent).
Binge Drinking, A Dangerous Habit
The study also reveals that when under-reporting is considered, close to half of men and women could be identified as "binge drinkers" - defined as drinking more than eight units of alcohol in one sitting for men, and over six units for women.
Specifically, the proportion of binge drinking rose the most among women, especially those with high incomes, living in the south of England.
Only a few years ago, researchers revealed that binge drinking had become a socially acceptable British pastime.
Binge drinking can put you at an increased risk for:
breast cancer
sexually transmitted diseases
unintended pregnancy
heart disease
The researchers used data from the General Lifestyle Survey (GLF) 2008 to examine self-reported average weekly alcohol intake levels in 12,490 adults. This survey was yearly and longitudinal, designed to represent the adult population in England.
Boniface concluded:
"What's needed now is a detailed understanding of whether some people under-report their consumption more than others: to what extent does this vary between men and women for example, by how much someone drinks, or by what types of drink they prefer. Little is known on this at present, but this could reveal groups who under-estimate their alcohol consumption substantially, illuminating areas where targeted alcohol education initiatives should be developed."
Health authorities, medical professionals, sociologists and statisticians have long been concerned about the growing drinking problem in the United Kingdom. In January 2008, the Office for National Statistics warned that alcohol was killing more and more people in the UK every year.
Binge drinking has also been reported as a dangerous, yet often unrecognized activity in the United States. Among American women, 14 million are binge drinking least three times per month.
Written by Kelly Fitzgerald
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
Brain Connections Differ In Kids With Autism
Brain Connections Differ In Kids With Autism27 Feb 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;
Kids with autism have a structural difference in brain connections compared to those without the disorder.
The finding, published in BMC Medicine, came from scientists from Boston Children's Hospital who used EEGs to track the electrical cross-talk of the brain.
Previous research showed that the brains of adults with autism are "wired" differently from people without the disorder, and this abnormal pattern of connectivity may be the reason for the social impairments experienced by those with autism.
The new study indicated that autistic kids have multiple redundant connections between neighboring brain areas at the cost of long-distance associations, as opposed to those who are neurotypical.
The authors believe that the report, which used a "network analysis" similar to that used to examine electrical grids or airlines, might help experts better comprehend certain typical autistic behaviors.
Jurriaan Peters, MD, of the Department of Neurology at Boston Children's Hospital, who is co-first author of the research, said: "We examined brain networks as a whole in terms of their capacity to transfer and process information. What we found may well change the way we look at the brains of autistic children."
Peters, Maxime Taquet, a PhD student in Boston Children's Computational Radiology Laboratory and co-first author, and team studied EEG recordings from two groups of kids with the disorder:
16 with classic autism
14 whose autism is part of a genetic syndrome known as tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)
These recordings were then compared to EEGs from two control groups:
46 healthy neurotypical children
29 kids with TSC but not autism
More short-range connections within different areas of the brain were found in both groups of autistic kids, however, they had fewer connections linking far-flung regions.
A brain network that prefers short-range more than long-range connections appears to be constant with the typical cognitive profile of autism - a girl/boy who is extremely talented at certain tasks that require focus, such as memorizing streets, but who cannot combine information across various areas of the brain into higher-order ideas.
Peters explained:
"For example, a child with autism may not understand why a face looks really angry, because his visual brain centers and emotional brain centers have less cross-talk. The brain cannot integrate these areas. It's doing a lot with the information locally, but it's not sending it out to the rest of the brain."
Network analysis, a new branch of neuroscience, demonstrated a quality known as "resilience" in the autistic kids - the talent to come up with many ways to move from one point to the other through redundant pathways.
Taquet said:
"Much like you can still travel from Boston to Brussels even if London Heathrow is shut down, by going through New York's JFK airport for example, information can continue to be transferred between two regions of the brain of children with autism. In such a network, no hub plays a specific role, and traffic may flow along many redundant routes."
This quality is compatible with cellular and molecular proof of reduced "pruning" of brain connections in autism.
Although airlines may benefit from this quality, it may suggest a brain that reacts in a comparable manner to several various types of circumstances and is less capable of focusing on the stimuli that are most critical.
"It's a simpler, less specialized network that's more rigid, less able to respond to stimulation from the environment," revealed Peters.
According to the results, all of the kids with tuberous sclerosis complex had an overall decreased connectivity, but the pattern of increased short-range vs. long-range connections was only seen in those who were also autistic.
As part of a multicenter investigation, Peters and his co-workers will do the examination another time and take EEG recordings prospectively under identical conditions, with the help of the NIH Autism Center of Excellence Grant.
The new research adds to recent work of Peters, Sahin, and team which imaged nerve fibers in people with autism and demonstrated structural malformations in brain connectivity.
One study at Boston Children's, led by Frank Duffy, PhD, of Neurology, analyzed the degree of synchrony between any two given EEG signals, referred to as "coherence", and saw modified connectivity between autistic kids' regions of the brain.
A different report recently conducted by Boston Children's informatics researcher William Bosl, PhD, and Charles A. Nelson, PhD, research director of the Developmental Medicine Center, examined an indirect measure of connectivity - the degree of randomness in EEG signals - and discovered patterns that differentiated infants with a higher risk for autism from controls.
Written by Sarah Glynn
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
Breast Cancer Rates Increase Among Young Women
Breast Cancer Rates Increase Among Young Women27 Feb 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;
There has been a small increase in the incidence of advanced stage breast cancer among women 25 to 39 years old, according to a recent study in JAMA.
Breast cancer is the most common form of malignant tumor in women aged 15 to 39 and accounts for nearly 14% of all cancer cases in men and women in that age group. The risk of a woman developing breast cancer before the age of 40 is 1 in 173, according to a 2008 study.
The authors wrote:
"Young women with breast cancer tend to experience more aggressive disease than older women and have lower survival rates. Given the effect of the disease in young people and a clinical impression that more young women are being diagnosed with advanced disease, we reviewed the national trends in breast cancer incidence in the United States."
The study involved assessing three U.S. National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registries from 1973-2009, 1992-2009 and 2000-2009. Rebecca H. Johnson, M.D., the leader of the study, and her colleagues obtained information from the registries regarding the incidence of breast cancer, any incidence trends, the survival rate as a function of age, and the extent of the cancer at diagnosis.
The SEER defines localized breast cancer as cancer only found in the breast, regional cancer as cancer that's spread to adjacent organs such as the chest well, and distant cancer as cancer that's spread from one part of the body to another part not directly related to it (in this case the brain and lungs would be an example).
Over the past three to four decades, the incidence of distant breast cancer in young women aged 25 to 39 has gone up steadily, from a rate of 1.53 per 100,000 in 1976 to 2.90 per 100,000 in 2009. This difference translates to an annual increase in incidence of 2.07 percent per year.
The authors added:
"The trajectory of the incidence trend predicts that an increasing number of young women in the United States will present with metastatic breast cancer in an age group that already has the worst prognosis, no recommended routine screening practice, the least health insurance, and the most potential years of life."
The increasing incidence of distant cancer was greatest among women aged 25 to 34 and got progressively smaller in women as they got older, by 5-year age intervals. There was no real increase in the incidence of distant breast cancer in women 55 years old or above. The authors added that: "For young women aged 25 to 39 years, the incidence of distant disease increased in all races/ethnicities assessed since at least 1992, when race/ethnicity became available in the SEER database."
This finding is particularly concerning, considering that young women, between 20 to 34 years of age who develop breast cancer, have the lowest 5-year breast cancer survival rate as a function of age.
Researchers from the Institut Jules Bordet, in Brussels, Belgium, identified that breast cancer in young women is in itself a biologically unique disease, requiring customized management strategies, and is associated with age related biological processes that are independent from other, more common factors, used in prognosis by oncologists.
Young women who are diagnosed with breast cancer often find themselves feeling isolated and alone, given that most medical resources for the disease are designed for women over 50. In addition, a study in the Journal of National Cancer Institute revealed that health-related quality of life is a lot lower in young women with breast cancer - it is linked with weight gain, increased psychological distress and early onset of menopause.
Written by Joseph Nordqvist
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
Superbug's Weak Spot Could Be Its Protein Factory
Superbug's Weak Spot Could Be Its Protein Factory27 Feb 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;
Researchers in the US have spotted a weakness in the internal machinery of a superbug that could offer new targets for drugs. They
believe the key lies with the molecular mechanisms that antibiotic-resistant bacteria use to manufacture life-essential proteins, without which they
soon perish.
Biologists Gloria Culver and Keith Connolly came to this conclusion while studying bacterial ribosomes at the University of Rochester in New York.
(Connolly has since moved to Harvard Medical School in Boston). They write about their findings in the March print issue of Molecular
Microbiology.
Superbugs
"Superbugs" is the term given to bacteria that cause infections that have become virtually impossible to treat, even deadly, because misuse of
antibiotics has led to strains that are highly resistant to current drugs, in some cases, even those of last resort.
For their study, Culver and Connolly thought they might spot a weakness, an "Achilles heel", by examining the internal workings of a particularly
nasty superbug, E. coli.
E. coli is normally found in the gut, where it lives quite harmlessly in the abudant garden of intestinal flora. But some strains, if they get
into the bloodstream can cause food poisoning, and if they happen to be ones that are also difficult to treat, the infection becomes very serious and
potentially life-threatening.
Ribosomes in E. coli Don't Work If Proteins RbfA and KsgA Not In Balance
Ribosomes are the protein-producing factories in the cells of all living organisms, with different organisms using different types of ribosome
to make proteins that are unique to their particular life-forms.
Culver says in a statement that they decided to study ribosomes because "cells and organisms can't live if they don't make proteins, and they can't
make proteins if their ribosomes aren't functioning properly".
When they looked at ribosomes in E. coli, Culver and Connolly noticed that two proteins already present in the bacterium's cell, RbfA and
KsgA, have to be in balance with each other, or the ribosome machinery won't function.
If there is an imbalance in the two proteins with respect to each other, the ribosomes don't mature properly, to the extent that they can't make
proteins, and eventually the cells die.
Culver explains that a healthy ribosome has two compartments that must come together, but only when each one is mature.
Too much RbfA speeds this process up, and can result in an ineffective structure. KsgA binds with the smaller of the two compartments, holding
back their union until both parts are ready.
Potential Drug Target: Disrupt KsgA - RbfA Balance
The findings suggest a potential drug target against the E. coli superbug could be to disrupt the balance between KsgA and RbfA.
The added benefit is that RbfA does not exist in humans. Culver says this means it may be possible to kill E. coli in infections without
harming patients.
Eric Brown is a a professor of biochemistry and biomedical sciences at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and was not involved with the
study. He describes Culver and Connolly's work as "creative and scholarly".
"Ribosome assembly represents a rich target for much needed antibacterial drugs to treat drug-resistant infections, and this work offers new and
important insights into the process," he says.
Another study published online on 5 February in Environmental Science and Technology, shows how it may be possible to starve antibiotic resistance out of
superbugs.
Written by Catharine Paddock PhD
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
Brits Drinking Up To 60% More Than They Admit
Brits Drinking Up To 60% More Than They Admit27 Feb 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;
The British are drinking much more, possibly 60% more than they admit, according to a new survey which is published in the latest issue of the European Journal of Public Health.
Apparently, over three-quarters of the country's population drinks more than the recommended daily alcohol limit.
The study was carried out by a group of investigators in the UCL Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, and is the first of its kind to explore the possible public health outcomes associated with the under-reporting of alcohol intake.
Historically, research around the world has revealed that self-reported alcohol intake only makes up between 40 and 60 percent of alcohol sales.
The research team examined the discrepancy to point out the possible outcome of this 'missing' alcohol on public health.
Sadie Boniface, lead author of the study at UCL, said:
"Currently we don't know who consumes almost half of all the alcohol sold in England. This study was conducted to show what alcohol consumption would look like when all of what is sold is accounted for, if everyone under-reported equally. The results are putative, but they show that this gap between what is seen in the surveys and sales potentially has enormous implications for public health in England."
Brits Exceed the Alcohol Limit
Weekly alcohol intake should be limited at 21 units for men and 14 units for women in the UK, according to the Royal College of Physicians.
The UK Chief Medical Officer emphasizes that people should not go over four units per day for men and three a day for women.
After adjusting the data for the under-reporting of alcohol intake, the researchers revealed that the incidence of drinking more than the weekly guidelines increased by 15 percent in men and 11 percent in women - implying that 44 percent of men and 31 percent of women are over their limits.
Additionally, the prevalence of drinking above the daily suggested recommendations increased by 19 percent in men (to 75 percent) and 31 percent in women (to 80 percent).
Binge Drinking, A Dangerous Habit
The study also reveals that when under-reporting is considered, close to half of men and women could be identified as "binge drinkers" - defined as drinking more than eight units of alcohol in one sitting for men, and over six units for women.
Specifically, the proportion of binge drinking rose the most among women, especially those with high incomes, living in the south of England.
Only a few years ago, researchers revealed that binge drinking had become a socially acceptable British pastime.
Binge drinking can put you at an increased risk for:
breast cancer
sexually transmitted diseases
unintended pregnancy
heart disease
The researchers used data from the General Lifestyle Survey (GLF) 2008 to examine self-reported average weekly alcohol intake levels in 12,490 adults. This survey was yearly and longitudinal, designed to represent the adult population in England.
Boniface concluded:
"What's needed now is a detailed understanding of whether some people under-report their consumption more than others: to what extent does this vary between men and women for example, by how much someone drinks, or by what types of drink they prefer. Little is known on this at present, but this could reveal groups who under-estimate their alcohol consumption substantially, illuminating areas where targeted alcohol education initiatives should be developed."
Health authorities, medical professionals, sociologists and statisticians have long been concerned about the growing drinking problem in the United Kingdom. In January 2008, the Office for National Statistics warned that alcohol was killing more and more people in the UK every year.
Binge drinking has also been reported as a dangerous, yet often unrecognized activity in the United States. Among American women, 14 million are binge drinking least three times per month.
Written by Kelly Fitzgerald
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
Brain Connections Differ In Kids With Autism
Brain Connections Differ In Kids With Autism27 Feb 2013-nbsp;-nbsp;-nbsp;
Kids with autism have a structural difference in brain connections compared to those without the disorder.
The finding, published in BMC Medicine, came from scientists from Boston Children's Hospital who used EEGs to track the electrical cross-talk of the brain.
Previous research showed that the brains of adults with autism are "wired" differently from people without the disorder, and this abnormal pattern of connectivity may be the reason for the social impairments experienced by those with autism.
The new study indicated that autistic kids have multiple redundant connections between neighboring brain areas at the cost of long-distance associations, as opposed to those who are neurotypical.
The authors believe that the report, which used a "network analysis" similar to that used to examine electrical grids or airlines, might help experts better comprehend certain typical autistic behaviors.
Jurriaan Peters, MD, of the Department of Neurology at Boston Children's Hospital, who is co-first author of the research, said: "We examined brain networks as a whole in terms of their capacity to transfer and process information. What we found may well change the way we look at the brains of autistic children."
Peters, Maxime Taquet, a PhD student in Boston Children's Computational Radiology Laboratory and co-first author, and team studied EEG recordings from two groups of kids with the disorder:
16 with classic autism
14 whose autism is part of a genetic syndrome known as tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)
These recordings were then compared to EEGs from two control groups:
46 healthy neurotypical children
29 kids with TSC but not autism
More short-range connections within different areas of the brain were found in both groups of autistic kids, however, they had fewer connections linking far-flung regions.
A brain network that prefers short-range more than long-range connections appears to be constant with the typical cognitive profile of autism - a girl/boy who is extremely talented at certain tasks that require focus, such as memorizing streets, but who cannot combine information across various areas of the brain into higher-order ideas.
Peters explained:
"For example, a child with autism may not understand why a face looks really angry, because his visual brain centers and emotional brain centers have less cross-talk. The brain cannot integrate these areas. It's doing a lot with the information locally, but it's not sending it out to the rest of the brain."
Network analysis, a new branch of neuroscience, demonstrated a quality known as "resilience" in the autistic kids - the talent to come up with many ways to move from one point to the other through redundant pathways.
Taquet said:
"Much like you can still travel from Boston to Brussels even if London Heathrow is shut down, by going through New York's JFK airport for example, information can continue to be transferred between two regions of the brain of children with autism. In such a network, no hub plays a specific role, and traffic may flow along many redundant routes."
This quality is compatible with cellular and molecular proof of reduced "pruning" of brain connections in autism.
Although airlines may benefit from this quality, it may suggest a brain that reacts in a comparable manner to several various types of circumstances and is less capable of focusing on the stimuli that are most critical.
"It's a simpler, less specialized network that's more rigid, less able to respond to stimulation from the environment," revealed Peters.
According to the results, all of the kids with tuberous sclerosis complex had an overall decreased connectivity, but the pattern of increased short-range vs. long-range connections was only seen in those who were also autistic.
As part of a multicenter investigation, Peters and his co-workers will do the examination another time and take EEG recordings prospectively under identical conditions, with the help of the NIH Autism Center of Excellence Grant.
The new research adds to recent work of Peters, Sahin, and team which imaged nerve fibers in people with autism and demonstrated structural malformations in brain connectivity.
One study at Boston Children's, led by Frank Duffy, PhD, of Neurology, analyzed the degree of synchrony between any two given EEG signals, referred to as "coherence", and saw modified connectivity between autistic kids' regions of the brain.
A different report recently conducted by Boston Children's informatics researcher William Bosl, PhD, and Charles A. Nelson, PhD, research director of the Developmental Medicine Center, examined an indirect measure of connectivity - the degree of randomness in EEG signals - and discovered patterns that differentiated infants with a higher risk for autism from controls.
Written by Sarah Glynn
Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today
Kaydol:
Kayıtlar (Atom)