Month: July 2009

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News on Health & Science

High BP ‘Raises Silent Stroke Risk’

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Individuals over 60, especially those with high blood pressure, are at an increased risk of experiencing a “silent stroke“, a new study
has found.

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“Silent” strokes are strokes that don’t result in any noticeable symptoms but cause brain damage.

The research has been published in the July 28, 2009, print issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

“These strokes are not truly silent, because they have been linked to memory and thinking problems and are a possible cause of a type of dementia,” said study author Perminder Sachdev, MD, PhD, of the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia.

“High blood pressure is very treatable, so this may be a strong target for preventing vascular disease,” the expert added.

The study involved 477 people age 60 to 64 who were followed for four years. At the beginning of the study 7.8% of the participants had the silent lacunar infarctions, small areas of damage to the brain seen on MRI that never caused obvious symptoms. They occur when blood flow is blocked in one of the arteries leading to areas deep within the brain, such as the putamen or the thalamus.

At the end of the study, an additional 1.6% of the participants had developed “silent” strokes.

People with high blood pressure were 60% more likely to have silent strokes than those with normal blood pressure.

Also, people with another type of small brain damage called white matter hyperintensities were nearly five times as likely to have silent strokes as those without the condition.

You may Click to see:->

Difference  between silent stroke & mini stroke

Silent Stroke is a Serious Problem that Can Lead to Death

Silent Stroke may predict future strokes & brain damage

Source: The Times Of India

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Scientists Find New Way to Fix a Broken Heart

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A new way to mend damage to the heart has been found by scientists.

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The boffins have devised a method to coax heart muscle cells into re-entering the cell cycle, allowing the differentiated adult cells to divide and regenerate healthy heart tissue after a heart attack, according to studies in mice and rats by Children’s Hospital Boston reported in the July 24th issue of the journal Cell.

If the same mechanisms identified by the researchers can be shown to work in the human heart, it opens up real possibilities for new and more efficient ways to treat people with heart disease, reports The BBC.

Theoretically, it could be used to treat heart attack patients, those with heart failure and children with congenital heart defects.

The key ingredient is a growth factor known as neuregulin1 (NRG1).

Previously, it was believed that the heart was incapable of repairing itself. During prenatal development, heart muscle cells (cardiomyocytes) proliferate but were thought to lose that ability shortly after birth. But, recent research has indicated that the adult cells do have some ability to replace themselves at a low level.

And, the new study provides evidence that this is true – and that NRG1 can ramp up the process significantly.

The Boston team tested the ability of various molecules to spur cell division in cultured cardiomyocytes, including several factors known to drive proliferation of the cells during prenatal development. NRG1 produced the most significant effect, and it was repeated when the factor was injected into adult mice.

When administered to animals who had suffered a heart attack, it promoted regeneration of heart muscle, and improved the overall function of the organ.

Writing in the journal, they said: “We have identified the major elements of a new approach to promote myocardial regeneration.

“Many efforts and important advances have been made toward the goal of developing stem-cell based strategies to regenerate damaged tissues in the heart as well as in other organs.

“The work presented here suggests that stimulating differentiated cardiomyocytes to proliferate may be a viable alternative.”

Professor Jeremy Pearson, associate medical director of the British Heart Foundation, said: “This fascinating study shows, remarkably, that a significant fraction of adult heart cells in mice can be made to replicate and help to repair damaged hearts.

“If the same mechanisms identified by the researchers can be shown to work in the human heart, it opens up real possibilities for new and more efficient ways to treat people with heart disease.”

Click to see:->

Mending Broken Heart

Can Seaweed Mend a Broken Heart?

Source: The Times Of India

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Use Chemical Peels to Get Rid off Wrinkles, Blemishes

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Forget about the various creams available in the market that promise blemish-free and fair skin. If you really want soft, smooth and  flawless skin, chemical peels are the safest bet, say experts.

“A chemical peel is a treatment technique used to improve and smoothen the texture of facial skin using a chemical solution that causes the skin to blister and eventually peel off. The regenerated skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin,” Anup Dhir, senior cosmetic surgeon at New Delhi‘s Apollo Hospital said.

Chemical peels stimulate the production of new cells, tighten and tone the skin, and decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They also help in lightening acne scars.

“Peels treat wrinkled, blemished, unevenly pigmented or sun-damaged facial skin. Application of a chemical solution to improve the skin’s appearance leads to a controlled shedding of several layers of cells. This stimulus tightens the tissue collagen and brings about a fresh and vibrant appearance,” explains Mumbai-based cosmetic surgeon Meenakshi Agarwal.

Different types of chemical peels that one can opt for are alpha hydroxy acid peels (AHAs), beta hydroxy acid peels, retinoic acid peels, trichloroacetic acid peels and phenol peels that cater to regular maintenance of skin, acne and acne blemishes, anti aging, skin lightening, anti pigmentation and deep pigmentation among other problems.

“The choice of the most suitable chemical peel for an individual is determined by the patient’s skin texture, type, problems and many other similar aspects,” Dhir explained.

Kaya Skin Clinic’s medical head Snehal Sriram says chemical peels can also reduce or eliminate fine lines under the eyes and around the mouth.

“The procedure can treat wrinkles caused by sun damage and scarring as well as skin blemishes common with age and heredity. These peels can be performed on the face and neck, as well as body parts like chest, hands, arms, legs, underarms and back,” Sriram maintained.

The peels are also known as “lunch time procedures” since they only take between 20 to 40 minutes.

“The number of sittings required by an individual depends on the severity of the problems being addressed. Usually six to eight such peels are required at weekly or fortnightly intervals to get desired results,” said Dhir.

One important precaution after undergoing treatment is protection from exposure to sun.

“Ensure that you apply sunscreen in the right way, 15 minutes before going out in the sun and reapply after every three hours because after the peel you get a new, smooth skin that is sensitive to direct sunlight,” Agarwal explained.

These peels cost anywhere between Rs.1,000 and Rs.3,000($20 & $60) but one should consult a dermatologist before going for them.


Source: The Times Of India

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Laser Cures Retinopathy in Infants

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Popular as designer treatment for correcting eye disorders, Laser rays now promise a cure for infants suffering from retinopathy — a  non-inflammatory damage to the retina of the eye.

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“Over the years, it has been found that Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) has been found in children with birth weight of about 1,500 grams and born within 32 weeks of pregnancy,” Rajvardhan Azad, chief of ROP unit in the AIIMS Opthalmology department, said.

With the help of Laser rays, doctors can now remove or clear the eye of unnecessary blood vessels that may lead to retinal detachment.

“Laser rays treatment is advised to get rid of spectacles and contact lenses. But now it is a saviour for children who stand the chance of turning blind after birth,” Azad claimed.

For more information you may click :->Retinopathy of Prematurity

Source: The Times Of India

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Can Krill Help You Lose Weight?

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Omega-3s sourced from krill are more effective than fish oil in combating some metabolic symptoms, including raised fat levels in the heart and liver and violent mood swings.

.CLICK & SEE THE PICTURES
The study concludes that while both fish-sourced and krill-sourced omega-3 fats are effective in reducing fat levels, krill is more effective.

The researchers said the mechanisms of why this was the case had not been made clear in the study, but suggested long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) may reduce activity in the endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system consists of a group of neuromodulatory lipids and receptors that influence appetite, pain sensation, mood and memory.

The researchers found that, when parameters associated with obesity were considered, krill oil reduced rat heart fat levels by 42 percent, compared to 2 percent for fish oils.

In the liver, a 60 percent reduction was observed for krill, 38 percent for fish oil. Fat build up in the liver can lead to insulin insensitivity and cause type 2 diabetes

Resources:
NutraIngredients.com June 30, 2009
Journal of Nutrition June 23, 2009

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