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News on Health & Science

Leukemia stem cells to map how disease begins

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In a major breakthrough that could help devise better treatment for blood cancer and aid the development of drugs that would stop the process before it advances, Canadian scientists have for the first time converted normal human blood cells to leukemia stem cells in the lab.

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The team then transplanted the converted cells into lab mice and watched it replicate the entire disease process, from the very moment it begins. Till now, most human leukemia research involved studying a patient’s diseased cells. But because cancer takes months to develop, “just studying the cells at the end of the process does not tell us the series of changes that caused the cells to become leukemic and when they happened. We have now duplicated the natural process of cell death, as it happens. This will help us understand how cancer begins,” Dr John Dick at Ontario Cancer Institute said.

According to Dick, this peek into leukemia’s development will allow scientists to ask questions that include: Is the childhood disease different from that in adults? In which cell type does leukemia arise? And which genes are involved and in which order do they have to operate?

Reacting to the study, former head of Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute Dr Y P Bhatia told TOI, “Once the basic cellular structure is known, better treatment solutions can be devised. This is a major breakthrough. Scientists can now see the first cells that will give birth to leukemia and then watch as the disease as it slowly progresses.”

The groundbreaking research involved infecting cells from umbilical cord blood with a virus engineered to carry one of the genes known to cause certain types of leukemia. Dr Dick’s team introduced a specific leukemia gene into normal stem cells and injected the genetically altered cells into mice that lacked immune systems. This resulted in the mices developing leukemia, displaying the same characteristics and patterns of human disease.

He said, “We are studying how leukemia arises in the first place. We found that with the leukemia gene we were using, the disease only arose from immature stem and progenitor cells. The leukemic stem cells that were created seemed to change as the human leukemia was grown for longer times in a series of transplanted mice.”

Source:The Times Of India

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News on Health & Science

High School Can Be a Tough World for your chield

Helping your teen grow into a healthy and responsible adult is a rewarding part of being a parent, but it’s not always an easy job. Kids can be brutal to each other. Helping your child cope and manage feelings he or she encounters during the high school years are difficult and fragile tasks, but they are important. Peer-related stress for your teen can result from being the target of vicious gossip, getting teased or bullied, or knowing that her friends are involved in dangerous things like alcohol, drugs, and other risky behaviors. Stress can also result from not joining the crowd, and fear of rejection. Most teens will encounter some of these scenarios, so it’s vital to give your child the tools she needs to handle her complex peer environment.

Here are some things you can do to help your teen deal with her life:

1. Emotionally connect with your child. Give your child extra attention and consideration. Keeping the lines of communication open and encouraging discussion is key. Be there to listen and share your own experiences from high school.

2.Be alert to signs of stress. These signs may present as anxiety, aggressive behavior, stomachaches/headaches or a desire to stay home from school and other activities.

3.Consult with teachers and staff. If you know your teen is going through a hard time at school or has come into conflict with peers, make sure teachers and other school staff are in the loop.

Feelings don’t need to be “fixed.” Instead, focus on helping your child understand and deal with his/her experiences. If signs of stress don’t seem to be subsiding after a few weeks, consider consulting a mental health professional who has special experience working with youth.

In addition, speak with your teen about not being on the other side of the coin the person doing the teasing or gossiping. Being popular may be a very important goal for your teen, but gaining popularity should not be at the expense of a peer’s feelings or your child’s personal well-being.

Source:ParentingTips@TheAntiDrug.com

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News on Health & Science

Are you a night owl?

Have you stayed awake for hours at night, struggling for some much-needed sleep? Well, anxiety or stress need not be blamed every time, for researchers have found a genetic mutation responsible for making you a ‘night owl’.

A genetic mutation called the “after-hours gene” may explain why some people are night owls, it is revealed in the journal Science on Friday. The ‘night owl syndrome’ makes it quite difficult to function in a world where the normal pattern dictates night as the time for sleep.

But the latest discovery could also hold clues for pharmacologists working to develop drugs to help people adjust to shift work or jet lag, reports the Telegraph.

There are further implications for the study of causes of some psychiatric disorders.

The altered gene, named “after hours” or Afh, is a variant of a gene called Fbxl3, which had not been linked to the body clock that keeps our metabolism, digestion and sleep patterns in tune with the rising and setting of the Sun.

By monitoring laboratory mice, scientists noticed that instead of following the typical 24-hour pattern some animals had body clocks that stretched to a 27-hour day.

It was then discovered that their DNA had the after-hours version of the Fbxl3 gene, one of a large family that controls the breakdown of specific proteins within body cells.

In other research, scientists have identified a part of the brain that affects how we deal with seasonal change. The research will help our understanding of the causes and consequences of seasonal affective disorder and could also shed light on why we crave more food in winter.

Gerald Lincoln, of Edinburgh University’s Centre for Reproductive Biology, said: “Surprisingly, the circannual body clock works on a 10-month cycle.

“We reset our body calendar every summer, when increased light inhibits the production of melatonin. This could explain why sunshine makes us feel happier.”

Symptoms of delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS), popularly called the ‘night owl’ syndrome include the inability to fall asleep at night and excessive daytime sleepiness. If this problem continues over a three or four-month period, DSPS is probably the cause.

This syndrome makes it difficult to function in a world where the normal pattern dictates night as the time for sleep. Because DSPS can cause employment, relationship and other difficulties, it can lead to unhappiness and depression.

Source:The Times Of India

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Ailmemts & Remedies

Leucorrhoea

Leucorrhoea, vaginal discharge is a universal problem of all women. No body escapes from this illness. Female genitals are very much prone to infections since they are moist, more sweaty and covered. The white vaginal discharge with foul smell makes it embarrassing to get into social gatherings and even engage in personal affairs. The affected women need reassurance, prevention of infection and some counselling as they usually have abnormal psychosomatic scores.

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Most secretions are regarding life style physiological and warrant no medical interventions. But it is significant if it is blood stained, profuse, foul smelling or with changes in its colour. Usually the normal secretions are slimy and slightly sticky. It is something like nasal secretion. Normally the quantity of vaginal secretions varies throughout the menstrual cycle, peaking at ovulation and also increasing when under emotional stress.

There are two types of Leucorrhoea, physiological and pathological. In physiological Leucorrhoea, the discharge is normal due to excitement or other factors like nervousness. Such a discharge need not be worried about. It is found under following conditions:

*Seen in newborn baby for a week due to maternal oestrogen.
*Seen in girls during puberty due to hormonal changes.
*At the time of ovulation and in early pregnancy.
*During sexual excitement.

Causes:
General ill health and under nutrition.
Dysfunctional state in genital tract.
Psychological factors.

In addition to infection, some hormonal and metabolical disorders are also responsible for the condition.
Ayurveda considers that leucorrhoea is caused by the vitiation of kapha; it occurs commonly among weak and anaemic women. It can also be due to the inflammation of the womb following childbirth, displacement of the uterus, or gonorrhoea. Among young females, it may be due to threadworms, as the result of general debility combined with lack of cleanliness or infections. Leucorrhoea may also occur during the menstrual periods in young women, due to the thickening of the mucus membrane in the reproductive organs. During the child bearing years from adolescence to the mid-forties, infection may sometimes follow birth of a child due to damage of the cervix during the delivery of the baby.

Leucorrhoea usually shows symptoms in association with other illness. Wide variety of reasons are encountered in its causation. Commonly fungal, parasitic, bacterial and sexually transmitted diseases are the prime causative factors.

Symptoms:
The most comon symptoms are:
1.woman complains of a thin, yellow to grey vaginal discharge which is often foamy and has an unpleasant odour.

2. There may be some itching and redness noted around and inside the vagina.

3.Some women and men do not show symptoms at all. It is important that if your partner is treated for Trichomoniasis, you as well get treated.

The discharge is often white. Flow may stiffen the linen or simply leave back a trace of white powder or scales.
In most cases discharge emanates from the uterine cavity or vagina. In catarrhal or idiopathic variety of leucorrhoea the discharge is in mild and liquid form. The discharge from the uterus is often from uterine cavity. In certain ladies leucorrhoea discharge sets in even 8-10 days before anticipated period of menses and stops as soon as menses appear but in others, it may start when menses are over.
In addition to the whitish discharge from the vaginal tract, there is weakness as well as pain in the lumbar region and the calves. A burning sensation may be present along with constipation. There appears to be a direct relationship of this disease with a nervous temperament. The patient develops black patches under the eyes. Late nights precipitate the attack.

Diagnosis:
A vaginal smear reveals the type of infection. Blood studies are also important to study the serological reactions pertaining to the type of infections.

Treatment:

Treatment is in the form of vaginal tablets and cream. Sometimes tablets are taken by mouth as well. Candidiasis often recurs. It is important to continue treatment and follow all directions even after symptoms disappear.

Even though you have many means to kill fungus, bacteria or parasite, immunity plays important role in their elimination. That is the reason why you cannot find a permanent solution to a particular causation. The body that is more susceptible to infection of the particular pathogen, it invites a Homoeopathic remedy for permanent cure! Even the white discharge cases are treated with homoeopathy medicines. I have attended to a variety of cases with different illnesses. There are many clinical histories something peculiar to find in children. Many girls are prone to get leucorrhoea before puberty.

Homoeopathic prescriptions are based on the nature of the discharge and studying the patient as a separate, whole entity to raise the immunity. Say bye to all your problems!

Homeopathy Remedies and Treatment

Home remedies:
A proper diagnosis of the disease must be made and the cause removed. In addition to the medicine prescribed below, a regular douching of the genital tract with the decoction of the bark of the banyan tree or the fig tree is very helpful. A tablespoon of each of the powders of the barks of the two trees should be boiled in a litre of water till it is reduced to about half. Douching with the lukewarm decoction keeps the vaginal tract healthy and clean.
1. About 12 centigms. of assfoetida (hing) gum fried in ghee mixed with 120 gms of goat milk and a tea spoonful of honey should be given thrice a day for a month.

2. Bark of Asoka is an effective medicine for leucorrhoea.

3.Pessaries or vaginal suppositories made of henna (mehndi) leaves and seeds can be used beneffically.

4.A regular douching of the genital tract with a decoction of the banyan bark and the fig trees is very useful.A tea spoonful of each powder of the bark of the said trees should be boiled in a litre of water till it reduces to half.

5.A decoction made from babul tree should be used as a veginal douche.

6.A decoction of butea (palas) leaves should be used as a veginal douche.

Coriander(dhania) seeds: A home remedy used in this condition is to soak about ten Gms of dry Coriander(dhania) in 100 ml of water overnight, and to drink the water in the early morning. It gives relief in seven to eight days in most cases.

 

Fenugreek seeds: Fenugreek seeds are valuable in leucorrhoea. They should be taken internally in the form of tea and also used as a douche. As a douche, the solution should be much stronger than tea. Two tablespoons of fenugreek seeds should be put in a litre of cold water and allowed to simmer for half an hour over a low flame. The decoction should then be strained and use as a douche. ls.

 

Ayurvedic Medicinal Cure
Pushyanug Churna : 5-10 gm twice daily.
Patrangasava : 15-30 ml twice daily after meals with
Chandraprabhavati : 2 pills in the morning and evening with a glass of milk.
Dry Indian Gooseberry(amla) and liquorice(mulethi) in equal quantities, powdered and mixed with thrice the quantity of honey is an effective drug for this disease.
Pradrantak lauh : 1 gm thrice daily. To be taken with honey.

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Diet
Fried and spicy foods are to be avoided. The patient should be encouraged to chew Betel nut (supari) after meals: it has a curative effect and also prevents the development of the disease.

Preventions:
If you notice discharge from the urethra or vagina, pain while urinating, ulcer on the genitals, consult your doctor.
Since the infection can be transmitted by sharing wash-cloths, towels, bathing suits, underwear or any moist object, be careful!
If you do have more than one sexual partner or unsure whether your partner has more than one partner, it is very important to use condoms.

Other precautions:
Wash genitals everyday
Wear clean underwear every day
Always wash yourself from front to back.
Avoid sprays, deodorants, and strong perfumed soap and bath products.

A cold hip bath taken twice a day for ten minutes at a time, will help relieve congestion in the pelvic region and facilitate quick elimination of morbid matter.

Do not stop treatment when symptoms disappear – the full course of treatment is very important. Abstain from sexual intercourse during treatment in order to avoid irritation of tissues, which are in the process of healing.

Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advise or help. It is always best to consult with a Physician about serious health concerns. This information is in no way intended to diagnose or prescribe remedies.

Help taken from:Allayurveda.com and Miracle of Herbs

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