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Faulty Gene Causes Heart Attack Death

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A faulty gene variant that can cause heart attack mortalities also potentially opens the way for improved treatment following such attacks.
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“It’s been known for some time that a defective ACE2 gene is associated with high blood pressure, but our research has also clearly linked one variant of this gene to a greater likelihood of mortality after heart attack,” said lead researcher Barry Palmer of Otago University, Christchurch.

“This is particularly in middle aged males who have acute coronary syndromes, or reduced flow of blood to the heart,” he added.

Otago scientists carried out the study over three years on a large cohort of 1,075 people (males and females) recruited from hospitals. They found, after adjusting for variables such as age, that male patients are almost twice as likely to die if they had one particular (defective) variant of the ACE2 gene.

“This is the first time ever that this variant of the ACE2 gene has been identified in terms of survivability,” said Palmer. “It will be useful in terms of other research we’re doing on tailoring heart disease treatment more accurately to the patient.”

“If we can identify those people at greater risk we may be able to do more earlier on in their treatment, and it’s easy enough to identify if someone has this variant of the gene.”

Males are more prone than females to the effects of the ACE2 gene variant which is linked to reduced survival because of their chromosomal make-up. That’s because males have only one copy in each cell of the ACE2 gene on the X chromosome and none on the Y chromosome, whereas females have two X chromosomes, according to an Otago release.

This means that if a male has a defective ACE2 gene variant there is no complementary chromosome which can compensate for that ineffective gene. Females have an alternative copy of the gene on their second X chromosome which can compensate for the defective ACE2 gene, and provide normal blood pressure to the heart.

In its normal form on the X chromosome the ACE2 gene produces an enzyme which controls blood pressure by influencing hormone levels. It is only when that gene is defective that blood pressure may increase.

The research was published in the October issue of the American Heart Journal.

You may click to see:->FAMILIAL HYPERCHOLESTEROLAEMIA Cardiovascular disease

Sources: The Times Of India

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Featured

Talk About Genes

Diagram of the location of introns and exons w...Image via Wikipedia

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People who are sick look at those who are well and wonder: Why am I ill? Why not them? Is it the environmental pollution? Or my diet? Perhaps it is the witches, curses or the evil eye. Maybe incantations and amulets will set things right.

Human genes are located on 23 pairs of chromosomes

Today, rapid scientific advance in microbiology has helped identify disease-causing organisms (bacteria and viruses) not visible to the naked eye. Biochemistry has helped locate the exact molecular level at which enzyme reactions become faulty and result in diseases. We also know now that most diseases have a genetic basis. People may have the same genotype or genetic configuration, but the expression of these genes in the body (the phenotype) may be different. This makes one’s response to disease different from another’s — some succumb to it while others don’t.

Genes are located on specific loci on chromosomes. We inherit 20,000-30,000 genes, located on 23 pairs of chromosomes, from our parents. Twenty-two of these are identical. The 23rd is the sex chromosome. If it is expressed as XX, the person is a female and if it is XY, the person is a male.

Abnormal genes that theoretically should cause disease can vary in their penetrability. A person may carry the gene and yet not express the disease. But he or she will, however, pass it to his or her children. The disease may suddenly manifest itself generations later, puzzling everyone as to why no one in the family has it. This is true of vitiligo (white patches), icthyosis (dry skin), psoriasis and other conditions.

A single defective gene can produce abnormalities in multiple organs. The gene causing osteogenesis imperfecta (where the fragile bones keep breaking) also causes deafness and defective teeth. Some gene positive individuals may have normal bones, but their joints may be abnormally mobile and hyper extensible. They are often advertised in circus acts as “rubber or plastic people”.

A defective gene may be dominant — that is, it expresses itself in all the people who carry it. Or it may be recessive and a person expresses the disease only if he or she has inadvertently been saddled with two defective genes, one from each parent. This is most likely to occur in communities where consanguinity (marrying a relative like a cousin or an uncle) is prevalent. This accounts for diseases like sickle cell disease and thalassaemia.

Some traits are X-linked and carried on the X chromosome. Females are protected as they have two copies of the X, one from the mother and the other from the father. Males get their X from their mother and their Y from their father. Unprotected by a normal chromosome, they express any disease caused by a defective X from the mother. Muscular dystrophy and haemophilia are X-linked diseases carried by apparently normal women and passed on to their sons.

Sex limited inheritance may be expressed only in one sex even if the inheritance is dominant. A typical example is premature baldness. Men are more likely to be bald even though women, too, may carry the gene. Women are protected until menopause by the female hormones. Sometimes an abnormality occurs in a child despite the parents being genetically normal. This occurs because of spontaneous changes or mutations during early embryonic development, with an injury — like a viral infection, medications or radiation — causing the changes. Eighty per cent of “circus dwarfs” fall in this category.

As cells age, the proteins comprising genes become faulty. The chromosomes themselves may develop deletions, translocations and abnormal attachments. Parents may then give birth to children with diseases like Down’s Syndrome.

Many diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and cancer have a “multifactorial inheritance”. Although the defective genes have been inherited, the disease manifests itself only when there is the required mix of environmental and genetic factors. Alcoholism and drug abuse are hereditary, but will not manifest themselves in a regimentalised, teetotal society where neither alcohol nor drugs is available.

Genes, chromosomes and their inheritance can be plotted and studied. Genetic screening can identify people at risk for a particular disorder. Testing is appropriate even before symptoms begin if there is a strong family history of the disorder. In the case of sickle cell anaemia, thalassaemia and breast cancer, it may help to identify asymptomatic people and may be life saving. Tests can be done for some diseases before birth (in utero) with maternal blood samples, chorionic villous sampling, or amniotic fluid or umbilical cord blood. Neonates with inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) can be diagnosed a few hours after birth. At this time it may be possible to initiate life-saving treatment.

Gene therapy is being studied. It involves the insertion of copies of normal genes, switching off faulty genes or stem cell transplantation and therapy. Science is progressing by leaps and bounds. Perhaps the day is not far when genetic diseases, too, will be a part of the past.

Sources: The Telegraph (Kolkata, India)

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Ailmemts & Remedies

Pasteurellosis

Definition:
Pasteurellosis is an infection with a species of the bacteria genus Pasteurella , which is found in humans and animals. Pasteurella multocida (P. septica) is carried in mouth and respiratory tract of several animals, including cats, dogs and rabbits, and some birds and fish. It is a small gram negative bacillus with bipolar staining by Wayson coloration. In animals it can originate fulminant septicaemia (chicken cholera), but is also a common commensal. It is usually harmless, but sometimes it can lead to a disease caused pasteurellosis, which is especially prominent in rabbits (where it known as rabbit flu). Pasteurellosis in humans is associated with a close animal contact, namely a catbite or dogbite.

P. multocida is present in the saliva and faecal material of animals.The most common form of infection in humans is through a bite or scratch, usually from a cat or dog, from an animal carrying the bacteria.Once the bacteria have been passed to a person, there is a possibility that they may go on to develop pasteurellosis. John Freeman was thought to have contracted the infection from the rabbit through a blister on his thumb.

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Several hundred people are infected with pasteurellosis each year.But deaths are very rare, according to the Office of National Statistics the last recorded death from pasteurellosis was in 2001.

Types
There are several forms of the infection:

– Cutaneous / subcutaneous disease : this is a septic phlegmon that develops classically in the hand and forearm after cat bite. Inflammatory signs are very rapid to develop, in 1 or 2 hours edema , severe pain and serosanguineous exudate appears. Fever , moderate or very high can be seen alongside with vomiting, headache and diarrhea. Lymphangitis is usual. Complications are possible, in the form of septic arthritis, osteitis or evolution to chronicity.

– Septicaemia : is very rare, but can be as fulminant as septicaemic plague , with high fever, rigors and vomiting followed by shock and coagulopathy.

– Pneumonic disease : is also rare and appears in patients with some chronic pulmonary pathology. it usually presents as billateral consolidating pneumonia , sometimes very severe.

Other locations are possible, like septic arthritis, meningitis and acute endocarditis but are very rare

Pasteurellosis in animals
P. multocida causes numerous pathological conditions in domestic animals. It often acts together with other infectious agents, like Chlamidiae, Mycoplasmae, viruses. The environmental conditions play also a role like transportation, bad weather, housing deficiency.

The following diseases are considered caused by P. multocida, alone or associated to other pathogens :

* Shipping fever in cattle and sheep.
* Enzootic pneumonia of sheep (and goats, with frequent intervention of Mannheimia haemolytica)
* Fowl cholera (chicken and other domestic poultry and cage birds)
* Enzootic pneumonia of pigs
* Pasteurellosis of chinchilla
* Pasteurellosis of rabbits

Symptoms
The first signs of pasteurellosis can occur a few hours after infection, and include pain, redness and swelling around the area of the infection.If the infection spreads and gets into the bloodstream, it can cause flu-like symptoms such as fever, headaches, chills and swollen glands, and if left untreated can result in pneumonia or septicaemia, and on rare occasions, death.

Diagnosis
Diagnosis is made with isolation of Pasteurella multocida in a normally sterile site ( blood, pus or CSF).

Treatment
Pasteurellosis is usually treated with high dose penicillin. Tetracycline and chloramphenicol provides an alternative in beta-lactam intolerant patients.

What should I do if I have been scratched or bitten by an animal?
You are advised to carefully wash the wound, using a disinfectant soap, and to seek medical advice.Immuno-suppressed people are at greater risk of serious complications, as with any infection, so should seek medical advice immediately.
Should I be worried if I keep animals?
Vets urge pet owners not to worry, the bacteria is extremely common and usually harmless, but they say bites or scratches should be treated with caution.

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.This is purely for educational purpose

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasteurellosis
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/medical_notes/5270588.stm

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Herbs & Plants

Wolf’s bane (Indian aconite)

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Botanical Name: Aconitum ferox Wall
Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Aconitum
Species:A. ferox
Kingdom:Plantae
Order: Ranunculales

Syn: Aconitum virosum Don., A. napellus var. rigidum Hook, f & T.

English names: Wolf’s bane, Indian aconite.

Sanskrit names: Vatsanabha, Visa.

Vernacular names: Hin: Bish, Mahoor; Guj and Mar: Vachang; Kas: Mohra; Tam: Vasnumbi; Tel: Vasnabhi.

Trade name: Bish.

Habitat : Wolf’s bane  is  abundant at Sandakphu, which is the highest point of the Darjeeling Hills in the Indian State of West Bengal.
Alpine Himalaya including Nepal; endemic.

Descriptions: 

Wolf’s bane is  a deciduous perennial plant  . It is an erect herb growing up to 2 m in height; roots look like the navel of children; leaves alternate, simple, rounded or oval, may be palmately 5-lobed; flowers borne on branched racemes, bracts and bracteoles present, large helmet-type, helmet vaulted with short sharp beak, pale dirty blue in colour, zygomorphic, floral parts arranged spirally on an elongated receptacle; follicles erect, usually densely villose-sometimes glabrous.

Phenology: Flowering and Fruiting: July-November.
Ecology and cultivation: Temperate to alpine regions of the Himalaya in the altitude of 3300-5000 m…..CLICK & SEE

Cultivation:-
Thrives in most soils and in the light shade of trees[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a moist soil in sun or semi-shade. Prefers a calcareous soil. Grows well in open woodlands. If the flower stems are removed after flowering the plant will normally flower again later in the season. Members of this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits and deer. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby species, especially legumes. A polymorphic species. The nomenclature is very confused for this species, A. lycoctonum. L. is treated as A. septentrionale by many botanists whilst A. lycoctonum. Auct. is A. vulparia.

Propagation:-
Seed – best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. The seed can be stratified and sown in spring but will then be slow to germinate. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer. Division – best done in spring but it can also be done in autumn. Another report says that division is best carried out in the autumn or late winter because the plants come into growth very early in the year

Chemical contents: Root: pseudoaconitine (a toxic alkaloid), indactonitine, chasmaconitine, bikhaconitine.
Medicinal Actions &  Uses:

Alterative; Anaesthetic; Antiarthritic; Antitussive; Deobstruent; Diaphoretic; Diuretic; Sedative; Stimulant.

The root is alterative, anaesthetic, antiarthritic, antitussive, deobstruent, diaphoretic, diuretic, sedative and stimulant. This is a very poisonous plant and should only be used with extreme caution and under the supervision of a qualified practitioner

Traditional use: AYURVEDA : Root: used in the mrityunjaya rasa (used to treat the fever supposed to be caused by deranged vayu, i.e., wind, sannipatika jvara, i.e., remittent fever, hingulesware-rasa, anandabhairav agnitundi vati, etc.

Vatsanabha has been used in medicine from a very remote period. It is regarded as healing and stimulant. It is used in a great variety of affections, but is specially recommended in fever, cephalagia, affections of throat, dyspepsia and rheumatism. HOMOEOPATHY: remedy for clotting of blood in heart or in lungs, pneumonia, Iymptisis, pleurisy, eye trouble, earache, toothache and urinary trouble.

Modern use: Extremely poisonous; used in leprosy, fever, cholera, nasal catarrah, tonsillitis, sore throat, gastric disorders, debility, etc., also used as a sedative and diaphoretic; applied in the form of paste in cases of neuralgia and rheumatism.

Click to learn more about ->-………………(1).…(2)...(3)

Adulterants: Indian aconite root is known as ‘bikh’ or ‘bish’, the name which is applied to aconite from more than one species, and different authors have ascribed it to different species.

Remarks: Vulnerable due to excessive collection for medicinal uses. Collection in wild state should be banned and measures for cultivation should be initiated.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider

Reources:

http://www.bsienvis.org/medi.htm#Aconitum%20ferox

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aconitum_ferox

http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Aconitum+lycoctonum

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Ayurvedic

Ayurvedic medicines for your Cat Health

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If you want to maximize your cat’s longevity or your cat suffers from fluctuating weight, molting fur, bad odor, anxiety, aggression, or sluggish behavior, there is proven help available from powerful Ayurveda Medicine.

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Cats are masters at hiding illness, so it may not always be obvious if they are sick,” says Ilona Rodan, DVM, Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, certified in Feline Practice and Co-Chair of the American Association of Feline Practitioners. Did you know your cat could be sick and you may not know it until it’s too late? Cats are naturally designed to conceal their weaknesses from predators. This built-in protection mechanism may help in the wild, but it is a potential detriment for a domestic pet with a disease or condition that could be treated.

According to a report by the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), there are approximately 90 million domestic cats in the United States. Cats outnumber dogs by 20%. Cats visit the veterinarian half as often as dogs and veterinarians annually lose approximately 15% of their client base due to unresolved feline health issues. According to one survey, while 46.1% of cat owners consider their cats to be family members, 34.7% of all cat-owning households do not visit the veterinarian.

Some symptoms of failing feline health are:

Inappropriate Elimination Behavior
Changes in Interactions
Changes in Activity Patterns
Changes in Sleeping Habits
Unexplained Weight Loss or Gain
Changes in Food and Water Consumption
Changes in Grooming
Signs of Stress
Changes in Vocalization
Bad Breath or Odor
Despite continued advances in feline healthcare, behavior problems are still the most common reason for cat euthanasia. While diseases pose a threat to your cat, misunderstanding its behavior can be just as dangerous. Research shows negative behavior (like destroying furniture and urinating outside the litter box ) is the primary reason that cats are euthanized. Often these behaviors are associated with curable illnesses.

Patches of hair loss or a greasy or matted appearance can signal underlying diseases. A decrease in grooming behavior is associated with fear, anxiety, obesity, or illnesses. An increase in grooming may be a sign of a skin problem. Your cat can be stressed despite having an “easy” life because the social organization of cats is different from that of people and dogs. Changes in the family, such as adding a new pet, should be done gradually. A stressed cat may spend more time awake and scanning its environment, withdraw from society, and exhibit signs of depression like fluctuating appetite.

Anemia is commonly associated with specific diseases in cats like chronic renal failure. A hormone called erythropoietin (EPO) is produced by the kidneys and stimulates the bone marrow to produce new red blood cells to replace old and worn ones in circulation. In diseases such as chronic renal failure, EPO levels may be decreased and anemia may develop as a result. Typical signs associated with anemia are decreased activity and poor appetite.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the most common cause of chronic vomiting and diarrhea in cats, is a disease in which diet may have an important role. The intestinal wall becomes thickened by inflammatory cells, and the microscopic and gross surface folds of the intestinal lining are flattened, leading to a great loss of surface area. As the surface area is reduced, the ability of the cat to digest and absorb nutrients is reduced, leading to weight loss in the face of normal or increased appetite. The stools often become looser and in some cases, more odorous. As cats are obligate carnivores, the carnivorous diet provides cats with a ready dietary source of certain nutrients not supplied by an omnivorous or vegetarian diet, thus negating the need to synthesize these nutrients. As most household cats no longer hunt, and without the evolutionary pressure to maintain the relevant metabolic pathways, cats have lost their ability to synthesize the micronutrients which are amply present in the tissues of their traditional prey.

Obesity has also become a serious health concern for cats bringing with it increased risks of diabetes mellitus, joint disease, and other problems. Cats with hyperthyroidism or diabetes mellitus can lose weight despite good appetites.

Western medicine relies on aggressive prescription drugs and surgery to deal with many problems related to feline health. Unfortunately, these methods often result in unwanted and even dangerous side effects.

Ayurveda, the science of life, prevention and longevity, is the oldest and most holistic and comprehensive medical system available. Its fundamentals can be found in Hindu scriptures called the Vedas – the ancient Indian books of wisdom written over 5,000 years ago. Ayurveda uses the inherent principles of nature to help maintain good health in cats by keeping the feline body, mind, and spirit in perfect equilibrium with nature.

India Herbs has a seasoned group of Ayurvedic doctors specialized in Vajikarana, one of the eight major specialties of Ayurveda. Vajikarana prescribes the therapeutic use of various herbal and tonic preparations geared towards rejuvenating your cat.

India Herbs’ Vajikarana scientists combine a proprietary herbal formula based on centuries old wisdom with advice on diet and exercise to help your cat attain optimal health, appearance, and longevity through safe and natural means.

It would be a good advice to rely on Ayurvedic drug for maintening a good health of your cat unless there is any emergency. DOCTORS AND AYURVEDA SCIENCE AGREE …
Ayurvedic Herbal Formula Gives Safe, Lasting, and Meaningful Results.

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Source:secure.india-herbs.com

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