iPads As Effective As Sedative In Helping Calm Kids About To Undergo Surgery, Study Indicates.

reports a “small new study” indicates “giving children who were about to undergo surgery an iPad was as effective at calming them down than giving them a sedative.” In research presented at the World Congress of Anaesthesiologists, investigators “compared the effect of using an iPad to taking a sedative called midazolam on children’s anxiety before anesthesia and surgery.” http://time.com/4472306/its-official-ipads-are-sedatives-for-kids/

More Children Receive Vaccines Recommended By CDC For 11-12 Year Olds In “Blue States,” Study Suggests.

reports 11-12 year olds were more likely to receive the HPV, Tdap, and MCV4 vaccines in “blue states,” according to a study published in the American Journal of Public Health. Researchers found that children in states that leaned Democratic in the 2012 election were more likely to receive the vaccines, which are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, than children in states that leaned Republican during that election. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-vaccination-teens-politics-idUSKCN1152N2 The researchers adjusted for factors that could influence vaccination patterns, including income, education, race and ethnicicty and insurance coverage. Then they calculated the median vaccination rates among blue and red states – meaning half of states had rates above the median for their group. “We hypothesized there would be differences for HPV, a sexually transmitted infection, perhaps due to social conservatism found in many Republican states,” Niccolai said. “But we also found differences for MCV4 and Tdap, suggesting something else, perhaps related to political affiliation more broadly, that is important.” Preference for a smaller role of government in personal decision making, typically associated with more Republican views, could lead to individuals rejecting vaccinations that are recommended by federal agencies, she said. But this study alone can’t explain why differences exist between states.

40 Virginia Cases of Hepatitis A Now Linked to Smoothies

There are more than 500 of the smoothie franchises across the country, and Virginia is not the only state affected All the potentially contaminated Egyptian-sourced berries were pulled from the 96 Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations in Virginia no later than Aug. 8 or Aug. 9. Officials say more cases could emerge, since some symptoms take as many as 50 days to emerge. The Hepatitis A virus affects the liver. http://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/40-virginia-cases-hepatitis-now-linked-smoothies-n640041

Is Anti-Vax Movement Growing? Pediatricians say more parents are refusing to immunize kids

http://www.medpagetoday.com/Pediatrics/Vaccines/59915?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2016-08-30&eun=g721819d0r&pos=0 NOT GOOD!

Chemicals Used In Fracking Disrupt Hormones, Research In Mice Suggests.

reported that “chemicals used in fracking and other gas and oil operations increase risk of miscarriages, reduced male fertility, prostate cancer, birth defects and preterm birth by disrupting hormones,” researchers found after exposing “mice to 23 chemicals – including benzene, xylenes and others associated with oil and gas operations – at levels comparable to what humans might get exposed to in drinking water near wastewater spill sites.” The findings were published online in Endocrinology. http://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/environment/2016/08/25/fracking-chemicals-water-raise-fertility-risks/89263388/

Activation Of Certain Target Genes May Help Explain Why Traditional Exercise Regimens Fail To Boost Insulin Sensitivity In Some Patients With Prediabetes.

The study team then analyzed muscle samples taken from all patients immediately before and immediately after the exercise regimen and looked for systematic differences between patients whose insulin sensitivity had increased and those whose insulin sensitivity had remained the same. They found that in “non-responding” patients whose insulin sensitivity remained unchanged, exercise activated a messenger substance called TGFβ and its target genes, which are associated with increases in inflammatory and macrophage markers. No such activation occurred in responding patients. “TGFβ1 as inhibitor of mitochondrial regulators and insulin signaling is validated in human skeletal muscle cells,” the study authors wrote in Diabetes. “Activated TGFβ1 signaling down-regulates the abundance of PGC1α, AMPKα2, mitochondrial transcription factor TFAM, and of mitochondrial enzymes. Thus, the data suggest that increased TGFβ activity in skeletal muscle can attenuate the improvement of mitochondrial fuel oxidation after training and contribute to the failure to increase insulin sensitivity.” The failure of some cohort patients to translate increased exercise into increased insulin sensitivity was not unusual. Regular exercise greatly increases insulin sensitivity in most pre-diabetic patients, but trials typically find that no change in about 20% of all patients. The investigators who conducted the new study did find some changes when they compared pre-exercise and post-exercise muscle samples from patients whose insulin sensitivity did increase. Such patients saw increased activation in genes associated with burning glucose and fat. - See more at: http://www.hcplive.com/medical-news/studying-the-link-between-exercise-and-insulin-sensitivity#sthash.X1gnKRVO.dpuf http://www.hcplive.com/medical-news/studying-the-link-between-exercise-and-insulin-sensitivity#sthash.X1gnKRVO.dpuf

Genetics Tests Speed Source ID for Kids' Fevers Molecular analyses pinpoint pathogens in two studies

http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/GeneralInfectiousDisease/59827?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2016-08-26&eun=g721819d0r&pos=10

Metformin May Help Youngsters With Autism With Antipsychotic-Related Weight Gain Slim Down, Study Suggests.

reports the diabetes medication metformin “may help overweight children and teens with autism slim down,” researchers found in a randomized study including 60 children with autism who ranged in age from six to 17 and who had gained weight “due to the side effects of taking antipsychotic medications for irritability and agitation.” The findings were published online Aug. 24 in JAMA Psychiatry. Healio (8/24, Oldt) also covers the study. https://consumer.healthday.com/cognitive-health-information-26/autism-news-51/autistic-children-diabetes-treatment-weight-loss-714160.html

Genetic Test May Help Identify Breast Cancer Patients Who Can Avoid Chemo, Study Suggests.

reports a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine helps determine when it is “safe for a woman with breast cancer to skip chemotherapy.” Using the MammaPrint test, researchers found that “nearly half of women with early-stage breast cancer who would traditionally receive chemo can avoid it, with little risk of the cancer coming back or spreading in the next five years.” An accompanying editorial, however, “said the study was not the final word, and additional research now underway would provide more clarity.” http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/25/science/gene-tests-identify-breast-cancer-patients-who-can-skip-chemotherapy-study-says.html

Research Links Overweight, Obesity To Increased Risk For At Least 13 Types Of Cancer.

“Well” blog reports that a review published in The New England Journal of Medicine “found solid evidence that being overweight or obese increases the risk for at least 13 types of cancer.” The blog points out that “strong evidence was already available to link five cancers to being overweight or obese: adenocarcinoma of the esophagus; colorectal cancer; breast cancer in postmenopausal women; and uterine and kidney cancers.” The “new review...links an additional eight cancers to excess fat: gastric cardia...liver cancer; gallbladder cancer; pancreatic cancer; thyroid cancer; ovarian cancer; meningioma...and multiple myeloma.” http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/08/24/obesity-linked-to-at-least-13-types-of-cancer/?_r=0

Women Taking Hormonal Therapies For Breast Cancer May Experience More Side Effects If They Have Negative Expectations, Study Suggests.

reports that research indicated “women taking hormonal therapies as part of their breast cancer treatment experienced twice as many side effects if they held negative expectations, compared to women who believed the side effects would not be as bad.” The findings were published in Annals of Oncology. http://time.com/4462623/breast-cancer-treatment-expectations/

CDC Declares Sepsis A “Medical Emergency.”

reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report declaring sepsis a medical emergency because many physicians and nurses miss the early signs of the condition. In a statement, CDC Director Tom Frieden said, “When sepsis occurs, it should be treated as a medical emergency.” HealthDay (8/23, Preidt) reports many cases of sepsis “could be recognized and treated long before it causes severe illness or death,” according to the CDC report. CDC researchers found that around 70% of patients with sepsis “had used health care services recently or had chronic diseases that required regular medical care,” which presents opportunities for the condition to be identified early. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/sepsis-is-fast-moving-and-deadly-but-there-are-ways-to-stop-it-cdc-says/2016/08/23/8a0febca-6940-11e6-99bf-f0cf3a6449a6_story.html

Preventable Medical Errors Reported By Full-Service Hospitals In Massachusetts Grew 60% Last Year.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/08/23/medical-errors-persist-despite-increase-scrutiny/VFguAOLAze61ZL6XduzSIO/story.html

Mouse Study Suggests Link Between Antibiotic Treatments And Development Of Type 1 Diabetes In Children.

https://consumer.healthday.com/infectious-disease-information-21/antibiotics-news-30/repeated-antibiotics-spur-type-1-diabetes-in-mice-714055.html Blaser explained that antibiotics led to a change in the microbiome in the gut -- or intestinal bacteria. Those changes resulted in other changes, including alterations in immune system cells called T-cells. That, in turn, led to increased inflammation in the insulin-producing islet cells of the pancreas, he said. So, do all of these changes occur in the same way in humans? It's too soon to know for sure, though Blaser said other research suggests that kids with autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes, have an altered microbiome.

Hormone Replacement Therapy May Increase Breast Cancer Risk By Threefold, Study Suggests.

reports research suggests that breast cancer risks from hormone replacement therapy may have been underestimated by up to threefold. A study of 100,000 women “found those who took the combined oestrogen and progestogen pill for around five years were 2.7 times more likely to develop cancer compared to women who took nothing, or only the oestrogen pill.” The findings were published in the British Journal of Cancer. The Daily Mail (8/22, Association) also covers the story. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/08/22/hrt-triples-the-risk-of-breast-cancer-longest-ever-study-shows/

More Research Needed To Use Genetic Testing For Nutritional Advice, Experts Say.

reports nutritional genetic testing may be able to determine how people metabolize and utilize nutrients. However some experts believe more research in genetic science is needed to provide nutritional advice. The tests are offered by a handful of companies and are generally not covered by insurance. http://www.wsj.com/articles/test-your-genes-to-find-your-best-diet-1471887390

Study Reveals Possible Explanation For Latinos’ Longevity.

has devised a measure of aging that reflects the activity level of the epigenome, the set of signals that prompts one’s genes to change their function across the life span as demands arise.” The Times says that a study from Horvath and his colleagues analyzed samples from 5,162 participants from a wide range of ethnic groups that had been gathered in a number of studies. The Times says that Horvath’s findings may explain why Latinos in the US have a longer average life spans than non-Latino whites “despite having higher rates of inflammation and such chronic diseases as obesity and diabetes.” Horvath found that, despite high rates of inflammation, the Native American groups from which many Latinos are descended “rarely show risk factors for heart disease or develop Type 2 diabetes as they age, and obesity, hypertension and unhealthy cholesterol are virtually nonexistent.” Horvath noted that Latinos’ slower aging rate cannot be explained by lifestyle factors such as diet, socioeconomic status, education or obesity, because researchers adjusted for such factors. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/latinos-tend-to-live-longer-than-non-latino-whites-why-is-that/2016/08/22/029545b8-6612-11e6-8b27-bb8ba39497a2_story.html

Endocrinologist Links Nighttime Hypoglycemia To Variety Of Dangers.

informed an audience at the annual meeting of the American Association of Diabetes Educators that research links nighttime hypoglycemia to several problems, “and technology isn’t providing much hope – yet.” He said possible risks include “impaired sleep quality, daytime drowsiness, mood changes, risk for nocturnal falls.” He also expressed concern about a “vicious cycle” occurring, “because people with diabetes can also develop impaired hypoglycemia awareness, making it less likely they’ll notice the low blood sugar levels that contribute to autonomic failure.” http://www.clinicalendocrinologynews.com/specialty-focus/diabetes/single-article-page/endocrinologist-links-nighttime-hypoglycemia-to-many-ills/f5dbfd22dc58ab9c84fa50360a700887.html?

AHA: Restrict Kids to 25 Grams or Less of Daily Added Sugar Experts reviewed current scientific evidence for heart health effects

Ludwig, who is the author of the book Always Hungry?: Conquer Cravings, Retrain Your Fat Cells, and Lose Weight Permanently, pointed out that a high level of sugar intake is a "historical aberration. Most people across the world and throughout time ate sugar as an occasional treat, not a major component of the diet. With a simultaneous focus on welcoming back nutritious high fat foods (like nuts, full fat dairy, olive oil and dark chocolate), the shift to a diet low in sugar and other processed carbohydrates is entirely feasible and will likely produce major reductions in rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.: Although there is a lack of data directly linking the quantities of added sugars and heightened cardiovascular (CVD) risk, Vos and colleagues focused on studies where correlations were observed. They cited major gaps in the literature, urging for future longitudinal, randomized, controlled studies to further examine the effects of added sugars in adolescence. After examination of the literature on five main categories of blood pressure, lipids, obesity, insulin, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the AHA recommends that children between the ages of 2 and 18 years should consume ≤25 g, or about 100 calories (approximately 6 tsp.) of added sugars each day. http://www.medpagetoday.com/Pediatrics/PreventiveCare/59814?xid=NL_breakingnews_2016-08-23&eun=g721819d0r

Lower Maternal Prenatal Vitamin D Levels May Be Associated With Higher Risk Of Atopic Dermatitis In Early Childhood, Researchers Say.

reported, “Lower maternal prenatal 25(OH)D levels, but not vitamin D intake, was associated with higher risk of atopic dermatitis (AD) in early childhood,” researchers found. The study, which included “1,418 mother-child pairs,” was presented at the American Academy of Dermatology Summer Meeting. http://www.hcplive.com/medical-news/maternal-vitamin-d-has-impact-on-kids-atopic-dermatitis

Two Servings Of Fatty Fish Weekly May Lower Risk For Diabetic Retinopathy, Study Finds.

Two servings of fish a week may be enough to lower the heightened risk for” diabetic retinopathy, investigators discovered. The study, which included “3,600 diabetic men and women between the ages of 55 and 80,” revealed that people “who routinely consumed 500 milligrams (mg) a day of omega-3 fatty acid in their diets (equal to two servings of fatty fish per week) were 48 percent less likely to develop diabetic retinopathy than those who consumed less.” http://time.com/4457338/omega-3s-type-2-diabetes-vision/

Study Reveals Potential Link Between Water Fluoridation's additives NOT fluoride, and Type 2 diabetes

A potential link between water fluoridation and type 2 diabetes has been found by researchers using mathematical” models. The study, which was published in the Journal of Water and Health, “reveals that fluoridation with sodium fluoride could be a contributing factor to the prevalence of diabetes in the United States, as the chemical is a known preservative of blood glucose.” The study found that “a one milligram increase in average county fluoride levels predicted a 0.17 percent increase in age-adjusted diabetes prevalence.” the differences between the types of fluoride additives; those additives linked to diabetes in the analyses included sodium fluoride and sodium fluorosilicate. Fluorosilicic acid seemed to have an opposing effect and was associated with decreases in diabetes incidence and prevalence. The study, which analyzed prevalence rates across 22 states, found that counties that relied on naturally occurring fluoride in their water and did not supplement with fluoride additives also showed lower diabetes rates. http://www.medicaldaily.com/fluoride-consumption-linked-diabetes-researches-find-potential-link-using-395273

Fat Cells In Obese People Behave Differently Than In Healthy Weight People, Study Suggests.

While insulin changed levels of gene expression in over 200 genes in both groups of obese participants, it affected the expression just two genes in the non-obese group. Gene expression can change the proteins a cell has to work with — so these findings indicate that fat cells in obese people are doing something different than fat cells in healthy people, said Dr. Mikael Rydén, an endocrinologist at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden and lead researcher in the study. Based on your ability to consume oxygen during maximal exercise, you can be obese and be fitter than someone who’s lean. And if you are fat but fit you have a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes than if you’re lean and unfit.” The study also only looked at fat cells, Rydén pointed out. It doesn’t tell us how insulin might affect the function of other tissues, like kidneys and livers. BIG QUESTION Did obesity cause gene differences, or did the gene differences cause obesity??? https://www.statnews.com/2016/08/18/fat-but-fit/

People Who Gain Insurance Under ACA Filled More Prescriptions For Less, Study Suggests.

reports consumers under the Affordable Care Act “are filling significantly more prescriptions while paying less for their drugs,” according to a new study which surveyed over 1 billion pharmacy transactions from 2013 and 2014. Researchers compared how a sample of nearly 7 million patients paid for drugs before and after the implementation of the ACA. The Times says the study “credits the health law and adds to evidence of its benefits for previously uninsured Americans and those with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes and high blood pressure.” reports one third of those involved in the study did not have coverage prior to the ACA. The gains of the ACA did not appear to be uniform. Lower-income people “were far more likely to benefit” from gaining coverage. Specifically those “who went from being uninsured to enrolling in Medicaid filled 13.3 more prescriptions on average” and “also spent 58 percent less out of pocket for those drugs.” By comparison, those who opted for private insurance, “filled four more prescriptions on average and spent 29 percent less out of pocket.” http://khn.org/news/people-with-obamacare-plans-filled-more-prescriptions-but-had-lower-costs/

SLE Patients Benefit From Routine Echocardiography Cardiac involvement common in systemic lupus erythematosus

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but without a history of cardiac disease, developed various cardiac abnormalities detected by echocardiography, according to a meta-analysis. SLE patients had a more than 30-fold risk of developing pericardiac effusions versus controls (OR 30.52, 95% CI 9.70 to 96.02, P<0.00001) and a higher risk of left atrial and ventricular structural abnormalities, as well as of reduced left ventricular systolic and diastolic function, reported Anping Xu, MD, PhD, of Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China. SLE patients showed increases in: Left atrial diameter (LAD): weighted mean difference (WMD) of 0.18 (95% CI 0.06 to 0.29, P=0.002) Left ventricular internal diameter in diastole (LVDd): WMD 0.07 (95% CI 0.02 to 0.12, P=0.01) Left ventricular mass index (LVMI): WMD of 5.69 (95% CI 2.69 to 8.69, P=0.0002) In contrast, there was a decrease in left ventricular systolic function (WMD –1.22, 95 % CI –1.69 to –0.75, P<0.00001). Diastolic function also decreased, including E/A [peak early transmitral filling wave velocity/peak late transmitral filling wave velocity] ratio, as well as the E/E' [peak early transmitral filling wave velocity/tissue Doppler imaging of early diastolic mitral annular velocity] ratio (WMD –0.13, 95 % CI –0.24 to –0.01, P=0.04, and WMD 1.71, 95 % CI 0.43 to 2.99, P=0.009). Other research has identified cardiac abnormalities on electrocardiogram in roughly one in three lupus patients. http://www.medpagetoday.com/Rheumatology/Lupus/59729?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2016-08-18&eun=g721819d0r&pos=1

Walgreens Announcing New Game-Like Program To “Improve Medication Adherence.”

reports that Walgreens plans to announce today that it will collaborate with HealthPrize Technologies “to offer a digital health program aimed at helping patients stick to their medications.” Through the Walgreens website, patients can sign up for the free program, “which awards points for taking medications on time, refilling prescriptions and taking educational quizzes about their conditions and medications.” The article adds, “This is the Deerfield-based company’s first foray into using games, or gamification, to try to improve medication adherence, said Greg Orr, senior director of digital health for Walgreens.” Orr said, “It’s a much more rich experience.” http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-walgreens-games-drugs-0816-biz-20160815-story.html

US Fertility Rate Has Plummeted To Lowest Point On Record, CDC Data Reveal.

) “Wonkblog” reports that because US women “who choose to reproduce keep delaying motherhood,” the “US fertility rate has plummeted to the lowest point on record,” data from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics reveal. Widely available contraception is only one factor driving these data. Fewer women are choosing to have children at all, with some fearing “they can’t afford a baby, researchers say.” Instead, many women are “working toward stability, an uphill battle for many with student debt or bleak job prospects.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/08/16/why-american-women-are-having-fewer-babies-than-ever/

No Evidence Demonstrates Nonnutritive Sweeteners Cause Diabetes Or Some Other Metabolic Problems, Researchers Say.

There is no evidence demonstrating that nonnutritive sweeteners cause diabetes or some other metabolic problems,” researchers found. In a presentation given at the American Association of Diabetes Educators 2016 Annual Meeting, investigators “noted that evidence shows that nonnutritive sweeteners may help with weight loss.” http://www.endocrinologyadvisor.com/aade-2016/aade-nonnutritive-sweeteners-may-be-beneficial/article/516473/

Nasal, Injected Flu Vax in Dead Heat Study does not detect herd immunity associated with live attenuated vaccine

http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/Vaccines/59689?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2016-08-16&eun=g721819d0r&pos=2

Does Prenatal Acetaminophen Use Affect Kids' Behavior? Link between risk of behavioral problems, use of drug

Prenatal exposure to acetaminophen was linked with a subsequent increased risk of behavioral problems in children, even after controlling for multiple confounders, a small cohort from a U.K. study found. Maternal use of acetaminophen especially during the third trimester (32 weeks) was associated with a higher risk of conduct disorders, emotional problems and problems with hyperactivity when children were 7 years old, reported Evie Stergiakouli, PhD, of University of Bristol in the U.K., and colleagues. Notably, these associations remained, even after adjusting for a variety of confounders, including both maternal prenatal and postnatal acetaminophen use, as well as genetic factors -- such as an index of ADHD genetic risk in mothers. Overall, 5% of children had behavioral problems. http://www.medpagetoday.com/OBGYN/Pregnancy/59701?xid=NL_breakingnews_2016-08-16&eun=g721819d0r

Block glucagon for diabetes treatment?

He said appropriate use of glucagon for patients with type 1 diabetes may be in the rescue for hypoglycemic emergencies, use of glucagon inhibition (pramlintide and off-label GLP-1 receptor agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors), and in the bihormonal “bionic” pancreas. Glucagon inhibitory therapy may be suitable for all patients with diabetes, he noted. However, exactly where it will fit in the armamentarium is yet to be determined. Even so, it is hoped that may have the ability to lower diabetes-related morbidity and mortality. For individuals with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, there is an inappropriate hyperglucagonemia, which is partly responsible for genesis of hyperglycemia in these patients, he explained. Glucagon is a pancreatic hormone that counteracts the glucose-lowering action of insulin by stimulating glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. It is a ligand for a specific G-protein linked receptor whose signaling pathway controls cell proliferation and as a medicine, it is different from insulin. Giving a glucagon injection can be intimidating, but it is very important to recognize the symptoms of severe hypoglycemia and be prepared to use glucagon in these emergencies, http://www.endocrinologyadvisor.com/aade-2016/glucagon-for-hypoglycemia-diabetes/article/516180/

Regulating, Maintaining Healthy Sleep Habits May Be Key To Successful Diabetes Management, Research Suggests.

She also noted that sleep matters much more than may be appreciated. Too little (less than 7 hours) or too much (more than 9 hours) are associated with a host of negative health outcomes. Further, insufficient sleep has a profound effect on obesity, energy expenditure, and caloric intake, especially carbohydrate intake, explained Dr Hammond. “The metabolic milieu that is created when adults consistently sleep less than 7 hours per night is highly inflammatory and creates a low-leptin, high-ghrelin, high-cortisol, high-glucose environment that perpetuates insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction,” she said. “Awareness of the importance and long-term positive health implications of adequate sleep among both endocrinologists and the patients they treat is low-hanging fruit in the journey to adequate glycemic control, optimization of chronic medical disease care, and overall wellness.” http://www.endocrinologyadvisor.com/aade-2016/aade-2016-sleep-linked-to-diabetes-outcomes/article/516193/

Adolescent Users Of Performance-Enhancing Drugs Do Not Know A Lot About What They’re Taking, Expert Says.

spoke with pediatric endocrinologist Alan Rogol, MD, PhD, of the University of Virginia School of Medicine, a member of the expert panel convened by the Endocrine Society three years ago to “develop a scientific statement on” performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). In the article, Dr. Rogol observes, “According to data in the Endocrine Society scientific statement, approximately 2% of US high school students report using androgenic anabolic steroids just in the previous 12 months, usually as high school seniors.” Approximately 50% “of these young people take PEDs for athletic purposes, and the rest just because they want to ‘look good.’” According to Dr. Rogol, “PED use is not limited to athletes, and most adolescent users probably do not know a lot about what they are taking.”

Researchers Develop New Method To Assess Specific Populations For Cushing’s Syndrome.

reports on the development “of a new method to assess specific populations for Cushing’s syndrome, based on results from a multicenter study.” That study assessed “at-risk patients for Cushing’s syndrome to create a novel type of scoring system in order to better predict the development of disease.” The findings of the 353-patient study were published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. http://www.medpagetoday.com/endocrinology/generalendocrinology/59688

Excessive Exposure To Light Pollution Takes Toll On Muscle, Bone Strength In Rats.

“Well” blog reported that “excessive exposure to ‘light pollution’ may be worse for health than previously known, taking a toll on muscle and bone strength.” After tracking “the health of rats exposed to six months of continuous light compared to a control group of rats living under normal light-dark conditions – 12 hours of light, followed by 12 hours of dark,” investigators found that “rats exposed to continuous light had less muscle strength and developed signs of early-stage osteoporosis. While earlier research has suggested excessive light exposure could affect cognition, the new research was surprising in that it showed a pronounced effect on muscles and bones. While it’s not clear why constant light exposure took a toll on the motor functions of the animals, it is known that light and dark cues influence a body’s circadian rhythms, which regulate many of the body’s physiological processes. “The study is the first of its kind to show markers of negatively-affected muscle fibers, skeletal systems and motor performances due to the disruption of circadian clocks, remarkably in only a few months,” said Chris Colwell, a psychiatry professor and sleep specialist at the University of California, Los Angeles, who was not part of the study. “They found that not only did motor performance go down on tests, but the muscles themselves just atrophied, and mice physically became weaker under just two months under these conditions.” The good news is the effects of artificial light exposure appear to be reversible. When the study rats returned to their natural light-dark cycle, their health issues returned to normal after two weeks. “We keep the sickest people in our society under constant light conditions,” said Dr. Colwell. The research also may have implications for people exposed to hours of light emitted from video games and computers. Studies have shown the blue wavelength light from screens is more disruptive to the body’s circadian system than the red wavelength light that comes from traditional artificial lights. and Alaska when it is all daylight. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/08/12/light-pollution-may-take-toll-on-muscles-and-bones/

Many Women Not Meeting Requirements For Resistance Training.

“Shots” blog reports that “overall, adults” – particularly women – “do a much better job of meeting the requirements for aerobic activity than both aerobic and strength training.” Now there is evidence that both aerobic and strength training “have many common benefits, such as a lowered risk of type 2 diabetes, says Stuart Phillips, a professor of kinesiology at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario.” Resistance training, however, “seems to alleviate the risk of osteoporosis.” Prevents osteoporosis and age-associated metabolic slow down http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/08/11/488823061/how-weight-training-can-help-women-stay-strong

Accumulating Evidence Links Type Of Gut Microbiome To Both Type 1 And Type 2 Diabetes.

reports on “accumulating evidence linking” the gut microbiome to “both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.” Recently, a study of twins “revealed altered function and composition of the gut microbiome in participants with biomarkers of subclinical type 2 diabetes, suggesting a role for the microbiome prior to disease onset.” In addition, the study authors “found ‘functional changes reflecting a response to oxidative stress comparable to that previously observed in chronic type 2 diabetes and inflammatory bowel diseases.’” A 2013 study published in BMC Medicine revealed “an association between type 1 diabetes and significant alterations in the composition of gut microbiota, which the authors said could be associated with participants’ glycemic levels.” In a paper published in BMC Medicine in 2013, Spanish researchers presented the first study demonstrating an association between type 1 diabetes and significant alterations in the composition of gut microbiota, which the authors said could be associated with participants' glycemic levels.1 “Moreover, the quantity of bacteria essential to maintain gut integrity was significantly lower in the children with diabetes than the healthy children,” they reported. Another 2013 study found similar differences in adult patients with prediabetes and newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes vs those with normal glucose tolerance, and further showed a significant association between microbiota diversity and fasting plasma glucose and C-reactive protein.2 Subsequent studies have begun to shed light on the temporal relationship between diabetes pathogenesis and the microbiome, including a trial comparing veterans with normal glucose tolerance to those with prediabetes. The findings suggest “a role for microbiota in early stages of diabetes development” and that “specific taxa are associated with glycemic stability over time,” according to the paper.3 Additionally, a twin study published in 2016 by researchers at Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Seoul National University in South Korea revealed altered function and composition of the gut microbiome in participants with biomarkers of subclinical type 2 diabetes, suggesting a role for the microbiome prior to disease onset. The authors also found “functional changes reflecting a response to oxidative stress comparable to that previously observed in chronic type 2 diabetes and inflammatory bowel diseases,” they wrote.4 http://www.endocrinologyadvisor.com/diabetes/role-of-the-gut-microbiome-in-diabetes/article/515444/

WOW Populations With Historically Lower-Calcium Diets May Be At Much Lower Risk For Developing Osteoporosis, Study Finds.

“In a study published by Nature that reviewed records from 40 nations worldwide,” investigators “determined that populations with historically lower-calcium diets are at a much lower risk of developing osteoporosis.” Populations that consume dairy products have an expanded diet “with increased calcium and protein intake,” but also exhibit an altered body “homeostasis” as a result, the study indicates. This ecological correlation study explores the marked differential in osteoporosis susceptibility between East and West Africans. African tsetse belt populations are lactase non-persistent (lactose intolerant) and possess none of the genetic polymorphisms carried by lactase persistent (lactose tolerant) ethnic populations. What appears paradoxical, however, is the fact that Niger-Kordofanian (NK) West African ethnicities are also at minimal risk of osteoporosis. Although East Africans share a genetic affinity with NK West Africans, they display susceptibility rates of the bone disorder closer to those found in Europe. Similar to Europeans, they also carry alleles conferring the lactase persistence genetic traits. Hip fracture rates of African populations are juxtaposed with a global model to determine whether it is the unique ecology of the tsetse-infested zone or other variables that may be at work. This project uses MINITAB 17 software for regression analyses. The research data are found on AJOL (African Journals Online), PUBMED and JSTOR (Scholarly Journal Archive). Data showing the risk of osteoporosis to be 80 times higher among East Africans with higher levels of lactase persistence than lactase non-persistence West Africans are compared with global statistics. Hip fracture rates in 40 countries exhibit a high Pearson’s correlation of r=0.851, with P-value=0.000 in relation to dairy consumption. Lower correlations are seen for hip fracture incidence vis-à-vis lactase persistence, per capita income and animal protein consumption. Ethnic populations who lack lactase persistence single-nucleotide polymorphisms may be at low risk of developing osteoporosis. http://www.hcplive.com/medical-news/osteoporosis-risk-vastly-impacted-by-historical-access-to-dairy

Administration To Remove Roadblock To Marijuana Research.

In a front-page story, the New York Times (8/10, A1, Louis, Apuzzo, Subscription Publication) reports that officials said Wednesday that the Administration “is planning to remove a major roadblock to marijuana research,” a move that could prompt “broad scientific study of a drug that is being used to treat dozens of diseases in states across the nation despite little rigorous evidence of its effectiveness,” and “sharply increase the supply of marijuana available to researchers.” While the University of Mississippi has for years “been the only institution authorized to grow the drug for use in medical studies,” the DEA will soon “allow other universities to apply to grow marijuana, three government officials said.” The Times casts the move as a further relaxation of “the nation’s stance on marijuana” by the Administration. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/11/science/obama-administration-set-to-remove-barrier-to-marijuana-research.html?_r=0

Time-Delayed Eating May Lead To Lower-Calorie Meals, Study Finds.

reports research at Carnegie Mellon University published in the journal American Marketing Association “found that when there was a significant delay between the time a person ordered their food and the time they planned on eating it, they chose lower-calorie meals.” Researchers pointed out that participants were not consciously aware of their choice to order less food.” Lead researcher and current post-doctoral student at the University of Pennsylvania Center for Health Incentives and Behavioral Economics Eric M. VanEpps explained, “you’re more evenly weighing the short-term and the long-term costs and benefits...You still care about the taste but you’re more able to exert self control. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/08/09/time-delayed-eating-leads-to-better-food-choices/?_r=0

Researchers Testing Whether Microbes Can Be Used To Treat Chronic Disease.

examines how microbes that were once deadly to animals have adapted to become symbiotic, in light of research “testing whether microbes (especially bacteria) have the potential to treat asthma, allergies, obesity and a range of hard-to-treat infections.” The piece also discusses the chance that beneficial microbial partners in human biomes are becoming more scarce and the evidence of fecal transplants for treating human illnesses. http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/08/09/489171611/how-the-microbes-inside-us-went-from-enemies-to-purported-superhealers

Cancer Survival Worse in RA Patients Survival was more than 2 years shorter in breast, prostate cancers

WHY? "For instance, patients with RA may be less likely to receive certain therapies such as radiotherapy because of fear of complications or may discontinue therapy early. Likewise, the effect of immunomodulatory agents used in the treatment of RA could also interfere with tumor immunity and possibly result in worse outcomes," they wrote. http://www.medpagetoday.com/Rheumatology/Arthritis/59588?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2016-08-10&eun=g721819d0r&pos=0

Flu Shot Drops Cardiovascular Risk in Type 2 Diabetes Vaccine also lowered all-cause mortality risk

compared with unvaccinated adults with type 2 diabetes, those who got the influenza vaccine were 30% less likely to be hospitalized for stroke (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.70; 95% CI 0.53 to 0.91) and 22% less likely to be hospitalized for heart failure (IRR 0.78; 95% CI 0.65 to 0.92), reported a research team led by Eszter Vamos, MD, PhD, of the Imperial College London. "Influenza infection may accelerate acute thrombotic vascular events, particularly in patients with ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease." Vaccinated adults with type 2 diabetes were also 15% less likely to be hospitalized for pneumonia or influenza (IRR 0.85; 95% CI 0.74 to 0.99) and 24% less likely to die from any cause (IRR 0.76; 95% CI 0.65 to 0.83), Vamos and colleagues reported in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. http://www.medpagetoday.com/clinical-context/Diabetes/59346?xid=nl_mpt_Weekly_Education_2016-08-10&eun=g5883165d1r

Green Olympics: Algae turns Rio pool a strange color

Officials said that the water was tested and posed no risks to athletes. Rio spokesman Mario Andrada said the green was caused "by a proliferation of algae." "This was because of heat and a lack of wind," he said. "We did all the chemical tests.” http://www.foxnews.com/science/2016/08/10/green-olympics-algae-turns-rio-pool-strange-color.html

Locally transmitted Zika cases confirmed in Florida

Florida officials have concluded that four people in the state with Zika likely contracted the virus from local mosquitoes, the first transmission of the disease in the continental U.S. Florida Gov. Rick Scott made the announcement during a press conference Friday. "We learned today that four people in our state likely have the Zika virus as a result of a mosquito bite," he said. "All four of these people live in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, and the Florida Department of Health believes that active transmissions of this virus could be occurring in one small area in Miami." http://www.chron.com/news/medical/article/Locally-transmitted-Zika-cases-confirmed-in-8627292.php

Harris County confirms first Zika-related baby death in Texas

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Baby-with-Zika-related-defects-9129942.php

CDC: U.S. Birth Rate Dips Percentage of c-sections falling, preterm births rising

http://www.medpagetoday.com/OBGYN/Pregnancy/59585?xid=NL_breakingnews_2016-08-09&eun=g721819d0r

Resistance Exercise like weight lifting, Lifts Fatigue in Fibromyalgia Female patients benefit from being involved in treatment planning

Recruited through newspaper ads, the 130 patients were randomized to a resistance training group or an active control group receiving relaxation therapy. Those in the intervention arm worked out twice a week for 15 weeks in physiotherapy clinics, doing 50 minutes of resistance exercise targeting large muscle groups in the trunk and all four extremities. Initiated at 40% of one repetition maximum, training progressed to as much as 80% of one repetition maximum over 15 weeks. In other findings, the resistance exercise group improved in the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire for fatigue from baseline to post-treatment assessment, with a mean difference of –8.6 (P=0.002). The resistance exercise group also improved in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) subscale for sleep quality, with a mean difference of –0.2 (P=0.047). Active controls, however, showed PSQI subscale improvement in sleep medication needs, with a mean difference of 0.3 (P=0.036). Sleep efficiency was the strongest predictor of change in the MFI-20 subscale for general fatigue (beta = -0.54, P=0.031, R2=0.05). Poorer sleep efficiency at baseline predicted improvement in general fatigue. http://www.medpagetoday.com/Rheumatology/Fibromyalgia/59577?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2016-08-09&eun=g721819d0r&pos=0

Specific Neural Circuits Linked To Binge Eating Behavior In Mice, Study Suggests.

eports researchers have “identified neural circuits in the brain’s pleasure center that can inhibit binge-like behavior in mice,” according to a new study published in Biological Psychiatry. The researchers suggest that a serotonin 2C agonist drug, could be used to treat the disorder by activating certain neurons to inhibit binge eating. GIVE IT TO ME PLEASE Binge eating IS in the brain: Study confirms food addicts have a 'numbed' pleasure center - and stimulating certain neurons could stop overeating New study has mapped out what happens in brain of binge eaters Previous research suggested brain's pleasure center was numbed Now scientists at Baylor College of Medicine have confirmed that And they claim an FDA-approved drug could combat the disorder Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3729578/Binge-eating-brain-Study-confirms-food-addicts-numbed-pleasure-center-stimulating-certain-neurons-stop-overeating.html#ixzz4GqTJJGzR Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3729578/Binge-eating-brain-Study-confirms-food-addicts-numbed-pleasure-center-stimulating-certain-neurons-stop-overeating.html Previous studies have theorized that people who binge eat have irregular levels of dopamine in their brains. Dopamine is a molecule that stimulates pleasure in the brain. It was once referred to by clinical psychologist Vaughan Bell as the 'Kim Kardashian of molecules'. When hunger strikes for healthy people who do not binge, the brain generates positive memories of food, to produce cravings. Our brains are programmed to seek out things that aid our survival - such as eating, sleeping, and drinking. When we get food, the brain rewards us by releasing chemicals into the pleasure center - such as dopamines. Once we have eaten enough, the brain stops flooding the pleasure center with dopamines. The idea is that people who binge eat have built up a tolerance; a healthy amount of food will not be enough to stimulate pleasure. Studying their brain function, they identified a neural circuit where a group of serotonin neurons project to and activate dopamine neurons. They showed that activation of this circuit can inhibit binge-like eating behavior in mice. There are 14 potential receptors that control the complex effects of serotonin in the body. Xu and colleagues identified a specific receptor that is important in binge-like eating behavior. They determined that the serotonin 2C receptor, which is expressed by dopamine neurons, is important in suppressing binge eating. Xu noted that an FDA-approved drug, a serotonin 2C agonist, is currently being used as a treatment for overweight and obese adults and could potentially be repurposed to suppress binge eating in adults. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3729578/Binge-eating-brain-Study-confirms-food-addicts-numbed-pleasure-center-stimulating-certain-neurons-stop-overeating.html#ixzz4GqUTZPuo Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Taking Sleeping Medications May Double Bone Fracture Chances, Researchers Find.

reported that taking sleeping medications may “double the chances of breaking a bone, with elderly people most in danger,” research suggests. The findings were published in Age and Aging. The study revealed that both Z-hypnotic medicines “and melatonin were associated with fracture risk and are no safer than benzodiazepines (diazepam).” The brand names for these drugs in the UK are Stilnoct, Zimovane and Sonata and annual prescriptions total around five million. Last year, Finnish scientists found taking sleeping tablets at least twice a week trebled the risk of lung cancer. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3726039/Sleeping-pills-taken-millions-Brits-help-nod-double-risk-breaking-bone.html#ixzz4GkeRQHO5 Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3726039/Sleeping-pills-taken-millions-Brits-help-nod-double-risk-breaking-bone.html

Anti-Inflammatory Drugs May Aid Conception In Older Women, Mouse Study Indicates

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/08/05/anti-inflammatory-drugs-could-help-older-women-become-pregnant-s/

Breath Test for Lung Cancer: Research Makes Headway Exhaled breath analysis may offer 'user-friendly' method for diagnosis, screening

http://www.medpagetoday.com/reading-room/asco/59550?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2016-08-08&eun=g721819d0r&pos=11

Amish Farmers May Reap Immune System Benefit A farmer's life may be a healthier life

http://www.medpagetoday.com/AllergyImmunology/Asthma/59504?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2016-08-06&eun=g721819d0r&pos=11

Brains Of Overweight People Appear “10 Years Older” Than Those Of Leaner Peers, Scan Study Indicates.

“The brains of overweight people look ‘10 years older’ than those of leaner peers,” research published online in Neurobiology of Aging suggests. Researchers arrived at this conclusion after using magnetic resonance imaging to examine “the brains of 473 people aged between 20 and 87, dividing” participants “into lean and overweight categories.” .reports, “The difference” between the two groups, “scientists say, corresponds to a greater shrinkage in the volume of white matter.” The cause for that is unknown, however. It could be due “to genes causing both brain-shrinking and obesity, or it could be that changes occurring in the brain lead to overeating. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/aug/04/brains-of-overweight-people-look-ten-years-older-than-those-of-lean-peers

Vitamin D Levels May Fall After Women Stop Using Oral Contraceptives Or Other Contraceptives With Estrogen.

reports that levels of vitamin D may fall after women cease using oral contraceptives “or other contraceptives with estrogen, researchers report” in a study published online in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Study first author Quaker Harmon, MD, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, said in an Endocrine Society news release, “For women who are planning to stop using birth control, it is worth taking steps to ensure that vitamin D levels are adequate while trying to conceive and during pregnancy.” https://consumer.healthday.com/women-s-health-information-34/birth-control-news-62/briefs-emb-8-4-1pmet-birth-control-pills-vitamin-d-jcem-release-batch-2802-713517.html

Strenuous Workouts May Alleviate Or Lessen Intensity Of Hot Flashes, Studies Find.

Endurance exercise, after all, improves the body’s ability to regulate temperature, the scientists knew. Athletes, especially those in strenuous sports like distance running and cycling, start to sweat at a lower body temperature than out-of-shape people. Athletes’ blood vessels also carry more blood to the skin surface to release unwanted heat, even when they aren’t exercising. If exercise had a similar effect on older, out-of-shape women’s internal thermostats, the scientists speculated, it might also lessen the number or the intensity of their hot flashes. Previous studies examining exercise as a treatment for hot flashes had shown mixed results, the scientists knew. However, many of those experiments had been short term and involved walking or similarly light exercise, which might be too gentle to cause the physiological changes needed to reduce hot flashes. The sessions, all of them supervised by trainers, at first consisted of 30 minutes of moderate jogging or bicycling three times a week. Gradually, the workouts became longer and more intense, until by the end of four months the women were jogging or pedaling four or five times per week for 45 minutes at a pace that definitely caused them to pant and sweat. They also, in the last of those 16 weeks, kept another diary of their hot flashes. Probably best of all from the standpoint of the volunteers who had exercised, they turned out to have experienced far fewer hot flashes near the end of the experiment, according to their diaries, with the average frequency declining by more than 60 percent. Precisely how exercise might change a women’s susceptibility to hot flashes is still not completely clear, although the researchers noted that the women who exercised developed better blood flow to the surface of their skin and to their brains during heat stress. That heightened blood flow most likely aided the operations of portions of the brain that regulate body temperature, Dr. Jones said. The cautionary subtext of this study, though, is that to be effective against hot flashes, exercise probably needs to be sustained and somewhat strenuous, she said. “A leisurely walk for 30 minutes once a week is not going to have the required impact.” http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2016/08/03/exercise-may-ease-hot-flashes-provided-its-vigorous/?_r=0

Six confirmed cases of shigellosis possibly linked to Deer Creek State Park

PICKAWAY CO, OH (WCMH) – Health investigators are working to figure out how six people in Pickaway county became sick and tested positive for Shigellosis bacteria. Health officials say Shigellosis or shigella, is a bacterial infection. A lot of people claim to have never heard of the infection, but officials say it’s easy to spread and fairly common. “It causes diarrhea. Individuals who have it might have some stomach cramps and usually the person gets dehydrated,” said Dr. Mysheika Roberts. http://nbc4i.com/2016/07/28/infectious-disease-cases-may-be-linked-to-ohio-state-park/

Americans Are About 15 Pounds Heavier Than They Were 20 Years Ago, Study Says.

says a report published Wednesday by the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics found that US men and women “weigh about 15 pounds more than they did 20 years ago.” According to the report, the average 5’9” man now weighs 195.7 pounds and the average 5’4” woman weighs 168.5 pounds. Time noted “men and women’s heights were about the same two decades ago.” The study also found that average 11-year-old boys and girls now weigh about 13 and 7 pounds more, respectively, in comparison to 1988-94, Boys have grew about an inch on average since then, while girls this age have remained the same height. http://time.com/4435152/obesity-overweight-height-americans/

Staph Nasal Carriage: A Link With Lupus? The skin microbiome now implicated in disease pathogenesis

"It should be considered that glucocorticoid treatment could determine skin abnormalities. In particular, permeability barrier homeostasis and stratum corneum integrity and cohesion could be modified by glucocorticoid treatment," the researchers explained. They also offered potential explanations for why carriage of S. aureus might contribute to lupus pathogenesis, stating that its presence "seems to induce an inflammatory response by exposing staphylococcal superantigen, molecular mimicry, causing increased toll-like receptor signaling in leukocytes, and inducing neutrophil extracellular traps." Carriage also could lead to T-cell activation, they suggested. "Data from the literature demonstrated that staphylococcal enterotoxins could bind directly the major histocompatibility complex class II of antigen-presenting cells. The presentation to T cells leads to massive nonspecific activation of the immune system, by stimulating around 20% of the naive T-cell population." The commensal S. aureus can be found intermittently in the anterior nares in approximately one-third of the population. Its presence has been associated with atopic dermatitis, and studies have considered a possible association with other skin disorders such as acne vulgaris and rosacea. In addition, a study in patients with rheumatoid arthritis found carriage rates of 50% compared with 33% in controls, and another study found an association between carriage and disease development and relapse in granulomatosis with polyangiitis. http://www.medpagetoday.com/Rheumatology/Lupus/59487?xid=NL_breakingnews_2016-08-03&eun=g721819d0r

Diet In Lean Proteins Reduces Risk Of Dying Compared To Diet High In Red Meats, Dairy, Eggs, Study Finds.

reports a new study by researchers at Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston published in JAMA Internal Medicine tracking over 130,000 nurses and health professionals over several decades found that eating a diet in lean proteins reduces a person’s risk of dying compared to a diet high in red meats, eggs, and dairy. Factoring in lifestyle factors such as physical inactivity, obesity, smoking, and drinking, the study estimated that “each 3 percent increase in calories from plant protein was associated with a 10 percent lower risk of death during the study period.” However, researchers concluded that “animal protein...didn’t appear linked to higher mortality for people with a healthy lifestyle.” Moreover, for those people, eating extra plant protein did not correlate to a longer life. Dr. Mingyang Song from Massachusetts General Hospital and his colleagues analyzed data from two large ongoing studies: the Nurses Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, which involve more than 170,000 people who have been followed for an average of 28 years. Based on what the people reported they ate, Song and his team calculated the amount of protein they were receiving from animal and plant source and found that people who consumed more plant proteins had a lower risk of dying during the study than people who ate more animal proteins. In addition, the group found that the type of protein also matters. People who ate mostly a certain type of animal protein—from fish and chicken—had a lower mortality rate than those who ate more red and processed meat. In fact, while their death rates were still slightly higher than those who ate mostly plant proteins, they still were closer to the rates of plant-eaters than those who ate more red meat. http://time.com/4431562/animal-protein/

Ten New Local Cases Of Zika In South Florida Prompt Travel Advisory. 1st domestic travel ban in CDC's 70 year history

reports that Florida health officials on Monday “said there are 10 more people who have been infected with the Zika virus who likely contracted it from local mosquitoes, bringing the total number of such cases in the state to 14.” So far, all of the local Zika cases “have surfaced in a densely populated community north of downtown Miami.” CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden “said the agency issued the travel warning because of the additional Zika infections that were identified in the last 48 hours, and because of new information that indicates mosquito control efforts are not working as well as officials would have liked.” According to Dr. Frieden, mosquitoes may have either developed a resistance to the insecticides or were laying eggs in “cryptic breeding places” not easily accessible to mosquito control. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2016/08/01/florida-announces-10-new-zika-cases-a-travel-advisory-is-expected/

Zika RNA Detectable in Pregnant Women After 2 Weeks Pregnancy may prolong ability to detect virus

With these new cases, there have now been a total of eight pregnant women with evidence of Zika virus detected in their blood for a prolonged exposure. These data seem to confirm animal studies that have discovered similar results when comparing pregnant subjects compared to non-pregnant subjects. Meaney-Delman and colleagues noted that other infectious diseases associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as hepatitis E, follow similar patterns. "Delayed immune clearance of viruses from the maternal circulation may reflect altered immunity during pregnancy," they wrote. "Alternately, fetal infection and ongoing viral replication in the fetus or placenta might result in the transfer of viral genetic material into the maternal circulation." Further research is needed in a larger population of women to determine whether or not pregnancy status impacts how long Zika virus RNA stays in a patient's blood. If confirmed, the CDC has the potential to expand their real-time RT-PCR assay, the Tripolex test -- which detects Zika virus RNA in serum and cerebrospinal fluid, and can be used for urine and amniotic fluid, as well. This test also rules out similar flaviviruses, dengue and chikungunya. http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/GeneralInfectiousDisease/59459?xid=NL_breakingnews_2016-08-02&eun=g721819d0r

Health Officials Confirm First Cases Of Zika In Continental US Caused By Local Transmission.

reported that Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) confirmed on Friday that four recent Zika infections in the state were caused by mosquitoes infected with the virus, not by travel to a Zika-affected area or through sexual transmission. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Tom Frieden, “These are the first cases of locally transmitted Zika virus in the continental United States. As we have anticipated, Zika is now here.” Frieden added that the CDC did not “expect widespread transmission in the continental United States,” but said that if people continued to become infected despite mosquito control effects, “this would be concerning and warrant further advice and action.” reported that Dr. Frieden said “there may well be more cases that we’re not aware of right now because most people infected with Zika don’t have symptoms.” CDC spokesperson Tom Skinner said the CDC is “scrambling to come up with money” to help equip states to prepare for Zika outbreaks. According to CDC spokesperson Benjamin Hayes, Florida currently has approximately $12 million in its own funds and funding from the CDC to combat the spread of Zika. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-29/florida-says-zika-cases-likely-transmitted-locally-in-u-s-first