US Military Has Contaminated Thousands Of Sites With Weapons Testing, Investigation Finds.

roPublica (12/28, Chakraborty, Lustgarten) reports that the Pentagon has cataloged more than 40,000 sites in the US contaminated by the testing and disposal of the nation’s weapons, and it has already spent $40 billion in clean-up. The testing and disposal of weapons have “poisoned drinking water supplies, rendered millions of acres of land unsafe or unusable, and jeopardized the health of often unwitting Americans.” The article says that the “total amount of land contaminated by the military is larger than the state of Florida,” and some plots have been “returned to public use – for parks, housing and schools – in some instances without thorough cleanups.” https://www.propublica.org/article/military-pollution-rdx-war-at-home

Retail Chain Recalls Some Makeup Products Due To Reports Of Cancer-Producing Asbestos.

According to CBS affiliate WPRI, a Rhode Island mother, who also works at a law firm specializing in asbestos litigation, decided to have the glittery makeup she purchased for her daughter tested at” a laboratory. That mother “claims the makeup came back positive for asbestos, which has been linked to lung cancer, mesothelioma and other types of cancer.” https://www.cbsnews.com/news/claires-pulls-makeup-for-kids-asbestos-concerns/

Few US Schools Use Evidence-Based Programs To Reduce Obesity, CDC Paper Says.

reports very few public schools in the US “are implementing evidence-based programs to combat obesity despite the substantial amount of research that’s gone into developing them, according to a paper published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” The paper also found that some schools exacerbate unhealthy behaviors with “Biggest Loser” contests and other programs. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/28/cdc-paper-few-schools-use-proven-programs-combat-o/

Seattle To Implement New Sugary Beverage Tax On New Year’s Day.

reports Seattle, Washington’s tax on sugary drinks – a levy of 1.75 cents per fluid ounce the city enacted in June – will go into effect on New Year’s Day. Products such as diet beverages and “sweetened products from certified manufacturers with annual worldwide gross revenue of $2 million or less” have been exempted from the tax. While supporters assert the tax will reduce consumption of beverages with little nutritional value and which have been associated with obesity, opponents, including business and labor groups, argue it would adversely impact small businesses and employment. https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/12/27/seattles-new-tax-sugary-drinks-kicks-new-years-day/984673001/

NIH, Population Council Sponsor Clinical Trials Of Male Contraception Gel.

National Institutes of Health and the Population Council are sponsoring “the largest-to-date clinical trial on a hormonal male contraception gel” set to start next year, with non-single participants in six countries taking part. The key ingredient in the gel, which is rubbed onto the “upper arms and shoulders once a day,” is “a synthetic progestin called nestorone – which blocks the testes from making enough testosterone to produce sperm – and a synthetic testosterone, which will counteract subsequent hormonal imbalances.” After the first clinical trials, however, “it will likely be at least five years before it is approved by the Food and Drug Administration and becomes available to the public.” http://time.com/5077942/male-contraceptive-hormonal-gel/

Nutrition Researchers In Developing World Face Dilemma Of Whether To Collaborate With Big Food Industry.

reported that nutrition researchers in Malaysia, which is now “the fattest country in Asia, with nearly half the adult population now overweight or obese,” face the problem of a peer-review system in which multinational food corporations like Pepsi or Kellogg’s participate. This leads to the publication of studies such as the “one that concluded that children who drank malted breakfast beverages – a category dominated in Malaysia by Milo, a sugary powder drink made by Nestlé – were more likely to be physically active and spend less time in front of a computer or television.” The Times said that while the problem of industry influence on scientific research also exists in the West, in the developing world “government research funding is scarce and there is less resistance to the practice.” https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/23/health/obesity-malaysia-nestle.html

Early Puberty In Girls May Be Associated With Increased Likelihood For Depression, Behavior Problems Lasting Into Adulthood,

“Girls who go through puberty early could be more likely to experience depression and behavior problems that last into their 20s compared to peers who start menstruation later,” researchers concluded after studying data on some “7,800 women who had their first menstrual cycle at an average age of 12.” Investigators interviewed participants “four times, starting around age 16 and continuing until about age 28.” The study revealed that “the younger the age at the first period, the stronger the association between early puberty and mental health problems. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-puberty-women-depression/girls-early-puberty-tied-to-depression-behavior-problems-into-adulthood-idUSKBN1EK15W

Vitamin D, Calcium Supplements May Not Reduce Risk Of Bone Fractures, Review Suggests.

reports researchers found that people over the age of 50 who take vitamin D and calcium supplements may not reduce their risk of fractures “regardless of dose, the gender of the patient, history of fractures or the amount of calcium in the diet.” Researchers analyzed “33 randomized clinical trials involving more than 50,000 adults over the age of 50.” The article points out that the US Preventive Services Task Force has questioned the benefits of taking vitamin D and calcium supplements “since 2013 when it issued recommendations saying evidence to support the benefit of the supplements in older adults without osteoporosis or vitamin D deficiency was ‘insufficient.’” https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2017/12/26/calcium-and-vitamin-d-supplements-may-not-protect-against-bone-fractures-in-elderly/

Is North Korea Building Missiles Armed with Anthrax?

https://scout.com/military/warrior/Article/North-Korea-Building-Missiles-Armed-with-Anthrax-That-Can-Hit-America-112628161

When Incomes Rise, Women’s Average Weight Tends To Drop

reports that “as paychecks get bigger, women’s average weight tends to drop,” CDC researchers found. That is not the case with men, however. The study, which was “based on 2014 data,” revealed that “obesity prevalence was lower in the highest income group among women, but this was not the case among men.” The findings were published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. https://consumer.healthday.com/vitamins-and-nutrition-information-27/misc-weight-news-704/as-income-rises-women-get-slimmer-but-not-men-729612.html

Flu shot effectiveness in question as worse-than-normal season looms for US

https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/flu-shot-effectiveness-in-question-as-worse-than-normal-season-looms-for-us/70003602

Daily Serving of Leafy Greens May Boost Brain Health Lutein, folate, and other nutrients seem to slow cognitive decline

https://www.medpagetoday.com/primarycare/dietnutrition/70040?xid=NL_breakingnews_2017-12-21&eun=g721819d0r&pop=0&ba=1&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MorningBreak_122117&utm_term=Morning%20Break%20-%20Active%20Users%20-%20180%20days

t People Who Have Larger Social Networks May Have A Decreased Risk For T2D,

“In a study of nearly 3,000 middle-aged to elderly people in the Netherlands,” investigators “found that people who had social networks of 10 to 12 people were less likely to develop type 2 diabetes [T2D] than people with only seven to eight close friends.” Specifically, “each drop in a social network member was tied to a 5 percent to 12 percent higher risk of diabetes,” the study revealed. The findings were published online in BMC Public Health. https://consumer.healthday.com/diabetes-information-10/misc-diabetes-news-181/friendships-may-be-your-defense-against-diabetes-729508.html

FDA To Increase Regulation Of Homeopathic Remedies.

reports that on Monday, the FDA “issued a new proposal for regulating homeopathic medicines that have long been on the fringe of mainstream medicine.” The agency intends “to target products that pose the biggest safety risks, including those marketed for children or for serious diseases,” although “under the government’s framework, the vast majority of low-risk products would remain on the market.” Commenting on the matter, FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb said, “We respect that some individuals want to use alternative treatments, but the FDA has a responsibility to protect the public from products that may not deliver any benefit and have the potential to cause harm.” https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/fda-crack-down-snake-oil-homeopathy-n830756

Women With Sleep Disorders Other Than Sleep Apnea May Be More Likely To Experience Infertility,

reported that research suggests “women with sleep disorders other than sleep apnea may be more than three times as likely to experience infertility as their counterparts who don’t have trouble sleeping.” Investigators also found that “when insomnia was to blame for women’s sleeping difficulties, they were more than four times as likely as peers who slept well to experience infertility.” The findings were published online in the journal Sleep. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-fertility-sleep-disorders/sleep-problems-tied-to-female-infertility-idUSKBN1E92XO

FDA Pushes For Development Of Generic Insulin.

reported that on Friday, Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb announced the FDA “will add insulin, a life-saving drug used by millions of diabetics, to its campaign to add generic competitors to brand-name products the agency believes are part of the US’s medical cost problem.” In a statement, Gottlieb said, “It’s important that we provide tools and resources to help companies to identify products on the market that lack competition.” https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-12-15/fda-targets-insulin-for-increased-competition-to-lower-prices

Not Quite a Fever, But Still A Mortality Risk Marker? Observational data make the case in apparently healthy population

The reference temperature of 98.6°F (37°C) inadequately describes the variation in normal body temperatures, an observational study found. After controlling for factors like age and race, every unexplained 0.149°C increase in body temperature was linked to 8.4% relative greater odds of mortality within the year, or an absolute increase of 0.52% (P=0.014) among patients seen at outpatient clinics of a large academic hospital in 2009-2014 (n=35,488). The average temperature of this study group made up of individuals who were expected to have normal body temperatures, having neither a diagnosis for an infection nor a prescription for antibiotics at the time, was actually 97.9°F (90% https://www.medpagetoday.com/primarycare/generalprimarycare/69906?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2017-12-15&eun=g721819d0r&pop=0&ba=1&pos=3&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Headlines%202017-12-15&utm_term=Daily%20Headlines%20-%20Active%20User%20-%20180%20days

Women Who Have High Glucose Levels Early In Pregnancy More Likely To Have Babies With Heart Defects

) reports a recent study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found pregnant women who have high glucose levels early in pregnancy have a higher risk of having a baby with heart defects, “even if they do not have full-blown diabetes.” In studying data on more than 19,000 mothers, “of whom 811 gave birth to babies with congenital heart disease,” researchers “found that for each 10 milligrams per deciliter increase in plasma glucose, there was an 8 percent increase in the risk for giving birth to a baby with heart defects.” https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/15/well/family/high-glucose-levels-in-pregnancy-tied-to-heart-defects-in-babies.html

Diabetes Rate Among US Veterans More Than Double Than Diabetes Rate In Overall US Population,

“More than 20% of US veterans have diabetes and 3.4% have undiagnosed diabetes, a combined figure that is more than double the diabetes rate in the overall US population,” researchers concluded after analyzing “five cycles of US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data conducted between 2005 and 2014.” The findings were published in the CDC’s Preventing Chronic Disease journal. https://www.healio.com/endocrinology/diabetes/news/in-the-journals/%7B8b380efc-a265-455b-bbe3-3ec13918c412%7D/nhanes-nearly-25-of-us-veterans-have-diabetes

More People Around The World Die From Seasonal Influenza Than Previously Believed.

reports, “As many as 646,000 people are dying globally from seasonal influenza each year, US health officials” with the CDC “said on Wednesday.” Those officials estimated that “global death rates from seasonal influenza are likely between 291,000 and 646,000 people each year, depending on the severity of the circulating flu strain.” This is an increase from the “prior estimate range of 250,000 to 500,000 deaths,” according to findings published in The Lancet. Reuters adds that National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease Director Dr. Anthony Fauci “and other experts have long called for investment in the development of a universal flu vaccine that would protect against both seasonal and pandemic flu.” https://www.reuters.com/article/us-influenza-estimates/seasonal-flu-kills-more-globally-than-previously-thought-u-s-study-idUSKBN1E801T PBS NewsHour (12/13, Santhanam) reports that in arriving at the study’s conclusions, CDC researchers “analyzed the WHO’s Global Health Estimate data from 1999 to 2015, including statistics from 33 countries that represent more than half of global population.” Next, they “used computer modeling to develop estimates for flu-linked deaths, excluding pandemics, in 185 countries.” According to TIME (12/13, Ducharme), “the researchers also noted in the study that their estimates likely do not capture all” deaths related to influenza. Specifically, the study honed in “on flu-related respiratory illnesses, but influenza can also worsen chronic conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, or cause other serious complications, including encephalitis and organ failure.”

Children Born To Mothers With RA May Have An Increased Risk For Chronic Diseases,

“Children born to mothers with rheumatoid arthritis [RA] have an increased risk for chronic diseases, including thyroid disease, epilepsy and rheumatoid arthritis, during childhood and adolescence,” researchers found after analyzing data on “2,106 children born by women with RA, and 1,378,539 children born by women without RA.” The findings were published online in Arthritis Care & Research. https://www.healio.com/rheumatology/rheumatoid-arthritis/news/online/%7B650990fe-16b7-4f1b-82e4-948d5b3ce4cb%7D/maternal-ra-linked-to-thyroid-disease-epilepsy-in-children

States Ranked In Terms Of Health By United Health Foundation.

reports the United Health Foundation released America’s Health Rankings, which ranks the states in terms of health. According to the report, the five healthiest states are Massachusetts, Hawaii, Vermont, Utah and Connecticut, while the five least healthy states are West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. STAT (12/12, Thielking) reports the rankings are based “on 35 factors that impact health, from vaccination levels and infant mortality rates to environmental pollution and poverty levels.” http://www.cnn.com/2017/12/12/health/2017-health-disparities-report/index.html

Postmenopausal Women Should Not Use Hormone Therapy To Prevent Chronic Medical Conditions, USPSTF Says.

reports the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), a government-backed panel of experts, has concluded that “postmenopausal women should not use hormone therapy to prevent chronic medical conditions, because the risk of significant side effects outweighs the unclear evidence of a benefit.” The experts recommend, instead of hormone therapy, “a healthy diet and physical activity for the prevention of cardiovascular disease; daily low-dose aspirin to decrease the risk of colon cancer and cardiovascular disease in certain women; and medications like tamoxifen and raloxifene to decrease the risk of breast cancer in certain high-risk women.” The recommendation statement and a separate report documenting the evidence supporting the recommendations were published online in the Journal of the American Medical Association. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-menopause-hormones/older-women-should-not-take-hormones-to-prevent-chronic-diseases-idUSKBN1E62US

Living Near a Gym Tied to Smaller Waistline And the reverse: residing near fast-food joints linked to greater adiposity

https://www.medpagetoday.com/endocrinology/obesity/69854?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2017-12-13&eun=g721819d0r&pop=0&ba=1&pos=4&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Headlines%202017-12-13&utm_term=Daily%20Headlines%20-%20Active%20User%20-%20180%20days

WHO: Progress Against Malaria Hits Roadblocks

the battle against malaria has ground to a halt as a result of flat financing, complacency, and political upheaval in some of the hardest-hit countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports. https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/generalinfectiousdisease/69523?xid=nl_mpt_special_reports_2017-12-12%20&uun=g721819d0r5883165u

Weight-Loss Medications, Bariatric Surgery Rated By Physicians As Less Effective Relative To Lifestyle Modification,

, “Primary care physicians [PCPs] and obesity medicine specialists rated behavioral factors as a greater cause of weight gain vs. biological factors, and rated weight-loss medications and bariatric surgery as less effective relative to lifestyle modification,” researchers concluded after examining “data gathered from questionnaires administered at CME courses and two consecutive years of an obesity medicine course.” The data also revealed that “physicians who practice obesity medicine gave higher effectiveness ratings for medications and bariatric surgery relative to PCPs.” The findings were published online in Obesity Science & Practice. https://www.healio.com/endocrinology/obesity/news/in-the-journals/%7B8d4d1421-9ff4-49b7-91e4-d91b352fe469%7D/survey-physicians-rate-weight-loss-medications-surgery-less-effective-than-lifestyle-in-obesity-management

Many Americans Believe Bariatric Surgery Is Dangerous, Ineffective, Despite Evidence To The Contrary.

that while “the medical case for bariatric surgery has grown much stronger in recent years,” with “high-quality studies on the long-term health outcomes of people with obesity who got surgery” indicating “on average, that they’re able to lose dramatic amounts of weight, and even reverse their obesity-related health conditions.” However, “out of the 20 million people who are eligible in the US, fewer than one percent get bariatric surgery for weight loss, according to the Obesity Society.” According to Vox, “polling data” indicate “that many Americans still think it’s dangerous and ineffective.” https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/12/7/16587316/bariatric-surgery-weight-loss-lap-band

Studies Find No Survival Advantage In “Obesity Paradox.”

“The ‘obesity paradox,’ a survival advantage in obese patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) reported by some studies, disappeared when investigators took a closer look at it” in research published in PLOS One. When investigators “focused on only incident CVD cases in a large nationally representative cohort” that included “more than 30,000 people in the Health and Retirement Study,” then “used patients’ pre-diagnosis weight, there was no longer any survival advantage, suggesting that previous studies suffered from bias and confounding.” https://www.medpagetoday.com/endocrinology/obesity/69722

AES Poster Rounds: Making the Ketogenic Diet Easier Top picks from the American Epilepsy Society meeting

https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/aesposterrounds/69724?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2017-12-08&eun=g721819d0r&pop=0&ba=1&pos=2&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Headlines%202017-12-08&utm_term=Daily%20Headlines%20-%20Active%20User%20-%20180%20days

Long-Term Benefits Of Bariatric Surgery May Persist For Years

reports, “Long-term benefits of bariatric surgery persisted for years,” researchers found. The findings of the 2,348-patient study were published online in JAMA Surgery. The authors of an accompanying commentary “stated that the researchers ‘must be commended for their meticulous and valuable work that underscores the benefits of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and adjustable gastric banding in terms of weight loss and adiposity based chronic diseases.’” According to MedPage Today, “the study was a cooperative agreement funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.” https://www.medpagetoday.com/endocrinology/obesity/69693

Hormonal Contraceptives May Increase Breast Cancer Risk.

reported on a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine finding that “women who use hormonal” contraceptives “for more than a year are at a 20 percent higher risk for breast cancer,” though “the overall risk remains low.” ABC News (12/6, Childs, Yap, Francis) reports on its website that the finding was based on a “study of 1.8 million women in Denmark” who were followed for “nearly 11 years.” Study co-author Dr. Lina Mørch told ABC News, “I was hoping that I was able to recommend one product that was risk-free but could not recommend any product as risk-free.” The researchers also found that “the breast cancer risk seemed to increase with the duration of hormonal contraceptive use.” Dr. Jon LaPook commented on the study for the CBS Evening News (12/6, story 11, 1:35, Holt) saying, “Most of these breast cancers were found in women in their 40s, and women using hormones for less than five years had no increased risk after being off them for six months.” LaPook added, “The 20 percent translates to about one more case of breast cancer a year for ever 7,700 women.” He also said that there are “potential benefits of using hormones, for example, decreasing the risk of ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer or colon cancer and the benefit of preventing an unwanted pregnancy.” http://abcnews.go.com/Health/hormonal-birth-control-linked-increased-breast-cancer-risk/story?id=51619698

Menarche Tied to Seizure Onset Similar effect also seen in boys, suggesting hormonal trigger

https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/aes/69703?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2017-12-07&eun=g721819d0r&pop=0&ba=1&pos=1&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Headlines%202017-12-07&utm_term=Daily%20Headlines%20-%20Active%20User%20-%20180%20days

Very Low-Calorie Liquid Diet May Help Some Patients With T2D Reverse Their Condition,

“Patients with type 2 diabetes [T2D] can reverse the condition if they stick to a very low-calorie liquid diet, of around 850 kcal per day for three to five months, and then gradually reintroduce food, with ongoing support for maintenance of weight loss that includes strategies to increase physical activity and cognitive behavioral therapy,” researchers concluded. The findings of the 250-patient study were presented at the International Diabetes Federation Congress 2017 and simultaneously published in The Lancet. The author of an accompanying editorial wrote, “These results are impressive and strongly support the view that type 2 diabetes is tightly associated with excessive fat mass in the body. http://time.com/5048653/weight-loss-diabetes-diet/

FDA Approves Weekly Diabetes Drug.

reports the Food and Drug Administration approved Novo Nordisk’s weekly-injection diabetes drug Ozempic (semaglutide), which is in a class of drugs called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogs. The article reports that Novo hopes Ozempic “will take market share from” Eli Lilly’s Trulicity, which is also a GLP-1 analog. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-novo-nordisk-diabetes-fda/fda-approves-novo-nordisk-diabetes-drug-ozempic-idUSKBN1DZ2O9

Long, Slow Decline in BP Often Precedes Seniors' Death Falling blood pressure also linked to subcortical microinfarcts

https://www.medpagetoday.com/geriatrics/generalgeriatrics/69668?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2017-12-06&eun=g721819d0r&pop=0&ba=1&pos=0&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Headlines%202017-12-06&utm_term=Daily%20Headlines%20-%20Active%20User%20-%20180%20days

Ketogenic Diet May Help in Tough-to-Treat Epilespy Literature review suggests benefit in refractory status epilepticus

https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/aes/69652?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2017-12-05&eun=g721819d0r&pop=0&ba=1&pos=1&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Headlines%202017-12-05&utm_term=Daily%20Headlines%20-%20Active%20User%20-%20180%20days

China Working To Eliminate Toxic Pesticide Use.

reports China intends to ban the use of 12 more toxic pesticides within five years as the government aims to improve the safety of the nation’s farm produce. The government already has “withdrawn 22 highly toxic pesticides from use” and has prohibited “the use of any such products on fruit, vegetables and tea,” although China “still has a number of highly toxic chemicals in use on other crops.” https://www.reuters.com/article/china-pesticides/china-to-phase-out-more-pesticides-in-push-to-improve-food-safety-idUSL3N1O51PO

Estradiol Therapy May Limit Effects Of Stress On Working Memory In Postmenopausal Women, Research

reports that estradiol therapy in postmenopausal women “may limit the effects of stress on working memory and may aid in maintenance of proper hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal reactivity,” researchers concluded in a randomized study involving 42 women. The findings were published online in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. http://www.endocrinologyadvisor.com/androgen-and-reproductive-disorders/estradiol-therapy-menopause-memory-stress/article/711301/

Advanced MR Imaging Shows Disrupted Connectivity In Complex Regions Of Brain Involved In Regulating Appetite Among Obese Teens,

reported that researchers found that “advanced MR imaging revealed disrupted connectivity in the complex regions of the brain involved in regulating appetite among obese teens.” The findings were presented at the RSNA meeting. http://www.diagnosticimaging.com/rsna-2017/mri-shows-brain-changes-obese-adolescents

Diabetes Later in Life? Could Be Type 1 Misdiagnosis could cause delays in appropriate care

People with type 1 diabetes might be misdiagnosed with type 2 diabetes in adulthood, researchers suggested. Published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, a cross-sectional analysis reported that 42% (95% CI 39-45) of people with type 1 diabetes were diagnosed between the ages of 31 and 60, despite representing only 4% (n=537) of new diabetes cases diagnosed after the age of 30 in the cohort. "It is typically considered a disease of childhood and adolescence, but can occur at any age," wrote Nicholas J. Thomas, MRCP, of the University of Exeter Medical School in the U.K., and colleagues. "Identification of type 1 diabetes in adults older than 30 years is challenging because of the much higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes than type 1 diabetes in older adults (type 1 diabetes accounts for <5% of all cases)," and diagnosis-related errors https://www.medpagetoday.com/endocrinology/type1diabetes/69633?xid=NL_breakingnews_2017-12-04&eun=g721819d0r&pop=0&ba=1&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MorningBreak_120417&utm_term=Morning%20Break%20-%20Active%20Users%20-%20180%20days

Review Of Previous Studies Finds Benefit From Drinking Coffee.

reports on a review of over 200 studies published in the BMJ finding that “drinking three to four cups of coffee a day is not only safe for most people, it might protect against heart disease or an early death.” Coffee drinking was also associated with “a lower risk for developing prostate, endometrial, skin and liver cancers, type 2 diabetes, liver disease, gout, gallstones and dementia.” https://consumer.healthday.com/vitamins-and-nutrition-information-27/caffeine-health-news-89/could-your-coffee-habit-lengthen-your-life-728831.html

Flu Season Begins Early, Could Peak By Christmas, CDC Says.

reports the flu season “is off to an early start this year” and could “peak over the holidays,” a new CDC analysis indicates. The piece says the “wildly unpredictable” flu viruses leave experts uncertain of precisely how extensive the season will be, but the CDC’s weekly flu reports offer updated predictions and data, with the most recent report showing “that Louisiana and Oklahoma already have widespread flu activity and some nearby states are heating up too.” According to CDC influenza epidemiologist Lynnette Brammer, who leads flu reporting, “If it continues to go up like it has the last couple of weeks, yeah, we could have a fair amount of activity right at Christmas.” https://www.statnews.com/2017/11/30/flu-season-update/

Weight Gain Tied To Insulin Therapy May Not Be Associated With Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes, Mortality Risk For People With T2D,

reports, “Weight gain associated with insulin therapy is not associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes or risk for mortality in people with type 2 diabetes [T2D],” researchers concluded. The findings were published online in Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews. http://www.endocrinologyadvisor.com/type-2-diabetes/insulin-induced-weight-gain-adverse-cardiovascular-outcomes-t2d/article/710407/

NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci Predicts “Severe” Flu Season Due To Weak Vaccines.

reports National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Dr. Anthony Fauci on Wednesday “warned ... that the United States could experience a ‘relatively severe influenza season’” if the US follows the pattern of Australia, where the Times says “health officials reported record-high rates of flu, as well as above-average numbers of hospitalizations and deaths,” because the country’s vaccine for the flu strain H3N2 – a vaccine also administered in the US – “had an effectiveness of only 10%.” Dr. Fauci wrote in the New England Journal of Medicine, “As we prepare for a potentially severe influenza season, we must consider whether our current vaccines can be improved.” He also said in an interview, “The very process of how we make the vaccine creates an unanticipated, almost accidental mismatch, which is what happened in Australia this year.” Dr. Fauci added that he has made developing a universal vaccine “a high priority.” ABC News (11/29, Thorbecke) reports online that Dr. Fauci and NIAID colleagues wrote in the journal that Australia’s season has “caused mounting concern, with record-high numbers of laboratory-confirmed influenza notifications and outbreaks and higher-than-average numbers of hospitalizations and deaths.” The piece adds the US CDC “says that an annual flu vaccine is the ‘the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.’” http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-flu-season-h3n2-story.html

Study Projects 57% Of US Kids, Teens Will Be Obese By Age 35 Should Current Trends Continue.

reports, “A whopping 57% of the nation’s children and teens will be obese by age 35 if current trends continue,” researchers predicted in findings published online in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study indicates that even though “heavy children face the highest risk, even those who make it to age 20 in good shape face substantial peril in a world where obesity could soon be the new normal.” According to Reuters (11/29, Emery), “non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics were more likely to be obese than whites and those disparities were already present at age two,” the study revealed. Researchers arrived at the study’s conclusions after examining “height and weight data from a nationally representative sample of 41,567 children and adults.” The study authors concluded, “Only those children with a current healthy weight have less than a 50% chance of becoming obese by the age of 35 years.” https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/11/29/scary-prediction-u-s-kids-57-could-obese-age-35/906474001/

Weight Loss May Benefit Knees Of Overweight People, But Not If It Is By Exercise Alone

) presented at the Radiological Society of North America’s annual meeting found that “weight loss from dieting can slow the progression of knee arthritis in overweight people.” It also found, according to lead author Dr. Alexandra Gersing, “solely exercise as a regimen in order to lose weight in overweight and obese adults may not be as beneficial to the knee joint as weight loss regimens involving diet.” The study was based on “760 overweight or obese adults who had mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis or were at risk for it.” They were assigned either to lose no weight, or to lose weight, “through either a combination of diet and exercise, diet alone, or exercise alone.” At eight years, “cartilage degeneration was much lower in the weight-loss group than in the control group,” but only for those who had “lost weight through diet and exercise, or diet alone” even though those who lost weight by exercise “lost as much weight as those who slimmed down through diet plus exercise or diet alone.” https://consumer.healthday.com/bone-and-joint-information-4/knee-problem-news-436/this-weight-loss-strategy-may-not-help-your-knees-728364.html

Efforts To Phase Out Chemical Used In Nonstick Coatings May Have Resulted In Fewer US Babies Being Born Underweight,

reports that efforts to “phase out” perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), “a chemical used in nonstick coatings, have resulted in fewer US babies being born underweight in recent years,” researchers concluded after analyzing “blood samples of new mothers that were gathered between 2003 and 2014 as part of a national health study.” The findings were published in the International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/11/28/epa-curb-on-nonstick-chemical-may-have-reduced-number-of-babies-with-low-birth-weight/?utm_term=.6b3dc4d1041e

Oral 'Gut Bug' Tx Promising in Recurrent C. diff

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) administered via oral capsule was no worse than colonoscopy in reducing the risk of recurrent Clostridium difficile infection, according to results from a Canadian trial. At 12 weeks, 96.2% of patients in both the capsule group (51/53) and the colonoscopy group (50/52) were recurrence-free after a single treatment (1-sided 95% CI −6.1% to infinity, P<0.001), meeting the criterion for noninferiority, wrote Dina Kao, MD, of the University of Alberta in Edmonton, and colleagues. https://www.medpagetoday.com/gastroenterology/generalgastroenterology/69511?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2017-11-29&eun=g721819d0r&pop=0&ba=1&pos=1&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Headlines%202017-11-29&utm_term=Daily%20Headlines%20-%20Active%20User%20-%20180%20days

As scarlet fever cases rise, baffled researchers investigate

http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/27/health/scarlet-fever-mystery-study/index.html

When it Comes to Flu, Docs Should be 'Vaccine Insisters' High-dose vaccine particularly important for older patients

https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/uritheflu/69491?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2017-11-28&eun=g721819d0r&pop=0&ba=1&pos=1&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Headlines%202017-11-28&utm_term=Daily%20Headlines%20-%20Active%20User%20-%20180%20days

Development Of Gene Therapies Delayed By Lack Of Bespoke Viruses.

reports the biggest obstacle to experimental gene therapies may be the disabled viruses that are “used to slip good genes into cells that lack them.” The Times says that there are few gene-therapy companies that “have the factories or expertise to make the viruses for use in clinical trials, where standards are exacting and comprehensive.” Firms that can create viruses “are swamped with orders and requests,” resulting in a logjam. Novartis recently received FDA approval to market treatment for a rare blood cancer, but to obtain the viruses it needed, the company “signed up years in advance with Oxford BioMedica,” and offered a lucrative contract “that included a provision to pay Oxford a share of the royalties when the drug was approved.” https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/27/health/gene-therapy-virus-shortage.html

Anthem Will Cover Artificial Pancreas Systems.

“will now cover artificial pancreas systems in response to JDRF’s Coverage2Control Campaign.” The article reports that Anthem’s “decision means that the 25 largest health insurers in the U.S. now cover artificial pancreas systems.” https://www.healio.com/endocrinology/diabetes/news/online/%7B05c01bed-b38c-4803-bf21-39ab2b22df1b%7D/anthem-to-cover-artificial-pancreas-systems

FDA Announces Ban On Gene-Editing Kits, But Uncertainty Remains.

reported that the Food and Drug Administration posted a notice explaining that self-administered gene therapy kits are illegal and pose serious safety risks. https://blogs.wsj.com/moneybeat/2017/11/22/fda-warns-on-do-it-yourself-gene-therapy-kits/

Drinking Three Or Four Cups Of Coffee Per Day May Be Beneficial For People’s Health.

reported researchers found that “people who drink three to four cups of coffee a day are more likely to see health benefits than harm, experiencing lower risks of premature death and heart disease than those who abstain.” The findings were published in the BMJ. reported the researchers also found that people who drink three to four cups per day appear to be at lower risk for “diabetes, liver disease, dementia and some cancers,” including endometrial, liver, prostate, and skin. The researchers “examined 201 observational studies analyzing the health of coffee drinkers.” http://www.ajc.com/news/health-med-fit-science/daily-cups-coffee-linked-lower-risk-premature-death/xFNSKvdgjJsa799JYlWYoK/

Preventing Depression Before It Starts Treatment with transdermal hormone may reduce depression incidence

https://www.medpagetoday.com/psychiatry/depression/69485?xid=NL_breakingnews_2017-11-27&eun=g721819d0r&pop=0&ba=1&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MorningBreak_112717&utm_term=Morning%20Break%20-%20Active%20Users%20-%20180%20days

Women Who Use Hormonal Contraceptives May Be At Increased Risk For Suicide Attempt, Suicide,

“Women who use hormonal contraceptives are at increased risk for suicide attempt and suicide,” with “the highest relative risk...seen in adolescent women,” researchers concluded after following “nearly half a million women...on average for 8.3 years (3.9 million person-years).” The findings were published online in the American Journal of Psychiatry. Healio (11/21, Oldt) also covers the study. https://www.healio.com/psychiatry/suicide/news/online/%7Be8a21d66-2f30-41af-a27f-f51164cd6a29%7D/hormonal-birth-control-may-increase-risk-for-suicide

Celiac Disease May Be Associated With Several Different Medical Conditions,

reports research indicates “celiac disease is associated with a wide range of medical conditions, including liver disease, glossitis, pancreatitis, Down syndrome, and autism.” In the “database study of more than 35 million people,” researchers “found a significant association between celiac disease and 13 other autoimmune disorders, such as type 1 diabetes, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.” The findings were presented at the World Congress of Gastroenterology 2017. https://login.medscape.com/login/sso/getlogin?urlCache=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubWVkc2NhcGUuY29tL3ZpZXdhcnRpY2xlLzg4OTAwNQ==&ac=401

Cinnamaldehyde May Help Fat Cells Burn Lipids, Cell Study Suggests.

reports that the compound cinnamaldehyde (CA) found in “cinnamon may help fat cells burn lipids,” researchers concluded after testing “the compound on human fat cells to see if they could observe the effect it had on them.” Mouse adipocytes were also used in the study. The findings were published in the journal Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental. http://www.newsweek.com/cinnamon-how-common-spice-helps-you-burn-fat-and-lose-weight-718476

Elevated Maternal Blood Pressure During Pregnancy May Raise Children’s Risk For Childhood Obesity

reports that when women have “elevated blood pressure during pregnancy, it may raise their children’s risk of developing childhood obesity,” researchers concluded in a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. Included in the study were “88,406 mother-child pairs.” https://endocrinenews.endocrine.org/high-blood-pressure-pregnancy-linked-increased-risk-offspring-obesity/

Oral Insulin Capsules May Not Be An Effective Method For Preventing T1D

“Oral insulin capsules may not be an effective method for preventing type 1 diabetes [T1D],” researchers concluded. Specifically, “oral insulin treatment in relatives of those with type 1 diabetes who were positive for at least two autoantibodies did not have a significant effect on time to diabetes compared with placebo,” the study concluded. The findings were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. https://www.medpagetoday.com/endocrinology/type1diabetes/69421

A Visual Guide to the New Blood Pressure Guidelines

https://www.medpagetoday.com/cardiology/hypertension/69399?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2017-11-22&eun=g721819d0r&pop=0&ba=1&pos=0&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Headlines%202017-11-22&utm_term=Daily%20Headlines%20-%20Active%20User%20-%20180%20days

AAP Addresses Weight Stigma in Kids Docs should focus on supportive environments, sensitive communication

https://www.medpagetoday.com/pediatrics/obesity/69397?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2017-11-21&eun=g721819d0r&pop=0&ba=1&pos=1&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Headlines%202017-11-21&utm_term=Daily%20Headlines%20-%20Active%20User%20-%20180%20days

Traditional BMI Cutoffs For Classifying Obesity May Be Too High For Postmenopausal Women

reports that research suggests that “for postmenopausal women, traditional body mass index (BMI) cutoffs for classifying obesity may be too high.” Investigators found that “the sensitivity of defining obesity with a BMI of 30 was low among postmenopausal women with a body fat percentage of 35 or greater – the commonly accepted threshold for defining obesity.” The findings were published online in Menopause. https://www.medpagetoday.com/endocrinology/obesity/69400

Severe Psoriasis May Increase Risk Of Diabetes

reports, “People with the skin disease psoriasis are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes, and the more severe the psoriasis, the greater their risk, a new study finds.” According to the article, “When applying their findings to the number of people worldwide who have psoriasis, the researchers estimated that psoriasis is linked to 125,650 new cases of type 2 diabetes each year.” The findings were published online in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. https://consumer.healthday.com/diseases-and-conditions-information-37/psoriasis-news-621/severe-psoriasis-may-make-diabetes-increasingly-likely-728555.html

Adequate Vitamin D Levels May Be Associated With Better Fertility Outcomes In Women Undergoing ART,

Adequate levels of vitamin D were associated with better fertility outcomes in women undergoing assisted reproduction treatment (ART),” researchers found after analyzing data from “11 studies including 2,700 women.” The findings were published online in the journal Human Reproduction. https://www.medpagetoday.com/endocrinology/infertility/69343

Human Islets Infected With CVB4 May Provide Better Understanding Of Cellular Resp

reports that in findings published not long ago in the Journal of the Endocrine Society, researchers “looked at how infecting human islets with the enterovirus coxsackievirus B4 (CVB4) could lead them to better understanding the cellular response” that causes type 1 diabetes. Investigators “write that clinical reports and epidemiological data support that enteroviral infections may accelerate the autoimmune disease process, and that pancreatic tissue from patients with recent-onset type 1 diabetes reveals enteroviral RNA sequences and evidence of viral proteins in islets, consistent with the possibility that low-grade infection in pancreatic islets may contribute to disease progression.” https://endocrinenews.endocrine.org/human-islets-infected-virus-may-provide-insight-etiology-type-1-diabetes/

Type 2 Diabetes May Increase Risk Of Aggressive Type Of Breast Cancer In Black Women,

reports that research suggests “type 2 diabetes may increase the risk for an aggressive type of breast cancer among black women in the” US. Investigators found that “women with type 2 diabetes were 43 percent more likely to have developed ER- breast cancer, but had no increased risk for ER+ breast cancer.” The data indicated “the increased risk for ER- cancer was not attributable to their weight.” The findings were published in Cancer Research. https://consumer.healthday.com/cancer-information-5/breast-cancer-news-94/diabetes-may-be-driving-high-rates-of-breast-cancer-in-black-women-728495.html

Effects Of RYGB On CNS Activation In Response To Food Cues Examined.

reports that a 10-patient study using functional magnetic resonance imaging “investigated the effects of is Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) on central nervous system (CNS) activation in response to food cues.” The authors found that “RYGB was consistently associated with increased postoperative levels of GLP-1, and RYGB also decreased activation in feeding regulation areas in the CNS in response to food stimuli.” The findings were publi https://endocrinenews.endocrine.org/elevated-glp-1-levels-roux-en-y-may-affect-responsiveness-food-cues/

Genetic Mutation In Amish Families Living In Indiana Appears To Protect Against T2D And Increase Longevity.

reports, “Amish people living in a rural part of Indiana have a rare genetic mutation that protects them from type 2 diabetes [T2D] and appears to significantly extend their life spans, according to” the findings of a study published online in the journal Science Advances. The mutation in question “affects a mysterious protein called plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, or PAI-1, that is known primarily for its role in promoting blood clotting.” Approximately five percent of members of the “Amish farming community in Berne” appear to carry “the mutation, which causes them to produce unusually low levels of PAI-1.” https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/15/well/live/amish-mutation-protects-against-diabetes-and-may-extend-life.html

The Sweet Smell of Malaria: 'Breath Test' Promising for Dx Mosquitoes attracted to certain odors in infected patients

https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/astmh/69106?xid=nl_mpt_Weekly_Education_2017-11-15&eun=g5883165d1r

Writing Script for the Gym? Managing osteoporosis may include exercise training

https://www.medpagetoday.com/endocrinology/osteoporosis/69292?xid=NL_breakingnews_2017-11-15&eun=g721819d0r&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MorningBreak_111517&utm_term=Morning%20Break%20-%20Active%20Users%20-%20180%20days

FDA Warns Consumers About Dangers Of Kratom.

reports the Food and Drug Administration issued a public health advisory warning “consumers to stay away from the herbal supplement kratom, saying regulators are aware of 36 deaths linked to products containing the substance.” The article points out that use of the supplement has increased in recent years as a treatment for anxiety, depression, pain, and opioid withdrawal. https://mail.google.com/_/scs/mail-static/_/js/k=gmail.main.en.M-xhRWn0lp0.O/m=pds,pdl,pdit,m_i,pdt,t,it/am=74I9QN4PAS4zwCBKMwiz__OTS8OzN_v__wBAoALgG_Bv7gP4OAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANCC4hM/rt=h/d=1/rs=AHGWq9DfTRmkZLQ5TZVzDRtkFZIKD0YOHQ

AHA: 130/80 mm Hg Is New National BP Target Multisociety guidelines released accounting for SPRINT data

After years of contention among professional societies over raising blood pressure targets, national guidelines have reduced the goal from 140/90 mm Hg to 130/80 mm Hg for the general population, including community-dwelling seniors. The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology, which took over from the NHLBI's Joint National Commission in 2013, released the 2017 guideline with endorsement from nine other groups with key changes to the threshold and treatment algorithm. BP Classifications Normal blood pressure remains below 120 mm Hg, but hypertension has been split into stage 1 (130/80 to 139/89 mm Hg) and stage 2 (140/90 mm Hg and higher) with different implications for treatment. https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/aha/69247?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2017-11-14&eun=g721819d0r&pos=0&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Headlines%202017-11-14&utm_term=Daily%20Headlines%20-%20Active%20User%20-%20180%20days

Prolonged Sedation May be Bad for Baby's Brain Infants exposed to prolonged anesthesia had more MRI signs of brain atrophy

https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/sfn/69254?xid=NL_breakingnews_2017-11-14&eun=g721819d0r&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MorningBreak_111417&utm_term=Morning%20Break%20-%20Active%20Users%20-%20180%20days

Bullying, Workplace Violence May Be Associated With Increased diabetes Risk,

“Bullying and violence in the workplace were linked with an increased risk for type 2 diabetes [T2D] in a large Scandinavian cohort study” involving “12 years of follow-up” and some “45,905 men and women, ages 40-65 ,who did not have diabetes at baseline.” The findings were published online in Diabetologia. https://mail.google.com/_/scs/mail-static/_/js/k=gmail.main.en.M-xhRWn0lp0.O/m=pds,pdl,pdit,m_i,pdt,t,it/am=74I9QN4PAS4zwCBKMwiz__OTS8OzN_v__wBAoALgG_Bv7gP4OAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANCC4hM/rt=h/d=1/rs=AHGWq9DfTRmkZLQ5TZVzDRtkFZIKD0YOHQ

Women With History Of Anxiety Or Mood Disorder In Two Years Before Pregnancy May Have A Moderately Increased Risk For Developing Gestational Diabetes

“Women with a history of anxiety or mood disorder in the two years before pregnancy had a moderately increased risk for developing gestational diabetes vs. women who did not have an anxiety or mood disorder,” researchers concluded after assessing “administrative data from six databases from the Alberta Ministry of Health – the discharge abstract database, ambulatory care database, physician claims database, Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan registry, the vital statistics database and the 2006 census dataset – as well as all delivery data from the Alberta Perinatal Health Program between April 2000 and March 2010 (n = 253,911 with 373,674 pregnancies).” The findings were published online Nov. 9 in Diabetic Medicine. https://www.healio.com/endocrinology/diabetes/news/in-the-journals/%7B6d384558-30e4-4e2f-9d67-c472e421eac0%7D/mood-anxiety-disorders-before-pregnancy-may-influence-gestational-diabetes-risk

Number Of People Living With Diabetes Has Tripled Since 2000

reports the International Diabetes Federation estimates that “the number of people living with diabetes has tripled since 2000, pushing the global cost of the disease to $850 billion a year.” Most of those people affected have type 2 diabetes, which is associated with “obesity and lack of exercise.” Currently, “the total number of diabetics is...451 million and is expected to reach 693 million by 2045 if current trends continue.” https://mail.google.com/_/scs/mail-static/_/js/k=gmail.main.en.M-xhRWn0lp0.O/m=pds,pdl,pdit,m_i,pdt,t,it/am=74I9QN4PAS4zwCBKMwiz__OTS8OzN_v__wBAoALgG_Bv7gP4OAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANCC4hM/rt=h/d=1/rs=AHGWq9DfTRmkZLQ5TZVzDRtkFZIKD0YOHQ

Fewer Americans Consuming Sugary Beverages,

Fewer Americans Consuming Sugary Beverages, Study Indicates. The New York Times (11/14, Bakalar, Subscription Publication) reports fewer Americans are drinking sugary beverages, according to a study published in the journal Obesity. Researchers found “60.7 percent of children and 50 percent of adults drank a sugary beverage on any given day in 2014, down from 79.7 percent of children and 61.5 percent of adults in 2003.” The piece said investigators found the decline “was driven by a reduction in the number of people drinking sugar-sweetened beverages, and lower consumption among those who did still drink them.” Getting Kids To Drink Water With Their School Lunches Could Save The US Billions In Obesity-Related Costs, Research Suggests. HealthDay (11/13, Preidt) reports, “Getting kids to drink water with their school lunches could help keep their weight in check and save the United States billions in obesity-related costs,” researchers concluded after calculating “the effects of going nationwide with a program piloted in 1,200 New York City schools between 2009 and 2013.” The findings were announced in a news release from the University of Illinois. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/14/health/soda-pop-sugary-drinks.html

Poor Glucose Metabolism Linked To Severity Of Symptoms In Patients With Alzheimer’s Disease

reported that a study by the National Institutes of Health found “glitches in the way the brain breaks down glucose – a process called glycolysis – seem to correspond with more severe symptoms in patients with Alzheimer’s.” According to Dr. Madhav Thambisetty, chief of translational neuroscience at the National Institute on Aging and lead researcher, said, “The main takeaway is that we seem to have identified a specific biochemical defect in the way the brain handles glucose in Alzheimer’s disease. More excitingly, it suggests that we can try and develop interventions that specifically target these errors in glycolysis.” https://mail.google.com/_/scs/mail-static/_/js/k=gmail.main.en.M-xhRWn0lp0.O/m=pds,pdl,pdit,m_i,pdt,t,it/am=74I9QN4PAS4zwCBKMwiz__OTS8OzN_v__wBAoALgG_Bv7gP4OAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANCC4hM/rt=h/d=1/rs=AHGWq9DfTRmkZLQ5TZVzDRtkFZIKD0YOHQ

Patients With Lupus May Fare Better If They Get Enough Vitamin D, Omega-3 Fats,

reports that studies suggests individuals “with lupus may fare better if they have enough vitamin D and omega-3 fats in their diet.” In one study, investigators found “lupus patients with low blood levels of vitamin D faced a higher risk of kidney damage than those with sufficient levels.” Researchers in the other study found that “people who ate more omega-3 fats – mainly found in oily fish – tended to have less severe symptom flare-ups and better sleep quality.” The studies were presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology. https://consumer.healthday.com/diseases-and-conditions-information-37/lupus-news-453/could-fish-oil-vitamin-d-help-ease-lupus-728378.html

Exposure To Air Pollution May Increase Risk For Osteoporosis In Older Adults,

reports a new study analyzing data of Medicare enrollees in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region who were hospitalized for fractures between 2003 and 2010 found that exposure to air pollution may “increase the risk for osteoporosis and broken bones in older adults.” The piece points out that “while the study found an association between air pollution and bone problems, it did not prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship.” The findings were published in The Lancet Planetary Health. https://consumer.healthday.com/respiratory-and-allergy-information-2/air-pollution-health-news-540/smog-may-harm-your-bones-too-728298.html

Zika Persists Longest in Semen

Median detection rates: 11 days in urine, 2 weeks in serum, 6 weeks in semen https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/astmh/69166?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2017-11-10&eun=g721819d0r&pos=4&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Headlines%202017-11-10&utm_term=Daily%20Headlines%20-%20Active%20User%20-%20180%20days

Neurological Symptoms of West Nile Virus May Persist Years Later Abnormal neurological findings common in the long run

Patients diagnosed with West Nile virus infection continued to experience neurological symptoms as many as 8 years post-infection, researchers here found. At that time, almost half of patients had some abnormal neurological finding, including decreased strength, abnormal reflexes, and tremors following infection, reported Shannon E. Ronca, MD, of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, and colleagues. Lingering comorbidity was as high as 70% for those patients who initially presented with encephalitis, Ronca reported during a presentation at the American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene annual meeting here. She noted that while 80% of West Nile patients are asymptomatic, 20% present with flu-like symptoms, and less than 1% present with severe neurologic disease, such as encephalitis, meningitis, or acute flaccid paralysis. For those more severe cases, there is a 10% case fatality ratio. https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/astmh/69133?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2017-11-09&eun=g721819d0r&pos=0&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Headlines%202017-11-09&utm_term=Daily%20Headlines%20-%20Active%20User%20-%20180%20days

Study Finds No Cancer Link To Herbicide Ingredient.

reports that a large, long-term study found there was “no association between glyphosate,” a primary ingredient in Monsanto’s herbicide RoundUp, “and any solid tumors or lymphoid malignancies overall, including non-Hogkin Lymphoma (NHL) and its subtypes.” The study was published Thursday in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI). Its findings are “likely to impact legal proceedings” in the US and a “crucial decision due in Europe this week on whether glyphosate should be re-licensed for sale across the European Union.” The research is part of the Agricultural Health Study, “which has been tracking the health of tens of thousands of agricultural workers, farmers and their families in Iowa and North Carolina.” https://www.reuters.com/article/health-cancer-glyphosate/u-s-farm-study-finds-no-firm-cancer-link-to-monsanto-weedkiller-idUSL8N1NF37Z

Hyperglycemia Is Major Systemic Risk Factor For Diabetic Microvascular Complications,

“Hyperglycemia is the major systemic risk factor for diabetic microvascular complications, such as retinopathy, nephropathy and diabetic neuropathy, but other still-unidentified factors likely play a role in influencing the progression of microvascular disease, according to a new Scientific Statement released by the Endocrine Society.” Specifically, “a task force of 12 researchers outlined the general pathogenesis of microvascular disease in diabetes and its impact on specific tissues, detailing cellular and molecular mechanisms of injury, as well as several potentially protective factors.” The statement was published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. https://www.healio.com/endocrinology/diabetes/news/in-the-journals/%7B5ece287a-5f4f-42cc-8ce5-770bf96057b8%7D/endocrine-society-multiple-pathways-link-hyperglycemia-with-microvascular-complications-of-diabetes

More Infants Got Shots After Social Media Messaging to Pregnant Moms Web sites with interactive components could reduce vaccine hesitancy

https://www.medpagetoday.com/pediatrics/vaccines/69052?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2017-11-08&eun=g721819d0r&pos=5&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Headlines%202017-11-08&utm_term=Daily%20Headlines%20-%20Active%20User%20-%20180%20days

FDA Advances Menu-Label Rule.

reports the Food and Drug Administration is advancing Obama-era “requirements to post calorie counts in restaurants, supermarkets, convenience stores and pizza delivery chains nationwide next year.” Despite “years of opposition by some food sellers,” the FDA is offering “only minor compromises to industry complaints” and the agency posted preliminary guidance online Tuesday to help businesses comply with the law. “When you arm consumers with reliable information, they are going to make better decisions, smarter and more informed decisions about their diet,” FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said in an interview with The Associated Press. “Providing this information is more important now than ever because more people are eating their meals away from the home.” https://apnews.com/d8a735ad2fd24d5ea8e5a200ecf68538/Trump-administration-moves-ahead-with-Obama-menu-label-law

Does Gut Flora Impact the Response to Cancer Immunotherapy? Modulating the microbiome could boost therapy, studies suggest

Gut microbes can help or hinder cancer patients' response to immunotherapy, two new studies suggested. In 112 melanoma patients undergoing anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, those with a high diversity of gut microbes had not yet reached median progression-free survival (PFS) after nearly 2 years, because less than half of them had progressed, while median PFS in the low-diversity group was 188 days (hazard ratio 3.57, 95% CI 1.02-12.52, P<0.05), said Jennifer Wargo, MD, of the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and colleagues. Patients with more bacteria of the Ruminococcaceae family and Clostridiales order in their gut, and especially of the genus Faecalibacterium, had significantly longer median PFS compared with patients with less of these bacteria (median not reached vs 242 days, P<0.05). However, patients with more bacteria of the Bacteroidales order had significantly reduced median PFS compared to those with less (188 days vs 393 days, P<0.05), Wargo's group reported online in Science. Patients with a higher abundance of Clostridiales/Ruminococcaceae bacteria had greater T cell penetration into tumors and higher levels of circulating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells with a preserved cytokine response to anti-PD-1 therapy. However, patients with abundant Bacteriodales had higher levels of circulating regulatory T cells, myeloid derived suppressor cells, and a blunted cytokine response, resulting in dampening of anti-tumor immunity, the authors found. https://www.medpagetoday.com/hematologyoncology/myeloma/69098?xid=NL_breakingnews_2017-11-07&eun=g721819d0r&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MorningBreak_110717&utm_term=Morning%20Break%20-%20Active%20Users%20-%20180%20days

One in Five Pregnant Women Worldwide Carry Group B Strep

More than 21 million pregnant women, or an average of 18% of women worldwide, are colonized with group B Streptococcus bacteria, or GBS, which contributes to stillbirth, preterm birth, and in some cases, death in their infants, researchers here estimated. https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/astmh/69089?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2017-11-07&eun=g721819d0r&pos=4&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Headlines%202017-11-07&utm_term=Daily%20Headlines%20-%20Active%20User%20-%20180%20days

Lupus Death Rates Remain High in U.S. Drop in SLE death rates less than non-lupus mortality

Despite improving trends in mortality, death rates from systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) remain high compared with those in the general population, and disparities persist between subpopulations and geographic regions, according to a report in the Annals of Internal Medicine. In addition, underreporting of lupus on death certificates may have resulted in underestimates of mortality rates, stated researchers from the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles. https://www.medpagetoday.com/rheumatology/lupus/69070?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2017-11-07&eun=g721819d0r&pos=1&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Headlines%202017-11-07&utm_term=Daily%20Headlines%20-%20Active%20User%20-%20180%20days

Injecting Arthritic Knees Carries Sepsis Risk Study identified four risk factors for sepsis after injections for knee pain.

Bacterial culture determined that Staphylococcus aureus was the by far the most common microorganism in septic arthritis (47.6%), while low-virulence coagulase-negative (CNN) Staphylococcus was most commonly implicated in chronic low-grade infection (31%), followed by Propionibacterium acnes at 24.1%. Other organisms involved in septic arthritis cases were CNN, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, and gram-negative bacilli, all at 9.5%. https://www.medpagetoday.com/rheumatology/arthritis/69066?xid=NL_breakingnews_2017-11-06&eun=g721819d0r&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MorningBreak_110617&utm_term=Morning%20Break%20-%20Active%20Users%20-%20180%20days

Mumps Makes a Comeback, Even Among the Vaccinated

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/06/well/family/mumps-makes-a-comeback-even-among-the-vaccinated.html

The use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) was associated with an increased risk for type 2 diabetes

http://www.endocrinologyadvisor.com/type-2-diabetes/ssri-snri-antidepressants-diabetes-children-adolescents/article/704844/

Exercise Helps 'Biggest Loser' Contestants Keep Weight Off Long-Term Physician who was contestant on reality show led 6-year study

https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/obesityweek/68980?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2017-11-03&eun=g721819d0r&pos=3

Imported Skin Creams Sometimes Contain High-Dose Steroids,

“Shots” blog highlights a case study published in JAMA Dermatology involving a dermatologist who discovered that one of her patients was using a skin cream that “contained betamethasone, a high-strength steroid sold only by prescription in the US.” The blog points out that imported skin creams sometimes contain high-dose steroids, such as betamethasone, which pose health risks, “including skin atrophy, acne, severe rashes, infections and systemic reactions.” http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/11/02/561582700/skin-lightening-creams-can-pose-unexpected-risks

Device That Sucks Gastric Contents From A Patient May Help Obese Patients Lose Weight,

reports that research suggests “a device that literally sucks gastric contents from a patient and deposits the food into a container that drains into the toilet appears to help obese patients lose weight.” Investigators found that “after one-year on the AspireAssist device, 160 obese patients were able to achieve an average weight loss of more than 50 pounds (24 kg).” The findings were presented at Obesity Week. https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/obesityweek/68983

Study: Teen Brains Change After Bariatric Surgery Reward, executive functioning improved with weight loss

https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/obesityweek/68940?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2017-11-02&eun=g721819d0r&pos=0

Researchers Argue Diagnoses For Asymptomatic Diseases Can Be Psychologically Detrimental.

Researchers Tessa Copp, Kirsten McCaffery, Jenny Doust, Jolyn Hersch, and Jesse Jansen argue in an opinion piece for STAT (11/1) that advancements in medical technology have made it “easier to detect disease earlier than ever,” which is “a good thing when it means a deadly cancer can be caught promptly and stopped with treatment.” However, they argue diagnoses for diseases with “mild symptoms, if any, and only a low risk of getting worse” may actually “do more harm than good, especially if the diagnosis adds an emotional burden and doesn’t change an individual’s treatment.” The researchers cite polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) as an example of “one of several overdiagnosed conditions we study,” asserting that although “a diagnosis of PCOS is appropriate and beneficial” for some women, “the potential impact of a diagnosis on psychological well-being should not be underestimated” for others. Their arguments were published in the BMJ. https://www.statnews.com/2017/11/01/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-overdiagnosis/

Researcher Calls Study On Children With Low Vitamin D “Unethical.”

reports the University of Pittsburgh’s study to examine “whether children with asthma attacks benefit from high doses of vitamin D” received complaints from an unaffiliated researcher who took issue with the fact that the study will give half of the participants, who have low vitamin D levels, a placebo with no vitamin D for one year. Dr. Bruce Davidson posited in a letter to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, which has helped fund the study, that it is “unethical to treat children known to be deficient in vitamin D with placebo.” http://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2017/11/01/Complaints-that-Pitt-kids-study-on-vitamin-D-and-asthma-is-unethical-lead-to-changes-NIH-NHLBI-Celedon-Davidson-Vit-D-Kids/stories/201710310082

Exposure To High Traffic Roadways Linked To Lower IVF Success.

reports new research indicates “the probability of implantation and live birth after in vitro fertilization (IVF) is lower for women who live close to a major roadway, and are therefore exposed to traffic-related air pollution.” Audrey Gaskins, ScD, from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and colleagues “assessed 441 women enrolled in the Environment and Reproductive Health (EARTH) study who underwent a total of 670 IVF cycles from 2004 to 2016” to determine whether “the biologic mechanisms that mediate the ‘effect of air pollution on later pregnancy and birth outcomes – such as increased oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and DNA damage – could also affect earlier pregnancy outcomes, such as fertilization, early embryo development, and implantation,’” Gaskins explained at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) 2017 Scientific Congress in San Antonio. https://login.medscape.com/login/sso/getlogin?urlCache=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubWVkc2NhcGUuY29tL3ZpZXdhcnRpY2xlLzg4NzkxMw==&ac=401

Severe Hot Flashes May Be Linked To Greater Risk For Sleep Apnea

reports that “as if severe hot flashes alone weren’t enough of a problem for menopausal women,” research indicates “these symptoms may also be tied to a greater risk for sleep apnea and related heart issues.” Investigators found that “compared with women who had mild or no hot flashes, those who reported severe hot flashes were nearly twice as likely to have obstructive sleep apnea.” The findings were published in Menopause. https://consumer.healthday.com/women-s-health-information-34/menopause-and-postmenopause-news-472/bad-hot-flashes-sleep-apnea-often-go-together-728017.html

Flu Vax May Improve Outcomes in Other Illnesses Vaccinated patients hospitalized with flu had lower risk of AKI development

https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/chest/68863

Asthma Death Rate Falling in U.S. Change over time driven by fewer asthma deaths among seniors

https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/chest/68910?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2017-11-01&eun=g721819d0r&pos=2

Middle-aged and older adults with an elevated thyroid hormone may be at higher risk of heart disease and death

researchers concluded. In addition, “high and even high-normal levels of a hormone called free thyroxine (FT4) doubled the odds of having calcification of the coronary arteries,” the study found. The findings were published online in Circulation Research. https://consumer.healthday.com/general-health-information-16/thyroid-hormones-health-news-391/how-your-thyroid-could-be-working-against-your-heart-728011.html

Mechanism Found Through Which TBT Causes Obesity, Alters Adipose Lineage In Mice.

reports that in a mouse model, investigators have discovered “a mechanism through which tributyltin (TBT) causes obesity and alters adipose lineage.” The findings were published in Endocrinology. https://mail.google.com/_/scs/mail-static/_/js/k=gmail.main.en.ARz2Td5dGjw.O/m=pds,pdl,pdit,m_i,pdt,t,it/am=74I9QN4PAS4zwCBKMwiz__OTS8Ozt_3_fwAIVAC-Af_mPoCPAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAC0oPgE/rt=h/d=1/rs=AHGWq9DapPvo75WQxTyQS5GJY--CmXyzpg

Risk For Death May Be Elevated For Women With Infertility Issues,

reports that research suggests that “for women with infertility issues, the risk for death is elevated, especially from breast cancer and diabetes.” Investigators found that “after parity, socioeconomic risk factors, and underlying comorbidities were controlled for, risk for death during the 13-year follow-up period was 10% higher in women with infertility issues than without.” The findings were presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine 2017 Scientific Congress. https://login.medscape.com/login/sso/getlogin?urlCache=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubWVkc2NhcGUuY29tL3ZpZXdhcnRpY2xlLzg4Nzc3Mg==&ac=401

Patients With Type 1 Diabetes And Those With Type 2 Diabetes May Have Different Depression Profiles

reports that “patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) had very different profiles of depression,” researchers concluded. In fact, the study revealed that “patients with T2D had traits of atypical depression, whereas those with T1D and depression exhibited traits of melancholia.” Included in the study were 24 patients with T2D and 148 patients with T1D. The findings were published online Sept. 20 in BMC Psychiatry. http://www.endocrinologyadvisor.com/type-2-diabetes/types-of-depression-in-type-1-diabetes-vs-type-2-diabetes/article/703295/

FDA Issues Warning About Black Licorice For Halloween

As the video explains, the cuplrit is a substance in black licorice named glycyrrhizin, which, in addition to being tricky to pronounce when your mouth is full of black licorice, may result in a decrease in potassium levels in your body. Drops in potassium levels can lead to abnormal heart rhythms, high blood pressure, muscle weakness, swelling, and even heart failure. The risk is particularly higher if you are over 40 years old and eat more than 2 ounces of black licorice a day for at least two weeks, as indicated by the United Kingdom's National Health Service. But this does not mean if you are 39 years and 364 days old you are in the clear. Eating large amounts of black licorice may be risky for younger folks as well. https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2017/10/31/fda-issues-warning-about-black-licorice-for-halloween/#2f2513f75ff3

FREE community awareness event: FIGHTING THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC Nov 15 Fairborn, OH

FIGHTING THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC The Hondros College of Nursing, Fairborn campus is hosting an important and timely community event about the opioid drug problem and how nurses can make a positive difference. Fighting the Opioid Epidemic: How Nurses Can Help will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 15 from 11am – 2:30pm at the Fairborn campus. This event is free and open to the public. Hondros College of Nursing 1810 Successful Drive Fairborn, OH 45324

Opioid Scripts: Is the ER a Primary Source? Emergency docs: Don't blame us

https://www.medpagetoday.com/PainManagement/Opioids/68869?xid=NL_breakingnews_2017-10-30&eun=g721819d0r

Mineral And Bone Disorder Biomarkers May Be Linked With Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate, Risk For Infection,

reports, “Mineral and bone disorder biomarkers were linked with estimated glomerular filtration rate and risk for infection,” researchers concluded after conducting “a community-based cohort study of 11,218 adults from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, which enrolled patients aged 45 to 64 years between 1987 and 1989.” The findings were published online in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. https://www.healio.com/endocrinology/bone-mineral-metabolism/news/in-the-journals/%7Baaa10c3c-2569-4ce4-9792-f636c700e793%7D/mineral-bone-metabolism-play-role-in-infection-etiology

People Carrying Obesity Genes May Tend To Gain More Weight If They Do Not Work Out Or Do Not Get Enough Sleep

“People carrying so-called ‘obesity’ genes tend to gain more weight if they don’t work out or don’t get enough sleep,” researchers found after tracking “physical activity and sleep patterns for about 85,000 people in England, aged 40 to 70,” then computing “a genetic risk score for each person based on 76 common variants known to be associated with increased risk for obesity.” The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics. https://consumer.healthday.com/vitamins-and-nutrition-information-27/obesity-health-news-505/when-it-comes-to-obesity-genes-just-partly-to-blame-727739.html

Triclosan 6 Appears To Accumulate In Toothbrushes Over Time.

“The researchers say that the FDA does not consider mouth exposure to triclosan toothpastes to be a health risk.” Currently, the chemical “is found in toothpastes that are marketed as antibacterial, and Colgate is currently the only brand that makes toothpaste that contains triclosan.” Should people “want to avoid triclosan while brushing their teeth, the researchers recommend changing to a toothpaste without triclosan and buying a new toothbrush.” http://time.com/4995690/triclosan-toothpaste/

Eating Alone May Be Linked To Higher Risk Of Metabolic Syndrome In Some People

reports that research suggests “people who eat most of their meals alone may be at increased risk for heart disease and diabetes.” Investigators “found that men who dined solo at least twice a day were more likely to have metabolic syndrome...compared to those who always dined with others.” The findings were published in Obesity Research & Clinical Practice. http://time.com/4995466/eating-alone-metabolic-syndrome/

Being Underweight In Early Or Mid-Adulthood May Increase Risk For Early Menopause,

“Women who were underweight in early or mid-adulthood had a higher risk for early menopause,” researchers concluded after analyzing “data from the Nurses’ Health Study.” In fact, “women who were underweight at age 18 had more than 50% higher risk for early menopause, compared with those of normal weight,” while “women who were underweight at 35 had nearly 60% higher risk.” The findings were published online in the journal Human Reproduction. https://www.medpagetoday.com/endocrinology/menopause/68791

Researchers Say Type 3c Diabetes May Be More Common Than Previously Thought.

“Type 3c diabetes, which occurs after a trauma to the pancreas, requires a stronger medical intervention than Type 2 – making a misdiagnosis particularly dangerous.” A corresponding author on the study wrote, “People with Type 3c diabetes were twice as likely to have poor blood sugar control than those with Type 2 diabetes.” In addition, they are “five to ten times more likely to need insulin, depending on their type of pancreas disease.” reports UK researchers “say Type 3c diabetes may be more common than previously thought, saying some people with Type 2 may have been misdiagnosed.” In research published online in Diabetes Care, the study authors “found that about 1.5% of 31,789 new cases of diabetes over a 10 year period were diagnosed as Type 2 instead of Type 3c.” According to the Daily News, “a National Institutes of Health study from 2008 also identified Type 3c as an underdiagnosed form of diabetes, but still many people aren’t aware of it.” https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/oct/25/diabetes-type-3c-misdiagnosed-majority-patients/

A Weed Killer Is Increasingly Showing Up in People's Bodies

reports that glyphosate is pervasive in European soil and people, “but environmentalists claim that glyphosate is so non-selective that it can even kill large trees and is destructive to wild and semi-natural habitats, and to biodiversity.” Many people are also concerned that the chemical could be toxic to humans because the IARC concluded in 2015 that it is “probably carcinogenic.” Researchers “used data from the long-running and influential Rancho Bernardo Study of Healthy Aging, established in 1972.” The article notes that glyphosate is the active ingredient in Monsanto’s herbicide product Roundup, and there is an ongoing controversy concerning whether or not the chemical is a carcinogen. http://time.com/4993877/weed-killer-roundup-levels-humans/

Dementia Less Likely With Oral Anticoagulants for Afib Similar effect observed with NOACs, warfarin in Swedish registry data

https://www.medpagetoday.com/Cardiology/Arrhythmias/68774?xid=NL_breakingnews_2017-10-25&eun=g721819d0r

Advertisement Fewer People Have Undiagnosed Diabetes Than Previously Estimated,

reports a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that in using the American Diabetes Association’s (ADA) criteria for diagnosing diabetes, there were an estimated 25.5 million people with diabetes in 2015 with about 11 percent of them undiagnosed. The previous, “less stringent standard to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the U.S. Census” used by the CDC led to an estimate of 33.3 million people with diabetes and nearly 24 percent of whom were undiagnosed. http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2017/10/23/559486787/screening-for-diabetes-is-working-better-than-thought

Data Show Americans Retiring Later, Dying Sooner, And In Poorer Health.

reports that data released last week suggests that Americans are retiring later, dying sooner, and suffer more serious health problems in their late 50s. The data by the Society of Actuaries show that nearly one-third of those age 65 to 69 are still working and age-adjusted mortality rates rose 1.2 percent from 2014-2015. By the age of 58 to 60, a quarter of Americans rated their health as “poor” or “fair.” The article mentions several potential causes for why Americans’ health appears to be getting worse, including a suicide epidemic, drug and alcohol abuse, and higher obesity rates. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-10-23/americans-are-retiring-later-dying-sooner-and-sicker-in-between

Probiotic Supplementation May Benefit Overweight Or Obese Adults,

“Adults with overweight or obesity who used a probiotic supplement experienced greater reductions in weight, BMI, fat mass and fat percentage compared with those who took a placebo,” researchers found in a 15-study analysis including data on 957 obese or overweight adults. The findings were published online in Obesity Reviews. https://www.healio.com/endocrinology/obesity/news/in-the-journals/%7B49730cdc-5051-43d4-b1ab-76facf2507cc%7D/short-term-probiotic-supplementation-may-aid-weight-loss

Vitamin D And Calcium May Not Reduce Fracture Risk In Adults When Taken As A Preventive Measure, USPSTF Finds.

“Vitamin D and calcium may not reduce the risk of fractures in adults when taken as a “preventive measure, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) concluded. The findings can be seen here. http://www.endocrinologyadvisor.com/bone-metabolism/vitamin-d-calcium-supplements-fracture-risk/article/701834/

Statin Use May Increase Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes Among High-Risk Individuals

reports a study published in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care found that long-term use of statins “is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes of approximately 30% in individuals at high-risk of the disease, even after taking into account known risk factors and potential confounders.” Researchers reached this conclusion after examining more than 3,200 participants in the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) over 10 years, finding that “statin use was linked to a 36% increased risk of being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.” https://login.medscape.com/login/sso/getlogin?urlCache=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubWVkc2NhcGUuY29tL3ZpZXdhcnRpY2xlLzg4NzQ3Mg==&ac=401

Obesity Leads To Release Of Cytokines Into The Bloodstream Which Impact Breast Cancer Cell Metabolism,

Obesity leads to the release of cytokines into the bloodstream which impact the metabolism of breast cancer cells, making them more aggressive as a result,” researchers found in a study published online in Cell Metabolism. https://endocrinenews.endocrine.org/researchers-report-obesity-promotes-breast-cancer/

Men With Prolactinoma May Be At Higher Risk For Incident Cardiovascular Disease.

“Men with prolactinoma are at higher risk for incident cardiovascular disease compared with women with prolactinoma and healthy men and women,” researchers concluded after evaluating data on “2,233 adults with prolactinoma (1,822 women) and 10,355 matched controls (8,557 women).” The findings were published online in Clinical Endocrinology. https://www.healio.com/endocrinology/neuroendocrinology/news/in-the-journals/%7B704c9691-4570-4039-ae23-a8ceb30166e6%7D/prolactinoma-increases-cvd-risk-in-men

Scientists Identify And Improve Protein That Causes Weight Loss And Improves Health In Obese Mice And Monkeys.

reports scientists “report they have identified and improved upon a naturally occurring protein that brought about significant changes in obese mice and monkeys, including weight loss and rapid improvements on measures of metabolic and heart health.” The findings were published in Science Translational Medicine. http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-sn-weight-loss-protein-20171019-story.html

Do Obesity and Depression Have Immunometabolic Ties? Disorders may share pathophysiologic mechanisms

The shared pathophysiologic mechanisms may include immunometabolic pathways characterized by an increased pro-inflammatory response and the dysregulation of hormones responsible for energy metabolism. "Obesity is characterized by low-grade pro-inflammatory activation. Peripheral immune activation could trigger brain inflammatory responses participating in depressive neurochemical and/or endocrine processes (i.e., depletion and degradation of tryptophan toward neurotoxic end products or hyperactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis)," they wrote. https://www.medpagetoday.com/endocrinology/obesity/68627

Obesity Found To Be A Risk Factor For 30-Day Readmission Among Young Children Recently Hospitalized For Asthma.

reports that research indicated “obesity was...a risk factor for 30-day readmission among young children recently hospitalized for asthma.” In the “study of more than 38,000 children living in Japan, obese patients were more likely to be older, male, and have pre-existing comorbidities.” Additionally, “they...showed significantly higher 30-day readmission (adjusted odds ratio 1.26, 95% CI 1.03-1.54) and longer length of stay (adjusted difference 0.12 days, 95% CI 0.10- 0.20 days) than the children whose weight was classified as normal.” The findings were published in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. https://www.medpagetoday.com/pediatrics/asthma/68638

Women With Type 2 Diabetes Who Receive Long-Acting Insulin Glargine May Have Increased Risk Of Breast Cancer,

reports that researchers found that “women with type 2 diabetes who received long-acting insulin glargine...had a 1.4-fold increased risk of breast cancer compared with women who were given intermediate-acting neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) insulin during roughly 4 years and up to 12 years of follow-up.” However, individuals “who received insulin detemir...did not have any increased risk of breast cancer.” Medscape adds that “of note, the breast-cancer signal with insulin glargine was only significant among prior insulin users and not new users.” https://login.medscape.com/login/sso/getlogin?urlCache=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubWVkc2NhcGUuY29tL3ZpZXdhcnRpY2xlLzg4NzIwNA==&ac=401

Study Reveals Association Between Depression, Sagging Testosterone Levels In New Fathers.

reports research indicates that postpartum depression “may occur in from 7 percent to 10 percent of new fathers, compared to about 12 percent of new mothers, and that depressed dads were more likely to spank their children and less likely to read to them.” Now, research published in Hormones and Behavior “has found a link between depression and sagging testosterone levels in new dads, adding physiological weight to the argument that postpartum depression isn’t just for women anymore.” In addition, the study revealed that “while high testosterone levels in new dads helped protect against depression in fathers, it correlated with an increased risk of depression in new moms.” https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/17/well/family/can-fathers-have-postpartum-depression.html

Health Experts Call For Changes To Food Environment As CDC Research Shows Rising Obesity Rates.

With obesity rates in the US at “a new high,” public health experts are calling for “an aggressive shift in strategy – one that would change the food environment through initiatives such as soda taxes,” USA Today (10/17, Toy) reports. Traditional “public health efforts have centered on communicating messages about what is healthy in the hopes of changing people’s behavior,” but new research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics shows a steady increase in obesity rates among US adults, up from 30.5 percent in 1999-2000 to 39.8 percent in 2015-2016. The article cites “Craig Hales, the study’s lead researcher and a medical epidemiologist at the CDC,” and notes that “physician Jerome Adams, who was sworn in as surgeon general in August, on Monday cited obesity as among the Department of Health and Human Services’...top priorities.” https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/10/17/obesity-rates-skyrochave-hit-new-high-and-health-experts-say-its-time-change-how-were-dealing-proble/773015001/

Shingles Seen as Possible Trigger for Cardiovascular Events Younger age associated with increased risk; but biological mechanism unclear

https://www.medpagetoday.com/Cardiology/MyocardialInfarction/66384?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2017-10-17&eun=g721819d0r&pos=3

NIH To Launch Male Contraceptive Study.

reports the National Institutes of Health will start recruiting couples for a clinical trial of a male contraceptive gel that is applied to men’s shoulders. The gel contains the hormone progestin, which limits the testes from generating testosterone at a level that supports sperm production. A male contraceptive clinical trial several years ago ended early after some participants experienced depression and mood disorders. The NIH trial is expected to take three years, and if successful, researchers would begin another trial. However, even if the trial produces results, researchers say no pharmaceutical company is willing to manufacture the gel. https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-search-for-a-new-form-of-birth-control-1508173537

Vaginal Estrogen Use Safe Among Postmenopausal Women,

reported that in a study, “vaginal estrogen use was found to be safe among postmenopausal women.” Investigators “found vaginal estrogen use was not associated with any increased risk for a global index event.” MedPage Today added that the “findings were similar among users with an intact uterus (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.51-0.77) or who have undergone a hysterectomy (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.63-1.08) after adjustment for age, education, prior estrogen use, and a history of cancer, CVD, or DVP/PE.” The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the North American Menopause Society. https://www.medpagetoday.com/meetingcoverage/nams/68526

High Resolution Rate in Viral Conjunctivitis Almost 80% of patients virus free by day 6

Almost a third of patients with adenoviral conjunctivitis had clinical resolution within 6 days when treated with dexamethasone/povidone-iodine ophthalmic suspension (SHP640) and almost 80% had viral eradication, according to a randomized trial reported here. Virus eradication occurred as early as 3 days among patients treated with povidone-iodine, with or without dexamethasone. Treatment-emergent adverse events occurred more often with SHP640 compared with a vehicle solution administered to a control group, Abhijit Narvekar, MBBS, DPM, of Shire Pharmaceuticals in Lexington Massachusetts, reported at the American Academy of Optometry (AAOpt) meeting here. "No medications are currently approved in the U.S. for adenoviral conjunctivitis, and infected patients can easily transmit the disease to others," Narvekar said at an AAOpt press briefing. https://www.medpagetoday.com/MeetingCoverage/AAOPT/68512?xid=nl_mpt_DHE_2017-10-13&eun=g721819d0r&pos=3