Dr. House
Dr. House
Thursday, November 30, 2017
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/
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
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
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
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
Monday, November 27, 2017
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/
Wednesday, November 22, 2017
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
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
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
Friday, November 17, 2017
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/
Thursday, November 16, 2017
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
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
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
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
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
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
Monday, November 13, 2017
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
Friday, November 10, 2017
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
Thursday, November 9, 2017
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
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
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
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
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
Monday, November 6, 2017
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
Friday, November 3, 2017
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
Thursday, November 2, 2017
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
Wednesday, November 1, 2017
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
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