50-year-old brain dead man donates organs, saves three lives in Rajasthan

Kota: The family of a 50-year-old man, who was declared brain dead during a treatment, donated his organs, giving a new lease of life to three patients in Jaipur and Jodhpur. 

With this, Jhalawar Government Hospital and Medical College has become the state’s first “non-transplant organ retrieval centre”, its principal Dr Shiv Bhagwan Sharma told PTI on Monday.

On February 18, Bhuria was brought to the hospital with injuries he sustained after falling from the rooftop of his house. He was declared brain dead during the treatment on February 24, following which Jhalawar Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr Sajid Khan and the medical college administration informed the matter to the state government.

Also Read:53-year-old brain-dead woman gifts new life to many through organ donation at AIIMS Delhi

Rajasthan Health Minister Gagendra Singh and Additional Chief Secretary (Health), Shubhra Singh directed the hospital administration to counsel the family to consent for organ donation.

Upon consent of Bhuria’s wife for donation of her husband’s liver and kidneys, a certificate for organ retrieval was issued to the medical college on Saturday and kidneys, liver and cornea were harvested from the brain-dead man on Sunday, Dr Sharma told PTI.

One kidney and liver were allotted to Sawai Man Singh Hospital, Jaipur and other kidney to AIIMS, Jodhpur, he added.

For immediate transportation of these organs to needy patients, a green corridor was created in coordination with traffic police and the organs were on Sunday sent to Jaipur and Jodhpur by four ambulances, Jhalawar CMHO Dr Khan said.

The organs were transplanted to three patients in the two hospitals on Sunday night, giving a new lease of life to them, the CMHO said.

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that in a deeply touching display of humanity’s kindness and generosity marked a profoundly moving chapter. A 43-year-old woman has generously donated the chance of life through organ donation.

Also Read:31-year-old brain dead woman’s heart airlifted, transplanted into air warrior in Pune

Powered by WPeMatico

Sahyadri Hospital doctors perform laparoscopic cystectomy to treat rare ovarian condition in 13-year-old girl

Pune: In a remarkable medical achievement, MomStory by Sahyadri Hospitals, led by the expert team of doctors, including Dr Mini Salunkhe, Director & Head of Dept – Obstetrics, Dr Gauri Jagdale, Gynaecologist and Obstetrician and Dr Sunil have successfully treated a 13-year-old schoolgirl, Priya (Name changed), for a rare ovarian condition. 

Under the expert care of doctors from Sahyadri Hospitals, Priya underwent a laparoscopic cystectomy to address a large and complex ovarian cyst, this kind of cyst is not common in girls who haven’t started their periods yet.
Diagnosed on October’23, Priya presented with abdominal pain persisting for a month. Initial sonography and MRI revealed a substantial ovarian cyst (size 17*16*12 cm), with the ovary not separately visible.
Also Read:Sahyadri Hospitals collaborates with ImmunoACT for Advanced CAR-T Cell Therapies
Notably, all tumor markers were within the normal range except for a slightly elevated CA 125 (often found in people who have ovarian cancer). The medical team, led by Dr. Mini Salunkhe, opted for a laparoscopic cystectomy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure. This case is special because doctors accidentally found a big cyst in the ovaries of a 13-year-old girl.
They then used a special method called laparoscopy to take it out. Dr. Mini Salunkhe said, “Post-surgery, Priya demonstrated remarkable progress, being able to walk within six hours of the procedure. The histopathological examination unveiled that the cyst was endometriotic, a rarity in premenarcheal girls. This unique aspect further underscores the significance of early diagnosis and advanced medical interventions in pediatric cases at Sahyadri Hospitals.” Dr Gauri Jagdale, who is the part of surgical team, remarked that, “It is rare to encounter such a condition in a patient of Priya’s age.
Our successful laparoscopic intervention not only relieved her of the pain and discomfort but also provided a unique opportunity for learning and research in the field of pediatric gynecology.” Dr Gauri underscored the significance of timely diagnosis and appropriate intervention, particularly in instances where medical conditions diverge from the usual norms. Dr. Sunil, also part of the surgical team, added, “This case exemplifies the collaborative efforts of our medical team and the effectiveness of minimally invasive techniques.
Priya’s rapid recovery underscores the advantages of laparoscopic procedures in pediatric cases, showcasing the hospital’s commitment to advanced healthcare.” This successful procedure at Sahyadri Hospitals serves as a testament to the hospital’s commitment to advancing medical care and embracing innovative, minimally invasive surgical techniques, especially in pediatric cases.
The hospital takes pride in playing a pivotal role in Priya’s recovery and remains dedicated to delivering high-quality healthcare with a focus on individualized treatment plans for every patient. Understanding Endometriotic Cyst – An endometriotic cyst is a small, fluid-filled sac that develops on the ovary due to endometriosis, a condition in which the uterine lining tissue grows outside the uterus, usually on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and/or pelvic peritoneum. It is a type of ovarian cyst that is caused by a hormonal imbalance and can lead to symptoms such as abdominal pain, heavy menstrual periods, and infertility.
Also Read:Sahyadri Hospital doctors perform mechanical thrombectomy on 62-year-old heart attack patient

Powered by WPeMatico

The sling procedure useful reconstruction method for wide defect of the proximal humerus: study

The proximal humerus is a common site for both primary and metastatic bone tumors. Although various methods have been developed for reconstruction following resection of the proximal humerus, a consensus on which technique is best has not been established.

Ryuto Tsuchiya et al focused on the sling procedure using a free vascularized fibular graft (FVFG). The study was conducted at National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.

The authors retrospectively reviewed the data of 19 patients who underwent the sling procedure with use of an FVFG. The median age was 20 years, and the median follow-up duration was 63.1 months. Surgical data, oncological outcomes, the postoperative course, complications, and functional outcomes as measured with use of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score were thoroughly reviewed.

Key findings of the study were:

• The median operative duration was 555 minutes, and the median blood loss was 374 mL.

• The median length of the bone defect was 17.0 cm, and the median length of the graft was 20.0 cm.

• With respect to oncological outcomes, 9 patients were continuously disease-free, 9 patients had no evidence of disease, and 1 patient was alive with disease.

• Bone union was present in 13 of the 17 patients for whom it was evaluable.

• The median time to bone union was 4 months.

• Graft growth was observed in 2 pediatric patients.

• Postoperative fracture was a major complication at the recipient site.

• The incidence of pseudarthrosis significantly increased when the FVFG could not be inserted into the remaining humeral bone or was split in half (p = 0.002).

• Although a few patients demonstrated peroneal nerve palsy at the donor site, the symptom was temporary.

• The overall functional outcome was favorable, with an average MSTS score of 66.9%.

“In conclusion, we retrospectively reviewed the largest number of patients to date to undergo the sling procedure using an FVFG. This reconstruction method demonstrated a low complication rate and a favourable functional outcome overall. We therefore conclude that the sling procedure is beneficial for patients in a broad age range who have a wide defect of the proximal humerus” the authors commented.

Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV.

Further reading:

Outcomes of Sling Procedure Using a Free Vascularized Fibular Graft After Resection of the Proximal Humerus

Ryuto Tsuchiya et al

JBJS Open Access 2023:e23.00044.

http://dx.doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.OA.23.00044

Powered by WPeMatico

Scientists develop simple blood test to quickly diagnose sarcoidosis

A research project supported by the National Institutes of Health has developed a tool to rapidly and inexpensively diagnose sarcoidosis, a chronic inflammatory disease marked by the growth of tiny lumps called granulomas in the lungs and other organs in the body. The tool, which uses a simple blood test, could allow for selective use of more invasive diagnostic tests often used to identify the disease. The findings published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

“Currently, diagnosing sarcoidosis isn’t a straightforward process, and requires tissue removal and testing with additional screenings to rule out other diseases, such as tuberculosis or lung cancer,” said James Kiley, Ph.D., Director of the Division of Lung Diseases at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of NIH. “Using a blood test will help diagnose faster, particularly in those organs that are more challenging to biopsy and with less harm to the patient.”

Though the exact cause of sarcoidosis is unknown, researchers suspect it is an immune disorder triggered by a group of specific antigens, which are generally foreign substances that incite an immune response in the body. In the United States, an estimated 8-11 people per 100,000 are affected by sarcoidosis each year, according to previous research.To identify antigens and determine which might be linked to sarcoidosis, scientists collected lung fluid samples and blood cells from patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis, then extracted the genetic material. Using a combination of molecular techniques, the researchers homed in on two newly described disease-specific antigen biomarkers that only bind to the antibodies of sarcoidosis positive patients.

They next designed a highly specific blood test, which only requires a small amount of blood, to determine if they could accurately detect sarcoidosis. To verify the test, researchers compared blood samples from 386 people, which included patients with sarcoidosis, patients with tuberculosis, patients with lung cancer, and healthy individuals. The researchers confirmed that their test was able to differentiate patients who had sarcoidosis from those with other respiratory diseases.

“More testing needs to be completed before this screening method is ready for clinical use, but it’s possible that could be a reality within a few years,” said Lobelia Samavati, M.D., of Wayne State University and senior author on the study.

Reference:

Peng C, Talreja J, Steinbauer B, et al. (2024) Discovery of two novel immunoepitopes and development of peptide-based sarcoidosis immunoassay. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. www.atsjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1164/rccm.202306-1054OC.

Powered by WPeMatico

Smoking cannabis associated with increased risk of heart attack, stroke

Frequent cannabis smoking may significantly increase a person’s risk for heart attack and stroke, according to an observational study supported by the National Institutes of Health. The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, uses data from nearly 435,000 American adults, and is among the largest ever to explore the relationship between cannabis and cardiovascular events.

The study, funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of NIH, found that daily use of cannabis-predominately through smokingwas associated with a 25% increased likelihood of heart attack and a 42% increased likelihood of stroke when compared to non-use of the drug. Less frequent use was also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Weekly users showed a 3% increased likelihood of heart attack and a 5% increased likelihood of stroke.

Around 75% of the study respondents reported that they mainly used cannabis by smoking the drug. Approximately 25% of the respondents reported using cannabis by some method other than smoking, such as vaping, drinking, or eating the drug.

“We know that toxins are released when cannabis is burned, similar to those found in tobacco smoke,” said corresponding author Abra Jeffers, Ph.D., a data analyst at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and formerly a researcher at the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California, San Francisco, where she conducted the study as part of her postdoctoral work.

“We’ve known for a long time that smoking tobacco is linked to heart disease, and this study is evidence that smoking cannabis appears to also be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States,” Jeffers said. “Cannabis use could be an important, underappreciated source of heart disease.”

Researchers note that while the exact mechanisms linking cannabis to heart disease are unclear and were not explored in the current study, multiple factors could play a role. In addition to toxins, endocannabinoid receptors — the part of cells responsible for recognizing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis — are widespread in the body’s cardiovascular tissues and might facilitate heart risks.

Cannabis consumption has increased significantly within the past 20 years nationwide as negative perceptions of its use have declined, according to government surveys of drug use and health. In the United States, cannabis is now legal in 38 states for medicinal use and in 24 states for recreational use. Some studies have linked its regular use to impaired brain development and lung damage, as well as to certain cardiovascular diseases. However, there are gaps in knowledge about the adverse effect of cannabis on the heart.

To look more closely at associations between cannabis use and health, Jeffers and her research team used 2016–2020 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The national cross-sectional survey, performed annually by the CDC, included 434,104 adults ages 18-74 from 27 U.S. states and 2 territories. Most of the respondents were white (60%), while about 12% were Black, 19% Hispanic, and 9% other race/ethnicity.

The researchers evaluated the association of cannabis smoking (the number of days participants said they smoked the drug in the past 30 days) with self-reported cardiovascular outcomes, including coronary heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and a composite measure of all three. They adjusted for the participants’ use of tobacco and other characteristics, including their age, sex, race, body mass index or BMI, obesity, diabetes, physical activity levels, and socioeconomic status.

“This is an important public health finding, particularly given our ongoing efforts to reduce the burden of heart disease in this country,” said David C. Goff, M.D., Ph.D., director of the NHLBI’s Division of Cardiovascular Sciences.

“Asking patients about their cannabis use during routine medical exams or physicals in much the same way they might be asked about tobacco use will help us learn more about the long term effect of marijuana on the body,” Jeffers said.

Reference:

Abra M. Jeffers, Stanton Glantz, Amy L. Byers and Salomeh Keyhani, Association of Cannabis Use With Cardiovascular Outcomes Among US Adults, Journal of the American Heart Association, https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.123.030178.

Powered by WPeMatico

New study identifies five ferroptosis-related genes which may be a novel therapeutic target for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

China: Ferroptosis-related genes could be a novel therapeutic target for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a recent study published in BMC Nephrology has shown.

This study identified the Hub ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) and transcriptomic molecules from focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in renal tubules, thus providing novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets for FSGS.

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is characterized by partial glomerular (focal) or partial glomerular capillary loops (segmental) sclerosis. In most world parts, FSGS is one of the main causes of glomerulopathy in end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

FSGS treatment primarily includes immunosuppressive therapy, corticosteroids, and kidney transplantation. However, FSGS patients have become resistant to immunosuppressive therapy and corticosteroids, thus showing a limited response to FSGS. The existing treatment modalities and efficacy of FSGS are inadequate in delaying ESRD progression, necessitating more effective treatment for FSGS management.

Recent studies have suggested ferroptosis participation in various renal diseases. However, no clarity exists on its effect on focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Therefore, Lan Chen, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China, and colleagues analyzed the GSE125779 and GSE121211 datasets to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in renal tubular samples with and without FSGS.

The research team used the Cytoscape to construct the protein–protein interaction network. Moreover, they obtained ferroptosis-related genes from the ferroptosis database, while ferroptosis-related DEGs were obtained by intersection with DEGs. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis and Gene Ontology (GO) were used for target genes analysis.

The GSE108112 dataset was used to confirm the expression of target FRGs. Besides, the tea built the mRNA-miRNA network regarding FRGs using the NetworkAnalyst database, and circRNAs corresponding to key miRNAs were predicted in the ENCORI database.

The key findings of the study were as follows:

  • 16 ferroptosis-related DEGs were identified between FSGS and healthy subjects, while five co-expressed genes were obtained by three topological algorithms in Cytoscape. These included the most concerned Hub genes JUN, HIF1A, ALB, DUSP1 and ATF3.
  • The KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that FRGs were associated with mitophagy, renal cell carcinoma, and metabolic pathways.
  • The co-expressed hub genes were analyzed to construct the mRNA-miRNA interaction network, and important miRNAs such as hsa-mir-155-5p, hsa-mir-1-3p, and hsa-mir-124-3p were obtained.
  • 75 drugs targeting 54 important circRNAs and FRGs were predicted.

The study identified five ferroptosis-related genes, which may be potential novel diagnostic markers for renal tubulointerstitial injury in FSGS.

“Our prediction of several miRNAs will provide valuable reference information for the ferroptosis-related pathological mechanism of FSGS, and the prediction of targeted drugs provides direction for clinical treatment,” the researchers wrote.

“There is a need for further clinical and basic studies to elucidate the specific mechanistic details of ferroptosis in FSGS-associated tubulointerstitial damage in the future,” they concluded.

Reference:

Lin, Y., He, J., Mou, Z. et al. Ferroptosis-related genes, a novel therapeutic target for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. BMC Nephrol 25, 58 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12882-024-03490-5

Powered by WPeMatico

Living near pubs, bars and fast-food restaurants could be bad for heart health

Living close to pubs, bars and fast-food restaurats may lead to a higher risk of heart failure, according to new research published today in Circulation: Heart Failure, an  American Heart Association journal.

These kinds of ready-to-eat food environments typically provide unhealthy foods and drinks, and have been linked to cardiovascular diseases, said study senior author Lu Qi, M.D., Ph.D., a professor in the epidemiology department at Tulane University in New Orleans.

Heart failure is a condition in which the heart muscle can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs for blood and oxygen. Few studies have assessed the relationship between heart failure and food environment, the authors noted. This study is likely the first to assess the association between food environment and heart failure with long-term observation.

“Most previous research on the relation between nutrition and human health has been focused on food quality, while neglecting the impact of food environment,” Qi said. “Our study highlights the importance of accounting for food environment in nutrition research.”

Researchers evaluated the association using data from the UK Biobank-a large-scale database containing health information for more than 500,000 adults in the United Kingdom. They measured enrollees’ exposure to three types of food environments-pubs or bars, restaurants or cafeterias and fast-food restaurants. Exposure was determined by proximity (living within 1-kilometer/0.62 miles-or a within a 15-minute walk) and density (the number of ready-to-eat food outlets within the predefined 1-kilometer/0.62 miles).

The study documented nearly 13,000 heart failure cases during a 12-year follow-up period, recorded through national electronic health-related datasets.

The analysis found that a closer proximity and a greater density of ready-to-eat food outlets were associated with an elevated risk of heart failure.

Specifically, the results include:

  • Overall, participants in the highest density of ready-to-eat food outlets-defined as 1 kilometer/.62 mile area with 11 or more ready-to-eat outlets — had a 16% greater risk of heart failure compared to those with no ready-to-eat food environments near their homes.
  • Those in the highest density areas of pubs and bars showed a 14% higher risk for heart failure; while those in the highest density areas for fast-food outlets had a 12% higher risk.
  • Participants who lived closest to pubs and bars-less than 500 meters (.31 miles)-had a 13% higher risk of heart failure; while those closest to fast-food outlets had a 10% higher risk compared to those who lived the farthest away (more than 2,000 meters or 1.24 miles.
  • Heart failure risk was stronger among participants without a college degree and adults in urban areas without access to formal physical activity facilities such as gyms.

The findings were in line with expectations, Qi said, “because previous studies have suggested that exposure to ready-to-eat food environments is associated with risks of other disorders, such as Type 2 diabetes and obesity, which may also increase the risk of heart failure.”

Authors noted the findings suggest that improving access to healthier food environments and physical fitness facilities in urban areas, along with helping more people attain higher levels of education, could reduce the increased risk of heart failure linked to quick-meal options.

An accompanying editorial by Elissa Driggin M.D., M.S., and Ersilia M. DeFilippis, M.D., both of Columbia University Medical Center in New York, notes that more detailed analyses are needed in communities with more racially and ethnically diverse populations.

“Given the clear association between Black race and high incidence of heart failure as compared to white patients, as well as associations with worse heart failure outcomes, attention to food environment in this high-risk population is of the utmost importance,” they wrote.

“It has already been demonstrated that compared to predominantly white neighborhoods, there are significantly fewer supermarkets in predominantly Black neighborhoods, which are likely to be inversely associated with ready-to-eat food environments.”

The American Heart Association is working to improve access to healthy food among patients receiving treatment for chronic health conditions and people at high risk for such conditions. The Association’s Health Care by Food TM initiative is investing in research, advocacy and education to show clinical benefit and cost effectiveness of interventions that use food as medicine so that such interventions are covered by public and private health insurance.

A 2023 Association Presidential Advisory reviewing the landscape for food is medicine practice and research noted that one of the major challenges to eating healthier is the lack of a systemic focus on improving food environments and the food system. With few exceptions, taxes and financial incentives are not directed toward encouraging the purchase of healthy foods, improving the healthfulness of local food environments or ensuring the health of children and future generations, according to the advisory.

“Consuming a healthy diet is too hard for too many people,” said Eduardo Sanchez, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA, the Association’s chief medical officer for prevention. “Structural racism and factors that contribute to poverty mean that historically excluded people suffer the consequences of poor-quality diets at disproportionate levels. For over a century, we’ve saved and improved lives at the American Heart Association and will continue to focus on initiatives like this in our next 100 years by ensuring everyone, everywhere enjoys their healthiest lives.”

Study background and details:

  • Data came from UK Biobank entries for more than 500,000 adults, ages 37-73 years old recruited from 22 assessment centers in England, Scotland and Wales between March 2006 and October 2010, followed through May 2021.
  • Heart Failure was based on self-reported information and hospital inpatient records.
  • Participants, on average, were 56 years old, more than half were women and 94% were of white European ancestry. Participants had completed extensive questionnaires detailing personal information, such as age, sex, race, education, lifestyle habits and medical history.
  • Within the 1-kilometer range of where participants lived, there were 3.57 ready-to-eat food outlets on average.
  • The average street distance to pubs and bars was 692 meters (0.43 miles); 820 meters (0.50 miles) to restaurants and cafeterias; and 1,135 meters (0.70 miles) to fast-food restaurants. Participants included in the analysis were exposed to the highest density category of composite ready-to-eat food environments.

Although the research used a large sample size, it may not represent the general population because most participants were white, skewed older and lived in the U.K. Other limitations include potential for exposure misclassification because of participants’ movements among neighborhoods during the follow-up period. The study did not rule out other factors that may involve a particular food environment that could affect heart failure and did not include nutrition insecurity data. In addition, it cannot show causality because the research is observational based on previously collected data.

The study emphasizes the importance of improving food environments to prevent heart failure, and the researchers noted that more studies are needed, particularly assessing nutrition insecurity, to enhance the robustness and applicability of this study’s conclusions.

Reference:

Qiaochu Xue, Xiang Li, Hao Ma, Xuan Wang, Yoriko Heianza and Lu Qi, Ready-to-Eat Food Environments and Risk of Incident Heart Failure: A Prospective Cohort Study, Circulation Heart Failure, https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.123.010830.

Powered by WPeMatico

Study confirms benefits of auricular acupuncture to treat depression

Auricular acupuncture, recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and offered as an integrative practice since 2006 by the SUS (Sistema Única de Saúde), Brazil’s national health service, is safe for patients with depression and effectively reduces symptoms of this mental health disorder, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) and the University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNISUL).

The results of the study are reported in an article published in the journal JAMA Network Open. They confirm the efficacy of auricular acupuncture as an alternative treatment for depression, a mood disorder for which rising numbers are seeking care from the SUS, judging from data provided by the Ministry of Health.

Depression is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, according to the WHO. In Brazil, lifetime prevalence of depression is 15.5%, one of the highest globally, and depressive disorders account for 10.3% of years of life lost (YLL), a measure of premature mortality calculated by subtracting the age at death from the longest possible life expectancy for a person at that age.

However, fewer than half the people affected globally receive treatment considered adequate, including psychotherapy and medication. In some countries, the proportion is less than 10%. The reasons include the high cost of antidepressants and their adverse side effects, such as gastric discomfort and decreased libido. Interest in non-pharmacological and more affordable options is growing as a result. In the United States, for example, a third of the population prefers alternative treatments for depression.

One such alternative is auricular acupuncture, an ancient Chinese technique in which thin needles are inserted into points on the outer ear with the aim of stimulating various organs, including the brain and vagus nerve. The needles are inexpensive: a pack of 50 (enough for ten sessions) costs less than BRL 10.00 (now about USD 2.00). Simple and quick (a session lasts between 5 and 15 minutes), the technique does not require long periods of training and can be applied by nurses or physical therapists, unlike full-body acupuncture, which can only be offered by licensed practitioners. On the downside, its efficacy and safety to treat depression have not yet been completely established.

The researchers sought evidence of this kind in the study, which was funded by FAPESP and took place between March and July 2023, involving 74 patients whose scores on Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ9) indicated moderate or moderately severe depression. Prospective participants were not included if they had previously undergone auricular acupuncture or were severely depressed and at risk of suicide. They were given 12 sessions of 15 minutes each during a period of six weeks.

The average age of the participants was 29. Most of them (84%) were women. They were divided into two groups of 37. One received specific auricular acupuncture (SA) to treat depression according to traditional Chinese medicine, stimulating six points on the outer ear corresponding to shenmen (spirit), subcortex, heart, lung, liver, and kidney. The other received non-specific treatment (NSA) using non-points or auricular points not associated with symptoms of mental illness: pinna, cheek, face, and four points on the helix. For ethical reasons, all participants continued with their usual treatment. The efficacy and safety of the acupuncture were assessed after four weeks, six weeks and three months.

At the end of the follow-up period, the PHQ9 scores of 58% of the patients in the SA group were found to have improved by at least 50%. The proportion for the NSA group was 43%. This difference was not considered statistically significant. Nevertheless, the authors note, some of the results were promising: for example, the proportion of patients with depression recovery and remission was higher in the SA group after four weeks, and a statistically significant difference in favor of the SA group was observed in remission after three months.

“Our results showed almost 60% recovering from depression thanks to specific auricular acupuncture. This is similar to the recovery rate for treatment with drugs, according to other published studies on this topic,” said Daniel Maurício de Oliveira Rodrigues, first author of the article and a professor of naturology at UNISUL. “Moreover, 46% of these participants reported cessation of symptoms, in contrast with 13% of the NSA group. For comparison, the proportion is about 35% in patients treated with drugs.”

Another promising result was a lack of severe adverse effects, with no significant differences between the groups. A large majority of participants (94% in the SA group and 91% in the NSA group) reported only mild pain at the needle application site. “This evidences the safety of the intervention for more than six weeks,” Rodrigues said.

More safety

“We’re witnessing a veritable epidemic of mood disorders. I believe there has never been so much anxiety and depression as has been the case since the Covid pandemic. Acceptance of the gold standard for treatment is far from ideal,” said Alexandre Faisal Cury, a researcher in the Department of Preventive Medicine at the University of São Paulo’s Medical School (FM-USP). “In clinical practice, we see patients with chronic depression who have been taking medication for a long time and have side effects and relapses, so we need complementary options with proven benefits.”

Three important lessons can be learned from the study, Faisal added. For the SUS, it validates a technique that is already in widespread use, and is in fact the most frequently practiced integrative method in the public system. For patients, it confirms that auricular acupuncture is a safe option for treatment of mental illness. And for health workers, it destigmatizes a non-allopathic therapy.

Despite the encouraging results, the researchers pointed out that the study had noteworthy limitations and that longer studies with more participants are needed to investigate the efficacy of this treatment in greater depth. “I believe participation by more people would produce results even more favorable to the intervention,” Faisal said.

Reference:

de Oliveira Rodrigues DM, Menezes PR, Machado Ribeiro Silotto AE, et al. Efficacy and Safety of Auricular Acupuncture for Depression: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2023;6(11):e2345138. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.45138.

Powered by WPeMatico

Exclusive breastfeeding for four months protects against psoriasis development through early adulthood: Study

Sweden: A recent study published in the British Journal of Dermatology for the first time has highlighted the potential role of early diet on psoriasis development and suggests a protective effect of breastfeeding.

The prospective longitudinal birth cohort study from Sweden revealed an association between longer breastfeeding duration and a lowered risk of psoriasis development in early adulthood.

“Babies introduced to infant formula before the age of 4 months were almost twice as likely to develop psoriasis later in life,” the researchers reported. ” Also, earlier consumption of larger amounts of dairy milk was also associated with an increased psoriasis risk.”

Psoriasis is a genetically determined systemic skin disease, although environmental trigger factors are needed for disease manifestation Some of these triggers, such as infections, stress, and drug exposure, have been identified. Johnny Ludvigsson, Linköping University, Linkoping, Sweden, and colleagues aimed to explore the role of early nutrition as a risk factor for psoriasis development.

Parents in the ABIS (All Babies in Southeast Sweden) (n= 16145) prospective birth cohort were included. They answered questionnaires at birth and by the child’s age of 1 and 3 years. Psoriasis diagnosis was received from the Swedish National Patient Register and National Drug Prescription Register. Custom-written R scripts were used for conducting statistical analyses.

The study led to the following findings:

  • Individuals breastfed for less than four months and receiving infant formula before four months were associated with a higher risk of psoriasis (OR 1.84 and OR 1.88, respectively).
  • At the 3-year follow-up, the increased fish consumption, especially from the Baltic Sea, increased the risk of psoriasis (OR9.61).
  • The risk of psoriasis increased following large milk consumption (OR2.53).

“Our study underscores, for the first time, the effect of very early nutrition on the manifestation of psoriasis through early adulthood. Exclusive breastfeeding for four months seems protective,” the researchers wrote.

Reference:

Das, D., Thimjo, J., Lebena, A., Guo, A., Enerbäck, C., & Ludvigsson, J. Breast-feeding decreases the risk of developing psoriasis through early adulthood. British Journal of Dermatology. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjd/ljae043

Powered by WPeMatico

Yoga provides unique cognitive benefits to older women at risk of Alzheimer’s disease, study finds

A new UCLA Health study found Kundalini yoga provided several benefits to cognition and memory for older women at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease including restoring neural pathways, preventing brain matter decline and reversing aging and inflammation-associated biomarkers-improvements not seen in a group who received standard memory training exercises.

The findings, published in the journal Translational Psychiatry, are the latest in a series of studies led by UCLA Health researchers over the past 15 years into the comparative effects of yoga and traditional memory enhancement training on slowing cognitive decline and addressing other risk factors of dementia.

Led by UCLA Health psychiatrist Dr. Helen Lavretsky of the Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, this latest study sought to determine whether Kundalini yoga could be used early on to prevent cognitive decline and trajectories of Alzheimer’s disease among postmenopausal women.

Women have about twice the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to men due to several factors including longer life expectancy, changes in estrogen levels during menopause and genetics.

In the new study, a group of more than 60 women ages 50 and older who had self-reported memory issues and cerebrovascular risk factors were recruited from a UCLA cardiology clinic. The women were divided evenly into two groups. The first group participated in weekly Kundalini yoga sessions for 12 weeks while the other one group underwent weekly memory enhancement training during the same time period. Participants were also provided daily homework assignments.

Kundalini yoga is a method that focuses on meditation and breath work more so than physical poses. Memory enhancement training developed by the UCLA Longevity center includes a variety of exercises, such as using stories to remember items on a list or organizing items on a grocery list, to help preserve or improve long-term memory of patients.

Researchers assessed the women’s cognition, subjective memory, depression and anxiety after the first 12 weeks and again 12 weeks later to determine how stable any improvements were. Blood samples were also taken to test for gene expression of aging markers and for molecules associated with inflammation, which are contributing factors to Alzheimer’s disease. A handful of patients were also assessed with MRIs to study changes in brain matter.

Researchers found the Kundalini yoga group participants saw several improvements not experienced by the memory enhancement training group. These included significant improvement in subjective memory complaints, prevention in brain matter declines, increased connectivity in the hippocampus which manages stress-related memories, and improvement in the peripheral cytokines and gene expression of anti-inflammatory and anti-aging molecules.

“That is what yoga is good for-to reduce stress, to improve brain health, subjective memory performance and reduce inflammation and improve neuroplasticity,” Lavretsky said.

Among the memory enhancement training group, the main improvements were found to be in the participants’ long-term memory.

Neither group saw changes in anxiety, depression, stress or resilience, though Lavretsky stated this is likely because the participants were relatively healthy and were not depressed.

While the long-term effects of Kundalini yoga on preventing or delaying Alzheimer’s disease require further study, Lavretsky said the study demonstrates that using yoga and memory training in tandem could provide more comprehensive benefits to the cognition of older women.

“Ideally, people should do both because they do train different parts of the brain and have different overall health effects,” Lavretsky said. “Yoga has this anti-inflammatory, stress-reducing, anti-aging neuroplastic brain effect which would be complimentary to memory training.”   

Reference:

Grzenda, A., Siddarth, P., Milillo, M.M. et al. Cognitive and immunological effects of yoga compared to memory training in older women at risk for alzheimer’s disease. Transl Psychiatry 14, 96 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-024-02807-0.

Powered by WPeMatico