Influenza! How often do we hear

December 11, 2009

Influenza! How often do we hear

Influenza is a contagious respiratory disease caused by a flu virus. This disease is one of the groups of acute respiratory infections. Is the nature of the spread of epidemics. The influenza virus is divided into three categories A, B, C. category A, B belong to the same genus as category C completely to another. Each category has its own structure of influenza which is determined by the hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). Influenza A class has a property to be changed while in natural conditions. Influenza has the form of a sphere with a diameter of 80-120 nm, the center of the RNA fragments that are in the lipoprotein shell on the surface there are processes in the form of spikes consisting of hemagglutinin (H) and of neuraminidase (N). When injected into the human body of its resistance to influenza is determined by the amount worked out by anti-bodies on such substances (H), (N). Accordingly, the more spikes, the harder the body will resist.

The virus is airborne droplets. Most adults are susceptible to this disease. In an infected person becoming sick with influenza will last at most 3-5 days. This virus has the nature of the spread of epidemics. Epidemics of influenza A class of repeated approximately every 2 years, the class of flu in time in 4 years with respect to P then the type of character is rare and isolated cases of people with very low immunity.

The nature of epidemics often gets the virus in the autumn winter season. The distribution and frequency of influenza from the fact that it changes in natural conditions which are most susceptible class AA team considered a huge risk of children and the elderly, future moms, people with diseases of the heart, lungs, people with kidney failure.

Influenza has been known since the late 16 th century, some statistics. Year Distribution
1889-1890 Heavy epidemic
1900-1903 Moderate epidemic
1918-1919 Heavy pandemic (Spanish flu)
1933-1935 Average epidemic
1946-1947 Average epidemic
1957-1958 Heavy pandemic (Asian flu)
1968-1969 Moderate pandemic (Hong Kong Flu)
1977-1978 Average pandemic
1995-1996 Heavy pandemic

Found a cure for skin cancer

November 13, 2009

Found a cure for skin cancer
Scientists have developed a new drug that helps in the treatment of the most deadly types of skin cancer, including the most recent stages.

Malignant melanoma – one of the fastest growing types of cancer. Main reason for it – the solar radiation. According to the results of preliminary tests, the drug while still under development and which bears the name of PLX4032 (R7204), can provide a long life expectancy.

Pharmaceutical companies Roche and Plexxikon announced the results of their research at the annual convention of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. PLX4032 (R7204) finds and destroys tumor cells carry the mutation type BRAF, which is present in 60% of malignant melanomas. This can help not only reduce the number of malignant tumors, but also slow the spread of cancer.

Clinical trials

Currently, only 5% of people live more than two years after the appearance of metastases. In the first phase of a clinical study in 16 patients receiving the drug PLX4032 (R7204) was found to decrease proliferation of tumor cells by at least 30%.

On average, these patients have stopped the cancer cells to spread about half a year, while more than half of the tumors were markedly reduced. Representatives of the companies Roche and Plexxikon reported that they are going to conduct a more extensive clinical trials to determine how toxic the drug may be and what should be its optimal dose.

Both companies also hope to develop a process of testing for the diagnosis of patients with melanoma-type BRAF in the early stages of its development.

Against a stomach ulcer will help the amino acid glutamine

November 9, 2009

Against a stomach ulcer will help the amino acid glutamine
Almost 20 years ago, it was found that the bacteria called Helicobacter Pylori is responsible for stomach ulcers. Since then, antibiotics have become the main way to combat bacterial infection that affects approximately six percent of the world’s population, as well as the main cause of stomach cancer.

But today, the bacteria become increasingly resistant to antibiotics. American researchers Medical Center Beth Israel Deaconess and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have found an alternate method of prophylaxis against gastric ulcers: they believe that the amino acid glutamine to be helpful against damage to the stomach bacteria. According to gastroenterologists, glutamine supplement in the diet will protect the stomach from the effect of H. PYLORI, which weakens the mucous membranes and affects the work of cells, causing an excessive immune response is ineffective against the infection. Glutamic supplements will prevent the development of gastritis and conditions that lead to cancer, doctors believe.

Glutamine is found in many foods, including beef, chicken, fish, eggs, dairy products and some fruits and vegetables. Experiments have shown that glutamate blocks bacterial cell death, completely reversing the process of gastric lesions in the production of ammonia by bacteria. Amino acid stimulates the detoxification of ammonia in the stomach, reducing its concentration and prohibiting cell damage, demonstrated by clinicians who have observed the action of glutamine in the body of laboratory mice for 20 weeks. With supplements substance in the animals there was a decrease of inflammation and activity of inflammatory cytokines.

The device copes with severe asthma without drugs

The device copes with severe asthma without drugs
American scientists tested an experimental device that uses thermal energy to relieve bronchospasm in patients with severe bronchial asthma, intractable medical treatment.

As shown by one of the last stages of clinical trials, the use of Alair System – is the name of the device – a 32% reduced the incidence of severe asthma attacks and 84% of patients reduced the number of requests for emergency medical help.

In addition, patients who were treated by this device rarely took sick and miss school, and days free from asthma symptoms, they were more than those who received placebo.

The test results were presented at the 105-th international conference of the American Thoracic Society, held in San Diego (California, USA) from 15 to 20 May 2009

The principle of the Alair System is as follows: in the respiratory tract is introduced thin tube through which the high-frequency pulses are fed, heating and destroying the excess muscle tissue of the bronchioles, which prevents them from narrowing and obstruction. The procedure called bronchial thermoplastic and an outpatient.

“In bronchial asthma in the wall of the bronchioles, there are too many smooth muscle fibers, which promote the development of seizures, – explains study leader Dr. Mario Castro of the University. George Washington at St. Louis (Missouri, USA). – Our mission – to reduce their numbers” .

To participate in clinical trials, Dr. Castro and his colleagues have invited 297 patients with severe bronchial asthma from 30 hospitals in 6 countries. Two-thirds of all participants received 3 sessions of bronchial thermoplastics, the other represented the control group, in which during the procedure rf pulses were made.

Within a year after the procedure, scientists monitored the condition of patients. In 79% of subjects who passed the experimental treatment, the condition improved. According to Dr. Castro, improvement was noted in the control group, but its severity was not statistically significant. “This is a very important advance in the treatment of bronchial asthma, – said Dr. Castro, – to this day not much we can help these patients.

All patients enrolled in clinical trials, constantly taking a combination of drugs for inhalation of corticosteroids and b-agonists long-acting, but it did not give them much relief. Could also help immunomodulator omalizumab, intended for the treatment of allergic bronchial asthma, but not all patients the cause of asthma in allergy.

This fall, Alair System expects FDA approval. In Europe, bronchial thermoplastic already approved.

Scientists have explained why the avian flu infected more difficult than usual

October 22, 2009

Scientists have explained why the avian flu infected more difficult than usual
American doctors and biologists have found that the human nose is too cold for the successful spread of avian influenza virus. According to scientists, the bird flu virus infects only cells with a high temperature, whereas the ordinary flu virus is adapted to relatively low temperatures.

Virologists from several different institutions, the U.S. learned the process of infection of cells of the nasal mucosa of different influenza viruses. The researchers varied the temperature: part of the cell culture was maintained at a temperature of 32 degrees, and some – at +37. Biologists know that the bird’s body temperature far above the human and their upper airways are heated as well as the deeply located parts nasopharynx in humans.

Avian influenza viruses (strains that suffer mainly birds: in principle, avian flu can survive in the human body), which scientists infected cells, a well-bred only in the heated cultures. Recall that the virus can not reproduce itself, instead, the virus penetrates the cell, it embeds in its genetic code, and only then the cell starts to produce copies of the virus has infected her.

Researchers have found that often infect humans are influenza viruses, in contrast, well multiply in the cells both at low and at high temperatures. Experts say that these differences are explained by the fact that bird flu infection occurs less frequently, and its transmission from person to person is unlikely: the virus spreads rapidly only when hit deep into the respiratory tract, and under normal circumstances, it is retained in the nasopharynx.

They also said that their discovery could affect the priority of the development of vaccines against avian influenza. Study of the ability of different viruses (currently 16 known strains of avian flu and the doctors have not checked them all) to infect cells at different temperatures can identify those varieties that can infect the body, regardless of the temperature of nasopharynx. Against such a vaccine virus would require first of all – the remaining strains originally adapted to birds with another body temperature.

Scientists have found that Alzheimer’s disease is directly linked to heart problems

Scientists have found that Alzheimer’s disease is directly linked to heart problems
According to recent research scientists, people with atrial fibrillation in 44% more prone to dementia than people with healthy hearts. Atrial fibrillation – one of the most common cardiac arrhythmia. It is characterized by chaotic atrial rhythm and occurs in all age groups.

Academic Medical Center The Intermountain Medical Centre in Utah (USA) monitored the condition of more than 37 thousand patients. According to the cardiologist Jared Bunch, previous studies have shown that patients with atrial fibrillation are predisposed to vascular dementia – a kind of dementia, the prevalence is second only to Alzheimer’s disease. In the new study was the discovery is the fact that heart disease and lead to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Susan Sorensen, head of the U.S. Alzheimer’s Society, said: “The discovery suggests that people with heart disease may be faced immediately with the two most serious forms of dementia – Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. However, we have the opportunity to thoroughly explore this phenomenon and, possibly, to find the right medicine. ”

For 2006, there were more than 26 million people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists project that by 2050 their number may increase by several times.

Further study of this problem should show whether you can find a connection between the treatment of heart disease and reduced incidence of dementia, reports The Daily Telegraph.

The lack of sunlight affects the severity of treatment of asthma

October 19, 2009

Discovered a gene predisposition to heart disease

September 9, 2009

Discovered a gene predisposition to heart disease
60 million people worldwide are carriers of genetic mutation, which almost inevitably lead to the development of their heart disease.

According to a study published in the journal Nature Genetics, carry such a mutation is about 4% of the population of the Indian subcontinent. The risk of these people have heart disease about seven times higher than that of the holders of the healthy gene.

According to representatives of the international team of scientists who conducted the study, is extremely rare to find so common genetic disorder, which has, moreover, is so unpleasant consequences.

Heart disease – the main cause of mortality in the world, especially in India, where the problem in the coming years will be even more acute.

According to the World Health Organization estimates that by 2010 about 60% of all people suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system, will be living in India.

Incorrect protein

For the first time scientists have discovered a gene mutation responsible for the production of a protein MYBPC3 (it is contained exclusively in heart tissue), five years ago in two Indian families whose members suffered from cardiomyopathy – a disease which leads to the defeat of the heart muscle.

For a more comprehensive study was drawn 800 patients suffering from heart disease in the control group included 700 volunteers. His results showed that the genetic mutation of this kind are fairly common and occurs approximately every hundredth person.

The risk of developing diseases associated with the cardiovascular system, in carriers of a mutant gene jumping seven times, which means almost inevitable occurrence of the disease.

Under laboratory conditions, researchers have demonstrated that heart cells, carries the mutation, which falls 25 letters of the genetic code that produces a defective protein MYBPC3, which violates the structure of cardiac muscle.

According to scientists, people younger organism successfully coped with the “breakdown” and restoring the proper structure of the protein.

However, in adulthood, this mechanism starts to work worse and worse, which leads to the development of cardiovascular disease.

How to outwit the evolution

Chris Tyler-Smith, a member of the British Institute, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute believes that this genetic mutation, likely, probably arose roughly 30 thousand years ago,

Unlike most other negative genetic mutations, which are disappearing as a result of evolution, this has been successful in spreading, as most of its consequences affect human health only after his children were born.

“Usually, mutations or widespread, but it does not have a significant impact on health, or, conversely, have, but not so widespread – he said. – Surprisingly the combination of such a significant impact on health and the spread of such a high” .

According to him, in principle, very easy to test young people in the presence of mutations. But the problem is that effective methods of treatment has not been found and all that the doctor may advise the holders of a mutant gene – a healthy lifestyle.

Long-term receiving ibuprofen and Alzheimer’s disease

November 9, 2008

Long-term receiving ibuprofen and other non-steroid drugs protects against Alzheimer’s disease

That conclusion came from researchers at Boston University in a study involving 250 thousand persons, said the journal Neurology.

Researchers under the leadership of Steven Vlad found that people who took ibuprofen for five years, more than 40% less likely to suffer senile dementia. Other NPVP have less effect – when they receive the risk of senile dementia has fallen on average by 24%, reported the scientists. Some funds from this group, in particular celexocib not have any impact on the development of dementia.

The protective effect of ibuprofen had previously been detected in animal studies, said Vlad. He noted that the admission of the drug led to a reduction of protein deposits in the brain characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. New data confirm its role in preventing disease.

In previous studies, scientists have analyzed the relationship between the reception NPVP and dementia, but data collected by different authors, have been controversial. Vlad and his colleagues suggested that the discrepancy results linked to the uneven effects of various anti funds and were able to confirm this theory through his research.

Nevertheless, experts still can not recommend that patients use ibuprofen to prevent dementia. NPVP long-term use may cause serious side effects, including breach of kidney function and the formation of gastric ulcer, doctors warn.

The U.S. has stabilized the level of obesity

September 27, 2008

The U.S. has stabilized the level of obesity

The level of obesity in the U.S. stabilized after 25 years of uninterrupted growth, reports Reuters.

In the 2005-2006 year, there were about 72 million people suffering from obesity, about the same as in 2003-2004, said the record U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC). However, the problem of obesity is still very relevant: more than a third of adult Americans suffer from the disease, experts indicate CDC.

«The lack of significant growth in the level of obesity in the last few years is encouraging. But we have not seen and to reduce the target », – said CDC epidemiologist Cynthia Ogden (Cynthia Ogden).

Diagnosis «obesity» put at BMI equal to 30 or more. Body mass index (BMI) is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters. A sign of normal weight is considered BMI of 18.5 – 25 units.

According CDC, the U.S. suffers from obesity 35.3% women and 33.3% of men. Despite the fact that obesity is more common among women, the gender gap is gradually narrowing. Ogden said that the country’s tendency to increase the level of obesity in men: in 1999 the proportion of american womens with pathological increase in body weight remained almost unchanged, while the rate of obesity among men has increased steadily.

The most common obesity affects people aged 40-59 years. In this age category, it noted 40% of men and 41% of women, experts indicate CDC.

The report notes that among the different races and ethnic groups living in the United States, the prevalence of obesity is different. The highest rates of obesity observed among american black womens and american womens Mexican origin – respectively 53% and 51% of women in the age group from 40 to 59 years.

Meanwhile, obesity is a risk factor for many diseases, in particular, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, as well as cardiovascular diseases, experts indicate.