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GOSHEN, Ind. (AP) — More than 1,000 surgical patients are suing a northern Indiana hospital after being notified that a sterilization failure could have exposed them to deadly infections.
The Elkhart Truth reports the class-action suit was filed last week in Elkhart County Court against Goshen Hospital on behalf of patient Linda Gierek and others who had surgery between April and September. It alleges the patients were potentially exposed to hepatitis C, hepatitis B and HIV.
The hospital recently notified patients who had surgery in that period that a sterilization technician failed to complete one crucial step in the process of some surgical equipment, possibly affecting 1,182 patients.
Gierek says in the suit that the potential exposure triggered ongoing emotional distress and trauma.
A message seeking comment Friday was not immediately returned by hospital officials.
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Information from: The Elkhart Truth, http://www.elkharttruth.com
November 29, 2019 | 5:12pm
A monkey infected a Japanese scientist with the herpes B virus in a rare case of the deadly sickness being passed to a human, according to a report.
The unnamed lab worker — who was in critical condition Friday — had been conducting research on macaque monkeys near Kagoshima City when the employee fell ill, according to NKH Japan.
It wasn’t immediately clear how the scientist was infected, but in most other cases people have been bitten or scratched by a monkey.
Worldwide, only 50 cases of herpes B have been reported in humans in nearly 90 years. It’s the first time it has been contacted in Japan, according to the local outlet.
Officials said the worker, who suffered from headaches and a fever, had been studying the monkeys to develop pharmaceuticals, the outlet reported.
The virus — which causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord — is harmless to primates but is often fatal in humans if left untreated.
In 1997, a researcher died from the virus after bodily fluid from an infected monkey splashed into her eye.
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The flu season is off and running in the Deep South.
The most recent weekly flu report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention finds high levels of flu-like illness in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina and Texas. The highest level in that report for the week ended Nov. 16 was in Mississippi.
Doctors in the Magnolia State say they’re already seeing lots of patients. Dr. Darren Scoggin of Children’s Medical Group in Jackson tells WLBT-TV that travel and family gatherings can help contribute to the flu’s spread.
CDC officials say it’s not too late to get vaccinated. They say the flu vaccine is the best way to prevent flu and its complications.
So far in the 2019-2020 flu season, CDC has reported four flu-associated deaths among children.
By Tamara Mathias(Reuters Health) – Americans today are expected to live shorter lives than just a few years ago, in contrast with trends seen in other developed nations, and rising deaths from alcohol-related liver disease may be partly to blame, researchers say.Analyzing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, they found that U.S. deaths from alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) are at their highest levels since 1999 and have risen every year since 2006 in nearly every racial, ethnic and age group.”I bet a lot of people would be surprised by the statistic that life expectancy is actually falling in the United States,” lead study author Dr. Andrew Moon of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill said in a phone interview.”We think that increasing alcohol use is likely playing a role and then possibly in combination with an increase in other underlying liver diseases, putting people at increased risk for alcohol-related liver disease,” Moon told Reuters Health.”There is data showing that alcohol use, particularly high-risk drinking, has increased in recent years.”Alcohol-related liver disease takes several forms and could be tied to increased alcohol use over time or binge drinking.The researchers analyzed causes of death for people aged 25 and older in the two decades since 1997, and found that 2017 had the highest rates of death from ALD, at 13.1 per 100,000 deaths in men and 5.6 per 100,000 in women. That compares to 1999 ALD mortality rates of 10.6 per 100,000 in men and 3.3 per 100,000 in women.Mortality rates and recent increases in ALD diagnoses were particularly pronounced among middle-aged adults, Native Americans and non-Hispanic whites, the researchers report in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.For example, compared with non-Hispanic whites, Native Americans had twice the ALD mortality in 2017. The absolute increases in mortality rates have been particularly pronounced in Native American women, the authors note. This could indicate a public health crisis in this community and studying the disease in Native Americans should be high priority, they write.People aged 55-64 had the highest rate of deaths among all age groups, and rural areas showed higher mortality rates than urban ones.Non-Hispanic black men were the only group that did not experience increasing rates of ALD deaths, the authors point out.Men who consume over two drinks a day and women who consume more than one are at risk of accumulating fat in the liver, Moon said. Binge drinking, on the other hand, has been associated with alcoholic hepatitis or severe inflammation of the liver that can lead to organ failure and death, while persistent drinking over years could result in liver scarring or cirrhosis that impedes the organ from its regular functioning.For all these conditions, “the most important treatment is abstinence from alcohol,” Moon said. “Stopping alcohol will reverse fat in the liver, reduce the risk of future alcoholic hepatitis flares and improve liver function in patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis.””I think, based on these data, the public need to be aware that this (ALD) is a true, up-and-coming problem,” said Dr. Suthat Liangpunsakul of the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, who wasn’t involved in the study.”ALD is not only a disease of the liver . . . patients often have addiction problems too and need to be treated holistically,” he said in a phone interview.SOURCE: https://bit.ly/2Oalafh American Journal of Gastroenterology, online October 31, 2019.
November 29, 2019 — 19:08 PM
Have you ever wondered why certain people are able to drink casually with no issues, while some can’t seem to drink without some sort of consequence? What is it, exactly, that makes a binge drinker?Scientists asked that same question, resulting in a new study on the neurological side of addiction.By observing mice’s brain activity when exposed to alcohol, they were able to predict which of the mice would drink compulsively, bringing us one step closer to understanding why it happens at all.
The study was conducted by neuroscientists at Vanderbilt University and The Salk Institute. They observed mice in their lab, and were able to identify three distinct types of drinkers: light, heavy, and compulsive bingers.The study defines a binge drinker as one who continues to drink “despite it resulting in a negative outcome.”Even when the mice were given the same opportunity to drink, those three categories were displayed, suggesting there was something different going on with the compulsive mice.This led to what assistant professor of pharmacology and author on the study, Cody Siciliano Ph.D., called “a surprising finding” based on the mice’s brain activity.“We were actually able to predict which subjects would become compulsive,” Siciliano said, “based on neural activity during the very first time they drank.”
What makes a binge drinker
The researchers initially looked at the mice’s brain activity the first time they were exposed to alcohol.They discovered a specific circuit in their brains that either simulated or diminished “punishment signals” while drinking.And amazingly, the differences in brain activity presented themselves long before compulsive drinking ever did. The mice whose neural activity lit up the brain scans, simulating punishment, were less likely to develop compulsive drinking behaviors. Decreased neural activity, on the other hand, predisposed the mice to compulsive behavior. As the researchers tracked the mice’s brains during drinking, they were then able to accurately predict compulsive behavior depending on how their brains responded (or didn’t respond) to alcohol from the very start.
What’s next for these findings
According to this study, as much as 30% of adults drink compulsively when presented with alcohol—a pretty hefty percentage. But now, the discovery of this biomarker in the brain could change how we look at alcohol addiction.And that goes for other substances, too.”We developed this model to study the path to alcohol use disorder,” Siciliano says, “but we plan to apply a similar framework to advance our understanding of compulsive use of other substances.”With researchers continuing to study this biomarker, we get closer to not just understanding, but curbing addiction, offering hopeful news to the 20 million Americans battling it.
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https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/study-indentifies-three-types-of-drinkers-and-who-is-most-likely-to-binge-drink
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By Vishwadha Chander(Reuters Health) – Bones may age faster in older women who get too little sleep, a U.S. study suggests.Based on data from nearly 11,000 participants in a long-term study, researchers found that postmenopausal women who slept less than five hours a night were more likely to have low bone mass than those who averaged seven hours sleep. Short sleepers were also up to twice as likely to have osteoporosis of the hip and spine, according to the report in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.The bone mass differences between the short sleepers and those who logged seven hours were small, but roughly equivalent to about one year of aging, the study team notes.”We were building on our previous work, which showed women who slept too little had higher fracture risk,” said epidemiologist Dr. Heather Ochs-Balcom of the school of public health at the State University of New York, Buffalo, who led the study.”Here, we examined a measure of bone mineral density, to see if that could explain the previous finding,” she told Reuters Health in an email.Ochs-Balcom and her colleagues analyzed data from the Women’s Health Initiative Study, which originally enrolled 161,808 postmenopausal women aged 50 to 79 at 40 clinical centers and followed them over time.For the current study, the researchers focused on 11,084 women who had undergone full body scans to assess bone density and had answered sleep questionnaires. This group was 78% non-Hispanic white, with an average age of 63, and nearly one in 10 reported sleeping five hours or less per night. One in three also met criteria for insomnia.Using seven hours of sleep as the reference point, researchers found that women who slept only five hours or less had lower bone mass in whole-body, hip, neck and spine measurements. They were also twice as likely to have osteoporosis in the whole-body measurement, 63% more likely to have it at the hip and 28% more likely to have osteoporosis in the spine.Women sleeping six hours a night had slightly increased risk of spine and whole-body osteoporosis as well, the analysis found.The researchers note that the sleep and bone-density assessments reflect a single point in time, so the study cannot determine whether short sleep causes changes in bone health. It is important, they write, to consider the possibility that lower bone mineral density could also be tied to factors that affect sleep.A number of things contribute to skeletal health, said Dr. Alana Serota of the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City, who wasn’t involved in the study. “I feel all our sins are written on our skeletons,” she said in a phone interview.Serota noted that there is no clear answer on the ideal amount of sleep for postmenopausal women, but it is important to wake up feeling rested.”We know poor sleep has an impact on cardiovascular health, leads to diabetes, poor sugar control and hypertension. It stands to reason these things can also impact the skeleton,” she added.”The most important thing is to stay active,” Serota said. “Even if one hasn’t exercised before, it is a good time to start. The diagnosis of any chronic condition, or a transition in any point of life, is a good time for a health reset.”SOURCE: https://bit.ly/37kxzVk Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, online November 6, 2019.
TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Last updated on – Nov 29, 2019, 23:00 ISTclose01/6These might be the reasonsThere are times when even after getting a sound sleep for 8 to 9 hours, your eyes look puffy and tired the next day. The most frustrating part is when others point it out.Dark circles and droopy eyelids are common when you are stressed or did not get a restful night’s sleep. But all the confusion begins when it happens on any random day. Unfortunately, sleeplessness is not the reason why your eyes look tired and puffy in the morning. Here are 5 other reasons your eyes might look tired.readmore02/6AllergiesEye allergy is another reason why your eyes look tired and puffy. When small particles like pollen or cat hair come in contact with the eyes our body produces chemicals called histamine, that dilates the blood vessels beneath the eyes, increases blood flow and causes inflammation. readmore03/6DehydrationLack of water in the body can make you look tired and leads to swelling of eyes. This happens because the skin around your eyes is very sensitive and dehydration can make them look exhausted. So, even after getting seven to eight hours of sleep, drink plenty of fluid. readmore04/6Intake of salty foodExcess salt intake can lead to water retention in the body, especially around your eyes. The fluid retention can stretch the super-thin skin around your eyes and make them look tired. Reduce your salt intake and drink more water to reduce the inflammation.readmore05/6Excess caffeine intakeThe morning cup of coffee is very important, but if you have a habit of drinking 4-5 cups of coffee in a day then your eyes might look swollen in the morning. Excess of caffeine intake dehydrates you and makes you look dull and tired. Reduce your coffee intake and drink green tea, which is packed with antioxidants and helps to keep your skin healthy. readmore06/6EyestrainSquinting, straining to see far-away objects, or struggling to read can strain your eyes, which dilates the blood vessels and leads to dark circles and puffiness. Take a break from your computer screen after 20 minutes. Also, meet your eye doctor to know if you need glasses.readmore
The Food and Drug Administration warned pet owners Wednesday that dogs, cats and other animals may die if exposed to skin cancer creams. It may be sold under the names Carac, Efudex and Fluoroplex, all of which contain the active ingredient fluorouracil, also known as 5-FU, and it may be a danger to pets.
The Food and Drug Administration warned pet owners Wednesday that dogs, cats and other animals may die if exposed to skin cancer creams. It may be sold under the names Carac, Efudex and Fluoroplex, all of which contain the active ingredient fluorouracil, also known as 5-FU, and it may be a danger to pets.
DENVER— A 9-year-old Boulder girl with a neurological disease is being treated with a one-of-a-kind drug designed specifically for her.
The Colorado Sun reports that it’s the first time the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for a single person, and it’s an example of what the future might hold for precision medicine.
The drug is called milasen, after Mila Makovec. The 22-letter genome sequence in the drug’s recipe matches the sequence in one of Mila cells that is broken.
It may not be enough to save Mila, because it can only slow the process of cell degeneration and not replace the cells in her brain that have already died.
But her doctors say the case has advanced specialized drug development in a way that could open new paths for children with incurable genetic diseases.
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Visitors Vincenzo Salto and Corinne Litschi share an affectionate moment while surveying the rugged pali coastline earlier this month. The couple from Zurich, Switzerland, said they were on their way to Lahaina after an impressive visit to Iao Valley. When asked if they found Maui to be a romantic place, they said they had only been here for two days and weren’t sure yet. This photo was taken Nov. 12. Maui County vacation rentals and hotels led the state in occupancy and room revenues in October. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photoThe vacation rental and resort businesses in Maui County flourished and continued to pace the state, two Hawaii Tourism Authority reports released last week showed.
Maui County had the largest vacation rental supply of all four counties at 323,000 unit nights, an increase of 28.8 percent compared to a year ago. Unit demand was 255,000 unit nights, resulting in 79 percent occupancy with an average daily rate of $224.
In HTA’s “Hawaii Hotel Performance Report and Hawaii Timeshare Quarterly Survey Report,” a vacation rental unit is defined as the use of a rental house, private room in a private home or shared room/space in a private home. The report also does not determine or differentiate between units that are permitted or unpermitted.
By region, Wailea had 73.7 percent occupancy with 153,072 total units in October, up 7.4 percentage points year over year. The number of available units grew 27.6 percent in the region during the same period. The average daily rate was $214.11, up 8.5 percent and the second highest among regions tracked in the state.
The highest average daily rate was in the Lahaina/Kaanapali/Napili/Kapalua region at $250.99, up 13.3 percent compared to October 2018. The state average daily rate for vacation rentals was $191.76, more than $50 less a night than in the west side region.
Occupancy for the region was up 2.2 percentage points to 77.8 percent. There were 131,778 units, up 35.6 percent year over year.
Statewide, vacation rental occupancy rate was 72.6 percent in October, up 4.1 percentage points from 2018.
For Maui County, vacation rental occupancy was slightly higher that the hotels’ 76.3 percent. The average daily rates for resorts was higher than vacation rentals by nearly $100 a night at $329.
Among Hawaii’s four counties, Maui County hotels led the state in revenue per available room or RevPAR at $251, up 9.9 percent, with average daily rates up 4.3 percent and occupancy up 3.9 percentage points in October.
The “Hawaii Hotel Performance Report” released Thursday by the HTA showed the occupancy, average daily room rate and RevPAR by region for Maui County:
• Wailea. 86.9 percent (up 1.2 percentage points), $489.88 (up 6 percent), $425.80 (up 7.6 percent).
• Lahaina/Kaanapali/Kapalua. 73.8 percent (up 3.2 percentage points), $282.36 (up 4 percent), $208.49 (up 8.6 percent).
• Other Maui County. 79.3 percent (up 4.7 percentage points), $382.80 (up 4.2 percent), $303.74 (10.8 percent).
Statewide in October, occupancy was 79.1 percent, up 2 percentage points; room rates rose 1.7 percent to $253 a night and RevPAR was $200, up 4.3 percent.
Hawaii hotel room revenues for the month statewide grew 3.8 percent to $333.8 million, which is $12.2 million higher than last year. Room demand was up 2.1 percent to 1.3 million rooms, with supply 0.5 percent lower compared to a year ago.
Several hotel properties across the state were closed for renovation or had rooms out of service for renovation during October, often referred to as a shoulder month between the busy summer and winter vacation seasons.
HTA’s Tourism Research Division issued the report’s findings utilizing data compiled by STR Inc. The survey encompassed 158 properties and 46,496 rooms, or 86.5 percent of all lodging properties with 20 rooms or more in the Hawaiian Islands, including full service, limited service and condominium hotels.
* Lee Imada can be reached at leeimada@mauinews.com.
By Latisha Catchatoorian, WRAL Digital SolutionsThis article was written for our sponsor, Whitley Law Firm.
If you are taking medication, it is important to know all the risks and side effects associated with it.
The United States Food and Drug Administration has been and continues to recall Valsartan medications due to the discovery of cancer-causing agents in the drugs. Valsartan is a common medication that is used to control blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart failure.
In July 2018, the FDA announced a recall of Valsartan medications from certain manufacturers due to impurities detected in the drugs. Tests discovered that certain Valsartan drugs were contaminated with NDMA, and later, NDEA.
Both NDMA and NDEA are toxic chemical compounds proven to be carcinogenic by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Since last year, more batches have been recalled and the FDA’s recall of Valsartan drugs continues to expand to more manufacturers.
“NDMA’s components are difficult to find, but the FDA worked to develop a test that could detect the quantity present in a medication so that it can further expose drug impurities,” explained Matthew Bissette, an associate attorney at Whitley Law Firm in Raleigh who represents plaintiffs in products liability and personal injury cases. “Unlike most impurities in drugs, the NDMA in Valsartan is a genotoxic impurity that can potentially cause harm even at low levels.”
The FDA suspects that a maker of the recalled Valsartan drug, a Chinese manufacturer named Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., changed the way it was making the drug, which resulted in its contamination with NDMA.
Several other manufacturers, such as Aurobindo Pharma USA and Torrent Pharmaceuticals, have voluntarily recalled their own Valsartan products.
Whitney Butcher, a partner at Whitley Law Firm, said the additional recalls are concerning. Butcher works primarily with clients in the dangerous drug and defective medical device practice area.
“What we believe can happen with the NDMA ingredients is that they can cause various cancers of the digestive tract – so esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, intestinal issues, liver cancer,” she said. “Unfortunately, we have had a number of people who have taken the Valsartan drug reach out to us and tell us that they’ve been diagnosed with one of these types of cancer.”
While the exact cancer risk of contaminated pills is unknown, the FDA believes the risk is low, but still advises switching your medication when you are able.
“It is estimated that if 8,000 people took the highest dose of Valsartan [320 milligrams] containing NDMA from these recalled batches daily for four years, there may be one additional case of cancer over their lifetimes,” CNN reported. “Many patients take a much lower dose of Valsartan, and therefore their risks are theoretically much lower.”
Doctors do not recommend abruptly stopping your medication. Since Valsartan is used to treat serious medical conditions, the FDA is advising patients who are currently taking recalled Valsartan medications to continue taking their medicine until an alternative drug, therapy or solution is prescribed by their healthcare professional.
People who are taking Valsartan drugs issued by Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Mylan or any drug classified as an ARB blood pressure reducer, should verify with their pharmacist or doctor whether the medication contains impurities.
“As patients and consumers, we shouldn’t have to worry about whether a product our doctor is prescribing or something we are selecting from a shelf is safe or not,” Bissette said. “Even if something is deemed ‘low-risk’, it’s still a risk and could end up having consequences down the road.”
He added, “Pharma companies create life-saving medications, but they also make tremendous profits. When drug companies dispense something that has harmful effects, even if unintentionally, they need to be held accountable.”
The Valsartan lawsuits have been consolidated in federal court in New Jersey. Butcher anticipates that more cases will be filed over the coming months.
Any person who has taken a recalled Valsartan drug and believes they have been harmed by its impurities should seek legal counsel with a lawyer who specializes in drug-based claims and lawsuits to pursue compensation for any damages caused by the medication.
This article was written for our sponsor, Whitley Law Firm.
TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Last updated on – Nov 29, 2019, 21:00 ISTclose01/7Anti-oxidant rich foodAntioxidants are compounds or substances that prevent damage to cells caused by free radicals. This is the reason they are also called “free-radical scavengers.” These free radicals can accumulate and induce oxidative stress, which increases the risk of developing heart disease, cancer, type 2 disease, and other chronic diseases.Different types of antioxidants are found in different fruits and vegetables. Eating food rich in antioxidants keeps you healthy and fit. Here are 6 food items that are high in antioxidants and you should include in your diet. readmore02/7Dark chocolateChocolates are not considered good for health, but it is just the opposite with dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is nutritious and is packed with minerals and antioxidants. The antioxidants in cocoa have numerous health benefits and reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. readmore03/7BlueberriesBlueberries are though low in calories but are a rich source of nutrients and antioxidants. Studies suggest that blueberries contain more antioxidants as compared to any other fruits and vegetables. The small berries neutralize harmful free radicals and reduce inflammation. readmore04/7StrawberriesThe red and juicy berries are quite popular among people and are also packed with vitamin C and antioxidants. They contain a type of antioxidant called anthocyanins, which gives strawberries their bright red colour. Anthocyanins reduce the risk of developing heart disease and decrease the level of bad cholesterol.readmore05/7BeansBeans are easily available and are quite healthy. Rich in fiber and antioxidants, beans keep you healthy and help in easy bowel movement. Including beans in your diet can suppress the growth of cancerous cells in different parts of the body. readmore06/7BeetrootBeetroot has a mild earthy taste and is packed with fiber, potassium, iron and folate and antioxidants. This root vegetable contains antioxidants called betalains, which gives beetroot its reddish colour. Beetroot is known to suppress inflammation and lower the risk of cancer in the colon and digestive tract. readmore07/7SpinachThis green leafy vegetable is nutrient-dense and are loaded with vitamins, antioxidants and are low in calories. Spinach is a rich source of lutein and zeaxanthin, the two antioxidants that protect your eyes from harmful UV lights.readmore
Global healthThousands of infants are doomed to early deaths each year, in part because pediatric medicines come in hard pills or bitter syrups that need refrigeration.A mother in KwaMashu, South Africa, feeding her two-year-old the older, more common H.I.V. treatment, which contained 40 percent alcohol and had a bitter metallic taste that is hard to keep down.Credit…Greg Lomas/DNDiNov. 29, 2019Updated 8:10 p.m. ETAbout 80,000 babies and toddlers die of AIDS each year, mostly in Africa, in part because their medicines come in hard pills or bitter syrups that are very difficult for small children to swallow or keep down.But on Friday, the Indian generic drug manufacturer Cipla announced a new, more palatable pediatric formulation. The new drug, called Quadrimune, comes in strawberry-flavored granules the size of grains of sugar that can be mixed with milk or sprinkled on baby cereal. Experts said it could save the lives of thousands of children each year.“This is excellent news for all children living with H.I.V.,” said Winnie Byanyima, the new executive director of UNAIDS, the United Nations agency in charge of the fight against the disease. “We have been eagerly waiting for child-friendly medicines that are easy to use and good to taste.”Cipla revolutionized the provision of AIDS drugs for adults almost two decades ago, pricing them at $1 a day. The new pediatric formulation will likewise be priced at $1 a day. The announcement by Cipla and the Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative, an offshoot of Doctors Without Borders that supported the development of the drug, was timed to coincide with World AIDS Day, which is Sunday.Despite big advances in the prevention of mother-child transmission of H.I.V., about 160,000 children are still born infected each year, according to UNAIDS, mostly in the poorest towns and villages of Africa. Almost half of them die before the age of 2, usually because they have no access to drugs or cannot tolerate them.Quadrimune is still under review by the Food and Drug Administration, and F.D.A. approval almost inevitably leads to rapid certification by the World Health Organization. The company hopes to get a decision by May. Trials in healthy adults showed that the new formulation gets the drugs into the blood; the four drugs in it were approved in the 1990s and are used in many combinations.A clinical trial in H.I.V.-infected infants, run by Epicentre, the research arm of Doctors Without Borders, is now underway in Uganda to prove to African health ministries that children accept the new formulation. Most of the research costs have been paid by UNITAID, a Geneva-based organization set up by France, Norway, Brazil and some other countries which imposed special taxes on airline flights that are dedicated to bettering global health. Currently, the most common pediatric drug combination includes a syrup that is 40 percent alcohol, has a bitter metallic taste that lingers for hours and must be transported in cold trucks and then kept in a refrigerator — something that many poor rural families do not own.“Some families try to bury it in wet sand or dirt to keep it cool,” said Dr. Bernard Pécoul, executive director of the neglected diseases initiative. “And the children are vomiting it on a regular basis.” Moreover, each drug must be squirted into a child’s mouth with a separate syringe, so a mother must have up to four syringes on hand and clean them for each subsequent use. Children generally have to take the medicines twice a day for the first four years of life. When liquid versions are unavailable, some pills cannot be crushed and mixed in juice; they must be swallowed whole. In contrast, Quadrimune contains four H.I.V. drugs: ritonavir, lopinavir, abacavir and lamivudine. The granules are coated first in a polymer that doesn’t melt until it reaches the stomach, and then with sweet, fruity flavoring. Dr. Kogie Naidoo, who heads treatment research at Caprisa, an AIDS treatment and research group based in Durban, South Africa, who was not involved in Quadrimune’s development, said the new formulation could solve many problems she and her colleagues encounter while treating children. Cipla, founded in 1935, was the first generic drug company to offer H.I.V. drugs in Africa. In 2001, its chairman, Yusuf K. Hamied, upended the global pharmaceutical industry by offering to supply a three-drug cocktail to Doctors Without Borders for $1 a day. At the time, multinational drug companies were charging up to $15,000 for their regimens and refusing to lower prices except in secret negotiations with a few countries and were working to block generic competitors from the market. An estimated 25 million Africans were then infected and thousands were dying every day. (The industry was also suing South Africa’s president, Nelson Mandela, over a law he had signed authorizing the government to cancel drug patents and award them to generic makers.)In 2001, Dr. Hamied said he was losing money at the $350 a year price; his break-even point was $600, he said, and he offered it to other buyers for that.But he said he acceded to requests from AIDS activists for the $1 a day price to deliver a shock to his Western competitors and because such a nice round figure was likely to make headlines (a gambit he is clearly repeating now).In the decades since, increased generic competition has driven the price of triple therapy in poor countries to below $100 a year.“Over the past 20 years, Cipla has pioneered fixed-dose combinations for children and I do believe our Quadrimune could be a winner,” Dr. Hamied said in an interview this week. Because all four drugs in the formulation are older and no longer patented, Cipla might eventually offer it in wealthy countries too, he said. But that market is quite small because most pregnant women in the West are tested for H.I.V. and immediately put on antiretroviral drugs, which reduces to near zero the chances that they will infect their babies in the womb, during birth or through breastfeeding.The $1 a day price is for Quadrimune doses appropriate for children of between 20 and 30 pounds, he noted, so the cost for newborns would be even lower.Paradoxically, treating infants with H.I.V. has actually become harder in recent years than it was two decades ago.In the early 2000s, Cipla produced Triomune Baby and Triomune Junior, two pediatric formulations of the world’s first adult three-in-one pill, introduced in 2001. But they contained nevirapine, a drug that in those days was often given to pregnant women to prevent mother-child transmission. As a result, many babies were born with nevirapine-resistant forms of the virus, and the efficacy of pediatric Triomune fell by about half, Dr. Pécoul said.[Like the Science Times page on Facebook. | Sign up for the Science Times newsletter.]Some nevirapine substitutes that work in adults do not work well in children, and the combination that does work has the bitter taste.Nowadays, many pediatric H.I.V. specialists are frustrated that they cannot prescribe some of the newest drugs, such as tenofovir and dolutegravir, because there is little or no data on how safe they are in small children. The major drugmakers have little incentive to test their products in children because there are so few customers who can pay high prices.If a child’s virus develops resistance to any regimen, a new one must be tried, so more research is needed, said Dr. Naidoo, the AIDS researcher in Durban.But by any measure, she said, Cipla’s new, gentler formulation for children is a major advance: “This is indeed great news for treating pediatric H.I.V.”
The tomb of a battle-scarred ancient female warrior discovered in Armenia is revealing its secrets.The woman’s remains, which date to the 8th to 6th-century B.C., were found at the ancient necropolis of Bover I in Armenia’s Lori Province. The site was excavated in 2017 and experts are shedding new light on the discovery in a paper that has been accepted for publication in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology. The paper has undergone full peer review.In an abstract, experts note that the skeleton “belonged to a woman who seemed to live as a professional warrior and was buried as an individual of rank.”FEMALE VIKING WARRIOR’S REMARKABLE GRAVE SHEDS NEW LIGHT ON ANCIENT SOCIETYWhile jewelry discovered near the remains points to the woman’s high social status, the skeleton also bears evidence of her warrior role. An iron arrowhead, for example, is trapped in her femur and she also suffered blows to her pelvic bone, femur and tibia. While the woman is believed to have died in battle, she apparently recovered from the arrowhead injury. Experts note that her injuries were likely sustained in two separate conflicts.
The skeletal remains, which have sustained a number of injuries. Jewelry discovered with the skeleton indicates that the woman was of high status.
(A.Yu. Khudaverdyan et al/International Journal of Osteoarchaeology )The skeleton’s muscular attachments are also strong, according to the researchers, and her upper limbs show signs of intense physical activity. Her pectoralis major and deltoid muscles, for example, had been used to draw a bow across her chest. Her femurs also bear the signs of muscles developed through horse riding.The tomb is only the second burial discovered in Armenia that provides evidence of female warriors, according to the research. However, experts say that female warriors were not uncommon in the Caucasus during ancient times and may even have been the inspiration for the Amazons of Greek myth.MYSTERIOUS MEDIEVAL WARRIOR FOUND IN VIKING GRAVEYARD WASN’T ACTUALLY A VIKING
The area where the remains were recovered. (A.Yu. Khudaverdyan et al/International Journal of Osteoarchaeology)
The graves of other female warriors have been garnering attention recent years. In Sweden, a grave containing the skeleton of a Viking warrior long thought to be male was recently confirmed as female.The 10th-century grave, known as Bj. 581, was first discovered on the Swedish island of Bjorko in the late 19th century and was assumed to be male. In 2017, however, experts published the results of a DNA analysis that revealed the skeleton was female. The amazing discovery sparked plenty of debate.IRON AGE CELTIC WOMAN BURIED IN ‘TREE COFFIN’In another paper published earlier this year in the journal Antiquity, researchers responded to critics of a study explaining that they analyzed the correct skeleton and that there was only one set of human remains in the grave.In a separate project, researchers revealed that a mysterious female warrior discovered in a Viking grave in Denmark wasn’t actually a Viking.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPFox News’ Chris Ciaccia contributed to this article. Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers.
COLTON WAS A FOURTH GRADER. CAROL: THE DEATH TOLL FROM THE FLU IS UP TO THREE IN SOUTH CAROLINA. D-HEC SAYS ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO DIED WERE OVER 50-YEARS-OLD AND ALL OF THEM WERE FROM THE UPSTATE. D-HEC SAYS THIS WEEK- 26 PEOPLE WERE HOSPITALIZED FOR FLU-RELATED ILLNESSES. SO FAR THIS SEASON 123 PEOPLE IN SOUTH CAROLINA HAVE HAD TO BE HOSPITALIZED BECAUSE OF THE FLU. PHYSICIANS SAY THAT WHILE IT’S NOT PERFECT YOUR BEST DEFENS
3 flu-related deaths reported in Upstate this flu season, DHEC says
Overall influenza activity is up this week, DHEC says
There have been three flu-related deaths this season in South Carolina and they were all in the Upstate, according to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control. Two of the deaths were reported this week. Two of the people who died were more than 50 years old and one was 65 plus, data shows. (Video above: CDC warns flu season is getting early start)DHEC reports that this week 26 influenza-associated hospitalizations were reported by 56 hospitals. In the current flu season, there have been 123 influenza-associated hospitalizations. The data shows increased flu activity in the Upstate and Midlands from week to week. For a detailed look at the data from DHEC, click here.
GREENVILLE, S.C. —There have been three flu-related deaths this season in South Carolina and they were all in the Upstate, according to the state Department of Health and Environmental Control. Two of the deaths were reported this week.
Two of the people who died were more than 50 years old and one was 65 plus, data shows.
(Video above: CDC warns flu season is getting early start)DHEC reports that this week 26 influenza-associated hospitalizations were reported by 56 hospitals. In the current flu season, there have been 123 influenza-associated hospitalizations. The data shows increased flu activity in the Upstate and Midlands from week to week. For a detailed look at the data from DHEC, click here.
Myst the border collie has changed to a raw meat, vegetable and brain diet since a vet said her diet was ‘limiting her life’A dog owner has shared her border collie’s amazing 10kg weight loss in 13 months after starting a raw meat, vegetable and cottage cheese diet.Leanne Mitchell, 23, has shared before and after photos of Myst, six, who started piling on the pounds when she was 18 months.Her beloved pet reached a whopping 26kg at two years old.She always enjoyed two to four-hour long walks, sometimes twice a day, but her weight started to make her vomit, have bad skin irritations and fur loss.The pup would get tired and start panting quickly on walks. Now owner Leanne is warning other dog lovers not to feed their pet too many treats which ‘kills them with kindness’ after the vet told her that her border collie Myst’s chunky 26kg figure was ‘limiting her life’. She decided to change Myst’s diet from dry biscuits and canned dog food to raw vegetables, fruits, meat, organs and even raw brains.Three days later Myst’s sickness had stopped, a month later her rashes had cleared up and 13 months later she was at her goal weight of 16kg.The border collie has even been able to stop taking all the medications she had been prescribed for her various ailments. Dog owner Leanne Mitchell (pictured) was told her dog was ‘obese’ by people on social media which led her to speak to a vet. Once the second vet confirmed Myst was overweight, she decided to research into different diets and found support on FacebookWhile Leanne admits raw feeding can be controversial, she knows Myst is ‘full of energy’ after the simple diet change.She is determined to share Myst’s transformation to show people that ‘fat pets aren’t cute’.The dog lover said: ‘The vet told me if I didn’t change Myst’s ways, I would be limiting her life quite a bit because she was so big.’She got support from other pet owners in Facebook groups. The Border Collie (pictured before) always enjoyed going on dog walks but gradually got a poorly stomach, vomiting, bad skin irritations and fur loss’Myst lost 10kg in total and just with a change to her diet. I didn’t need to increase her exercise at all. ‘It was literally amazing watching her weight go down and her health improve. She doesn’t get sick anymore and her skin is clear. She’s not on any medications at all anymore.’Myst is ‘really happy to run all day’ and the change has ‘added a lot more years to her life’. At first Leanne didn’t notice her pooch’s rapid weight gain due to Myst’s thick coat and it only became clear when she malted. Leanne is determined to share Myst’s transformation to show people that ‘fat pets aren’t cute’. Her beloved pet will eat anything raw from turkey legs and chicken breast to heart, liver and brain mixed with cottage cheese or Greek yoghurt and a variety of dog-safe fruits and vegetablesAnd even when it started to become obvious, Leanne admits she thought it was normal as she’d grown up around fat dogs and gave Myst plenty of exercise.The vet brushed off the Collie’s size and it was only until people branded Myst ‘obese’ on social media that she knew she had to get a second opinion. She said: ‘I knew she wasn’t the perfect weight but I didn’t understand the impact of it.’I had always grown up with fat and obese dogs so I just thought that was normal. I didn’t know any better. ‘Her fur was falling out too and she was coming up in rashes and not feeling very well. Her stomach was constantly bad and she was being sick a bit. I was really worried about her.’ Myst (pictured recently) is now ‘really happy to run all day’ and the new diet means she is no longer sick and has ‘added a lot more years to her life’. Leanne says people ‘need to understand that overfeeding their dogs in an attempt to be kind is actually cruel’The second vet confirmed Myst’s obesity and led Leanne to cook meals from scratch. The pooch eats anything raw from turkey legs and chicken breast to heart, liver and brain mixed with cottage cheese or Greek yoghurt and a variety of dog-safe fruits and vegetables.After seeing how a raw diet has changed Myst’s life, Leanne highly recommends it but says it’s not the only way to improve a pup’s health. She was unaware of Myst’s weight (pictured before) as it was hidden under her thick coat. It was only until her dog started malting that she realised The shop worker thinks that the first step is for pet owners to do more research into what their dogs should be eating and how much they should weigh.Leanne said: ‘It’s very hard to tell people that their dog is overweight.’I’ve heard even a lot of vets don’t tell people because they don’t want to offend them. I think that might have been the problem with Myst’s first vet.’A lot of people don’t understand what a healthy dog looks like. They see a healthy dog and they’ll tell you it’s emaciated. They have no idea what a normal weight actually is for a dog. ‘People really need to learn the difference. And they need to understand that overfeeding their dogs in an attempt to be kind is actually cruel. She added how people should research what their dog’s diet should have instead of seeing some dog food on TV and ‘deciding it looks good’.
This week’s newsletter: A woman’s real influence of the “perineum sunning” lifestyle, and the unstoppable power of SugarBearHair gummy vitamin spon. And lots of butt puns.
Posted on November 29, 2019, at 8:01 a.m. ET
This is Please Like Me, BuzzFeed News’ newsletter about how influencers are battling for your attention. You can sign up here.There are aspirational lifestyle Instagrammers — and then there are asspirational lifestyle Instagrammers.
This week, a woman’s Instagram post promoting the health benefits of #ButtholeSunning (her hashtag, not mine!) became virally infamous almost overnight. And the woman be-heinie the hole spectacle, 28-year-old massage therapist Meagan Whitson, became the…butt of internet jokes (I’ll stop with these bad butt puns now, promise).So, I decided to chat with Meagan, who’s @metaphysicalmeagan on Instagram, over DMs to find out more about her lifestyle. Here’s what you need to know. Meagan has been sharing photos of herself “perineum sunning” over the past month with her around 16,000 Instagram followers. In these posts, Meagan claimed just a few minutes of tanning one’s perineum — aka the area between one’s anus and the vulva or scrotum — is “the equivalent of a full day of sunlight with your clothes on.”According to Meagan, there are a number of health benefits of doing this, like better sleep, more energy, and a better sex drive. She also claimed it helps to attract something called your “soul tribe,” or “people who are on the same frequency and wavelength.” (I didn’t ask a doctor about any of this.)In a more recent post, Meagan claimed the practice is derived from ancient Taoism, which states the perineum is “a gateway where energy enters & exits the body.” (Again, her claims, not mine.)
When people outside her spiritual circle discovered the posts this week, it caused a firestorm of jokes on Twitter. I’ll admit I laughed at a few. OK, I laughed at all of them.The whole thing confused, stunned, and worried people. Some even asked if it was a troll (it’s not). I reached out to Meagan to ask her a few questions about herself, and what those of us who don’t tan our buttholes don’t understand about this practice. She was sweet, and even though she didn’t want to address any of the comments or jokes directly, she said she was “a little surprised it went viral.”
Meagan also told me she is an “energy healer.” It is clear to me that she really practices and believes the power of perineum sunning and is sincere when she tells people try it for themselves.The one big hurdle for most people, however, is where one even goes to practice such an art. I can’t confirm but I’m confident doing this in public could get you reported to the police in most states.
Meagan told me she practices in Joshua Tree National Park. It is close to where she lives and she “won’t be disturbed by others” there. (And, equally important, she won’t disturb others.)
Meagan’s big viral moment may have led to more skeptics and ironic fans than sincere followers. However, she has proven the power of true influence — something actual influencers with millions of followers go to bed every night dreaming about. She is being talked about widely for her content.It may not be the kind of attention she wanted, butt I bet among the thousands of punchlines, at least one person has been influenced to try this for themselves this long holiday weekend.Love and light, and let love and light go where it did not previously shine, if you know what I mean.SugarBearHair is the only unstoppable contender heading into 2020.Somehow, we’re nearing the end of 2019 and SugarBearHair is still being endorsed by huge Instagram accounts. For example, on Tuesday, actor Dove Cameron posed with the classic baby blue bottle of sugary gummies in a photo for her 32 million followers.
The company has paid numerous other big influencers over the past month to post the ad as well. In 2019!How?? How is SugarBearHair still in our public consciousness?How is the company staying afloat after numerous studies dispelled the claims it’s made about hair growth and health? After it’s been reported that the nutritional values on the bottles are inaccurate? Is it really seeing a big enough return on investment to continue to pay top influencers top dollar to shill? For reference, the Kardashians, who’ve been infamously aligned with SugarBearHair, reportedly make upward of $500,000 per post.And don’t forget about Tati Westbrook. We must think about Tati Westbrook!!I actually have simple answers to my own questions. The books must balance out, and it must see Instagram as an effective marketing channel. Influencers don’t seem to be very discerning about iffy regulation standards of shoddy health claims, and followers of influencers don’t seem to be either.I hear the gummies are actually quite delicious. (Editor’s note: NGL, they taste amazing.) So I guess that is enough to keep them on our feeds.Until next time — may you get your daily dose of vitamin D and biotin in any form and through any channel you wish,TanyaP.S. If you like this newsletter, help keep our reporting free for all. Support BuzzFeed News by becoming a member here. (Monthly memberships are available worldwide.)
HIV “testing efforts” in Europe are “failing women”, an expert has said. [Photo: Getty]More than half (54%) of European women with HIV are only diagnosed when the infection is progressing towards AIDS, research suggests.The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) damages cells in the immune system, preventing them from fighting off everyday infections, like colds.READ MORE: TV medic Dr Ranj takes an HIV test live on This MorningHIV is treatable if caught early, with 97% of those on therapy in the UK being “virally suppressed”, National AIDS Trust (NAT) statistics show. This means they cannot pass the virus on even if they have unprotected sex.Left untreated, however, HIV can develop into acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).This occurs when the immune system is so severely damaged by HIV, the patient is at risk of life-threatening infections and diseases.Data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organization for Europe found women made up one third of the 141,000 HIV diagnoses in the continent last year.While most women are told they have the infection late, patients in their forties were up to four times more likely to have a delay in their diagnosis than their younger counterparts.Late diagnosis was defined as a specific immune cell count of less than 350 cells/mm³. Healthy levels are generally considered between 500 and 1,200 cells/mm³.Overall, countries in central Europe had six times fewer diagnoses among women than men last year, while those in the EU and European Economic Area – like Iceland and Norway – had three times less.READ MORE: Prince Harry teams up with ex-rugby player Gareth Thomas to break HIV stigma“We do not know why but it seems systems and testing efforts in Europe are failing women”, Dr Andrea Ammon, ECDC director, said.TV medic Dr Ranj Singh previously claimed women are now more “sexually liberated”, while high divorce rates mean many have new partners in later life.Having gone through the menopause, some also mistakenly believe they do not need to use condoms, he added.In the UK alone, 103,800 people are thought to be living with HIV, NAT statistics show. Of these, one in 14 are unaware they carry the infection.While AIDS’ exact prevalence is unclear, there were 428 “AIDS-related deaths” in England alone last year, according to the charity Avert.How does HIV spread?HIV spreads via certain bodily fluids, including those in the vagina, semen, blood and breast milk, according to the US Department of Veterans Affairs. It cannot be transmitted via tears, sweat, faeces or urine.Unprotected vaginal or anal sex is the most common route of infection.Anal sex may be particularly problematic due to the lining of the anus being more delicate than that of the vagina, according to Avert. This means it is more easily damaged, allowing the virus into the body.READ MORE: Two clients were diagnosed with HIV following ‘vampire facials’Blood-borne infections can come about by sharing needles, transfusions or even splashing blood in your eyes, the US Department of Veterans Affairs reports.The virus can also pass from pregnant women to their babies, both in the womb and during labour. Once the infant is born, breast milk can also cause transmission.HIV cannot be spread via insect bites, like mosquitoes.What are the symptoms?Around 80% of people infected with HIV develop flu-like symptoms two-to-six weeks later, according to the NHS.These include fever, sore throat and a rash. Some also experience fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle and joint pain.Once this has passed, the infection may cause no further illness for years. During this time, the virus is still damaging the immune system.It can take 10 years before the immune system is severely damaged enough to be diagnosed as AIDS.This can trigger weight loss, chronic diarrhoea, night sweats, recurrent infections and life-threatening illnesses.How to get tested for HIVThe NHS provides free HIV tests for everyone, however, eligibility for different tests varies.They can be carried out at sexual health clinics and some GP surgeries. Concerned people can also request an at-home test.Home sampling kits involve collecting a saliva or blood sample, which then gets sent off for testing. You will be contacted within a few days with your result.Check if you are eligible for a home sampling kit here.Alternatively, home testing kits provide results within minutes.Blood tests are more accurate than saliva samples, with most giving a reliable result a month after infection, according to the NHS.If collecting your own blood is not for you, clinics can take a sample. This may get sent off to a laboratory or provide an almost immediate result.If any of the above come back positive, a second blood test confirms the diagnosis.The NHS advises men who have sex with men get tested at least once a year, or every three months if they have casual intercourse or regularly change partners.It also urges black African men and women to have a regular HIV test if they have unprotected sex with new or casual partners.Find out more about HIV and AIDS on the NHS’ website.
Joel Shannon, USA TODAY
Published 11:00 a.m. ET Nov. 28, 2019 | Updated 5:04 a.m. ET Nov. 29, 2019You’ve eaten all you can possibly eat at Thanksgiving dinner, and there’s still plenty of food left. It’s a problem so common that experts have linked holiday leftovers to a seasonal increase in food poisoning cases.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that outbreaks of a bacteria that causes food poisoning occur most often in November and December. Many of those outbreaks have been linked to common holiday foods such as turkey and roast beef.And while for many people food poisoning is a short-lived discomfort, for vulnerable members of your family – such as the young or the elderly – it could be life-threatening. “Food-borne illnesses are no joke,” Lisa Yakas, a senior project manager at NSF International, told USA TODAY. The organization develops health standards and certifications for food, water and consumer products.Thanksgiving tips: What not to do when deep-frying a turkeyThanksgiving food: Can you guess the most hated Thanksgiving food?Here’s how to protect yourself and your family:Store the Thanksgiving leftovers quicklyThe holiday season spike in food poisoning outbreaks reported by the CDC occurs because of a bacteria that grows in cooked foods left at room temperature.The key to preventing such outbreaks: Put your leftovers away quickly.Leftovers shouldn’t be left at room temperature for longer than two hours. So after you’re done eating your holiday meal, getting the food put away should be a priority, Yakas says.“The dishes can wait, but the food can’t,” she says. When you’re putting away leftovers, take the time to portion them out into small containers, preferably ones that are airtight, Yakas says.Putting large masses of food into a refrigerator or freezer is ineffective because it takes a long time for the food to cool, Yakas says.What’s open and closed Thanksgiving 2019: Mail, banks and stores affected by the holidayDon’t eat old Thanksgiving leftoversOnce the leftovers are put away in the refrigerator, you have only a few days to eat them before they become a safety risk.If stored in a refrigerator, leftovers can stay good for three to four days. If they’re stored in a freezer, it’s three to four months.It’s best to label the food with an expiration date when you put it away, to help you keep track of when it’s no longer safe to eat, Yakas recommends.That’s especially true of food that you put in the freezer, as it’s tough to remember how long food has been stored months into the future.Cook (and reheat) the leftovers correctlyPutting away leftovers correctly won’t keep you healthy if you don’t cook the food correctly the first time.There’s only one number to remember whether you’re cooking the food the first time or reheating it: 165º. The CDC recommends heating all leftovers to 165 degrees before eating them.AutoplayShow ThumbnailsShow CaptionsLast SlideNext SlideRead or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2019/11/28/how-long-thanksgiving-leftovers-turkey-good-for/4310251002/
The urine test may one day replace rectal examinations for diagnosis. [Photo: Getty]An at-home urine test could “revolutionise” how prostate cancer is diagnosed, scientists have said.A team from the University of East Anglia created a Prostate Urine Risk (PUR) kit that looks for the expression of certain genes in liquid waste.READ MORE: Sir Rod Stewart tells men to check for prostate cancerAfter putting it to the test in 14 patients, they found the kit showed “biomarkers for prostate cancer much more clearly than a rectal examination”, the current first-step in diagnosis.It also reportedly “predicts” whether men require treatment, allowing low-risk patients to avoid unnecessary therapies that come with a host of nasty side effects.Critics argue, however, the so-called benefits are “misleading” and the study “too small to draw any conclusions”.“Being able to simply provide a urine sample at home and post a sample off for analysis could really revolutionise diagnosis,” lead author Dr Jeremy Clark said.Prostate cancer affected 47,740 new men between 2014 and 2016 in the UK, Cancer Research UK statistics show.In the US, 174,650 men are expected to be diagnosed by the end of the year, according to the American Cancer Society.There is no screening programme for the disease because “it has not been proved the benefits outweigh the risks”, the NHS reports.Men over 50 in the UK can opt to have their protein specific antigen (PSA) levels tested, however, this is controversial.Many prostate tumours are slowing growing and non-aggressive. In these cases, the drawbacks of treatment – like erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence – may outweigh any benefits.READ MORE: Immunotherapy gives hope for ‘incurable’ prostate cancer“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK,” Dr Clark said.“It usually develops slowly and the majority of cancers will not require treatment in a man’s lifetime.“However, doctors struggle to predict which tumours will become aggressive, making it hard to decide on treatment for many men.“We developed the PUR test, which looks at gene expression in urine samples and provides vital information about whether a cancer is aggressive or ‘low risk’.”To check its effectiveness, men attending Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital urology clinics were asked to use the test on their first urine of the day.“Because the prostate is constantly secreting, the collection of urine from men’s first urination of the day means the biomarker levels from the prostate are much higher and more consistent”, Dr Clark said.These results were compared against urine samples collected after a digital rectal examination, which involves a medic inserting a finger up a man’s anus to check the size and texture of his prostate.This was “thought necessary to boost levels of prostatic secretions in the urine”, the scientists wrote in the journal BioTechniques.“We found the urine samples taken at home showed the biomarkers for prostate cancer much more clearly than after a rectal examination,” Dr Clark said.“Using our at-home test could revolutionise how those on ‘active surveillance’ are monitored for disease progression, with men only having to visit the clinic for a positive urine result.”Active surveillance monitors early prostate cancer that has not spread, according to Prostate Cancer UK. It means men often do not have treatment unless the cancer grows, to avoid side effects.“[In] the current situation, men are recalled to the clinic every six-to-12 months for painful and expensive biopsies,” Dr Clark said.“[And] because the PUR test accurately predicts aggressive prostate cancer, and whether patients will require treatment up to five years earlier than standard methods, a negative test could enable men to be retested every two-to-three years, relieving stress to the patient and reducing hospital workload.”READ MORE: Proton therapy for prostate cancer: does the evidence support the hype?The East Anglian scientists worked alongside Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, which receives more than 800 prostate cancer referrals a year.“When we do diagnose prostate cancer, the urine test has the potential to differentiate those who need to have treatment from those who do not need treatment, which would be invaluable,” study author Dr Robert Mills said.“This urine test has the potential to tell us whether we needed to intervene with these patients.”However, not everyone is convinced.Dr Mangesh Thorat, from King’s College London, said: “This is misleading and overstates the case.“This small study evaluated ‘at-home urine sample collection using specific kit’ versus ‘standard urine sample collected in clinic’ in 14 patients for detection of urine-based biomarkers.“These biomarkers, although promising and an area of active research, are not yet recommended for screening or during management of prostate cancer by active surveillance.“Therefore, these findings do not have any clinical or public health implications.”Professor Justin Stebbing, from Imperial College London, added: “A test that can replace a hospital or doctor-based examination is important, but this study is too small right now to draw any conclusions, but can provide the basis of future clinical testing in a study to evaluate these questions.”
Years ago, Portia Smith (center) suffered postpartum depression and feared seeking care because of child welfare involvement. She and her daughters Shanell Smith (right), 19, and Najai Jones Smith (left), 15, pose for a selfie after makeup artist Najai madeup everyone as they were getting ready at home on Feb. 6, 2019, to go to a movie together.
Tom Gralish/Philadelphia Inquirer
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Tom Gralish/Philadelphia Inquirer
Years ago, Portia Smith (center) suffered postpartum depression and feared seeking care because of child welfare involvement. She and her daughters Shanell Smith (right), 19, and Najai Jones Smith (left), 15, pose for a selfie after makeup artist Najai madeup everyone as they were getting ready at home on Feb. 6, 2019, to go to a movie together.
Tom Gralish/Philadelphia Inquirer
Portia Smith’s most vivid memories of her daughter’s first year are of tears. Not the baby’s. Her own. “I would just hold her and cry all day,” Smith recalls. At 18, Smith was caring for two children, 4-year-old Kelaiah and newborn Nelly, with little help from her abusive relationship. The circumstances were difficult, but she knew the tears were more than that. “I really didn’t have a connection for her,” says Smith, now a 36-year-old motivational speaker and mother of three living in Philadelphia. “I didn’t even want to breastfeed because I didn’t want that closeness with her.”
The emotions were overwhelming, but Smith couldn’t bring herself to ask for help. “You’re afraid to say it because you think the next step is to take your children away from you,” she says. “You’re young and you’re African-American so it’s like [people are thinking] ‘she’s going to be a bad mom.'” Smith’s concern was echoed by several women of color interviewed for this story. Maternal health experts say women often choose to struggle on their own rather than seek care and risk having their families torn apart by child welfare services. Nationally, postpartum depression affects one in seven mothers. Medical guidelines recommend counseling for all women experiencing postpartum depression, and many women also find relief by taking general antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft). In March, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first drug specifically for the treatment of postpartum depression.
But those advances help only if women in need are identified in the first place — a particular challenge for women of color and low-income moms, as they are several times more likely to suffer from postpartum mental illness, but less likely to receive treatment. The consequences of untreated postpartum depression can be serious. A report from nine maternal mortality review committees in the United States found that mental health problems, ranging from depression to substance use or trauma, went unidentified in many cases and were a contributing factor in pregnancy-related deaths. Although rare, deaths of new moms by suicide have also been reported across the country. Babies can suffer too, struggling to form a secure attachment with their mothers and becoming more likely to develop behavioral issues and have lower cognitive abilities. ‘I was lying to you’ For many women of color, the fear of child welfare services comes from seeing real incidents in their community, says Ayesha Uqdah, a community health worker who conducts home visits for pregnant and postpartum women in Philadelphia through the nonprofit Maternity Care Coalition. News reports in several states and studies at the national level have found child welfare workers deem black mothers unfit at a higher rate than white mothers, even when controlling for factors like education and poverty. During home visits, Uqdah asks clients the 10 questions on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale survey, one of the most commonly used tools to identify women at risk. The survey asks women to rate things like how often they’ve laughed or had trouble sleeping in the past week. The answers are tallied for a score out of 30, and anyone who scores above a 10 is referred for a formal clinical assessment.
Ayesha Uqdah, a community health worker with Maternity Care Coalition, meets with her client, Chaffon Williams at the Maternity Care Coalition Office in the Mantua neighborhood of Philadelphia on March 13, 2019. Uqdah helps women with high-risk pregnancies in getting the care and education that they need.
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Ayesha Uqdah, a community health worker with Maternity Care Coalition, meets with her client, Chaffon Williams at the Maternity Care Coalition Office in the Mantua neighborhood of Philadelphia on March 13, 2019. Uqdah helps women with high-risk pregnancies in getting the care and education that they need.
Heather Khalifa/Philadelphia Inquirer
Uqdah remembers conducting the survey with one pregnant client, who scored a 22. The woman decided not to go for the mental-health services Uqdah recommended. A week after having her baby, the same woman’s answers netted her a score of zero: perfect mental health. “I knew there was something going on,” Uqdah says. “But our job isn’t to push our clients to do something they’re not comfortable doing.” About a month later, the woman broke down and told Uqdah, “I was lying to you. I really did need services, but I didn’t want to admit it to you or myself.” The woman’s first child had been taken into child welfare custody and ended up with her grandfather, Uqdah says. The young mother didn’t want that to happen again. Screening tools are not one-size-fits-all Another hurdle for women of color comes from the tools clinicians use to screen for postpartum depression. The tools were developed based on mostly white research participants, says Alfiee Breland-Noble, an associate professor of psychiatry at Georgetown University Medical Center. Often those screening tools are less relevant for women of color. Research shows that different cultures talk about mental illness in different ways. African-Americans are less likely to use the term “depression,” but may say they don’t feel like themselves, Breland-Noble says.
It’s also more common for people in minority communities to experience mental illness as physical symptoms. Depression can show up as headaches, for example, or anxiety as gastrointestinal issues. Studies evaluating screening tools used with low-income, African-American mothers found they don’t catch as many women as they should. Researchers recommend lower cutoff scores for women of color, because women who need help may not be scoring high enough to trigger a follow-up under current guidelines. Bringing treatment home It took Portia Smith six months after her daughter Nelly’s birth to work up the courage to see a doctor about her postpartum depression. Even then, she encountered the typical barriers faced by new moms: Therapy is expensive, wait times are long, and coordinating transportation and child care can be difficult, especially for someone struggling with depression. But Smith was determined. She visited two different clinics until she found a good fit. After several months of therapy and medication, she began feeling better. Today, Smith and her three daughters go to weekly $5 movies and do their makeup together before each major outing. But many moms never receive care. A recent study from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia found that only one in 10 women who screened positive for postpartum depression at the hospital’s urban medical practice sites sought any kind of treatment in the following six months. A study examining three years’ worth of New Jersey Medicaid claims found white women were nearly twice as likely to receive treatment as women of color.
Noticing that gap, the Maternity Care Coalition in Philadelphia decided to try something new. In 2018, the nonprofit started a pilot program that pairs mothers with Drexel University graduate students training to be marriage and family counselors. The student counselors visit the women an hour a week and provide free in-home counseling for as many weeks as the women need. Last year the program served 30 clients. This year, the organization plans to expand the program to multiple counties in the region, and hire professional therapists. It was a gamechanger for Stephanie Lee, a 39-year-old woman who had postpartum depression after the birth of her second child in 2017. “It was so rough, like I was a mess, I was crying,” Lee says. “I just felt like nobody understood me.” She felt shame asking for help, and thought it made her look weak. Lee’s mother had already helped her raise her older son when Lee was a teenager, and many members of her family had raised multiple kids close in age.
Stephanie Lee remembers the period after her son Santeno Adams, 2, was born.
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Stephanie Lee remembers the period after her son Santeno Adams, 2, was born.
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“The black community don’t know postpartum,” Lee says. “There’s this expectation on us as women of color that we have to be these superhero strong, that we’re not allowed to be vulnerable.” But with in-home therapy, no one had to know Lee was seeking treatment. The counselors helped Lee get back to work and learn how to make time for herself — even just a few minutes in the morning to say a prayer or do some positive affirmations. “If this is the only time I have,” Lee says, “from the time I get the shower, the time to do my hair, quiet time to myself — use it. Just use it.” This story was reported as a partnership between The Philadelphia Inquirer, for which Aneri Pattani reports, and WHYY. You can read the original version here.
There is still a lot of work to be done to educate the public about women and HIV, according to Northern Ireland’s only charity dedicated to supporting people with the virus.Positive Life says there is still a myth that it’s a “gay man’s disease”.Jane, not her real name, was 17 years old when she was diagnosed with HIV.”I’d only slept with one person when I got HIV, I know people will hear that and think it’s a sob story, but it’s the truth,” she said.She was one of the youngest women in Northern Ireland to be diagnosed as HIV-positive.Jane has managed her condition using medication which suppresses the virus, meaning it cannot be transmitted – even through sexual activity.Since then, she has given birth to a baby boy.She wants to help dispel the myths that heterosexual women are not at risk, and that a diagnosis is a death sentence.BBC News NI used illustrations and the voice of an actress to disguise Jane’s identity.Video journalist: Niall McCracken. Illustration: Debie Loizou. Animation: Lilly Huynh
Bread, sultanas and even sparkling water: Dentist reveals the surprising foods that are ruining your kids’ teethLeading dentist Dr Gamer Verdian revealed what’s ruining your kids’ teethHe said foods that get stuck and cause decay include bread and sultanasDr Verdian also said kids get too much sugar from juice, muesli bars and cerealBy Sophie Haslett For Daily Mail Australia Published: 19:44 EST, 28 November 2019 | Updated: 00:32 EST, 29 November 2019 Bread, sultanas and sparkling water are among some of the most harmful foods for children’s teeth, a dentist has revealed.Dr Gamer Verdian said tooth decay is the number one cause of acute, preventable hospital stays for children in Australia, with over 26,000 cases reported each year, but it is preventable.Speaking to FEMAIL, Dr Verdian explained why it’s not just the obvious things like lollies that cause tooth decay, but also the ‘hidden’ sugars found in common snack foods for kids like yoghurt, juice, muesli bars and sultanas.So what should you be steering clear of? Dentist Dr Verdian (pictured) explained why it’s not just the obvious things like lollies that cause tooth decay, but also the ‘hidden’ sugars found in common snack foods for kids like yoghurt, juice, muesli bars and sultanasSTICKY FOODS The first thing Dr Verdian said you should watch out for if you’re a parent is ‘sticky’ foods which get stuck in the grooves of the teeth and create a haven for bacteria.These include things like soft bread, biscuits and potato chips.’The longer food stays in the mouth, the more harmful it is for teeth,’ Dr Verdian told Daily Mail Australia.’Encourage children to drink water right after eating these foods, because this will help to wash away bacteria and acids.’ The first thing Dr Verdian said you should watch out for if you’re a parent is ‘sticky’ foods which get stuck in the grooves of the teeth and create a haven for bacteria (stock image)SNACK FOODSTypical snack foods are just as bad as sticky foods for your kids’ teeth.Foods such as fruit juice and sultanas are all high in sugar and so bad news for our oral hygiene.’It’s also about frequency,’ Dr Verdian said.’Sipping on fruit juice frequently during the day puts our teeth at high risk of decay.’Instead, he recommends water where possible – or brushing if they’ve had a sugary snack. How can you make sure your kids are brushing their teeth well? Use a soft-bristled brush for kids’ teeth an set an egg timer so they know they’re brushing for two minutes (stock image)* Use a soft-bristled brush for their baby teeth.* A pea-sized amount of fluouride toothpaste is all that is needed.* Encourage them not to swallow toothpaste, but spit it out. Studies have shown teeth are better protected if the tiny amount of fluoride that remains in the mouth is left to do its job.* Set an egg timer so that you know you’re brushing for two minutes.* If your children are young, it’s a good idea for parents to brush their kids’ teeth a few times a week. Dr Verdian said: ‘In fact, even as they get older, it’s good for parents to do the brushing once or twice a week until they’re about 8-10 years old.’ Source: Dr Gamer Verdian Foods such as fruit juice and sultanas are all high in sugar and so bad news for our oral hygiene (stock image)HIDDEN SUGAR FOODSFoods where sugar is hidden are often the worst for our health, because they are marketed as healthy and it’s hard to believe that they’re doing long-term damage.But foods like honey, fruit yoghurt, muesli bars and cereals are all potentially bad for children’s teeth.The World Health Organisation recommends we eat no more than 25 grams (or six teaspoons) of free sugars per day.’Some children are already exceeding the daily amount by eating a muesli bar or a bowl of cereal,’ Dr Verdian said.’Fresh produce and whole fruit is always a good alternative. In fact, veggies like celery help to “clean” your mouth because they massage the gums and stimulate saliva production, which neutralises bacteria.’SPARKLING WATERThe leading Sydney dentist said tap water is always the best choice for your children’s teeth. ‘Health professionals report extensive tooth decay in those parts of Queensland that have opted not to add fluoride to their water,’ Dr Verdian said.’Queensland kids aged between 5 and 15 have a 55 per cent rate of tooth decay, while in NSW where most people drink fluoridated water, and only around 20 per cent of children in this age group have decay.’He said fluoride is essential for teeth at any age, and drinking tap water is an easily available and affordable way to keep teeth healthy.
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A home urine test could ‘revolutionise’ prostate cancer diagnosis for thousands of men, British scientists say.The ‘PUR’ test, pioneered by University of East Anglia and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, detects chemicals in the urine secreted by cancer.Being able to do a home test kit is a step forward because it could spell the end of uncomfortable rectal exams. The urine test is also more accurate at home than the clinic because the first urination in the morning provides more clues than the rest of the day.Men are on a ‘watch and wait’ list wouldn’t require so many follow-up appointments if they could post a home-test kit, either.PUR can predict whether patients will require treatment up to five years sooner than standard clinical methods, the scientists say, and assess how aggressive the disease is. A home urine test could ‘revolutionise’ prostate cancer diagnosis for thousands of men. The ‘PUR’ test, pioneered by University of East Anglia and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, detects chemicals in the urine secreted by cancerLead researcher Dr Jeremy Clark, from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said: ‘Being able to simply provide a urine sample at home and post a sample off for analysis could really revolutionise diagnosis.’It means that men would not have to undergo a digital rectal examination, so it would be much less stressful and should result in a lot more patients being tested.’The PUR test looks at gene expression in urine samples and provides vital information about whether a cancer is aggressive or ‘low risk’.’As part of a small study, the researchers gave 14 men at-home collection kits.They then compared the results of their morning-time home urine samples with samples collected after a digital rectal examination. WHAT ARE THE CURRENT METHODS FOR SPOTTING PROSTATE CANCER? There’s no single, definitive test for prostate cancer. A GP will discuss the pros and cons of the various tests with a man with symptoms to try to avoid unnecessary anxiety.The doctor is likely to:ask for a urine sample to check for infectiontake a blood sample to test levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) – called PSA testing examine the prostate by inserting a gloved finger into the bottom – called digital rectal examination The GP will assess the risk of having prostate cancer based on a number of factors, including the patient’s PSA levels and the results of their prostate examination, as well as their age, family history and ethnic group.If the man is deemed at risk, they will be referred to hospital to discuss the options of further tests, which include an MRI and biopsy. Source: NHS Dr Clark said: ‘We found that the urine samples taken at home showed the biomarkers for prostate cancer much more clearly than after a rectal examination. ‘Because the prostate is constantly secreting, the collection of urine from men’s first urination of the day means that the biomarker levels from the prostate are much higher and more consistent, so this is a great improvement. ‘And feedback from the participants showed the at home test was preferable.’ The most commonly used tests for prostate cancer include blood tests, a physical examination known as a digital rectal examination (DRE), an MRI scan or a biopsy.Prostate cancer usually develops slowly and the majority of cancers will not require treatment in a man’s lifetime. Active surveillance, or ‘watchful waiting’ is a way of monitoring prostate cancer that isn’t causing any symptoms or problems over the long term. If these men could take an at-home test, they would only be called in if the results were concerning, instead of annually for painful and expensive biopsies. Dr Clark said: ‘The PUR test accurately predicts aggressive prostate cancer, and predicts whether patients will require treatment up to five years earlier than standard clinical methods.’It means that a negative test could enable men to only be retested every two to three years, relieving stress to the patient and reducing hospital workload.’Robert Mills, Consultant Surgeon in Urology at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, said PUR is ‘a very exciting development’. ‘When we do diagnose prostate cancer, the urine test has the potential to differentiate those who need to have treatment from those who do not need treatment, which would be invaluable,’ he said.’These patients go on to an active surveillance programme following the diagnosis which may involve repeat biopsies and MRI scans which is quite intrusive.’This urine test has the potential to tell us whether we needed to intervene with these patients.’Independent academics were wary the latest findings, published in BioTechniques, were ‘overstated’.Dr Mangesh Thorat, deputy director of the Cancer Prevention Trials Unit at King’s College London, said: ‘They found that “at-home” samples are at least as good as samples in the clinic. ‘However, these urine-based biomarkers, although promising and an area of active research, are not yet recommended for prostate cancer screening or during management of prostate cancer by active surveillance. ‘Therefore, these findings do not currently have any clinical or public health implications. Should any of these biomarkers become a standard screening or surveillance tool in future, this new “at-home” method will be useful.”Prof Justin Stebbing, Professor of Cancer Medicine and Medical Oncology, Imperial College, said: ‘A test that can replace a hospital or doctor-based examination is important, but this study is too small right now to draw any conclusions.’ There is no national prostate screening programme as for years the tests have been too inaccurate. Men over 50 are eligible for a ‘PSA’ blood test which gives doctors a rough idea of whether a patient is at risk. But it is unreliable. Simon Grieveson, head of research funding at Prostate Cancer UK, said: ‘We urgently need better tests both to detect prostate cancer early, and to help inform whether men are likely to need urgent treatment or if they can safely remain under active surveillance. ‘This new test is early in its development, but has the potential to offer a simple, non-invasive way of predicting aggressive prostate cancer without the need for men to attend a clinic. ‘Prostate Cancer UK and Movember are happy to announce that we have awarded funding to the team at the University of East Anglia to test this in a much larger group of men.’Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, affecting around 47,000 men each year.Scientists are unsure as to what causes prostate cancer, but age, obesity and a lack of exercise are known risks.WHAT IS PROSTATE CANCER? How many people does it kill?Prostate cancer became a bigger killer than breast cancer for the first time, official statistics revealed last year. More than 11,800 men a year – or one every 45 minutes – are now killed by the disease in Britain, compared with about 11,400 women dying of breast cancer.It means prostate cancer is behind only lung and bowel in terms of how many people it kills in Britain. In the US, the disease kills 26,000 each year.Despite this, it receives less than half the research funding of breast cancer – while treatments for the disease are trailing at least a decade behind.How quickly does it develop? Prostate cancer usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs someone has it for many years, according to the NHS. If the cancer is at an early stage and not causing symptoms, a policy of ‘watchful waiting’ or ‘active surveillance’ may be adopted. Some patients can be cured if the disease is treated in the early stages.But if it diagnosed at a later stage, when it has spread, then it becomes terminal and treatment revolves around relieving symptoms.Thousands of men are put off seeking a diagnosis because of the known side effects from treatment, including erectile dysfunction.Tests and treatmentTests for prostate cancer are haphazard, with accurate tools only just beginning to emerge. There is no national prostate screening programme as for years the tests have been too inaccurate.Doctors struggle to distinguish between aggressive and less serious tumours, making it hard to decide on treatment.Men over 50 are eligible for a ‘PSA’ blood test which gives doctors a rough idea of whether a patient is at risk.But it is unreliable. Patients who get a positive result are usually given a biopsy which is also not foolproof. Scientists are unsure as to what causes prostate cancer, but age, obesity and a lack of exercise are known risks. Anyone with any concerns can speak to Prostate Cancer UK’s specialist nurses on 0800 074 8383 or visit prostatecanceruk.org
The new test said to be more sensitive than current methods and capable of identifying how advanced the disease is
Credit:
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A prostate cancer test which can be carried out at home and avoids invasive medical examinations has been developed by university experts.
Medics hope patients can receive an earlier and more accurate diagnosis by providing an urine sample as part of an at-home collection kit.
The test, which has so far been trialled by 14 men, is said to be more sensitive than current methods and capable of identifying how advanced the disease is.
It is used for men suspected of having cancer and can work out which men have aggressive or intermediate levels of the disease, as well as ruling out those who do not have prostate cancer.
As part of a small study, the researchers gave 14 men at-home collection kits and compared the results of their morning-time home urine samples with samples collected after a digital rectal examination.
Researchers said feedback from the men showed they preferred the at-home test.
Experts behind the Prostate Urine Risk (PUR) test, from the University of East Anglia (UEA) and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, say they have now developed the test further so urine samples can be collected at home.
This means men do not have to go into the clinic to provide a urine sample or to undergo a rectal exam.
Lead researcher Dr Jeremy Clark, from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said: “The PUR test looks at gene expression in urine samples and provides vital information about whether a cancer is aggressive or ‘low risk’.
“Being able to simply provide a urine sample at home and post a sample off for analysis could really revolutionise diagnosis.
“It means that men would not have to undergo a digital rectal examination, so it would be much less stressful and should result in a lot more patients being tested.”
Around 48,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year in the UK, and more than 11,000 die from it.
Simon Grieveson, head of research funding at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “We hope that this research will bring us a step closer to making a more accurate and earlier diagnosis a reality for men with prostate cancer.”
There were 37.9 million people living with HIV in 2018 worldwide, up from 37.2 million in 2017, according to a new report by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).The report also says 24.5 million infected people using antiretroviral therapy (ART) are living healthier and longer lives, indicating that there has been a drop in death rate.Annual new infections, which indicate whether an epidemic is growing or ebbing, reduced to 1.7 million in 2018, down from 1.8 million the year before, according to the report.Though new infections have declined by 40% worldwide since the peak of the AIDS epidemic in 1997, it is critical to reach out to all, including high-risk groups, to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, said the report. “We are in the last lap, which is the harder one because we need to target the most marginalised and vulnerable for prevention, testing and treatment,” said Winnie Byanyima, executive director, UNAIDS.The report warns that laws and policies in many countries are excluding key populations at risk, who account for 54% of new HIV infections globally. Key populations at risk include same-sex male couples, injecting drug users, sex workers and transgender people.In India, new HIV infections declined by 27% between 2010 and 2017, the last year for which data is available. The number people living with HIV fell from 2.30 million to 2.14 million during that period despite a 1.24% annual rate of increase in the country’s population that stands at 1.36 billion.“Yes, India can end HIV by 2030, I’m very optimistic. Our immediate goal is to meet UNAIDS 90–90–90 targets that aim to diagnose 90% of all HIV-positive persons, provide ART to 90% of those diagnosed, and achieve viral suppression for 90% of those treated by 2020,” said Sanjeeva Kumar, director general, National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), which has an annual budget of Rs 2,500 crore for 2019-20.During the same period, annual new infections fell from 120,000 to 87,580, and AIDS-related deaths more than halved from 160,000 to 69,110, according to data from NACO India HIV Estimation 2017 report.“Since 2017, people in India accessing ART treatment have increased from 1.2 million to 1.35 million and is growing steadily. Getting people on treatment is easy, the hard part is ensuring they stay on it and keep the viral load suppressed, which not only keeps them disease-free but also lowers the risk of infecting their partners,” said Kumar. In India, unprotected sex and injecting drug use are the leading causes of new infection.“We are engaging with populations at risk through social media to increase their access to prevention, testing and treatment services,” said Kumar. NACO has started Mission Sampark (contact) to bring patients back on ART who were lost to follow-up. Integrating programmes, such testing for HIV and syphilis, HIV and tuberculosis, and HIV and Hepatitis C — will help take HIV services to a wider population.“Test-and-treat has increased access to treatment and first-, second- and third-line ART medicines are available. Some supply issues remain, as we need buffer stock to ensure people do not miss doses, which leads to drug resistance. We need also more community drop-in centres to increase access to information and also offer livelihoods to people living with HIV,” said Brijesh Dubey, president of Rajasthan Network of People Living with HIV.
Published: Nov 28th, 2019 – 4:43pm (EST)Updated: Nov 28th, 2019 – 5:34pm (EST)NEILLSVILLE, Wis. (WTHR) — Heartbroken after the death of her baby boy, Sierra Strangfeld had a dilemma: What should she do with her breast milk?Pumping it was painful, mentally and physically. But it was coming in whether she like it or not and she didn’t want it to go to waste.Just over nine weeks earlier, Sierra and her husband Lee were hopeful they’d deliver their son Samuel into the world. But they knew it might not be easy. The Strangfelds first learned their baby might have some health complications at 23 weeks. An ultrasound showed he was small, had clenched fists, clubbed feet and heart issues, all signs of a rare condition called Trisomy 18 or Edwards Syndrome.Babies with Trisomy 18 have an extra chromosome 18 that disrupts normal development in ways that can be life threatening, according to the Trisomy 18 Foundation. Only about 50 percent of babies with the condition are born alive and just 10 percent will make it their first birthdays, according to the foundation.Doctors were hopeful Samuel would make it to birth, but then things tragically took a turn for the worst.At 30 weeks, Sierra and Lee learned her son would likely die in utero within the next few weeks. The two decided that day to have an immediate C-Section to “bring him into the world alive.”After doctors performed the procedure, the family got a few precious moments to hold Samuel and take photos with him before he passed away.As she was mourning her son, Sierra contemplated what to do with the milk meant for her baby.”I couldn’t control his life or death, but I could control what I did afterwards. And maybe, that would mean saving another baby’s life,” she said in a message to HeartThreads.In an incredible act of compassion, she pumped her milk for 63 days, donating it to a NICU milk bank on Samuel’s due date.Women can donate breast milk to other babies as long as they pass a blood test and are approved by a milk bank organization, according to the Mothers Milk Bank, a milk collection organization based in Austin, Texas.
Babies with health issues might need to use donor milk if their mothers aren’t able to produce it themselves.”There were times I was angry because why did my milk have to come in when I had no baby to feed? Why was I waking up in the middle of the night for this? The other part of me felt it was the only thing connecting me to Samuel here on Earthside. I sure hope he’s proud of me!” Sierra wrote in a Facebook post that’s been shared over 5,000 times.If you would like to help, you can donate to The Milk Bank in Indianapolis. You can find more information by clicking here.
Gunmen killed four health workers in two attacks on World Health Organization camps responding to an ebola outbreak in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo, as violence escalates and threatens efforts to halt the world’s second-deadliest bout of the virus. The nighttime assaults, in the busy gold-mining town Biakato and the nearby town of Mangina, mark the most deadly day for Ebola responders since the outbreak was declared in August 2018. The WHO confirmed the fatalities—including a member of a vaccination team, a police…