Cord milking best for infants delivered by C-section

Massaging the umbilical cord of preterm infants delivered by Cesarean section can improve blood pressure, increase levels of red blood cells and lead to greater blood flow to and from the heart, according to new research. The study found that cord milking provided greater benefits to preterm infants delivered by Cesarean section than current recommended practice. A study of the impact of cord milking was supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and published in Pediatrics. Cord milking involves gently squeezing the umbilical cord with the thumb and forefingers, slowly massaging blood through the cord to the infant s abdomen after birth. Buy Propecia (Finasteride) with no prescription Previous research has suggested that delaying the clamping of the umbilical cord after birth for 30-60 seconds allows enough time for blood from the cord to fill the blood vessels in the newborn s lungs. Experts believe that this delay helps reduce the risk of bleeding in the infant s brain cavities, known as intraventricular hemorrhage, thought to be caused by low blood pressure. Flagyl (Metronidazole) without prescription This hemorrhaging can lead to several health problems for the baby, including delayed development, cerebral palsy and even death. Dr. Buy Altace (Ramipril) with no prescription Anup C. About Bio Oil without prescription Katheria, first author of the study and a neonatologist at the Neonatal Research Institute at the Sharp Mary Birch Hospital, became aware, however, that delayed cord clamping did not always reduce the risk of intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants delivered by Cesarean section. Dr. About Lioresal (Baclofen) with free Rx Katheria and colleagues hypothesized that the anesthetic used in Cesarean delivery could impede the flow of blood through the umbilical cord. Buy Fenugreek online They decided to conduct a study to see if cord milking counteracts the reduced blood flow, providing the newborn with an improved supply of blood. For the study, researchers from the Neonatal Research Institute at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women and Newborns in San Diego, and Loma Linda University, CA, assessed 197 infants: 154 of whom were delivered by Cesarean and 43 delivered vaginally. http://webmdhelper.wordpress.com The mothers of the infants went into labor before or during the 32nd week of pregnancy. Cord milking improved blood circulation and hemoglobin levels Infants delivered by Cesarean were randomly assigned to either a group whose umbilical cords were milked (75 infants) or a group who received delayed cord clamping (79 infants). The infants delivered vaginally were also randomly divided into two similar groups. The researchers found that the infants delivered by Cesarean section who received cord milking had higher blood flow in the vein carrying blood from the brain to the heart and a higher output of blood from the right ventricle compared with those who received delayed cord clamping. These measures indicate improved blood circulation in the brain and body. Those delivered by Cesarean section whose cords were milked were also found to have higher blood pressure and higher levels of hemoglobin in their blood. No differences, however, were found by the researchers in the blood flow or blood pressure among the two groups of infants that were delivered vaginally. In 2012, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommended a 30-60-second delay before clamping the umbilical cord of all infants delivered preterm. The results of the new study suggest that among these infants, cord milking could provide greater benefits. "The study results are very encouraging," says Dr. Tonse Raju, chief of the Pregnancy and Perinatology branch of the NICHD. "The findings need to be confirmed in a larger number of births, but at this point, it appears that umbilical cord milking may prove to be of great benefit to preterm infants delivered via Cesarean." Previously, Medical News Today reported on a study suggesting that delaying umbilical cord clamping at birth could improve the child s long-term developmental prospects, leading to better social and motor skills for some children. Written by James McIntosh

High-fiber diet during pregnancy may protect offspring against asthma

. http://doctorconsult.wordpress.com omen who consume a high-fiber diet during pregnancy may reduce the risk of their offspring developing asthma, according to the results of a new study published in Nature Communications. Researchers say a high-fiber diet during pregnancy may prevent offspring from developing asthma. Led by Dr. Buy Ocuflox (Ofloxacin) Alison Thorburn, of the Department of Immunology at Monash University in Australia, the study suggests a high-fiber diet alters a mother s gut bacteria during pregnancy, producing anti-inflammatory substances that suppress asthma-related genes in offspring. This is not the first to study to associate a high-fiber diet with reduced asthma risk. Indocin Sr (Indomethacin) with free prescription In January 2014, Medical News Today reported on a study in which researchers found mice fed a high-fiber diet had reduced reactions to asthma-inducing allergens, compared with mice fed a low-fiber diet. For their study, Dr. Buy Norvasc (Amlodipine) with free Rx Thorburn and colleagues set out to determine whether a high-fiber diet consumed during pregnancy could impact offspring s risk for asthma development. To reach their findings, the team fed pregnant mice one of three diets during their third trimester: a high-fiber diet, a moderate-fiber diet or a low-fiber diet. When the offspring of the mice were adults, they were exposed to house dust mites - a trigger for asthma in humans. Metabolites produced by fiber digestion suppressed asthma-associated genes in offspring The researchers found that the offspring of mice whose mothers were fed a high-fiber diet during pregnancy did not develop asthma-like symptoms, while the offspring whose mothers were fed a low-fiber diet did. Further investigation revealed that the pregnant mice fed a high-fiber diet experienced changes in gut bacteria; they possessed specific microbes that produced anti-inflammatory metabolites when the fiber was digested. About Becozyme with free Rx These metabolites circulated the bloodstream and traveled through the uterus to the fetus, suppressing Foxp3 genes linked to asthma development. The researchers wanted to see whether a maternal high-fiber diet in humans would have the same effect on offspring. Buy Micronase (Glyburide) with free prescription They did so by analyzing the blood samples and diet data of 40 pregnant women, as well as data detailing the frequency of doctor s visits due to respiratory symptoms in their offspring during the first year of life. The team found women who consumed a high-fiber diet during pregnancy also had anti-inflammatory metabolites present in their blood, and the offspring of these women were significantly less likely to have visited the doctor two or more times as a result of respiratory complaints in their first year of life. Commenting on their findings, the researchers say: "High fiber [...] suppresses expression of certain genes in the mouse fetal lung linked to both human asthma and mouse AAD [allergic airway disease]. Buy Echinacea online Thus, diet acting on the gut microbiota profoundly influences airway responses, and may represent an approach to prevent asthma, including during pregnancy." In addition, the team says their findings may explain why children who grow up on a farm appear to be at lower asthma risk. "We speculate [this] may relate to dietary differences between rural and urban settings," they explain, "or may relate to microbes encountered in the farm environment that are geared for high SCFA [short-chain fatty acid] production (that is, feces from livestock that mostly digest fiber)." Written by Honor Whiteman

Cognitive behavioral therapy alters Tourette syndrome brains

. Buy Cysteine online A new study has found the cognitive behavioral therapy used to reduce chronic tics in people with Tourette syndrome can also alter the functioning of their brains. The researchers found that cognitive behavioral therapy normalized activity in the supplementary motor area of the brains of study participants with Tourette syndrome. The findings of the study will be presented at the First World Congress on Tourette Syndrome and Tic Disorders in London, UK, and could have implications for the future treatment of people with the neuropsychiatric disorder. Tourette syndrome is an inherited tic disorder characterized by motor and vocal tics - repetitive semi-voluntary movements or vocalizations with no apparent purpose. "There is still no definitive explanation of the causes of this syndrome, but we know that tics are related to an impaired communication between the supplementary motor area - a region of the cerebral cortex - and deeper areas called the basal ganglia," said Simon Morand-Beaulieu, a student in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Montreal, Canada. Many people do not require any treatment for Tourette syndrome, but for some the tics can be disruptive and can - for young people in particular - make learning and socializing difficult. http://webmdmagazine.wordpress.com Medrol Active (Methylprednisolone) without Rx For these individuals, certain forms of treatment are available, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a blend of cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy that focuses on helping people to focus on their problems and how they might solve them, assisting them to identify problematic forms of behavior and change them. In people with Tourette syndrome, CBT helps to normalize activity in the supplementary motor region of the brain by utilizing relaxation and exercises targeting muscles associated with tics. "In addition to the beneficial effects on tics, we wanted to see if CBT effectively alters the brain function of people with [Tourette syndrome]," says Morand-Beaulieu. CBT affected supplementary motor region but not frontal region activity For the study, participants with Tourette syndrome completed a task designed to prompt activity in the supplementary motor region of the brain. Buy Lopid (Gemfibrozil) with no prescription The task involved responding to the color of an arrow that was pointing to the left or the right. The researchers noted overactivity in the supplementary motor region while there were deficits in the appropriate selection and preparation of the participants physical responses. Following this task, the participants with Tourette syndrome received CBT and then later repeated the task. About Imitrex (Sumatriptan) without Rx The researchers found that not only were the Tourette syndrome tics reduced, but the brain functioning of the participants in the supplementary motor region was similar to that of participants without Tourette syndrome. Interestingly, the researchers also observed overactivity in the frontal region of the brains of the participants with Tourette syndrome when movement was inhibited. About Avelox without prescription This overactivity was present both before and after CBT. "This could be an adaptive mechanism deriving from the patients experience of inhibiting their own tics," explains study supervisor Marc Lavoie, a researcher at the Institut universitaire en sane mental de Montr eal. About Panadol (Paracetamol) with no Rx "As a result, they are able to perform as well as participants without [Tourette syndrome] during tasks requiring cognitive control, but at the cost of greater frontal cortex activity." The researchers believe that their findings will help improve therapeutic strategies for Tourette syndrome and have a practical impact on the quality of life for people with the disorder. "It will soon be possible to share this neurophysiological data with psychologists conducting CBT and thus correct or enhance treatment of people affected by [Tourette syndrome]," Lavoie concludes. Previously, Medical News Today reported on a study identifying a chemical in the brain called GABA that could play a major role in controlling tics associated with Tourette syndrome. Written by James McIntosh

Eat protein before carbohydrates to lower post-meal glucose

In a new study, researchers from Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City, NY, found that the order in which different types of food are consumed has a significant impact on post-meal glucose and insulin levels in obese people. Januvia (Sitagliptin Phosphate) with free Rx Writing in the journal Diabetes Care, the authors suggest their findings may have dietary implications for diabetic and other high-risk patients. Eating protein, vegetables and fat before carbohydrates in a meal may help to keep glucose and insulin levels low. For people with type 2 diabetes, it is important to maintain normal glucose levels after eating, because if their blood sugar level spikes then they are at increased risk of complications, including hardening of the arteries and heart disease, which can eventually lead to death. Some previous studies had found that eating vegetables or protein before carbohydrates could be an effective way to lower post-meal glucose levels. Neurontin (Gabapentin) without prescription The researchers behind the new study wanted to see whether this association applied to a typical Western diet, with meals consisting of a mix of vegetables, protein carbohydrates and fat. In the study, 11 patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes who were taking metformin - a drug that helps control glucose levels - ate the same meals in different orders 1 week apart, so that the researchers could observe how their glucose levels were affected. The set meal consisted of ciabatta bread, orange juice, chicken breast, lettuce and tomato salad with low-fat dressing and steamed broccoli with butter. Glucose and insulin levels lower when carbohydrates were eaten last The researchers first took the patients glucose levels in the morning, 12 hours after they last ate. About Minomycin (Minocycline) with no Rx On the first day of the study, the participants were told to consume the carbohydrates in their meal (ciabatta bread and orange juice) first, and to follow this 15 minutes later by the protein, vegetables and fat in the meal. Ascriptin The participants glucose levels were checked 30, 60 and 120 minutes after eating. The experiment was then repeated 1 week later, except this time the food order was reversed - the protein, vegetables and fat were eaten first, with the carbohydrates consumed 15 minutes later. When the vegetables and protein were eaten before the carbohydrates, the researchers found that glucose levels were 29%, 37% and 17% lower at the 30, 60 and 120-minute checks, compared with when carbohydrates were consumed first. Prometrium (Progesterone) without Rx Also, insulin was found to be significantly lower when the participants ate vegetables and protein first. "Based on this finding, instead of saying don t eat that to their patients, clinicians might instead say, eat this before that, " says senior author Dr. Buy Cleaners online Louis Aronne, the Sanford I. http://webmdmagazine.wordpress.com Weill Professor of Metabolic Research and a professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Aronne acknowledges that follow-up work is required - the findings are from a pilot study with a very small sample group - but says that "based on this finding, patients with type 2 might be able to make a simple change to lower their blood sugar throughout the day, decrease how much insulin they need to take, and potentially have a long-lasting, positive impact on their health." "Carbohydrates raise blood sugar, but if you tell someone not to eat them - or to drastically cut back - it s hard for them to comply. This study points to an easier way that patients might lower their blood sugar and insulin levels," Dr. Aronne concludes. Written by David McNamee

Older adults who might benefit from pet ownership often face barriers

Older adults - particularly if they are struggling to make ends meet - are at high risk of illness and emotional disorders, the effects of which can be greatly reduced by pet ownership. A pet provides companionship to an older person and can also boost their well-being. In a paper published in the journal Activities, Adaption & Aging, researchers review the literature on pet ownership by older adults and, after outlining the potential benefits to their physical and emotional health, discuss the barriers they face in adopting pets. Pets not only provide companionship, they can boost health in other ways, such as emotional support and increased physical activity. However, older people face many hurdles to pet ownership: they may be worried about the cost, and whether they are physically fit enough to take care of and feed a pet. Januvia (Sitagliptin Phosphate) with free Rx They may also worry about what might happen to their beloved companion should they become ill or die. In their paper, to illustrate some of these barriers to pet ownership by older people, the researchers tell the story of Janet, a 75-year-old widow who is obese, has diabetes and suffers from arthritis. Janet, who lives independently, describes herself as a cat lover. Neurontin (Gabapentin) without prescription She has had many pet cats in the past and would like to have one now. She has seen a story in the local news about an animal shelter and is thinking about adopting a cat from there, but is concerned about the financial commitment and what would happen to the cat if she became ill or passed away. About Minomycin (Minocycline) with no Rx She is also concerned about what the adoption fees might be and the pet deposit fee in her apartment building. Ascriptin The researchers note that Janet s situation, the conflicts between her desire for a pet and her concerns, is very common. Prometrium (Progesterone) without Rx They note: "There are many older adults who feel that they could benefit from pet ownership and there are far too many shelter animals in need of adoption. Buy Cleaners online Yet barriers exist that can impede and often preclude this adoption process." The result is a pitiful lose-lose situation: older adults are denied the potential benefits of pet ownership, and the animals stay longer in the shelter and are at greater risk of euthanasia. Perceptions of disability may be the barrier rather than actual physical limitations In an effort to transform this into a win-win situation, the researchers discuss what might increase the chances for older adults to become pet owners - particularly those who perceive their chronic conditions and cost as the biggest hurdles. While acknowledging that chronic conditions like arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, and obesity are rising, the authors note that these do not necessarily result in disability. http://webmdmagazine.wordpress.com Developed countries like the US may be seeing rising rates of these chronic illnesses, but levels of actual disability are falling, they add. One explanation could be increased ways of supporting people with chronic conditions - such as the growth in home care and assistive technology. Perhaps, the authors suggest: "The true barrier to pet ownership for older adults may lie more in the perception of disability than in the actual limitations themselves." They also suggest that older adults may doubt their abilities, when actually, they are capable of looking after a pet. What they need is confidence and support to help them adopt a pet. Also, they may set their heart on a pet that is more demanding - dogs need to be exercised regularly while cats do not, and guinea pigs and rabbits require even less physical care - but perhaps they could be persuaded to consider other options that are more compatible with their needs and abilities. More creative solutions from professionals needed The researchers suggest that health professionals and shelter professionals could work together and encourage pet adoption and even "prescribe" the right pet for the right issue - for example, to address isolation, grief or depression. Animal shelters could also set up and test programs whereby older adults could adopt pets on a trial basis, they note. In discussing barriers related to cost, the team acknowledges that these are probably the most challenging. They urge all parties involved to come up with creative solutions. For instance, some meals on wheels programs include an option for pet meals. And perhaps, if building policies considered the benefit to older, solitary residents mental health of having a pet, they might lower or even waive the pet deposit fee - which the authors note is perhaps the biggest barrier to pet ownership among poorer older people. They also urge health and care professionals to include the effect of any human-animal bonds in their clients lives when carrying out care assessments. If these were taken into account, then their potential benefit to their clients health may be seen to be big enough to override some of the no-pet policies that seem to prevail. While many assisted-living facilities appear to allow pets, nursing homes do not. This can cause considerable distress to an older person moving from one to the other. Perhaps policies cannot bend as far as to allow pets in the nursing homes, but care plans could include provision to continue the human-animal bond - perhaps by arranging regular visits from or to the family member or friend who has taken on the care of the pet. The authors conclude: "Future researchers should continue to explore the human-animal bond for older adult populations, particularly for those with cognitive, physical, and financial limitations. There is so much potential benefit here for both pets and potential pet owners." First author Keith Anderson, from the University of Montana in Missoula, says he became interested in doing the study because: "As a geriatric social work researcher, I ve always been interested in finding creative, cost-effective ways to improve the lives and well-being of older adults. As already mentioned, cats may be less demanding, easier and cheaper to care for than dogs, but what many owners may not realize is that cats can get stressed, especially if their routine is disturbed or they have to share the home with another cat. Medical News Today recently reported a review by a group of veterinarians from the Autonomous University of Barcelona that discusses the causes and effects of stress in pet cats and also gives advice on how to prevent and reduce it. Written by Catharine Paddock PhD

Blood pressure medication could prevent alcohol, drug addiction

One of the drivers of alcohol and drug addiction is the powerful and enduring memories of the triggers - the people, places, sights and sounds that lead up to and surround episodes of substance use. Flagyl (Metronidazole) without Rx Encounters with such powerful cues are recognized as primary reasons for relapse. A blood pressure drug called isradipine has shown promise for preventing alcohol and drug addiction, according to researchers. Now, a team that successfully stopped cocaine and alcohol addiction in rats using a drug already approved for the treatment of high blood pressure, suggests the compound - called isradipine - may prevent relapse by erasing unconscious memories of the triggers underlying addiction. The researchers, from The University of Texas at Austin, report their findings in the journal Molecular Psychiatry. Before the 1970s, many scientists believed addiction was a physical craving that could be overcome with willpower. Now, more and more regard addiction as a brain rewiring problem, and that relapse during recovery can be triggered by encounters with environmental cues that have become strongly associated with the addictive substance. Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov showed that if you ring a bell every time you feed a dog, eventually the sound of the bell on its own - without the food - will cause the dog to salivate. For the study, the team - led by Hitoshi Morikawa, associate professor of neuroscience - focused on brain circuits known to be involved in learning, memory and reward, which are thought to become rewired in addiction, forming powerful memories of drug-related cues. They trained rats to associate either a black or white room with cocaine or alcohol as they became addicted to the substances. After the animals had become addicted, the researchers offered them the choice of either entering the black or the white room. About Plavix (Clopidogrel) with no prescription The rats nearly always chose the room they associated with the addictive substance. Isradipine erased memories that associated a cue with the addictive substance Then, the researchers gave some of the addicted rats a high dose of isradipine just before presenting them with a choice of rooms. Seroquel (Quetiapine) with free prescription On the day they were treated, the rats still chose the room linked to their substance use. Buy Antiplar without prescription But on subsequent days, they no longer showed a particular preference. Shallaki () with free prescription This did not happen in the untreated group. "The isradipine erased memories that led them to associate a certain room with cocaine or alcohol," explains Prof. Buy Children - ADD | ADHD online Morikawa. Isradipine reduces high blood pressure by blocking calcium channels in the heart and blood vessels. http://webmdmagazine.wordpress.com However, these calcium channels are also present in the brain, and the researchers suggest blocking them with isradipine may have had the effect of rewiring the circuits that underlie memories of addiction-associated cues - like the colors of the cocaine and alcohol rooms in the rat experiments. A drug that targets the triggers that lead up to addiction is likely to be more effective than the drugs currently used to prevent people from experiencing the euphoria that accompanies addictive drug use, says Prof. Morikawa. He explains: "Addicts show up to the rehab center already addicted. Many addicts want to quit, but their brains are already conditioned. This drug might help the addicted brain become de-addicted." Isradipine is already approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as safe for human use so should not take as long to complete clinical trials as a new, unapproved drug. However, as isradipine is designed to lower blood pressure, it may be necessary to pair it with another drug that stops blood pressure getting too low. This could be a challenge in getting the drug through trials as a treatment for addiction. Meanwhile, Medical News Today recently learned that illicit drug taking in the workplace appears to be on the rise in the US. Data from millions of workplace urine tests suggest the proportion of American workers testing positive for illicit drugs - such as marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine - is nearing 5%, in a second annual increase. Written by Catharine Paddock PhD

Could a gut microbe improve metabolic health and body fat distribution?

Researchers have discovered a gut microbe that could be effective for improving leanness and metabolic health among people who are overweight or obese. Obese and overweight people with higher levels of the gut bacterium Akkermansia muciniphila were found to have better metabolic health and body fat distribution following a 6-week calorie-restricted diet. Published in the journal Gut, the study reveals that greater abundance of a bacterium called Akkermansia muciniphila - which makes up around 3-5% of a healthy individual s gut microbiome - was associated with lower blood glucose and lipids, as well as healthier distribution of body fat. The research team - including Prof. About Desogen (Desogestrel-Ethinyl Estradiol) Karine Cl ement of the Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), the INSERM/University of Paris and Piti e-Salp^etri`ere Hospital in France - says their findings may open the door to new treatments for diabetes and other metabolic conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 70% of American adults aged 20 and older are overweight or obese, meaning they are at increased of a number of health conditions, including diabetes and heart disease. Past studies have indicated that an individual s gut microbiome - the composition of gut bacteria - may influence the risk of overweight and obesity and related conditions. About Rocaltrol (Calcitriol) with free Rx In November 2014, for example, Medical News Today reported on a study suggesting a bacterium called Christensenellaceae minuta reduced weight gain when introduced to the guts of mice. Prof. Serophene (Clomiphene) with no prescription Cl ement and colleagues note that previous mouse studies have also linked A. Buy Amiloride with free Rx muciniphila with improved leanness and healthier glucose metabolism. About Super P-Force (Sildenafil with Dapoxetine) with no Rx However, it was unclear whether the microbe has a similar effect in humans. Subjects with higherA. Buy Calcium Citrate online muciniphila levels had better metabolic profile To find out, the researchers enrolled 49 individuals to their study, of whom 11 were overweight and 38 were obese. All participants were required to follow a low-calorie diet supplemented with extra protein and fiber for 6 weeks, followed by a stabilization diet for a further 6 weeks. http://webmdmagazine.wordpress.com The team notes that calorie restriction is known to alter gut bacteria composition. At study baseline and after the dietary intervention, blood samples were collected from participants in order to measure their blood glucose and lipid levels, including cholesterol (high- and low-density lipoprotein) and triglyceride levels. The team also analyzed fecal samples of participants in order to establish the presence of A. muciniphila in their guts, and the body fat distribution of participants - determined by the presence of fat cells under the skin - was assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The researchers found participants who had greater abundance of A. muciniphila in their guts at study baseline had lower blood glucose and insulin levels, as well as lower blood lipid levels and healthier body fat distribution, compared with those who had lower abundance of the bacterium. The healthiest metabolic profile was found among participants who had higher A. muciniphila levels combined with greater diversity of gut bacteria, according to the researchers. After the dietary intervention , the team found that participants who had greater abundance of A. muciniphila in their gut at study baseline showed greater improvement in body fat distribution and metabolic profile than those with lower A. muciniphila levels at baseline. The team says the low-calorie diet reduced A. muciniphila levels among participants, though individuals who had higher levels of the bacterium at study baseline still possessed it at levels 100 times higher than participants with lower levels at study baseline. A. muciniphila fuels other healthy gut bacteria Prof. Cl ement claims their study confirms in humans what has been observed in mouse models - that greater abundance of A. muciniphila is linked to improved metabolic health and better fat distribution following calorie restriction. What is more, the researchers say their findings indicate that by-products of the bacterium boost the development of other gut bacteria that may be beneficial for health. "A. muciniphila produces a variety of fermentation products. These may serve as energy sources for other bacteria and the host," they explain. "It is possible that through this cross-feeding, A. muciniphila may contribute to the expansion of other beneficial species, while it may itself have a direct effect on host metabolism, consistent with rodent studies." They add: "In conclusion, we demonstrated a significant association between A. muciniphila abundance and metabolic health and we provide a first view of A. muciniphila association with the gut ecosystem. Collectively, these observations demonstrate the importance of studying A. muciniphila in the context of the gut environment, as it may drive a favorable or deleterious contribution of A. muciniphila to health." The team says future studies should investigate the mechanisms underlying the role of A. muciniphila in metabolic health and fat distribution, noting that further studies may uncover new treatments for insulin resistance - a precursor to type 2 diabetes - and other metabolic conditions. What is more, they say future studies could determine whether A. muciniphila could be used to predict whether certain diets might be successful for metabolic health. In March, a Spotlight feature from MNT investigated how the gut microbiome influences obesity and other areas of health and well-being. Written by Honor Whiteman

Global warming 'unlikely to reduce winter mortality'

The average temperature of the Earth has risen over the past century, and it is expected to increase further over the next century. About Cialis (Tadalafil) with no prescription As a result, it is predicted our winters will become warmer. About Tadora (Tadalafil) without prescription While many studies have suggested this will significantly reduce the number of cold-related deaths that occur in winter months, new research finds this may not be the case. According to the researchers, cold temperatures are not a key driver of higher mortality in winter months, meaning global warming is unlikely to reduce winter death rates. Lead study author Patrick Kinney, professor of Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia University s Mailman School of Public Health in New York, NY, and his team publish their findings in the journal Environmental Research Letters. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the past 100 years have seen the average temperature of the Earth rise by 1.4°F to 9.5°F. About VPXL () with no Rx Such an increase has already led to noticeable changes in climate and weather, with many regions around the world - including the US - experiencing more frequent droughts, floods and intense heat waves. Over the next 100 years, the Earth s temperature is predicted to increase further, to 11.5°F. Alernyl While this is expected to present a number of environmental and societal challenges, past studies have suggested there may be a positive side to global warming - fewer deaths in winter. But Prof. Trimox (Amoxicillin) Kinney and colleagues have challenged such findings with their latest research. Buy Bladder Infection online Their analysis of temperature and mortality data from 39 cities in the US and France suggests a warmer climate is unlikely to reduce mortality rates during winter months, primarily because cold temperatures are not directly responsible for excess winter deaths. Temperature not a key driver of winter excess mortality The team s analysis included 1985-2006 data from 36 cities in the US - including New York and Miami - and 1971-2006 data from three cities in France - Paris, Lyon and Marseille. http://webmdmagazine.wordpress.com The researchers assessed daily temperature and mortality data from each city, comparing the number of deaths that occurred in cities that are colder in winter months with those that occurred in cities that are warmer in winter. Cities with warmer winters were found to have similar winter mortality rates than those with colder winters, which the team says suggests "temperature is not a key driver of winter excess mortality." "If cold temperatures were directly responsible for winter mortality, one might expect a more pronounced relative winter mortality excess in cities where winter to summer temperature differences are larger, or where winter temperatures are colder," note the authors, adding: "Our findings suggest that reductions in cold-related mortality under warming climate may be much smaller than some have assumed. This should be of interest to researchers and policy makers concerned with projecting future health effects of climate change and developing relevant adaptation strategies." Rather than cold temperatures, the researchers suggest there are a number of other factors that may contribute to excess mortality in winter months. They note that influenza is a risk factor for winter mortality, noting that time spent indoors, school schedules, holiday gatherings, overweight, lack of exercise and air moisture content can raise the risk of flu and other respiratory infections during winter months. As such, Prof. Kinney and his team say global warming is likely to have "little benefit" if factors such as these are the primary drivers of winter deaths. The study is subject to some limitations. For example, the researchers were unable to determine the causes of death and did not analyze data by age, sex, ethnicity or economic status. "Thus we were unable to assess the extent to which cold temperatures may differentially affect certain causes or population subgroups that may be more vulnerable," the authors note. Contrary to these latest findings, in May, Medical News Today reported on a study published in The Lancet in which researchers claim cold temperatures are the biggest cause of climate-related deaths, killing 20 times as many people as hot weather. Written by Honor Whiteman

Optic Neuritis - Pipeline Review, H1 2015

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Developed sense of justice evident 'in children as young as 3'

Children as young as 3 years old possess a keen sense of restorative justice and a "surprising" level of concern for others, according to the results of a new study by researchers at the Max Planck Institute in Leipzig, Germany, and the University of Manchester in the UK. The researchers used a large turntable divided into quarters that demarcated the child s position from the position of a "victim" puppet on the child s left and a "thief" puppet to their right.Image credit: University of Manchester Researchers want to understand more about the origins of human society s sense of justice, and so are studying the point at which it first emerges among young children. Previously, studies using puppets have found that children will be more likely to share with a puppet that helped someone else than with a puppet who displayed bad behavior. Adcirca (Tadalafil) without prescription The children in these studies were also found to be more supportive of punishment administered to a puppet that "deserved it" than a puppet that did nothing wrong. In the new study - the findings of which are published in the journal Current Biology - the Max Planck team again used puppets, giving their 3- and 5-year-old participants the option of taking items away from puppets that had themselves taken items away from another puppet. Across two experiments, the researchers used a large turntable divided into quarters that demarcated the child s position from the position of a "victim" puppet on the child s left and a "thief" puppet to their right. Ziac (Biosoprolol - Hydrochlorothiazide) with free prescription The fourth quarter of the turntable was an inaccessible region known as "the cave." Ropes underneath the table allowed the child or the thief to turn the table, and it was made clear to the child that the victim puppet was unable to turn the table themselves. The study found that the children were equally as likely to intervene on behalf of a wronged puppet as they were for themselves. Buy Caverta (Sildenafil Citrate) with no Rx The researchers also observed that the 3-year-old participants, when presented with a range of options, were more likely to return an item than remove it. Medical News Today asked study author Dr. Buy Accolate with free prescription Keith Jensen, of the University of Manchester, why the 3-year-olds were more likely to return an item than any other option. Zestril (Lisinopril) He replied: "Restoration appears to be easier than punishment. Buy Alfalfa Tea online Three-year-olds would sometimes be distressed enough at witnessing a theft when their only recourse was punishment and the test would have to be stopped. http://webmdmagazine.wordpress.com Punishment does not seem to come naturally to the younger kids. However, restoration makes more sense to them - give back to someone what they lost, regardless of how they lost it. Which is another question that would be worth exploring - what if the victim was careless and lost their things?" Study suggests that empathy is a core component of a sense of justice Dr. Jensen claims that the findings provide a new insight into the nature of justice, with the chief implication being that empathy is a core component of a sense of justice, which in turn feeds into an understanding of punishment and cooperation. He describes the take-home message as being that preschool children are sensitive to harm to others, and given a choice, they would rather restore things to help the victim than punish the perpetrator. We asked Dr. Jensen what kind of practical interventions might be suggested by the study for use among teachers and parents. He replied that puppets have been used in therapy and "are good tools to explore social behaviors." While young children are - hopefully - infrequently exposed to theft and unfairness, puppets can be used to demonstrate these concepts "in a relatively safe environment." "I think it s particularly valuable that children can become actively involved in meting out justice, rather than passively watching or being asked what they think is right," Dr. Jensen told us. "Young children are not very good at justifying their actions, so it is helpful to have them act directly." Written by David McNamee