London, (PTI) Children with certain immunodeficiency diseases may have a higher mortality rate due to COVID-19, according to a study.

Researchers noted that most children infected with the SARS-CoV-2 develop a mild illness or show no symptoms at all, but for a small percentage, serious complications may develop.

The study, recently published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, found that children with certain immunodeficiency diseases carry mutations in genes that regulate the body’s immune system against viral infections.

“Mortality is much higher among children with primary immunodeficiency diseases infected with SARS-CoV-2,” said Qiang Pan-Hammarstrom, a professor at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden.

“Our results indicate that basic immunological examination and genetic analysis should be conducted in children with severe COVID-19 or multi-inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). The clinicians will then be able to help these children with more precise therapies based on their genetic changes,” said Pan-Hammarstrom.

Researchers performed genetic and immunological analyses in young patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases — also called inborn errors of immunity — who developed severe or critical SARS-CoV-2 infection.

“Our results clarify the molecular mechanism of these immune diseases, which opens up the possibility of developing a more targeted therapy,” Pan-Hammarstrom said.

“The knowledge acquired from the study also allows us to develop better strategies for the treatment and prevention of severe COVID-19 disease in these patients,” the scientist said.

The study included 31 children aged five months to 19 years. All children had some type of primary immunodeficiency disease without a molecular diagnosis and suffered from severe COVID-19.

Participants were recruited from August to September 2020 in Iran. None of them were vaccinated against COVID-19.

Eleven of the children, more than one-third, died of complications from the infection, the researchers said.

Five children, 16 per cent, met the criteria for multi–inflammatory syndrome, MIS-C. Some of the children lacked antibodies to the coronavirus, they said.

“This suggests that many children with this type of immune disease cannot produce antiviral antibodies and therefore would not have the full benefit of vaccination,” said Hassan Abolhassani, assistant professor at Karolinska Institutet, and the study’s first author.

Genetic analyses showed that more than 90 per cent of the participants, 28 children, had mutations in genes that are important for our immune defense, and that could explain their immunodeficiency, the researchers said.

An important mechanism was mutations that affect proteins which regulate the immune system during virus infection, known as interferons, they said.

The study also included a literature review, where the researchers globally found reports of about 1,210 patients with primary immunodeficiency disease and COVID-19. About 30 per cent of them were children.

The mortality rate among children with primary immunodeficiency disease and COVID-19 was more than 8 per cent, compared with about 0.01 per cent among children in the general population, they added. PTI

A research team from the University of Cologne and the Universities of Mannheim and Heidelberg has found that even the single administration of alcohol permanently alters the morphology of neurons. In particular, the structure of the synapses as well as the dynamics of mitochondria – the powerhouses of the cell – are influenced by alcohol. Using the genetic model system of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, Professor Dr Henrike Scholz and her team members Michèle Tegtmeier und Michael Berger showed that changes in the migration of mitochondria in the synapses reduce the rewarding effect of alcohol. These results suggest that even a single consumption event can lay the foundation for alcohol addiction. The study ‘Single-dose ethanol intoxication causes acute and lasting neuronal changes in the brain’ has appeared in PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences).

Both of the observed mechanisms could explain observations made in mice that a single intoxication experience can increase alcohol consumption and alcohol relapse later in life. ‘These mechanisms may even be relevant to the observation in humans that the first alcohol intoxication at an early age is a critical risk factor for later alcohol intoxication and the development of alcohol addiction,’ explained Professor Scholz. ‘This means that identifying lasting ethanol-dependent changes is an important first step in understanding how acute drinking can turn into chronic alcohol abuse.’

I don't know about you but whenever I see TV commercials that show active men and women looking all smiling and happy because they take vitamins or supplements... well, I start to feel bad about the fact that I do not choke down such things on a regular basis.

I usually make a mental vow to start taking a daily vitamin. The new gummy ones for adults are especially attractive to a kid at heart like Mr. Bad Food.

But after watching a recent Good Morning America report that basically says most people can get the vitamins and minerals they need from a balanced diet, I am rethinking my beliefs.

After all, the Diet-to-Go low-fat meal plan that I have been enjoying for the past year meet the guidelines of major health organizations like the American Heart Association and the American Diabetes Association.

These delicious meals are properly portioned and balanced to give me what I need to get healthy and maybe even lose a little weight while I do so.

So if the GMA report is true, why are so many people plunking down so much money -- about $20 billion a year -- for vitamins and dietary supplements?

According to industry data, about half of all adult Americans take a daily multivitamin. So are we frittering away our money by doing so?

Dr. Richard Besser, ABC News' senior health and medical editor, says that for most people, eating a well-balanced diet from all the food groups is the best way to ensure you get the vitamins you need.

Besser doesn't take vitamins and he doesn't recommend them for his patients who follow a well-balanced diet and aren't in any particular risk groups.

Mr. Bad Food doesn't want you to stop taking vitamins or supplements -- especially if you've been urged to do so by your doctor. But what

you can do is to make sure your daily diet is well-rounded so you are getting the nutrients you need to be healthy without supplements.

Two groups that should consider vitamins: pregnant women and the elderly. The best bets: Folic acid, vitamin D and calcium.

Folic acid is vital to a baby's early development.

"If you're in the child-bearing age, you need to take folic acid," Besser said. "It's really early in pregnancy that you need to have those high levels of folic acid.

"Start taking it now and take it through the period where you may have children."

Vitamin D is essential for bone health and we become deficient as we age. The good news: Many people get enough vitamin D through normal sun exposure.

"Vitamin D is extremely important," Besser said. "I am convinced about the importance of vitamin D in your bone health."

As we age, our skin loses its ability to make vitamin D. So if you're older or live in a northern climate where the sun isn't a daily visitor you may need more vitamin D.

Besser said it's not a bad idea to combine calcium with your vitamin D.

"When you mix calcium and vitamin D, that's when you get those strong bones," he said.

Sorry gummy vitamins... Mr. Bad Food will stick with his beloved Diet-to-Go meals to get his daily vitamins and minerals!

Author -John McGran

Powerhouse foods are foods that contain high concentrations of the crucial nutrients proven to play a major role in disease prevention.

Foods containing these nutrients have helped prevent afflictions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and even certain cancers.

If you were asked to add five foods to your diet on a regular basis – five foods considered  to be nutritional powerhouses – which five foods would you pick?

The following five foods are my choices – they're each loaded with nutrients crucial to a healthier, longer life. Include them into your daily diet and we promise they will change your life for the better!

The Fab Five

Tomatoes: The red or pink coloring you find in tomatoes, watermelon, papaya, pink guava and pink grapefruit comes chiefly from a carotenoid called lycopene.

This potent antioxidant – together with a group of related compounds collectively called "red family"-- has shown important anti-cancer potential.

Whole grains: When you see the term whole grain, it means that all three parts of the grain kernel – the germ, bran and endosperm – are included in the product. Good whole-grain foods include brown rice, quinoa, bulgur, kamut, whole grain oat cereal (oatmeal), popcorn, kashi (roasted buckwheat) and spelt. These grains have an amazing 96 percent more fiber, magnesium, zinc, chromium, vitamin E, and vitamin B6 than refined grains. Aim for at least 3 servings a day.

Dark green, leafy vegetables: These include spinach, kale, romaine lettuce, leaf lettuce, mustard greens, collard greens, chicory and Swiss chard.

They are excellent sources of fiber, folate and a wide range of carotenoids which seem to help prevent cancer by acting as antioxidant. Try to eat at least 2 servings a day.

Flax: This grain is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. It is also a very rich source of alpha-linolenic acid. The nutrients in flax protect against cancer, reduce inflammation, help regulate blood pressure, and lower blood cholesterol levels. Flax can be purchased in several forms including flour, ground seeds or whole seeds. The whole seeds must be ground to release their important fatty acids. Use flax in your recipes, or toss it into salads, smoothies, cereal or yogurt on a daily basis.

Blueberries: Berries are packed full of phytonutrients which are non-vitamin, non-mineral components that have significant health benefits. Blueberries happen to be extra-rich with the good stuff! Research has shown that phytonutrients help the body cells communicate with each other more efficiently to prevent mutations at the cellular level and  prevent the proliferation of cancer cells. It seems like researchers are learning new things about the powers of phytonutrients every day. Blueberries are so rich in phytonutrients,  they provide as much antioxidant protection to the body as 1,733 IU (International Units) of vitamin E and more than 1200 milligrams of vitamin C.

Be creative when it comes to adding these foods to your diet on a regular basis. Variety is the spice of a healthy life, so enjoy the benefits these five powerhouse foods have to offer!

London, Sep 14 (PTI) Scientists in the UK have developed a plastic film that can kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus particles which land on its surface with just room light.

The self-sterilising film developed by a team at Queen’s University Belfast, UK, is less costly to produce, can be readily scaled and used for disposable aprons, tablecloths, and curtains in hospitals.

The film is coated with a thin layer of particles that absorb ultraviolet (UV) light and produce reactive oxygen species — ROS.

These kill viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the researchers said. The technology used to create the film also ensures it is degradable — unlike the current disposable plastic films — making it environment-friendly, the researchers said.

The research, published in the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, could lead to a significant reduction in the transmission of viruses in healthcare environments but also in other settings that uses plastic films.

The researchers tested the film for anti-viral activity using four different viruses — two strains of influenza A virus, a highly-stable picornavirus called EMCV and SARS-CoV-2.

They exposed the film to either UVA radiation or with light from a cool white light fluorescent lamp. The researchers found that the film is effective at killing all of the viruses – even in a room lit with just white fluorescent tubes. SARS-CoV-2 was particularly prone to photocatalytic inactivation even under very low UV irradiation conditions, they said.

“This film could replace many of the disposable plastic films used in the healthcare industry as it has the added value of being self-sterilising at no real extra cost,” said Professor Andrew Mills from Queen’s University Belfast.

“Through rigorous testing we have found that it is effective at killing viruses with just room light – this is the first time that anything like this has been developed and we hope that it will be a huge benefit to society,” Mills said. The researchers noted that pathogenic viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and influenza will continue to be global problem for years to come.

“In developing self-sterilising thin plastic films, we have created a low-cost technology that could have a significant impact on the transmission of such concerning viruses in a healthcare environment and other sectors where they are used,” Professor Andrew Mills added. PTI 

हम बचपन से पढ़ते आ रहे है हमें अपने आहार में ऐसे पोषक तत्वों से युक्त भोजन का  उपयोग करना चाहिए जो हमें पोशण के साथ-साथ स्वास्थ्य प्रदान करें।

या किताबों की भाशा में कहें तो संतुलित भोजन आहार की वह निष्चित मात्रा है जिसमें प्रोटिन, विटामिन, कार्बोहायड्रेट  वसा पर्याप्त मात्रा में हो, तो क्या हम इसके आधार पर यह कह सकते है कि जिस भोजन थाली में दाल, चाॅवल, चपाती, सब्जी, दही, सलाद आदि वही संतुलित भोजन का मापदण्ड रखता है षायद आज के परिवेश में नहीं।

रोज तो पिछले 20-25 सालों में लोगों की लाईफ स्टाइल (जीवनशैली ) उनके आयु, कार्यशैली , वातावरण, जलवायु एवं स्वास्थ्य द्रिष्टि  से बिलकुल बदल चुकी है जिसके आधार पर सभी को संतुलित आहार की सामान शैली  में नही रखा जा सकता। आज हमें अतिरिक्त बैलेस डाइट (संतुलित आहार) की आवश्यकता  है।

 तो क्या है संतुलित आहार, 

हमारे षरीर 63 खरब से अधिक कोषिकाओं का बना हुआ है जिसमें शैली  (कोष्किा) टिषु (उतक) आर्गन (79) अंग एव आर्गन सिस्टम (12) से बना है आजकल हम जो भी भोजन करते है या जो पानी पीते है और जिस हवा में सांस लेते है सब की सब टाॅकसिन्स, केपिकल, पेस्टीसाईट्स और पलूषन से भरे पड़े है ये हमारे कोषिकाओं के छिद्रो को बंद करके उनकी उम्र घटा देते है।

हमारे शरीर  में कोशिको का काम भोजन से प्राप्त माईक्रोन्यूटियान्स, विटामिन्स, एवं मिनरल्स को एक्जार्ब (अवशोषित ) कर पूरे शरीर के अंगों में पहुंचाना है। हमारा सम्पूर्ण षरीर भोजन से प्राप्त पोशक पीते है और जिसे हवा में सांस लेते है सब की सब टाॅकसिन्स, केपिकल, पेस्टीसाईट्स और पलूषन से भरे पड़े है ये हमारे कोषिकाओं के छिद्रो के बंद करके उनकी उम्र घटा देते है।

यही पोषक  तत्व जो हमें संतुलित आहार से प्राप्त होते है कोषिकाओं का पाॅवरफुल सेल्युलर फूड जिन्हें हम माईक्रो एवं मेक्रो न्यूट्रिएंट्स कहते है उन्ही कि कमी अधिकता हमारे अंगों की सभी बिमारियों को जन्म देती है ये न्युट्रियन्स क्षतिग्रस्त कोशिका  की मरम्मत का कार्य करते है एवं फ्रीरेडिकल्स को भी समाप्त करते है। हमारे शरीर  के अंदर जो भी सेल्फ हिलिंग पाॅवर एवं आटो इम्युन पाॅवर (रोग प्रतिरोधक क्षमता) इन्ही की वजह से वापस लौट आती है।

अतः हम कह सकते है कि संतुलित आहार (बैलेस डाइट) वह भोजन है जो जैविक हो, प्रकृति से प्राप्त हो, जिसमें षरीर के उम्र, अवस्था, जीवन शैली , कार्यप्रणाली को ध्यान में रखते हुए व्यवस्थित की जाती है जिसमें सभी अतिरिक्त पोषक  तत्व का समावेष हो। संतुलित आहार कहलाता है। हमारे आयुर्वेद ग्रंथों में कहा गया है कि एक स्वस्थ्य तन में एक स्वथ्य मन का वास होता है परन्तु आजकल का वातावरण और डिजिटल कार्य षैली एवं जीवनशैली  को इस तरह बाधित कर रहा है मानसिक तौर पर व्यक्ति स्वस्थ्यता का अनुभव नही करता है। काम का बोझ बढ़ने से इस डिजिटलाइज तकनिकी व्यवस्था से लोगों का शरीरिक कार्यविधि कम हो गया है जिससे वह अवसाद में घिरे रहते है और इसके वजह से भी पोषक तत्वों का शरीर  में पूर्ण रूप से अवषोशण नही हो पाता है और व्यक्ति तनावग्रस्त बना रहता है।

तो आइए हम जानते है कि हमारा संतुलित भोजन किस प्रकार का हो कि वह हमें षारीरिक एवं मानसिक स्तर  पर स्वास्थ्य दे सके।

1- बच्चों का आहार - इसमें सभी प्रकार के साबुत अनाज, दाले, हरे पत्तेदार सब्जियां, फल, दूध, अण्डा, कंद, माॅस मच्छी वसा एवं सूखे मेवे।

 2-किषोर एवं किशोरिया - (20 वर्श की आयु) इस उमें में मासपेशिया  एवं हड्डीयों का विकास तेजी से होता है। एवं शारीरिक  बदलाव  शुरू हो जाते है। इसिलए एस उम्र में भी प्रोटिन युक्त आहार का होना अति  आवश्यक है। इसके अतिरिक्त काम्पलेक्स काब्राहाइडेड् नट्स केल्ष्यिम एवं आयरन से भरफुर भोजन होना चाहिए। इसके अलावा हेल्दी एवं एनर्जीजेटिक रहने के लिए और हार्मोन का बेलेन्स बनाये रखने के लिए ब्लूबेरी, क्रेनबेरी, दही, अखरोट, एवं मूंगफलीयों का संतुलित आहार में समावेष होना चाहिए।