Darlinghurst [Australia], October 11 (ANI): Having specific combinations of underlying health issues is a significant risk for poorer health outcomes in older adults who have had a fracture earlier, a recent study from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research has revealed.
The findings of the study were published in the journal JAMA Network Open. The study was conducted on more than 300,000 Danish people aged 50 or older who had sustained a fracture. In patients with fractures closer to the centre of the body (for example, in the hip, spine, upper arm or leg), the researchers found a higher mortality rate than expected for the general population of the same age. If those people with fractures also had multiple or complex health conditions, the mortality risk was higher again.
The researchers found that certain clusters of conditions were associated with increased mortality rates, suggesting this information could be used by clinicians to highlight patients who may require more intensive medical care.
"This is an important study that could really change the way in which we provide medical treatment to older adults," said Professor Jacqueline Center, Head of the Clinical Studies and Epidemiology lab and lead author of the study. "It can potentially be a new way of thinking about how we view people with fractures, considering the site of fracture in light of their specific underlying health conditions."
Typically, the management of health conditions like osteoporosis, heart disease or diabetes is considered in terms of the individual disease. However, these new findings suggest that looking at clusters of underlying conditions could indicate someone is at high risk of poorer outcomes, over and above the risk from the condition being treated.
The researchers found chronic health conditions at the time of fracture were naturally clustered into five specific groups for men and four for women: a relatively healthier group with generally only one or no health conditions, a cardiovascular group, a diabetic group, and a cancer group with an additional liver/inflammatory group for men.
Visiting scientist Robert Blank added, "It is not good enough to count other illnesses. Their severity and their combinations must also be taken into account. Many patients with a history of prior cancers, for example, were not in what we call the cancer cluster, but the cancer cluster included virtually all those who had evidence of advanced cancer. The same kind of sorting by severity was observed in the other clusters as well."
Interestingly, a fracture located closer to the centre of the body, like hip, vertebrae or upper arm bones had a higher risk of mortality. By contrast, those in the healthy group who had fractures further away in the body, such as hands and forearms, had virtually no increase in mortality rate.
The presence of specific clusters of health conditions in people compounded the chance of death following these fractures, much greater than either fractures or health conditions alone. For instance, the mortality rate following hip fracture amongst men in the cancer cluster was 41% higher than similarly aged men in the general community. And diabetes in otherwise healthy people was not associated with increased mortality risk, but diabetes in combination with heart, vascular or kidney disease was.
"This research highlights that there's an interaction between the fracture and a patient's cluster of health conditions - their underlying health - and that this could be a good way to identify at-risk people," said Dr Thach Tran from Garvan, first author of the study. "We can identify people who will likely fare poorly. Importantly, the findings from this research may be applicable to many disease settings in which sentinel events occur with pre-existing health disorders."
It is not understood why the connection exists between multiple underlying conditions, the type of fracture and poor outcomes, but Professor Center thinks it could be the interaction with bone and the immune system. "Bone is not inert. When you break a bone, you get an increased bone turnover and associated inflammatory factors and I suspect that in underlying diseases, this process is not well controlled and a fracture may fuel underlying health issues," she said.
The next steps are to determine if these clusters are evident in other diseases - if they are universal - and if they can be used as a predictive tool for clinicians. (ANI)

 Washington [US],  (ANI): According to the National Sleep Foundation and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, most adolescents get less than eight, especially on school nights, even though they need eight to 10 hours of sleep per night to maintain physical health, emotional well-being and school performance.

Newly published research from RUSH in the journal SLEEP sheds light on how adolescents can get more shut-eye.

“There are a lot of changes a teen goes through,” said Stephanie J. Crowley, PhD, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioural sciences and the director of the Pediatric Chronobiology and Sleep Research Program at RUSH. “One specifically is a change to sleep biology that happens during puberty.”

“The brain systems that control sleep change in such a way that it’s easier for an adolescent to stay awake later into the evening. One of these systems — the 24-hour circadian clock — shifts later in time,” Crowley said.

So there are two competing forces: one to go to bed earlier for the school schedule and the other a biological change that happens naturally to a teen’s body.

Because of this complex conflict, RUSH researchers set out to test a two-week intervention that targets the circadian system with different behavioural measures and tries to help the teens figure out a better nighttime routine.

To combat teen sleep deprivation, the researchers used bright light therapy on two weekend mornings for a total of 2.5 hours. The bright light cues the internal clock to wake up a little earlier. This shift should make it easier for the teen to fall asleep at an appropriate time.

Less tired, irritable

Crowley and her team then helped counteract sleep deprivation by providing time management tools and addressing barriers to an earlier bedtime, like limiting certain after-school activities.

Researchers were able to shift the teens’ bedtime by an hour and a half earlier, and their total sleep time increased by approximately an hour.

“The interesting thing is that teens with late circadian clocks shifted by up to two hours earlier,” Crowley said. “And the teens who had an earlier circadian clock didn’t need to be shifted any earlier. They just needed the behavioural support of trying to manage their time in the evening and increase their sleep duration.”

The researchers also found that the teens in the intervention group were less tired, less irritable and less worried, and they exhibited better concentration. The students’ morning alertness improved as well.

The RUSH researchers are following the participants in another study to determine whether the adolescents were able to maintain their improved sleep routine. (ANI)

Vedanta’s BALCO Medical Centre (BMC), one of India’s leading cancer hospitals, and Anuva, a genomics biotech company with a centre in India and backed by a UK-based hub, on Thursday jointly announced a strategic collaboration to build a Cancer Genomics Biobank for cancer research in India.

Anuva and BMC aim to use this cancer bio/data bank for clinical research to identify relevant insights for precision medicine application for cancer in India.

“Our collaboration with Anuva will bring together the best of knowledge, technology and research to serve the people of India better, through precision medicine and targeted treatment,” she said.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by Dr Jonathan Picker, CEO of Anuva, and Dr Bhawna Sirohi, Medical Director of BMC, at the BALCO Medical Centre at Naya Raipur in Chhattisgarh.

“I am tremendously excited to embark on this endeavour with BALCO Medical Centre. Despite all the research, cancer still remains the third leading cause of death. As a genetic disease, the research needs to be personalized to the affected populations,” said Dr Picker.

“This partnership will provide us a bridge to support “bench to bedside” research, driving our efforts to accelerate progress in treating cancer and also help patients with cancer live longer with better quality of life,” added Dr Sirohi.

A cancer focused bio/data bank is aimed at helping both organisations accelerate discoveries by bringing together biological factors with the background risk elements, at a population level, to find the critical genes that drive cancer. The resulting knowledge is expected to improve understanding of how genetic variants influence cancer, thereby, increasing effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment.

Headquartered in Singapore with presence in India, Dubai, Boston and the United Kingdom, Anuva descibes itself as a translational research company with a mission to create the most diverse genomic bio/data bank of Asian populations, which is being utilised for research and development. In addition, it says its cohorts and biorepository allows for follow-on clinical and translational studies, which greatly empower drug development opportunities.

BMC marks the flagship initiative of the Vedanta Medical Research Foundation (VMRF), a non-profit organisation initiative of Vedanta Resources and Bharat Aluminium Company Ltd (BALCO), to contribute towards prevention of cancer.

 

 

 Stirling (UK),

It is well known that aerobic exercises, such as running and cycling, can help you live longer, but less has been known about the effect of lifting weights on longevity.

Now, results from a new study suggest that adding weightlifting to your exercise regime, even in later life, is a sensible thing to do if you want to avoid an early death.

The study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, aimed to find out if lifting weights was linked to a lower risk of death from any cause, either on its own or alongside moderate to vigorous exercise.

Moderate-intensity exercise was described as “activity where you worked up a light sweat or increased your breathing and heart rate to moderately high levels”, and vigorous activity as “activity strenuous enough to work up a sweat or increase your breathing and heart rate to very high levels”.

The researchers led by a team from the National Cancer Institute in Rockville, Maryland, analysed data on just under one lakh men and women from ten cancer centres in the US. The participants had an average age of 71 and an average body-mass index of 27.8 (overweight). They followed the group for just shy of a decade, monitoring deaths from any cause, including heart disease.

Around a quarter of people (23 per cent) reported lifting weights, with 16 per cent doing so regularly – between one and six times a week. And around a third (32 per cent) either met or did more than the recommended amount of aerobic exercise.

Weightlifting and aerobic exercise were independently linked with a lower risk of premature death from any cause, except cancer.

For adults who reported no aerobic activity, any weightlifting was associated with a nine per cent to 22 per cent lower risk of early death, depending on how often they lifted weights. For those who did not lift weights but did any level of aerobic exercise, this was 24 per cent to 34 per cent.

However, the lowest risk was seen in those who did both weightlifting and aerobic exercise. For example, lifting weights once or twice a week and doing at least the recommended amount of aerobic exercise had a 41 per cent to 47 per cent lower risk of premature death.

The study also found that women benefited more from weightlifting than men.

Explanation for the findings

Possible explanations for these findings are that weightlifting may have similar beneficial effects to aerobic exercise. For example, reducing heart disease risk factors by improving blood pressure and blood lipid (cholesterol and triglycerides) profile.

Other recent research that combined studies on muscle strengthening and health outcomes found similar results, but also found a reduced risk of cancer, overall. Perhaps this new study did not find effects for cancer as they were targeting a population already at higher cancer risk, given the participants were part of a cancer screening programme. The best effects were again seen from combining aerobic and strengthening activity.

Measuring exercise by asking participants to recall how much they exercised over the past year, for example, is a good option for large observational studies of this type, but it can mean over or under-reporting may influence the findings. A study that used digital devices such as smart watches to measure actual activity would provide more accurate results.

People in this study were also recruited as part of a cancer screening trial, so the study would probably recruit people with an interest in health, which means they might be more physically active as a result. This means that in the general population, the risk of earlier death related to not exercising or lifting weights is possibly even higher.

The findings from this study, and others, show that lifting weights, either on their own or with aerobic exercise, can help reduce the risk of early death. Lifting weights should be a lifelong commitment. It is never too late to start, and the results could be a healthier, longer life. 

Fluffy, tender, tangy and sweet dahi vada are a combination of all your favorite flavors and textures in one tasty snack. They consist of homemade fried lentil dumpling fritters, dunked in creamy whipped yogurt and topped with both spicy and sweet chutneys. Try my heirloom and classic dahi vada recipe with step-by-step photos for a fun appetizer or shareable party treat.

What is Dahi Vada

Dahi Vada are a popular street food from North India. “Dahi” means yogurt and “Vada” means deep fried fritters or dumplings, and the recipe is about as straightforward as it sounds.

 

Fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth dumplings are coated in a simple creamy yogurt, and topped with classic Indian chutneys.

Dahi vada are often made for special occasions and festivals, but can also be enjoyed anytime for a party snack or appetizer.

A perfect dahi vada recipe starts with tender and puffy homemade fried lentil fritters that are soaked in water, drained, and then covered in tangy whipped yogurt.

These fluffy fritters are traditionally made with the ivory colored skinned urad dal, also known as black gram or urad bean or matpe bean.

Generous helpings of both spicy green coriander chutney and sweet tamarind chutney are beautifully drizzled over the top before serving.

The result is an impressive and delicious snack that includes just the right balance of sour, sweet, savory, and spicy flavors in every bite.

While dahi vada do require some time to make, you’ll quickly see with one taste how very worth every bit of effort they are. And, much of the prep work – like making both of the chutneys and yogurt – can be done well in advance.

Follow my step-by-step instructions with photos below to learn how to make the best traditional, authentic dahi vada recipe from scratch, with tips to ensure they turn out terrific every time.

You can also check the salty and savory South Indian variation of dahi vada called as Thayir Vada which has a complete different taste and flavor profile.

How to make Dahi Vada

Soaking Lentils

1. Soak 1 cup heaped urad dal (200 grams husked and split black lentils) overnight or for at least 4 to 5 hours. Later drain all the water using a colander or strainer. If you prefer, you can rinse the soaked urad dal.

Grinding Lentils

2. Then add the drained and soaked lentils in your trusted blender or mixer-grinder.

3. Add in ½ teaspoon chopped green chilies or serrano/thai chillies, 1 teaspoon chopped ginger, 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, 1 pinch of asafoetida (hing) and salt as needed.

Note: For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free asafoetida or skip it.

 

The eventual outcome of these children as they grow into adult life depends on the support they receive from educational institutions, family and friends.

 

Chandigarh, September 28

Four years after undergoing a simultaneous kidney-pancreas transplant at the PGI here, a 32-year-old recipient from Uttarakhand delivered a baby girl.

Prof Ashish Sharma, Head, Department of Renal Transplant Surgery, PGI, said, “Less than 150 pancreas transplants have been carried out in India so far. Out of these, 38 have been done at the PGI alone. This is the first childbirth happening after pancreas transplant at our institute and possibly the first in India.”

Expressing happiness at the successful delivery in this high-risk case, Prof Seema Chopra, obstetrics incharge at the institute, said, “There were different opinions as she was considered to be a high-risk patient given her history of diabetes, hypertension and kidney failure. Ultimately, after consultation with an obstetrics team, she decided to proceed ahead. Fortunately, her glucose, blood pressure and kidney function remained within normal limits throughout the pregnancy. However, in view of her high-risk status, it was decided to perform a Caesarean section at nine months and she delivered a baby girl weighing 2.5 kg with an uneventful recovery.”

The mother was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 13 when she developed loss of consciousness, and had been under treatment at the Department of Endocrinology, PGI, since then.

एक स्वस्थ शरीर के लिए स्वस्थ भोजन की आवश्यकता होती है एक स्वास्थ्य जीवन जीने के लिए हर व्यक्ति को संतुलित आहार की आवश्यकता होती है संतुलित आहार का मतलब यह नहीं होता कि हम भोजन पेट भर कर खाएं संतुलित आहार का अर्थ होता है जिसमें उचित मात्रा में प्रोटीन, विटामिन और कार्बोहाइड्रेट ,वसा आदि उपस्थित हो आज के टाइम में बच्चों से लेकर बड़ों तक हर कोई जंक फूड खाने की आदत बना चुके हैं क्योंकि जंक फूड बहुत ही स्वादिष्ट होता है और आसानी से हर जगह उपलब्ध हो जाता है तथा या कम दाम में भी मिल जाता है दिखने में भी बहुत ही आकर्षक और सुंदर दिखाई देता है जिसके कारण लोग बहुत ही आसानी से जल्द इसकी ओर आकर्षित हो जाते है  यह जंक फूड हमारे स्वास्थ्य के लिए लाभदायक नहीं होता अपितु यह हानिकारक होता है।जी जो की कई सारे बीमारियों का कारण बनता हैं। एक स्वस्थ भोजन से हमारे शरीर की रोग प्रतिरोधकता क्षमता को बढ़ती है जो कि हमें कई प्रकार के बीमारियों से लड़ने की क्षमता प्रदान करती है भोजन को हमें स्वाद के अनुसार नहीं बल्कि शरीर को स्वस्थ और मजबूत बनाने के लिए खाना चाहिए। एक स्वास्थ्य भोजन हमारे अच्छे शरीर का निर्माण करता ही है साथ ही हमारा बौद्धिक विकास भी करता है शरीर को स्वस्थ होना सबसे बड़ी उपलब्धि है एक स्वस्थ शरीर के साथ स्वस्थ दिमाग हमें कामयाबी की ओर लेकर जाता है|

योग स्वस्थ जीवन व्यतीत करने की कला तथा विज्ञान है। योग से आत्मज्ञान की प्राप्ति तथा सभी प्रकार की शारीरिक परेशानियों को दूर करना है। योग मनुष्य के मन और आत्मा की अनंत क्षमता को बढ़ाकर आत्मज्ञान की प्राप्ति करवाता है। योग करने से हमें अच्छी नींद आती है तथा हमारा शरीर स्वस्थ और तंदुरुस्त रहता है। योग से हमें शांति तथा आनंद प्राप्त होता है। योग से हमारा मस्तिष्क एकाग्रचित होकर काम करता है तथा हमारे मन में अच्छे विचारों का निवास होता है। योग हमारे शरीर को स्वस्थ, लचीला तथा शक्तिशाली भी बनाए रखता है। 

New Delhi: Scientists have discovered a new virus similar to SARS-CoV-2 in a Russian bat that can infect humans and is resistant to currently available vaccines. 

In a research paper published Thursday in the journal PLOS Pathogens, researchers from Washington State University said the virus, known as ‘Khosta-2’, comes under a sub-category of coronaviruses called sarbecovirus — the same category to which SARS-CoV-2 belongs.

The discovery highlights the need to develop universal vaccines against sarbecoviruses to protect the human population against future Covid-like pandemics, the researchers point out. 

Sarbecoviruses are respiratory viruses that frequently undergo recombination — a process of viral strains mixing to make a new strain.

Researchers from the Washington State University in the US first discovered the virus in Russian bats in late 2020. 

The team had identified two new viruses and named them Khosta-1 and Khosta-2. They determined that while Khosta-1 didn’t pose much threat to humans, Khosta-2 demonstrated some troubling traits.

Although the virus initially appeared to pose no threat to humans, when they looked more closely, they were “really surprised to find they could infect human cells”, Michael Letko, WSU virologist and one of the authors of the study, said in a press statement. 

The team also found that Khosta-2 was resistant to both the monoclonal antibodies and serum from individuals vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. 

“Genetically, these weird Russian viruses looked like some of the others that had been discovered elsewhere around the world, but because they did not look like SARS-CoV-2, no one thought they were really anything to get too excited about,” Letko, a virologist at WSU, said in the statement. 

Although hundreds of sarbecoviruses have been discovered in recent years — predominantly in bats in Asia — the majority are incapable of infecting human cells, the team said. 

“That changes a little bit of our understanding of these viruses, where they come from, and what regions are concerning,” Letko said. 

“Our research further demonstrates that sarbecoviruses circulating in wildlife outside of Asia — even in places like western Russia where the Khosta-2 virus was found — also pose a threat to global health and ongoing vaccine campaigns against SARS-CoV-2,” Letko said.