Obese Teens With Type 2 Diabetes Have Brain Abnormalities




  "This is the first study that shows that children with type 2 diabetes have more cognitive dysfunction and brain abnormalities than equally obese children who did not yet have marked metabolic dysregulation from their obesity, " says Antonio Convit, MD, professor of Psychiatry and Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and the Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research.
  "The findings are significant because they indicate that insulin resistance from obesity is lowering children's cognitive performance, which may be affecting their ability to perform well in school."
   Researchers studied 18 obese adolescents with type 2 diabetes and compared them to equally obese adolescents from the same socio-economic and ethnic background but without evidence of marked insulin resistance or pre-diabetes.
   Investigators found that adolescents with type 2 diabetes not only had significant reductions in performance on tests that measure overall intellectual functioning, memory, and spelling, which could affect their school performance, but also had clear abnormalities in the integrity of the white matter in their brains.

  "Now we see that subtle changes in white matter of the brain in adolescents may be a result of the abnormal physiology that accompanies type 2 diabetes. If we can improve insulin sensitivity and help children through exercise and weight loss, perhaps we can reverse these deficits."


About Moderate to Severe Plaque Psoriasis

  Plaque psoriasis is a lifelong disease of the immune system that causes red, scaly patches to appear on the skin. There are five types of psoriasis: plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular and erythrodermic. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form of psoriasis. Approximately 1.5 million Americans suffer from moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

  Plaque psoriasis is a disease of the immune system

  While plaque psoriasis may look like just a skin condition, it is in fact a disease of the immune system. The immune system protects the body from infections and diseases. In patients with plaque psoriasis, certain immune cells are activated and produce too much of a protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF). This protein can cause skin cells to grow too quickly. The skin cells build up and form raised, red patches often with a silvery scale, known as plaques.
Symptoms of plaque psoriasis

  Plaque psoriasis causes raised red patches with a silvery scale to appear on the skin. They can appear anywhere on the body, but are most commonly found on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back. People with plaque psoriasis may notice that there are times when their skin worsens, then gets better. Factors that cause these "flare-ups" can include:

• emotional stress
• injury to the skin
• some types of infections
• reactions to certain drugs

How plaque psoriasis can be treated

There is no cure for plaque psoriasis, but there are a variety of treatments that can help clear the skin. Some therapies work on the surface of the skin. Biologics work inside your body to treat psoriasis at the source. ENBREL is a prescription medicine that is self-injected. ENBREL, a biologic, blocks the activity of excess TNF that is associated with plaque psoriasis. This helps slow the growth of skin cells before they cause plaques to appear on the skin




Gene Mutation Increases Women's Risk Of Breast Cancer Via Pill And HRT Use

   A Europe-wide study supports the argument that women with a gene linked to breast cancer should consider having their ovaries removed, for the gene may greatly increase their chances of contracting the disease through long-term use of the pill and hormone replacement therapy.

   Studies conducted in the past have shown that an increased cancer risk in women can be linked to the extra amounts of the female hormone oestrogen they receive through long-term use of the pill or HRT.

   However, thus far, medical experts have assumed that women with high-risk genes suffer from a type of breast cancer, which is caused by their genetic make-up rather than their exposure to oestrogen.
   The new study, involving over 3,000 women with breast cancer across Europe, has now shown that women with the breast cancer gene are 70 per cent more likely to have been long-term users of the pill or HRT than those without the gene.

   "It was clear that those with the BRCA gene mutation had greater risk if there had been long-term use of the contraceptive pill," the Scotsman quoted Professor Michael Steel, of St Andrews University's Bute Medical School and one of the report's authors, as saying.

   "That risk was even more if they had the gene mutation. For the first time, we produced evidence that they are more sensitive to the effect of contraceptives and HRT than other women," he added.






Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)


   Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection (called cold sores and genital herpes depending on the site of infection) is a common infection which results from contact with persons or hosts who have the infection.

   Whilst HSV infections generally have good prognosis, important complications may occur, particularly with immunocompromised patients or neonates.

Causes:

  While genital herpes is considered to be a sexually transmitted infection, any form of contact is a possible route of infection. For example direct contact, and even through shared items. Unfortunately, due to the high prevalence of both cold sores and genital herpes in the community, avoiding exposure may be difficult. Some recommendations have been made. People with cold sores (particularly in active disease) should avoid:

#Sharing personal items (i.e. toothbrushes, towels etc.);

#Sharing drinking glasses/bottles or cutlery;

#Close contact (such as kissing/hugging), particularly with newborns, young children, and people with

  weakened immune systems.

 
   Genital herpes is generally passed through sexual contact. The lifetime number of sexual partners increases the risk of transmitting the infection. Consistent use of condoms has been suggested to minimize transmission.

   A pregnant mother with genital herpes may spread the virus to her newborn during labour. Post-partum infections may also occur when the baby is in contact with not just the mother, immediate family, and health workers, but also extended family and friends. Any individual who may be shedding the virus at the time (whether symptomatic or asymptomatic) may infect the baby.

   Immunesuppression is a common cause of reactivation and progression of the disease. Immune suppression may result from infections, haematological malignancies, or immune-suppressing drugs (such as chemotherapy in cancer patients, drugs in transplant patients, or high dose corticosteroids). Corticosteroids are commonly used in various rheumatological conditions and asthma.

Symptoms

   Commonly, the herpes virus results in fluid-filled blisters on and around the site of infection. The blister will eventually ulcerate and heal over time. However, infection may occur at virtually any area of skin, with increasing risks when skin integrity is compromised.

   These lesions usually resolve over one to two weeks. The lesions may be accompanied by other symptoms such as pain and tenderness, and a burning sensation. Systemic manifestations such as fevers, myalgias, and arthralgias may also occur.

   The blisters occur usually in either the oral or genital region. This may or may not be preceded by known contact with someone with HSV. Asymptomatic infections may also occur; in these cases, only serological studies can indicate the exposure.


Prevention

Preventing infection

  Avoiding contact with individuals with HSV may be difficult due to the high prevalence rate in the community. Some practical suggestions have been made. People with cold sores (particularly in active disease) should avoid:

#Sharing personal items (i.e. toothbrushes, towels etc.)

#Sharing drinking glasses/bottles or cutlery

#Close contact (such as kissing/hugging), particularly with newborns, young children, and people with a weakened immune system.

Preventing recurrences/complications

   In general, patients are advised to avoid breaking the vesicles as this may result in scar formation and secondary infections.

   Regular medications (acyclovir) may be an option. Recurrences are still likely to occur but with reduced severity.

   Pregnant women with genital HSV infection are advised to deliver via Caesarean section to reduce the risk of neonatal HSV infection.