Saturday, March 17, 2018

Journal Watch March 2018



CHRONIC PAIN
Rocker bottom shoes help reduce chronic low back pain: A new study confirms that rocker bottom shoes helps strengthen back muscles, improving the spine's curvature and thus reducing low back pain. Clinical Rehabilitation 

More than just a cosmetic procedure -- 'tummy tuck' reduces back pain and incontinence In addition to restoring the pre-pregnancy shape of the abdomen, abdominoplasty ('tummy tuck') surgery with muscle repair can improve back pain and urinary incontinence after childbearing, reports a new study. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery 

A new solution for chronic pain Neuropathic pain is a chronic illness affecting 7-10 percent of the population in France and for which there is no effective treatment. Researchers have uncovered the mechanism behind the appearance and continuation of pain. Based on their discovery, an innovative treatment was developed which produces, in animal subjects, an immediate, robust and long-lasting therapeutic effect on pain symptoms. CNRS 


COMPLEMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
Should doctors recommend acupuncture for pain? Some see acupuncture as a safe alternative to drugs, while others argue there's no convincing evidence of clinical benefit and potential for harm. So should doctors recommend acupuncture for pain? Experts debate the issue. BMJ 

Cost Savings from Reducing Pain Through the Delivery of Integrative Medicine Program to Hospitalized Patients: For patients receiving IM therapies, pain was significantly reduced and costs were lowered by about 4%. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

FDA ACTION
• Approves first tests to screen for tick borne parasite in whole blood and plasma to protect the US blood supply
• Approves new HIV treatment for patient who have limited treatment options
• Warns of fraudulent and unapproved flu products

PREVENTION
A life time of regular exercise slows down aging, study finds: A group of older people who have exercised all of their lives,(cyclists) were compared to a group of similarly aged adults and younger adults who do not exercise regularly. The results showed that those who have exercised regularly have defied the aging process, having the immunity, muscle mass, and cholesterol levels of a young person. Aging Cell 

Smokers at Greater Risk of Hearing Loss: Smoking is associated with increased risk of hearing loss, according to a study of over 50,000 participants over 8 years in Nicotine & Tobacco Research

Getting flu vaccine cuts risk of early death by half in people with heart failure Analysis of six studies supports routine influenza vaccination for heart failure patients For people with heart failure, getting a seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine in a given year was associated with a 50 percent drop in the risk of death during flu season and a 20 percent drop in the risk of death during the rest of the year, according to new research. American College of Cardiology

Physically Fit Women Nearly 90% Less Likely to Develop Dementia: Women with high physical fitness at middle age were nearly 90% less likely to develop dementia decades later, compared with women who were moderately fit, according to a study published in Neurology. The study measured the women’s cardiovascular fitness based on an exercise test. When the highly fit women did develop dementia, they developed the disease an average of 11 years later than women who were moderately fit, or at age 90 instead of age 79. 

E-cigarettes may be more harmful than beneficial, according to evidence-based research A new study finds that e-cigarette use could do more harm than good by substantially increasing the number of adolescents and young adults who eventually become cigarette smokers and marginally decreasing the number of adult cigarette smokers who quit. Plos One


 NUTRITION/SUPPLEMENTS/VITAMINS
Fiber-fermenting bacteria improve health of type 2 diabetes patients: Dietary fibers promote gut bacteria that benefit blood glucose control. The fight against type 2 diabetes may soon improve thanks to a pioneering high-fiber diet study. Science 

Healthy diet may not offset high salt intake A healthy diet may not offset the effects of a high salt intake on blood pressure, suggests a new study. The research, from scientists at a number of institutions, including Imperial College London and Northwestern University, analysed the diets of over 4,000 people. The results, published in the journal Hypertension, showed that people eating higher amounts of salt had higher blood pressure -- no matter how healthy a person's overall diet. 

Vitamin D reduces early mortality A normal intake of vitamin D can reduce the risk of early death substantially in people with cardiovascular disease, a new study shows. The study concludes that people who have suffered from cardiovascular disease, and have a normal intake of vitamin D, reduce their risk of morality as a consequence of the disease by 30 per cent. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 

Arsenic, Lead Found in Popular Protein Supplements: A new study from the Clean Label Project shows that many of the top-selling powders and drinks may contain concerning levels of heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead, and toxins like bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical found in some plastic containers and food can liners. These substances have been linked to cancer, brain damage, and reproductive issues. Virtually all of the 134 products tested contained detectable levels of at least one heavy metal and 55 percent tested positive for BPA. Consumer Reports 

Is there plastic in your bottled water? Almost definitely yes, says a new study from the State University of New York at Fredonia and the nonprofit journalism organization Orb Media. The study tested 259 water bottles from 11 brands sold across nine countries, including the United States, and found that 93 percent of those tested contained microplastic contamination. The research found an average of 10.4 plastic particles per liter of water, which is twice the amount of contamination found in tap water. 

Grilled Meat, Chicken Ups Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in U.S. Adults: Open-flame and/or high-temperature cooking methods (such as grilling/barbecuing, broiling, or roasting) to prepare chicken and red meat are associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D), according to a study published online March 12 in Diabetes Care

Calcium ± Vit D Supplements Up Risk of Colon Adenomas, Polyps: Calcium supplements, taken with or without vitamin D, may increase the risk of sessile serrated adenomas or polyps (SSA/Ps), according to a study published online March 1 in Gut.

TREATMENT
Gastrointestinal hormone measurably improved symptoms of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease Through a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II clinical trial, researchers report that small doses of NGM282, a non-tumorigenic variant of an endocrine gastrointestinal hormone, can significantly and rapidly decrease liver fat content in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The findings represent an important proof-of-concept for the compound as there are currently no Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments for NAFLD and NASH. The Lancet 

A new class of experimental drugs reduces hot flushes in menopausal women by almost three-quarters in just 3 days, according to a study published in the journal Menopause.
The treatment also reduces the severity of hot flushes by over a third within 3 days of taking it. The research is a new in-depth analysis of data collected from a clinical trial initially published last year. The new analysis also revealed sleep and concentration significantly improved in the 3-day window. 

Grass Peptide Immunotherapy Cuts Seasonal Allergy Symptoms: Subcutaneous injections administered over three-week period before grass pollen season reduces seasonal allergy symptoms and is generally well tolerated, according to a study published online March 7 in Allergy

Low-Dose Triple Combo Pill Effective for Rapid BP Control: Use of a low-dose triple combination therapy is effective for rapidly achieving blood pressure control among patients with hypertension. annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology

OTHER
Is your stress changing my brain? Stress isn't just contagious; it alters the brain on a cellular level Scientists have discovered that stress transmitted from others can change the brain in the same way as a real stress does. Nature Neuroscience 

Link between heart attacks and inflammatory bowel disease Research indicates strong role in development of cardiovascular disease Medical researchers recently concluded a study of more than 22 million patients that suggests a strong connection between Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and the development of heart disease and heart attacks. American College of Cardiology meeting 

Drug Copayments Often Exceed Prescription Drug Costs: Drug copayments frequently exceed prescription drug costs, with overpayments affecting 23 percent of all prescriptions, according to a research letter published in the March 13 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.









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