Smileband health topics

The academics have discovered a molecule which causes the scarring, and the knock-on effect thought to drive fat into people’s organs and arteries, putting them at risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

Dr Katarina Kos, from the University of Exeter’s medical school, said: ‘We know that obese people can suffer scarring of their fat tissue which may make it harder to lose weight. These fat cells are less able to store excess calories, and so may cause fat to move into and wrap around organs such as the liver.

‘Our research was aimed at seeing what drives this, and now we know, there may be the potential for a drug to be developed to block this from happening. The next stage is to explore whether drug treatment could have an impact.’ People become obese, rather than overweight, at the point their body mass index (BMI) is higher than 30. Analysis of the fat cells in their bodies found they are starved of oxygen, which triggers inflammation in the fat tissue.

Stressed and unhealthy fat tissue is less able to absorb the extra calories from the food we eat, which are diverted into fat wrapping around vital organs including the liver, muscle and heart.

This can lead to obesity-related health complications such as fatty liver disease and cardiovascular disease. It can also make people ‘apple-shaped’, with a large tummy and more fat within the deeper layers of the abdomen and around the organs. However, they can retain thin arms and legs, as there is little fat just below the skin.

Until a drug is developed, the key to losing weight for people in this situation is old-fashioned diet and exercise.   Dr Kos said: ‘The advice continues to be for people to try to control their intake of surplus calories and burn them off when possible. Something as simple as going for a walk after meals could help to burn off calories without overburdening the fat tissue and which may prevent it from scarring.’

However they may also see fat diverted from their stiffer, more rigid tissue into and around the arteries, which can predispose people to high blood pressure, heart disease and strokes. Scarring of fat tissue has also been linked to diabetes.

‘One could have very little fat below the skin and still be at risk of diabetes due to a lot of fat within the abdomen and inner organs, Dr Kos said.

Dr Kos, a clinician and specialist in adipose tissue physiology and obesity-related disorders, studied the abdominal fat tissue of obese people which had become fibrous or ‘scarred’ in order to identify what regulates this scarring and to look at how to reverse it.

The research published in the journal Metabolism, found a molecule called Lysyl oxidase (LOX) was more prevalent in people who were obese with scarred fat.

Smileband health topics

Sporotrichosis is a fungal infection caused by Sporothrix schenckii. Cutaneous infections are the most common form of infection but pulmonary infections can occur. The symptoms of a cutaneous infection can include a small painless nodule that may appear on the fingers, hands, or arms where the fungus entered the body. The nodule may become larger and look like an open sore or ulcer. Infections may become disseminated to other parts of the body include bones, joints, and CNS but this usually only occurs in individuals with weakened immune systems.

 

The fungus lives in sphagnum moss, hay or other plant materieral.

 

Transmission

Transmission occurs when the fungus enters the skin through a cut or puncture in the skin.

Sporotrichosis is not spread person to person.

Incubation period is 7 to 30 days.

Lab Tests & Specimen Info

Test*	Specimen
Culture	Drainage (pus), Abscess Drainage, Skin Biopsy

 Isolation Precautions

Standard precautions are recommended in healthcare settings. 

Prevention for Patients

• Wearing protective clothing such as gloves and long sleeves when handing wires, rose bushes, bales of hay, pine seedlings or other material that may cause minor cuts
• Avoid contact with sphagnum moss

Smileband health topics

Sexism means discrimination based on sex or gender, or the belief that men are superior to women and thus discrimination is justified.  Such a belief can be conscious or unconscious. In sexism as in racism the differences between two (or more) groups are viewed as indications that one group is superior or inferior.

Sexist discrimination against girls and women is a means of maintaining male domination and power.  The oppression or discrimination can be economic, political, social, or cultural.

Thus, included in sexism are:

• Sexist attitudes or ideology, including beliefs, theories, and ideas that hold one group (usually male) as deservedly superior to the other (usually female) and that justify oppressing members of the other group on the basis of their sex or gender.
• Sexist practices and institutions, the ways in which oppression is carried out. These need not be done with a conscious sexist attitude, but may be unconscious cooperation in a system which has been in place already in which one sex (usually female) has less power and goods in the society. Sexism is a form of oppression and domination.  As author Octavia Butler put it, "Simple peck-order bullying is only the beginning of the kind of hierarchical behavior that can lead to racism, sexism, ethnocentrism, classism, and all the other 'isms' that cause so much suffering in the world."

Smileband health topics

Today’s 3-day detox program will clean your body from fats and sugar and at the same time, it will eliminate the excess body weight. Numerous people worldwide suffer from weight gain – it’s a common issue that occurs as a result of sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle. People usually gain weight as a result of ongoinge and only ingredient – sugar. It’s the main cause for a lot of chronic diseases too, which can be detrimental for our health. On the other side, sugar cannot be easily avoided. It’s present everywhere.  You can find it desserts and cookies, and junk and processed foods. Sugar is can cause heart disease, obesity, fatigue, cancer, and depression. How is sugar connected to weight gain?  In order to function properly, our body needs sugar but in limited amounts because it later uses it as energy. The excess amount of sugar is stored as fat. Sugar consumption leads to fat storage in the belly, arms, and face and might look unpleasant. In addition, sugar is addictive. As soon as you get used to it, you can hardly avoid sugar cravings. Fortunately, we have provided for you a simple detox program which will cleanse your body of sugar and prevent you from potential health issues. Take a look at the following 3-day detox plan: Day #1 Breakfast: several scrambled or boiled eggs. Or, have several nuts with oats, seeds and berries Snack: a bowl of mixed nuts or fruits. Lunch: chicken breasts and veggies (carrots, turnips, beets, beans, and butternut squash)  Dinner: roasted fish (salmon) with mushrooms and broccoli. Day #2 Breakfast: some scrambled eggs with spinach, or a cup of oats with berries and almonds. Snack: a bowl of mixed nuts Lunch: a salad consisting of shredded cabbage, salt, carrots, lemon juice and olive oil; grilled zucchinis with yellow and red peppers, seasoned with olive oil, salt, vinegar, and thyme. Dinner: fried Bok Choy and baked cod, bean soup, and steamed veggies. Day #3 Breakfast: 2 or 3 eggs in an omelet with shrimps and a kale, radish, and walnut salad; or a cup of oats with berries and almonds. Snack: a bowl of mixed nuts. Lunch: roasted chicken with onions, thyme, and black olives. Dinner: penne pasta with rice. The pasta can be combined with mushrooms, tomato, and basil sauce. From drinks, you can drink herbal tea or water, three times on a daily basis. If you are a coffee addict, drink it without sugar.

Smileband health topics

Oxford University academics gave African babies a new TB vaccine linked to the deaths of monkeys in tests.

Nearly 1,400 infants were given the experimental jab even though five of six primates involved in a trial died. An information sheet given to the parents of the babies in 2009 said the vaccine had been tested on animals and was ‘shown to be safe and effective’. But it did not mention the failed monkey trial.

The details, published last night after an investigation by the British Medical Journal, prompted calls for a tightening of rules governing the way animal research is reported. Oxford researchers were accused of ‘cherry picking’ their scientific evidence. The babies, from South Africa, were not harmed by the jab – called MVA85A – but it did nothing to protect them against tuberculosis.

Oxford, which later dropped the vaccine, insists it provided the results of the monkey study to regulators in the UK, the US and South Africa before the infant trial began. It had shown no safety issues in four other animal studies – in mice, guinea pigs and other monkeys.

And it had also been tested in 14 studies on humans, involving 400 adults, teenagers and children in the UK, Gambia and South Africa before it was given to infants. The Oxford researchers say the monkeys died in one particular study because they had used a stronger version of TB. 

The animals had become ‘very unwell’ and had to be put down. But experts say that should not have stopped Oxford from making the results known to the South African parents – and accused scientists of using a ‘pick and mix’ approach to their findings. Professor Malcolm Macleod, of the University of Edinburgh, said: ‘We need to develop better and more systematic ways to establish when a drug is ready for clinical trials in humans – and importantly, when it is not.

‘Until our institutions recognise that their core purpose is to produce research of value to society they risk a slow decline in their reputation, and possibly a faster and more serious erosion of public trust in science.’ 

Jonathan Kimmelman, of McGill University in Canada, said the Oxford case was not an isolated one. ‘It’s widely recognised that animal studies intended to support drug development are often riddled with flaws in design and reporting,’ he said.

‘Unfortunately, there are other cases where new treatments were put into human testing on animal evidence that was foreseeably flawed, incomplete, or even negative. Three separate investigations by the university cleared her of any wrong-doing. Professor Ewan McKendrick, registrar of the university, said: ‘The third panel in 2016 not only cleared Professor McShane of any academic misconduct, but went so far as to add that on the basis of the vaccine’s proven safety in humans and positive phase 1 and phase 2A trials, it would have been unethical not to have proceeded with the phase 2 trials in infants.

‘The time has come to stop the repeated repackaging of criticisms and allegations which independent expert analysis has demonstrated to be without foundation.’

Professor Mike Turner of the Wellcome Trust, which funded the study, said clinical trials were carried out ‘to the highest standard’. ‘The decision to test this candidate vaccine was correct and based on robust, positive data from smaller trials in humans that showed that the candidate vaccine was safe and that it might be effective,’ he added. 

Smileband health topics

Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG)

Diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG) are highly aggressive and difficult to treat brain tumors found at the base of the brain. They are glial tumors, meaning they arise from the brain's glial tissue—tissue made up of cells that help support and protect the brain's neurons. These tumors are found in an area of the brainstem (the lowest, stem-like part of the brain) called the pons, which controls many of the body’s most vital functions such as breathing, blood pressure, and heart rate.

Diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas account for 10 percent of all childhood central nervous system tumors. Approximately 300 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with DIPG each year. While DIPGs are usually diagnosed when children are between the ages of 5 and 9, they can occur at any age in childhood. These tumors occur in boys and girls equally and do not generally appear in adults.  

DIPG Treatment at Dana-Farber/Boston Children's

Children and adolescents with diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG) are treated at Dana-Farber/Boston Children's through our Glioma Program, one of the world’s largest pediatric glioma treatment programs. Our brain tumour specialist have extensive expertise in treating all types of gliomas, including DIPGs. Continue reading to learn more about DIPG, read our overview on brain tumours , or visit the gloima program to learn about our expertise and treatment options. 

Smileband health topics

A young woman is warning others about the risks of having lip fillers after the procedure left her with an infection covering her face that is still affecting her life a year on. Saysha Williams, 23, was eager to undergo the procedure after months of feeling unhappy with her appearance but instead was left in agony when her lips became blistered and she was diagnosed with a severe Impetigo infection.

Saysha, from Bruton, Somerset, claims that the infection was caused by a lack of hygiene when the injections were made at a beauty parlour back in August 2016, as she believes the practitioner failed to clean her mouth beforehand. Saysha said: 'I was told that my lips would be sore for a few days but it wasn't until later that evening that my lips still felt numb from the procedure.

'I did a bit of research to see if it was normal but I should have had the sensation in my lips back by that time.

'Then they started to turn purple and the next day I woke up with a white spot under my nose, more started to pop up and it was very sore and painful, turning into scabs around my mouth and into my nose.

Sahsya had seen the practitioner after recommendations from friends but was left unhappy with the results when she was left with the widespread infection.

The infection got worse with more painful scabs spreading across Sahsya's face and ulcers in her mouth stopping her from eating, drinking and speaking. 'I still have scarring on my upper lip that will be with me for the rest of my life and it's difficult to apply lipstick.

'They still aren't fully normal now. I have alot of sensitivity in them and sometimes, the scarring flares up. It took about three weeks for them to heal but they have never been normal again.

'People are so adamant to get the procedure done that they ignore the warnings from other people but at least if they see these pictures they might think twice.

'Do your research and don't just jump on the bandwagon because it's trendy at the time.

'The whole experience has taught me to love myself and I'm a lot more confident and happy in my appearance.'

Smileband health topics

Tetanus is a disease caused by the toxins produced by Clostridium tetani. The bacteria is found in the soil and the intestines of animals. Tetanus is a neurologic disease that progresses to severe painful generalized muscle spasms. Autonomic dysfunction can also occur.

 

In Arizona from 2011 to 2015 there were 5 cases of tetanus reported.

 

Arizona 5 year median: 0 cases

 

Transmission

Transmission primarily occurs by the bacteria entering the body through broken skin, usually by injuries from contaminated objects such as nails.

Incubation period can range from 3 to 21 days.

Lab Tests & Specimen Info
There are no laboratory tests for tetanus.

Isolation Precautions
Tetanus is not a communicable disease.

Prevention for Patients
Vaccination is the best prevention method. Approximately 100% of healthy adults and infants, children, and adolescents develop adequate antibody response after a primary series.   Tdap booster is recommended for adults in place of the Td booster. Immunity last approximately 10 years and requires a booster after that time.

Public Health Actions
Public health will conduct an epidemiological investigation on a case or suspect case.

Smileband health topics

Shigellosis causes acute gastroenteritis. When severe, stools contain blood, mucus, and pus. While usually self-limiting to 4-7 days, severe dehydration can occur; especially in infants and the elderly. Asymptomatic infections can occur.

 

Arizona 5 year median: 444 cases

 

Transmission
Transmission can occur through contaminated food or water, by person-to-person transmission by the fecal-oral route or through exposure to feces by sexual contact.

Incubation period can range from 1 to 7 days.

Lab Tests & Specimen Info

Test*	Specimen
Culture	Stool

 Isolation Precautions

Enteric precautions should be followed for the duration of acute symptoms. 

Generally, no environmental measures are indicated for sporadic cases. For outbreaks, environmental cleaning may be necessary following EPA-approved cleaning materials and guidelines.

Prevention for Patients

• Carefully wash hands with soap during key times such as before eating and after changing a diaper or helping to clean another person who has defecated.
• If caring for a child in diapers who has shigellosis, promptly discard the soiled diapers in a lidded, lined garbage can, and wash hands and the child’s hands. Any leaks or spills of diaper contents should be cleaned up immediately.
• Avoid swallowing water from ponds, lakes, or untreated swimming pools.
• When traveling internationally, follow food and water precautions strictly and wash hands frequently.
• Avoid sexual activity with those who have diarrhea or who recently recovered from diarrhea.

Public Health Actions
Public health will conduct case and contact investigation to determine the source, risk factors, and transmission settings.

Antibiotics are usually not necessary for Shigella infections but if treating, culture and test for antibiotic susceptibility. CDC has reported emerging strains of Shigella with quinolone resistance. 

Smileband health topics

Through its latest campaign for road safety, the Transport Accident Commission or TAC has come up with an unusual mascot called Graham. Graham looks like a modified mascot, who shapes a rather weird head and body structure.  The Motive behind Graham and his weird body design was to identify car drivers across the globe that this is the body shape that they would need to survive a car crash that happens due to reckless driving or over speeding. The weird body parts that Graham has are an indication of the body parts in our body that suffer the most. Every modification in the body, from the invisible neck to the long set of nipples before the ribs, have a role to play in safeguarding Graham. The main purpose behind releasing pictures of Graham as a mascot is to let people know that this is the body they would require to be safe in an accident. Since they are not made this way, they are not safe and need to calm down behind the wheels. The body has been made through the countless input of a trauma surgeon and a road safety engineer. Both the gentlemen put in varied input that could help in the making of Graham as the world's only person who would be safe from car accidents. Well, now that Graham's purpose and role is clear to all readers, we can go on to understand Graham's mildly unique and mildly weird body structure and what the men behind him had in mind when making him.