Smileband health topics

Article was written by idaz medical, 

Cryptococcosis is a fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus gattii or Cryptococcus neoformans. The fungus is found in the environment in tropical and sub-tropical areas around the world. Symptoms will depend on where the infection occurs. An infection of the lungs will cause a pneumonia-like illness and can include cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, and fever. Cryptococcal meningitis can occur if the fungus spreads from the lungs to the brain. 

Symptoms include headache, fever, neck pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and confusion or behavior changes.

Individuals at higher risk include individuals who are immunocompromised, have lung conditions, are 50 years or older, or smoke tobacco.

Transmission

Transmission occurs when individuals breath in the fungus.

Lab Tests & Specimen Info

Test*	Specimen
Culture (this is needed to tell the difference in C. neoformans and C. gattii)	CSF, Sputum, Lung Tissue
Immunoassay	CSF, Sputum, Lung Tissue

 Isolation Precautions

Standard precautions are recommended in healthcare settings. 

Prevention for Patients
There are no formal recommendations for preventing cryptococcosis because you can breath in the spores from the environment. <!-- Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics -->

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smileband health topics

Article written by emerging technology,  How Network Neuroscience Is Creating a New Era of Mind Control

It might come down to the same network theory that rules computer science and economics. 

Complex networks form the backbone of modern society: the Internet, the aviation network, the pattern of connections between individuals. And more complex examples are constantly emerging—the way genes interact in cells, how information flows through the banking system and the ecosystem.

The more complex the system, the harder it is to control. Nevertheless, computer scientists, doctors, economists and the like exercise a modicum of control over many of these networks.

And that raises an interesting question: is it possible to exercise the same kind of control over the most complex network we know of: the human brain?   Today we get an answer of sorts, thanks to the work of John Medaglia at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and a few pals who assess the discipline that is emerging at the intersection between network neuroscience and network control theory. “A critical question … is how to modulate a human brain network to treat cognitive deficits or enhance mental abilities,” they say. “We posit that network control fundamentally relates to mind control.”

The basic idea behind this kind of control is straightforward. Injecting energy into one part of a network should influence activity in other parts of the network.

In the brain, this kind of manipulation is already used in deep brain stimulation techniques, such as those used to Parkinson’s disease. This involves injecting energy into a part of the brain called the basal ganglia, which is involved in movement. This then reduces impairment of movement.

A similar technique is also used for obsessive compulsive disorder, where people experience overwhelming urges to engage in repetitive behavior. This is often associated with unusual electrical activity in the brain’s fronto-striatal circuitry. Deep brain stimulation can normalize this activity and substantially improve quality of life. <!-- Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics -->

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smileband general news

Article written by Jessica green, 

A very fortunate cat 'who is lucky to be alive' after becoming impaled on three eight-foot metal fence posts less than a week ago has returned home. Ginger moggy Skittles was found stuck on the railings by a shocked passerby in Cricklewood, north west London, but miraculously survived after three operations.

The cat was nicknamed Angus, which means 'strong' in Gaelic, by RSPCA staff who rushed him to a vet for the lifesaving surgery.

Inspectors have no idea how the cat ended up stuck on the three posts but they suggest that the cat could have fallen from a nearby building, or it might also be the work of the Croydon Cat Killer. Four-year-old Skittles, his real name, has now been returned home to Shanakei Forde, 27, who lives in Neasden, north London.

The mum-of-two said: 'He came home on Saturday after having two operations at Medivet in Hendon, then he opened up his stitches and had to have a drain put in. <!-- Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics -->

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smileband health topics

Article written by Stephen Matthews, 

A mother claims her psoriasis disappeared after using a cream for children that has been branded a 'miracle moisturiser'. Laura Gray, from the North East, suffered from the incurable skin condition for years. Only 'harsh' creams from pharmacists offered her any sort of relief.

But her patches were gone within a day after her mother's suggestion to try Childs Farm Baby Moisturiser, which she bought from Asda.

Her post on Facebook recommending the £3.99 product, which is aimed at children, went viral and attracted more than 40,000 shares.

She wrote: 'Needed to share this with you all. I suffer from psoriasis, have done for years. 'I get it all up my arms, neck and chest and up until yesterday only hydrocortisone cream would get rid of it, but it’s really harsh and only pharmacists can give it you.

'Yesterday my Mam told me try this baby moisturiser, I’m not joking 24 hours later my psoriasis is gone. Anyone suffering with psoriasis or eczema you need to try this.'

Ms Gray is one of just dozens of women who claim to have noticed benefits.

Paige Sweeney, 23, spent more than two years with dermatologists trying to find a cure for the eczema afflicting her daughter Evie-Rae - until she found Childs Farm.

The toddler, now three, would wake up every night, scratching herself until she bled, Ms Sweeney, from Nottingham, revealed last June.

Describing it as a 'miracle cream', she said: 'Within a matter of days I could see her skin starting to clear up. I couldn't believe it. <!-- Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics -->

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smileband health topics

Article written by Catherine smyth,  

A Northern Ireland mother whose young daughter has cystic fibrosis has said she is "screaming and shouting for help" to access a life-changing drug but "no-one is listening".

The Orkambi drug helps to increase lung function but is deemed too expensive by the health advisory body NICE.

However, it is available for free to patients in the Republic of Ireland.

Ten-year-old Zona Armstrong's family are considering moving there so she can access the medication.

Cystic fibrosis is a life-shortening genetic condition causing mucus clogs and damage to patients' lungs, leaving them prone to infection.

Lower life expectancy

Ireland has the highest incidence rate of cystic fibrosis in the world, with one in 19 people estimated to carry the altered gene that causes it. Zona was diagnosed with the condition when she was a baby.

The 10 year old said she is aware that her life expectancy is lower and that is why she wants the drug as soon as possible.

While she was a fairly healthy child, her health has deteriorated in the last year.

She has had a number of lengthy admissions to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children and has battled pseudomonas and aspergillus infections.

Her lung function has dipped as low as 80% at times.

Every day for her begins with an hour-long session involving physiotherapy, nebulisers and taking up to 10 types of medication. <!-- Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics -->

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smileband health topics

Article written by centres for disease control and prevention, 

what is Gastroschisis?

Gastroschisis is a birth defect of the abdominal (belly) wall. The baby’s intestines are found outside of the baby’s body, exiting through a hole beside the belly button. The hole can be small or large and sometimes other organs, such as the stomach and liver, can also be found outside of the baby’s body.

Gastroschisis occurs early during pregnancy when the muscles that make up the baby’s abdominal wall do not form correctly. A hole occurs which allows the intestines and other organs to extend outside of the body, usually to the right side of belly button. Because the intestines are not covered in a protective sac and are exposed to the amniotic fluid, the intestines can become irritated, causing them to shorten, twist, or swell.  

Other Problems

Soon after the baby is born, surgery will be needed to place the abdominal organs inside the baby’s body and repair the hole in the abdominal wall. Even after the repair, infants with gastroschisis can have problems with nursing and eating, digestion of food, and absorption of nutrients. 

Treatments

Soon after the baby is born, surgery will be needed to place the abdominal organs inside the baby’s body and repair the defect.

If the gastroschisis defect is small (only some of the intestine is outside of the belly), it is usually treated with surgery soon after birth to put the organs back into the belly and close the opening. If the gastroschisis defect is large (many organs outside of the belly), the repair might done slowly, in stages. The exposed organs might be covered with a special material and slowly moved back into the belly. After all of the organs have been put back in the belly, the opening is closed.

Babies with gastroschisis often need other treatments as well, including receiving nutrients through an IV line, antibiotics to prevent infection, and careful attention to control their body temperature. <!-- Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics -->

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smileband health topics

Article written by Stephen Matthew, 

A man with a severe skin condition that has ravaged his face has revealed how cruel strangers are 'scared' of him. Dean Clifford, 38, from Queensland, has defied doctors who warned he wouldn't survive past the age of five because he has the most serious form of Epidermolysis Bullosa.

But, despite overcoming the odds to become the oldest living survivor in the world, he has faced years of ridicule for his appearance.

The rare, genetic condition causes him to have incredibly fragile skin, which blisters frequently and takes much longer than usual to heal itself.

But, despite the challenges he faces, he has transformed himself from a physically weak and sick child to a bodybuilder and motivational speaker.

Mr Clifford, who also works as a business and marketing officer, has today opened up about his condition, which strikes one in 50,000 people, for the first time.

He said: 'The way I describe it to people I meet is my skin is basically as strong as tissue paper or strong as butterfly wings. 

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smileband general news

Article was written by Alexandra Robertson,  

A gang of women who killed an Egyptian student in a suspected race attack had abused her in the street months earlier, it has been claimed. The mother of Mariam Moustafa says her daughter had been assaulted by the same thugs four months before but police in Nottingham 'did nothing'.

Mariam, 18, was left in a coma after being jumped by the group of female yobs outside a shopping centre while she waited for a bus on February 20.

The teenager had been shopping in Nottingham city centre before she was repeatedly assaulted by the women in an unprovoked attack on Parliament Street.

The engineering student was rushed to Nottingham City Hospital and placed in an induced coma but died on Wednesday.

Her family believe she was targeted in a racially-motivated attack by a group of women who had previously hurled abuse at her in the street.

According to an Egyptian newspaper, Moustafa's mother Nessrin Shehata posted a video on social media saying: 'Four months ago, two of the same ten women abused my daughter in the street with no specific reason.

'We went to the police station and issued an official complaint; however, nothing happened'.

She added that when the women saw her in the street walking alone, they attacked her once again and dragged her about several feet in the street.

Nessrin told Egypt Today: 'She managed to get up and run towards one of the buses, but they went after her and started to beat her again.

'Just one man tried to defend her, but no one else tried to interfere'.

A 17-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm and was subsequently released on conditional bail.

A Home Office post-mortem examination is due to take place.

Mariam, who was a Central College engineering student in Beeston, is understood to have suffered a bleed on the brain as well as a stroke during the attack.

She was reportedly punched several times before she was further verbally assaulted after getting onto the number 27 bus. <!-- Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics -->

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smileband general news

Article written by Saqib Shah, 

A SILICON Valley billionaire is paying the ultimate price for the chance of immortality — death.

Well that, and a spare $AU12,686.

Entrepreneur Sam Altman is one of 25 people who have splashed the cash to join a waiting list at Nectome — a start-up that promises to upload your brain into a computer to grant eternal life to your consciousness. The method is “100 per cent fatal”, claims the company.

“The user experience will be identical to physician-assisted suicide,” Nectome’s co-founder Robert McIntyre revealed to the publication.

“Our mission is to preserve your brain well enough to keep all its memories intact: from that great chapter of your favourite book to the feeling of cold winter air, baking an apple pie, or having dinner with your friends and family,” writes Nectome on its site.

“We believe that within the current century it will be feasible to digitise this information and use it to recreate your consciousness.”

The reality, however, is that physician-assisted suicide is currently only legal in five out of 50 US states, and individuals seeking it must have a terminal illness, as well as a prognosis of six months or less to live. <!-- Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics -->

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smileband health topics

Article written by cheyenne roundtree,  

A Tesco delivery driver has won a legal battle with the supermarket after contracting a potentially fatal disease believed to have been caused by handling items soaked in rat urine. Darren Finn, 42, is lucky to be alive after he was hospitalised with Weil's disease which spread through his body turning his skin 'Homer Simpson yellow' as his kidneys began to fail.

Doctors believe the lorry driver contracted the disease through a minor cut on his eye after handling empty packaging and food waste while carrying out deliveries from the now-closed Harlow, Essex, depot.

The father-of-two was admitted to hospital on November 15, 2012, where doctors treated him for kidney failure, jaundice and loss of liver function while they struggled to establish what had caused his body to go into near-fatal shutdown.

It wasn't until five days later that test results finally pinpointed Weil's disease.

Mr Finn, who now works for logistics company DHL, has received a five figure settlement after Tesco ended a five-year legal battle, prior to trial. Tesco said they take health and safety issues on their sites very seriously.

Mr Finn, a former Tesco employee from Harlow, Essex, said: 'I honestly believe if I hadn't gone to hospital when I did, I wouldn't be here now.

'After two weeks of battling extreme flu-like symptoms my eyes and skin both turned a violent shade of yellow and I could barely walk.

'By the time I arrived in hospital it felt like every part of my body was bruised and my head was going to explode with the pain.

'If I had waited another day to go to hospital the disease would have spread to my heart and lungs. <!-- Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics -->

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