Smileband health topics

A new robot created by goggle reads your retinas to assess your risk of heart disease. The machine analyses scans of the back of your eye to accurately predict risk factors including age, blood pressure, and whether or not you smoke.

It then uses this data to analyse your risk of suffering a life-threatening cardiac event, such as a heart attack.

The device, powered by artificial intelligence, is far less invasive than a traditional diagnostic blood test but is just as accurate, according to Google. Google worked with California-based health-tech subsidiary Verily to create the AI algorithm, which tracked blood vessels at the back of the eye.

Previous research has shown that the shape and size of retinal vessels reflect a person's overall health, including their risk of heart disease and stroke.

Patients with a high blood pressure or who smoke are more likely to have weaker, thinner and damaged vessels than young and healthy individuals.

Using retinal images, Google says it was able to quantify this link and predict a patient's risk of a heart attack or other major cardiovascular event.

The algorithm was able to tell whether or not a patient would suffer a cardiovascular event in the next five years with a 70 per cent accuracy rate, Google said.

The results were similar to those achieved via testing methods that require blood be drawn to measure a patient’s cholesterol, which are typically 72 per cent accurate. <!-- Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics -->

<script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=UA-109237959-1"></script>

<script>

  window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];

  function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}

  gtag('js', new Date());

  gtag('config', 'UA-109237959-1');

</script>

Smileband

<!-- Google tag (gtag.js) -->

<script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-XDGJVZXVQ4"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-XDGJVZXVQ4'); </script>

Smileband health topics

Great Ormond Street children's hospital may keep a £530,000 donation from the controversial 'Presidents Club' whose gala saw hostesses groped and propositioned by male businessmen. 

The six-figure sum was raised by the controversial club - made up of high-flyers from the property industry and top City figures - between 2009 and 2016 before it disbanded in response to outrage at this year's event.

In the wake of the scandal, Great Ormond Street announced that it would return the donations, with a spokesman saying hospital bosses were 'shocked to hear of the behaviour' and the 'wholly unacceptable nature of the event'.

But it emerged today that the children's hospital is debating whether the money should be kept and put towards treating ill children. <!-- Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics -->

<script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=UA-109237959-1"></script>

<script>

  window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];

  function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}

  gtag('js', new Date());

  gtag('config', 'UA-109237959-1');

</script>

<!-- Google tag (gtag.js) -->

<script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-XDGJVZXVQ4"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-XDGJVZXVQ4'); </script>

Smileband health topics

Women are twice as likely to develop fatal heart complications than men, new research warns. The study found mental stress such as public speaking was more likely to cause myocardial ischemia, inadequate blood flow to the heart muscle, in young women who have had a heart attack compared to their male peers.

While previous studies showed a higher heart risk from mental stress for women, it wasn't clear to what extent.

The new research, published today by the American Heart Association, offers clearer evidence than ever that women may need more intensive care after a cardiac event than men, and mental stress may affect women's hearts more. '

The magnitude of the difference in ischemia between women and men despite similarities in risk factors and a tendency toward less severe coronary obstruction among women [surprised me],' Dr Viola Vaccarino, professor of medicine at Emory University who led the new research, told Daily Mail Online.

Myocardial ischemia, defined as inadequate blood flow to the heart muscle due to reduction in blood flow to the heart, can be caused by partial or complete blockage of the heart's arteries

For the study, researchers, led by Dr Vaccarino, collected data from 150 women and 156 men under the age of 61 who were hospitalized for heart attacks and 112 men and women who did not suffer heart attacks.

Among heart attack survivors, the clinical severity tended to be lower in women.

They measured how well the participants' blood vessels functioned at rest and 30 minutes after mental stress caused by a public speaking task that asked subjects to imagine a real-life stressful situation, in which a close relative had been mistreated in a nursing home and asked to make up a realistic story around this scenario

They found that young female heart attack survivors had twice the risk of experiencing myocardial ischemia induced by mental stress. There was a similar increase in the condition as a result of conventional stress such as exercise or drugs. <!-- Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics -->

<script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=UA-109237959-1"></script>

<script>

  window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];

  function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}

  gtag('js', new Date());

  gtag('config', 'UA-109237959-1');

</script>

<!-- Google tag (gtag.js) -->

<script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-XDGJVZXVQ4"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-XDGJVZXVQ4'); </script>

Smileband health topics

Gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. It is the second most commonly reported infectious disease in Arizona and the United States.

 

Over the last five years, counts and rates of reported gonococcal infections have significantly increased in the state of Arizona. The number of reported infections increased 133.5% from 3,249 in 2010 to 7,585 in 2014.

 

Transmission

Gonorrhea is transmitted through sexual contact with the penis, vagina, mouth, or anus of an infected partner. Ejaculation does not have to occur for gonorrhea to be transmitted or acquired. Gonorrhea can also be spread perinatally from mother to baby during childbirth.

Lab Tests & Specimen Info

Test*	Specimen
PCR	Genital Swab, Urine
IgG/IgM Serology	Serum, Whole Blood
Culture	Genital Swab, Urine
Gram Stain	Genital Swab

 Isolation Precautions

Infected individuals should be advised to refrain from sexual activity for at least 7 days after being fully treated. 

Standard precautions are recommended in healthcare settings.

Prevention for Patients
There are several ways to prevent sexually transmitted infection:

• Condoms
• Monogamous relationships
• Abstinence

Expedited partner therapy (EPT) is an available option in Arizona in order to treat partners.

Pregnant females should be screened during prenatal care. Public Health Actions

Public health monitors gonorrhea case counts and trends statewide.  Due to the high morbidity in Arizona, case investigations may only occur in more severe cases (I.e. co-infection or reinfection).

Public Health in Arizona has developed a plan for addressing the possibility of gonorrhea antimicrobial resistance.  Public health recommends following the CDC recommended treatment guidelines to avoid further antimicrobial resistance development. <!-- Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics -->

<script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=UA-109237959-1"></script>

<script>

  window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];

  function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}

  gtag('js', new Date());

  gtag('config', 'UA-109237959-1');

</script>

Smileband health topics

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis is a viral infection that is caused by the Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV). The initial phase of the illness usually includes:

• fever
• malaise
• lack of appetite
• muscle aches
• headache
• nausea
• vomiting

A secondary phase of illness may occur after a few days of recovery from the initial phase. This phase can include:

• meningitis
• encephalitis
• meningoencephalitis.

LCMV can be passed to a fetus if a pregnant woman becomes infected. Infections in the first trimester can result in fetal death and pregnancy termination. Infections in the second and third trimester can result in birth defects.

There has not been a case of LCMV reported in Arizona in the last 10 years.

Transmission 
Transmission occurs when an individual has exposure to fresh urine, droppings, saliva, or nesting material from infected rodents.

Person to person transmission has not been reported.

Vertical transmission from mother to fetus can occur.

The incubation period is 8 to 13 days. Isolation Precautions 

Standard precautions are recommended in healthcare settings.

Prevention for Patients 
The best prevention method is to avoid contact with wild mice and to take precautions when handling pet rodents.

• Pet rodents should not have contact with wild rodents
• Wash hands after handling a pet rodent
• Take precautions to reduce rodent infestations in and around the home

Public Health Actions 
Public health will conduct an epidemiological investigation on a case or suspect case. <!-- Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics -->

<script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=UA-109237959-1"></script>

<script>

  window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];

  function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}

  gtag('js', new Date());

  gtag('config', 'UA-109237959-1');

</script>

Smileband general news

A team of 15 Metropolitan Police officers are working on the UK cat killer investigation. The so-called 'Croydon Cat Killer' is believed to have killed and maimed hundreds of animals around a 117-mile stretch of the M25 motorway, striking as far afield as Manchester, Brighton and the Isle of Wight.

He is also thought to have targeted pet rabbits as well as wild deer, squirrels and foxes - often killing and dismembering them using a machete or garden sheers. 

Detectives believe the killer tempts the pets with treats before bludgeoning them to death with sharp objects. It is thought he then waits for at least 30 minutes to allow the blood to coagulate before he mutilates them, often cutting off paws, tails and heads.

There is often no blood trail at the scene, leading police to believe the animals are taken away to be dismembered before the killer returns to dump their bodies back at the scene of where they were slaughtered.

The most recent attacks took place last weekend in Chigwell and Ilford in Essex, with two cats killed.

Scotland Yard began Operation Takahe in December 2015, and it is now staffed by detective sergeant Andy Collin, four detective constables and ten police constables.

The constables are not attached to the operation full-time and also carry out other duties.

A spokesman for the Met said it was not possible to determine how much of the force's budget had been allocated to capturing the cat killer, but said police had funded ten post-mortem examinations on victims at a cost of £7,500. <!-- Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics -->

<script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=UA-109237959-1"></script>

<script>

  window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];

  function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}

  gtag('js', new Date());

  gtag('config', 'UA-109237959-1');

</script>

<!-- Google tag (gtag.js) -->

<script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-XDGJVZXVQ4"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-XDGJVZXVQ4'); </script>

Smileband health topics

Coccidioidomycosis or Valley Fever is a fungal infection caused by Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii. The fungus is found in the soil in the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico and Central and South America. 

 

Approximately 40% of individuals who are infected will develop symptoms which can include a cough, fever, exhaustion, chest pain and muscle aches. 5-10% of individuals infected will develop a more severe disease secondary to dissemination. 

 

Arizona is endemic for the fungus and Valley Fever is one of the most commonly reported infectious diseases in Arizona.

 

Arizona 5 year median: 6,101 cases

 

Transmission

Transmission occurs by inhaling spores of the fungus. 

 

The incubation period is typically 1 to 4 weeks for the primary infection. Disseminated infection may develop years after the primary infection.

 

Lab Tests & Specimen Info

 

Test*	Specimen
EIA/ELISA Serology	Serum
Complement Fixation	Serum
Latex Agglutination	Serum
Immunodiffusion	Serum
Tube Precipitin	Serum
Culture	Tissue, Respiratory Specimen
PCR	Tissue, Respiratory Specime

 Isolation Precautions

Coccidioidomycosis is not a communicable disease.

 

Standard precautions are recommended in healthcare settings. 

 

Prevention for Patients
For individuals who live in endemic areas (e.g. Arizona), it is recommended to avoid spending time in dusty places. 

• stay inside during dust storms
• avoid activities that involve close contact with dust or dirt
• use air filtration measures indoors

High-risk groups include:

• immunocompromised individuals
• pregnant women
• individuals with diabetes
• African Americans and Filipinos

Public Health Actions

Public health will conduct an epidemiological investigation on an outbreak. <!-- Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics -->

<script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=UA-109237959-1"></script>

<script>

  window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];

  function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}

  gtag('js', new Date());

  gtag('config', 'UA-109237959-1');

</script>

Smileband health topics

Robots one-thousandth the width of a human hair are now able to fight cancer by destroying tumours in the body. Scientists have built nano-robots from DNA sheets shaped into tubes and injected into the bloodstream.

The tubes carry a blood-clotting enzyme, thrombin, and are painted with proteins which home in on a separate protein found only in tumour cells. When the robots reach their target and bind to its surface they spring open and deliver the enzyme which clots the blood supply to the tumour and causes it to have a mini heart attack and die. The nanorobots work fast, congregating in large numbers to surround a tumour just hours after injection.

They were found to be safe in tests on mice and pigs, with no evidence of spreading to the brain where they could cause a stroke. The treatment blocked tumour blood supply and generated tumour tissue damage within 24 hours, while having no effect on healthy tissue.

Three out of eight mice with skin cancer saw their tumours shrink, with their survival time from cancer more than doubling on average from 20.5 to 45 days.

The research comes after a team of scientists, involving Durham University, last year created nanorobots able to drill into and destroy cancer cells. Nanorobots are so-called because of their tiny size and because they contain parts capable of movement within the body. In this case, the mechanical action is the springing open of the DNA sheet to reveal the blood-clotting drug.

Baroness Delyth Morgan, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, said: 'The development of nanorobots that can deliver drugs to a specific target within a tumour is an exciting glimpse into the future of cancer medicine.

'This is the first time that DNA molecules have been manipulated to deliver drugs in this way – a fascinating advance that, if refined and proven effective in humans, could have far-reaching implications for treating cancer and other diseases. <!-- Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics -->

<script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=UA-109237959-1"></script>

<script>

  window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];

  function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}

  gtag('js', new Date());

  gtag('config', 'UA-109237959-1');

</script>

Smileband general news

Boasting a 25ft swimming pool and a charming sun terrace, this is the luxury apartment block in Haiti where Oxfam aid workers cavorted with young prostitutes at a sex party likened to a 'Caligula orgy'. Terracotta walls, palm trees and floral arrangements give the gated complex the feel of a Mediterranean holiday villa.

The six-bedroom serviced complex, which can sleep 12, was rented to Oxfam for around £1,200 a month – an astronomical sum by Haitian standards.

The Daily Mail found it in a rundown part of Haitian capital Port au Prince after three sources confirmed it was used for the alleged sex parties.

Each of the rooms comes fully furnished so that aid workers do not need to buy their own furniture. The complex – known locally as 'the whorehouse' – has a living room with a flat screen TV and three comfy seats with plenty of space for entertaining.

It was here that video footage was said to have been filmed showing aid workers partying with prostitutes who wore Oxfam T-shirts.

One source said at least five half-naked girls were running around at a 'full-on Caligula orgy'. Such gatherings were referred to as 'young meat barbecues'.

The villa comes with an armed guard as well a 12ft security gate with barbed wire on the top. By contrast, some of the other houses in the area still bear the scars from the 2010 earthquake, which killed 220,000 and left 1.5million people homeless.

The hilly and chaotic streets are choked with pedestrians, traders and traffic. There are potholes everywhere and cars bounce around on the uneven surfaces. <!-- Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics -->

<script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=UA-109237959-1"></script>

<script>

  window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];

  function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}

  gtag('js', new Date());

  gtag('config', 'UA-109237959-1');

</script>

Smileband health topics

What is botulism?

Botulism is a life-threatening poisoning caused by toxins produced by the bacterium clostridium botulinum. The toxin attacks the nerves, brain and spinal cord and can affect people of any age. Left untreated, paralysis can spread to the lungs, causing breathing failure and death.

Botulism is rare in the UK.

How do you get botulism?

There are three different ways of contracting botulism. These are classified as:

• Food-borne botulism: when you eat something contaminated with the toxin as a result of it being improperly canned or preserved
• Wound botulism: caused when a wound becomes infected with botulinum spores which then germinate, reproduce and then produce toxins. An increase in reported cases has been linked to injecting drug users
• Infant botulism: a very rare condition where a baby swallows some botulinum bacteria spores, which then produce toxins in their intestines. The spores are sometimes found in honey, which is why honey is not recommended for children under 12 months old, who will not have had a chance to develop a defence against the spores.

The infection cannot be spread from person to person.

ADVERTISEMENT

What are the symptoms of botulism?

The first signs of food-borne botulism are usually nausea and vomiting. Diarrhoea is followed by constipation.

More serious symptoms usually begin between 12 and 36 hours after contamination, but can start within six hours or take as long as eight days to appear. These symptoms include blurred vision, difficulty swallowing and speaking and droopy eyelids. As the toxin spreads, this is followed by general muscle weakness, paralysis in the arms and difficulty breathing.

The symptoms of wound botulism begin four to 14 days after infection. They begin in the nerves connecting the brain to the spine before spreading through the rest of the body.

The effects on the nervous system of wound botulism are the same as food-borne botulism, although they take longer to develop.

Infant botulism usually begins with constipation. Several days later, neurological symptoms develop which include an inability to suck, a floppy head and muscles, poor reflexes, heavy eyelids and unfocused eyes. 

<!-- Global site tag (gtag.js) - Google Analytics -->

<script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=UA-109237959-1"></script>

<script>

  window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || [];

  function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);}

  gtag('js', new Date());

  gtag('config', 'UA-109237959-1');

</script>