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Healthy effects of walnut on heart and gut.

Healthy effects of walnut on heart and gut.

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Researchers from Texas Tech University and Juniata College undertook a study to examine the effect walnuts have on the gut flora because they offer advantages for heart health. The possibility that walnuts’ heart-healthy properties originate in the gut intrigued the researchers.

Three groups of participants, including one that consumed whole walnuts, were given different diets by the researchers. Following this, biological samples from each person were examined.

According to their research, those who ate a diet high in walnuts had higher levels of the amino acid L-homoarginine in their intestines. This finding suggested that dietary changes that affect the gut may be able to improve heart health since people with lower homoarginine levels are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease.

There are still numerous unanswered concerns regarding how particular diets affect heart health and what other foods may reduce cardiovascular risk, despite the fact that experts are aware of this.

Researchers from Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, and Texas Tech University in Lubbock were interested in finding out whether walnuts’ potential heart health benefits stem from the digestive system.

They carried out their research by examining the microorganisms’ genomic expression in subjects who either consumed or did not consume a diet high in walnuts. The American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology’s annual meeting, Discover DMB, is where the study’s findings were presented.

Quick facts of Heart health

The greatest cause of death for adults in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is heart disease. Heart disease claims the lives of up to 700,000 individuals annually.

One significant component that affects heart health is nutrition. Individuals who consume a lot of fat and cholesterol in their diets are more likely to experience problems that could ultimately result in heart disease.

People can adopt diets that are low in fat, include lean meats, and are low in sugar and salt to help lower their risk of heart disease. Additionally helpful is avoiding processed foods and foods high in trans fats.

The following are some heart-healthy foods that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) advises consumers to eat:

  • vegetables
  • fruits
  • whole grains
  • lean meats and seafood
  • nuts

Several studies have demonstrated that walnuts in particular help lower a person’s risk profile for cardiovascular disease.

Role of the gut microbiome

For optimum health, a balanced gut microbiota is essential. A collection of microbes that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract is known as the gut microbiota. According to some estimates, the human gastrointestinal tract contains 1,013 bacteria, or nearly the same number of cells as an adult human body.

Bad bacteria may occasionally outnumber good bacteria in the gut microbiome as a result of sickness or lifestyle decisions.

“The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in human health and influences the development of chronic diseases ranging from metabolic disease to gastrointestinal disorders and colorectal cancer,” the NIH state.

Using probiotic pills to balance the gut microbiota is one strategy to promote gut health. Yogurt, pickled veggies, and kombucha are a few foods people can take to aid with this.

New study

The current study’s authors were particularly interested in the effects of walnuts on gastrointestinal and cardiovascular health. Walnuts contain more alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is important since ALA may have an effect on cardiovascular and neurological health.

For this study, the researchers examined data from 42 people. All of the patients had a high risk of developing cardiovascular disease. At first, each participant took part in a conventional Western diet for two weeks. The researchers determined that their diet consisted of 34% lipids, 16% protein, and 50% carbohydrates.

After analysing the participants’ gut microbiomes with stool samples, the researchers divided the subjects into three groups.

Participants who consumed 57–99 grammes (g), or about 1 cup, of walnuts per day made up the first group, which was referred to as the “walnut diet group.” Without eating walnuts, the second group consumed the same amounts of the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid. This diet was used as the “matched walnut control diet.”

The third group, known as the “oleic acid replaces ALA in diet without walnuts group,” was instructed to replace their ALA intake with oleic acid while avoiding walnuts. To “explore the makeup and functionality of the gut microbiota,” the researchers took faeces samples from the subjects at the conclusion of the six-week diet periods. They then used metatranscriptomics to examine the samples.

Walnuts, heart health, and the gut

The researchers took stools samples from each group and then performed a genetic analysis on the gut microbiota from each group. They were able to identify which germs were present in higher or lower concentrations.

In the walnut diet group, the researchers discovered increased concentrations of Gordonibacter bacteria. This bacterium is in charge of metabolizing plant-based substances. In this group, the researchers also observed greater levels of gene expression in pathways involving the amino acid L-homoarginine.

This is relevant because those with low homoarginine levels are at a higher risk for heart disease. Also, they discovered that after following their diets for 6 weeks, the individuals’ dysbiosis index values—which measure the proportion of harmful to beneficial bacteria—improved.

Despite the study’s modest sample size, the findings point to the possibility of reducing cardiovascular disease risk through dietary modifications that have an impact on the gut.

In an interview, Mansi Chandra, an undergraduate researcher at Juniata College who will present the study, discussed it.

What do the experts advice?

The results were discussed with MNT by Dr. John Higgins, a professor of cardiovascular medicine at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston who was not involved in the study.

“Walnuts are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly alpha-linolenic acid, and they are helpful for enhancing cardiovascular health. According to Dr. Higgins, they lower blood pressure, lessen blood clotting, lower inflammation, and lower the chance of developing metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Higgins explained the significance of such findings by pointing out “how various organ systems are interrelated.” Dr. Higgins stated that “in this circumstance, the gastrointestinal system and the heart [are related]”. “A healthy heart is a result of a healthy gut!”

“Our research implies that by altering diet and modulating intestinal microbiota composition and metabolism — for example, starting to eat a cup of walnuts each day — we may be able to better support cardiovascular disease prevention,” he added, while he cautioned that “[m]ore research is needed.”

Another speaker about the study was Dr. Ernst von Schwarz, a cardiologist and professor at UCLA who was not involved in it.

He asserts that “the study also supports the concept of a Mediterranean-style diet as the most heart-healthy diet, which in some studies has [been] shown to result in a regression of atherosclerosis (calcification/hardening) of the blood vessels in the heart, the brain, and even in the sexual organs.

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Insufficient sleep tied to increased risk of stroke.

Insufficient sleep tied to increased risk of stroke.

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Peripheral artery disease (PAD), which affects more than 200 million people worldwide and results in blocked arteries in the legs and raises the risk of stroke and heart attack, is a condition that causes blocked arteries, and new research published in the European Heart Journal has shown a strong correlation between sleep habits and the development of PAD.

Researchers discovered that compared to people who sleep 7 to 8 hours each night, those who sleep less than 5 hours have a 74% increased risk of developing PAD. The study stresses the need of getting enough sleep for preserving vascular health and delaying the onset of PAD.

A recent study that was just published in the European Heart Journal found a strong connection between getting too little sleep and an elevated risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD).

In comparison to people who follow a healthy sleep schedule of 7 to 8 hours per night, the research showed that people who sleep fewer than 5 hours each night have a 74% higher risk of developing PAD.

Both excessive daytime naps and insufficient sleep at night have previously been associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease, which, like PAD, is brought on by blocked arteries. With the goal of filling in the knowledge gap about how sleep habits affect PAD and how they affect it the other way around, this study sought to provide insightful information.

Using genetic data to study PAD risk

Almost 650,000 people participated in the survey, which was conducted in two phases. The first thing the researchers did was look at how napping during the day and how much sleep an individual gets at night correlated with their chance of developing PAD.

They next performed a Mendelian randomization analysis utilising genetic data to see whether these relationships were indeed responsible for the elevated risk of PAD.

Mendelian randomization is a research technique that examines whether there is a cause-and-effect link between specific factors and a specific outcome using genetic data. In layman’s terms, it is comparable to a natural experiment that makes use of the randomness with which our genes are passed along.

Stronger evidence for probable causal ties is produced by this strategy, which assists researchers in distinguishing between real cause-and-effect correlations and merely associational relationships.

The possibility of reverse causality is one of the drawbacks of observational research, making it difficult to determine whether sleep habits caused PAD or if having PAD affected them when a link between them and the condition is found.

Mendelian randomization is a trustworthy method for determining causality, increasing the confidence in the results.

Link between short sleep duration and PAD

Sleeping less than 5 hours each night compared to sleeping 7 to 8 hours significantly quadrupled the risk of PAD in observational research involving 53,416 adults. This result was confirmed by other analyses involving 156,582 and 452,028 individuals.

In the causative investigations, not only was short sleep associated with an increased risk of PAD, but PAD was also associated with an increased risk of short sleep.

These findings imply that insufficient nighttime sleep increases the risk of PAD development and that PAD itself increases the risk of insufficient nighttime sleep.

An observational study of 53,416 adults indicated that sleeping for more than eight hours per night was linked to a 24% higher risk of PAD than sleeping for seven to eight hours.

Analyses in two larger groups of 156,582 and 452,028 people provided support for this observation. However, no cause-and-effect relationship was observed between extended sleep and PAD.

Similar results were reported for daytime napping, when nappers had a 32% higher risk of PAD than non-nappers, although no causative links were found.

“This is a well-put-together study that better examines the link of sleep length with PAD,” said Dr. Rigved Tadwalkar, a board-certified cardiologist at Pacific Heart Institute in Santa Monica, California, who was not involved in the study.

According to Dr. Tadwalkar, “The study is of high value because earlier studies addressing this link have been limited because of less reliable study design and lower statistical power.”

Study implications

Dr. Tadwalkar told that the American Heart Association released a document titled “Life’s Essential” last year, adding that the consequences for patients and the general public are enormous.

It aims to enhance public health by offering recommendations for lifestyle modifications that can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. The paper is an update of “Life’s Easy.” The most recent update includes an eighth element that emphasises sleep length.

According to other studies, “Life’s Essential 8” makes it clear that getting between 7-9 hours of sleep each night is ideal from a cardiovascular standpoint.

What do the experts think?

In order for people to improve their health results, Dr. Tadwalkar also emphasised the need for “increased understanding of the importance of high-quality sleep for individuals.”

This study “adds to the growing body of data demonstrating strong and consistent links between sleep quality and risk of developing cardiovascular disease,” according to Dr. Devin W. Kehl, a cardiologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California who was not involved in the current study.

The majority of people are aware of how crucial it is to maintain a balanced diet and engage in regular exercise to reduce one’s chance of developing heart disease. Now, with studies like these and others, it is becoming more and more obvious that we also need to think of sufficient sleep duration and sleep quality in the same category as an important lifestyle habit, according to Dr. Devin Kehl.

Although not engaged in the study, board-certified physician Dr. Collin Johnston stated: “In my years of practising medicine, I have always believed that the western medical model must strive and focus more on the prevention of disease rather than merely the treatment of sickness.”

Dr. Johnston continued, “Unfortunately, during my medical school and residency training, a relatively small portion of time was spent learning the importance of basic health principles such as well-balanced nutrition, regular and frequent physical activity, and the integral role that quality “sleep hygiene” practises can play in helping prevent the onset of chronic health conditions.

Sleep and Heart Health During Pregnancy

The heart is put under greater stress during pregnancy, and some women experience cardiovascular issues at this time. For instance, high blood pressure can develop or get worse during pregnancy, which could have negative effects on both the mother and the unborn child.

Several pregnant women struggle with insomnia, sleep apnea, and other sleep disorders, and research has linked these concerns to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases both during and after pregnancy. With the aim of lowering hypertension and other cardiovascular problems, ongoing research investigations are attempting to determine how to make pregnancy sleep better.

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Gout due to deficiency of a protein found in joint fluid.

Gout due to deficiency of a protein found in joint fluid.

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A multinational research team discovered a novel molecular route that is thought to be the origin of gout and the path it takes to joint tissue disintegration.

A protein called lubricin, which is present in joint fluid, may represent a unique therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of gout, according to researchers.

The discovery was made, in part, through research on a lady who had urate crystal formations and joint degradation but low blood urate levels.

Gout, a common kind of inflammatory arthritis, can make joints extremely painful, swollen, and stiff. A punishment for those Gout has often affected one joint at a time since ancient times. Frequently the joint at the base of the big toe.

According to the American College of Rheumatology, the illness affects more than 3 million people in the US. Men. Also, postmenopausal women and persons with kidney problems are more prone to the condition.

An innovative molecular mechanism that causes gout and leads to the erosion of joint tissue has been discovered by an international research team headed by the University of California San Diego School of Medicine. The journal Arthritis & Rheumatology reported the researchers’ findings.

What is Gout?

An extremely painful, swollen, and stiffening form of arthritis known as gout generates these symptoms in the joints. The metatarsophalangeal joint, which is located at the base of the big toe, is typically affected. The body having too much uric acid is its main cause.

More than 3 million Americans suffer from gout, which is the most prevalent kind of inflammatory arthritis in men. Additionally, females are more prone to get gout after menopause despite the fact that disease is generally less likely to harm them.

Gout episodes can start suddenly and may continue to happen over time. This persistent recurrence can be quite painful and gradually destroy the tissue surrounding the inflammation. Obesity, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension are gout risk factors.

Unusual case study on gout

Purines, which are present in the body, meat, and some beverages, are broken down by the body to produce uric acid.

Uric acid crystals may grow inside a joint as a result of hyperuricemia. This is a high quantity of uric acid in the blood and promotes inflammation.

High uric acid levels are also frequently found in the joint fluid of gout sufferers. Although not invariably, gout can be caused by hyperuricemia. Up to 21% of the population may have asymptomatic hyperuricemia, according to one study.

Dr. Robert Terkeltaub is a professor at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine. He is section chief of rheumatology at the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System. Also, he is the study’s senior author, stated: “There are factors well beyond having a high serum rate to determine who gets gout, who doesn’t get gout.”

Factors that can cause gout

The researchers’ investigation of a 22-year-old lady with an atypical case of gout was included in their report. She had urate crystal formations and joint degradation, but her blood tests did not reveal elevated urate levels.

Researchers employed RNA-sequencing, a technology that gives a quantitative analysis of messenger RNA molecules in a biological sample, and whole genome sequencing, an investigation of an organism’s entire DNA composition, for their study.

In order to pinpoint a molecular route underlying the patient’s condition. They also used quantitative proteomic techniques, a method that enables a thorough examination of proteins. They examined samples from the young woman, her parents, and unrelated individuals.

Finally, scientists discovered a chemical route that had been damaged in the young woman. Their research focused on lubricin, a protein that lubricates joints.

Researchers found that the woman’s joint fluid had many proteins that were lower than those of her parents’ joint fluid. Also, lower than the combined results from four healthy controls.

“We searched for something that would either be tenfold decreased in the sick… related to the mother or father and the control or tenfold increased in the patient relative to the mother or father and the healthy control,” the researcher explained. And we discovered that the patient had roughly a dozen proteins that had significantly lower levels, Terkeltaub added.

Lubricin was one of those proteins. The following analysis focused on 18 individuals who had uncontrolled hyperuricemia and common gout. Five of them also showed low lubricin levels.

Lubricin inhibits inflammation

In a different section of the investigation, scientists employed mice with and without lubricin. Interleukin-1β, an inflammatory cytokine, was administered into the animals’ knee joints.

The main enzyme that really produces uric acid, xanthine oxidase, was enriched in the cells known as macrophages in the joint lining of the mice that didn’t produce lubricin, according to Terkeltaub.

According to the experiment, lubricin prevents urate from crystallising in joints and inhibits the release of xanthine oxidase and urate via stimulating white blood cells.

Dr. Puja Paul Khanna, an associate professor in the department of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School. He stated that the study suggests lubricin may function as a biomarker for gout.

“With the mice models, they are observing that even if you did not have a high level of uric acid, but you are already experiencing damage from those small little, you know, monosodium urate crystals. We have identified lubricin as the cause, so we could block that pathway, Khanna added. “The [monosodium urate] crystals have a higher possibility of accumulating and harming that joint if the mice are deficient, meaning [they] lack lubricin. Right? More research on the same is required in people.

Terkeltaub emphasised that the findings demonstrates that lubricin’s function extends beyond just lubricating joint tissues.

In addition to inhibiting the inflammation brought on by the crystals and limiting the formation of new crystals, lubricin is something that is “actually involved in what we term the homeostasis of uric acid in the joint,” according to the expert.

Terkeltaub noted that the individual’s lubricin and other molecule-controlling lubricin gene variations may have an impact on whether or not a person with hyperuricemia develops gout.

The development of gout

This study shows that more can be learned about the pathophysiology of gout, according to Dr. Theodore Fields, a rheumatologist from Weill Cornell Medicine and Hospital for Special Surgery in New York who was not involved in the study.

He stated, “We continue to have big information gaps about why some patients get gout and some don’t, even if both have the same level of serum urate. It makes perfect sense that factors like lubricin deficiency play a role in certain patients.

Further studies by Terkeltaub will focus on lubricin’s potential as a novel therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of gout as well as gout biomarkers and biomarkers for other inflammatory diseases.

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How Bone Density May Be Linked to Dementia Risk?

How Bone Density May Be Linked to Dementia Risk?

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According to researchers, a decline in bone density may be associated with a higher risk of dementia.

Low bone density and dementia tend to develop at later age, but the researchers caution that they are unsure of why there may be a connection.

A nutritious diet and regular exercise, according to experts, are two strategies to enhance overall bone health.

A study was published in Neurology, the official journal of the American Academy of Neurology. People with low bone density may be more likely to develop dementia. 3,651 individuals with an average age of 72 whose medical histories and X-rays were examined by Dutch researchers.

Everybody underwent physical exams, including X-rays and dementia screenings, as well as interviews every four to five years.

Prior to the trial, none of the subjects had dementia. Among the conclusions were:

  • Dementia affected 688 people (19%) over an average of 11 years.
  • 90 of the 1,211 individuals with the lowest bone density who lived the longest had dementia.
  • During a decade, 57 of the 1,211 individuals with the highest bone density had dementia.

The researchers found that those with lower bone density were 42% more likely to develop dementia than those with higher bone density. Even after controlling for age, sex, education, other illnesses, medicinal use, and family history of dementia.

The study only demonstrates a connection, not cause and effect, the researchers noted.

Bone density and dementia

According to the researchers, bone density loss may occur in the early stages of dementia and, if it does, may be a sign of risk.

With that information, healthcare providers may focus on providing earlier and more regular screenings. Also, a better care to those who have bone loss.

The researchers also stated that little was known about a potential connection in the years preceding dementia and that inactivity and poor nutrition. Both of which are present in dementia patients, both cause bone loss, which is accelerated by inactivity.

The majority of the individuals in the study were Europeans over the age of 70. They poses a drawback in that the findings may not be generalizable to other races, ethnicities, and age groups.

Dr. Joel Salinas, is a behavioural neurologist, researcher at NYU Langone Health and the chief medical officer at Isaac Health in New York. He stated that he always believes that additional research is necessary to determine why there may be a relationship.

According to Salinas, “In this scenario, there could be a few reasons why there is an association between dementia and bone loss.”

He listed a few potential explanations:

  • These two illnesses have a strong connection to ageing.
  • Both disorders may be influenced by inflammation in some way.
  • nutrition, diet, and way of life.

Salinas continued, “Improving lifestyle factors like nutrition and activity levels can never be too late. Even if there are already symptoms of cognitive deterioration, putting out a conscious effort in these areas can help prevent the progression of dementia.

Common Bed Partners

In the elderly population, Low bone mineral density (BMD) and dementia frequently co-occur, with bone loss accelerating in dementia patients as a result of inactivity and poor nutrition. It’s unknown, though, how much bone loss already exists before dementia manifests.

The new findings are based on 3651 seniors (mean age 72 years, 58% women). These were dementia-free between 2002 and 2005 and participated in the Rotterdam Study.

Dual-energy radiography absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure BMD at the femoral neck, lumbar spine, and overall body at that time. The trabecular bone score, which provides additional information like bone microarchitecture, was also calculated. Up to January 1st, 2020, participants were monitored.

Age, sex, education, physical activity, smoking status, body mass index, blood pressure, cholesterol, history of comorbidities (stroke and diabetes), and apolipoprotein E genotype were all taken into account while doing the analyses.

In the 688 people who underwent follow-up who got dementia, the majority (77%), had Alzheimer’s disease.

Preventing bone loss

Dr. Nahid Rianon, a professor of general medicine at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston who was not involved in the study, responded to Medical News Today when asked what would account for the connection between poor bone density and dementia risk:

Although this is a very useful study, it is impossible to determine if low bone density causes dementia, whether dementia causes low bone density, or whether low bone density and dementia share a risk factor.

The findings are significant because each of the three hypotheses has a critical role to play. To prevent both fatal diseases, it is imperative to find out if they share a common cause.

According to Rivadeneyra, “Dementia and bone health are two typical diseases we all struggle with to some extent as we age, so it’s no surprise there would be a correlation.” “We are aware that smoking increases the risk of dementia, low bone density, and cardiorespiratory problems. As we age, alcohol misuse is also linked to weak bones and dementia. Many of these ‘age-related’ diseases we frequently see are caused by heart disease, prolonged pharmaceutical usage (for some medications), injuries and trauma, metabolic issues like thyroid disease or diabetes, and a strong family history (genetics).

Consuming a diet high in calcium and vitamin D is also essential.

Osteoporosis and women

Osteoporosis is a prominent factor in broken bones in older men and postmenopausal women. Although each bone in the body has the potential to fracture, hip, vertebral, and wrist fractures are the most common in older people.

According to Dr. Gayatri Devi, a neurologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, “women have a higher risk of osteoporosis and dementia, which could be related to decrease of oestrogen after menopause.”

According to Devi, those who engage in less physical activity—often older adults due to conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and stroke—have lower bone density and, thus, are at a greater risk for dementia.

The crucial conclusion, she continued, is that treating low bone density can lower the risk of dementia, fractures, and hospitalisation. “I think that everyone over the age of 50 should get a baseline bone density test because there is a good treatment, either through medication or exercise.”

Study limitations and implications

Dr. Wiggins noted that although other studies have described such relationships, since the majority of the patients in this study were in their 70s and of European heritage, they might not apply to other populations.

We must be careful not to conclude that lower bone density directly causes dementia, he cautioned, since this study merely found a link between bone and brain health.

Board-certified neuropsychologist Dr. Karen D. Sullivan, who runs the Pinehurst, North Carolina-based practise I CARE FOR YOUR BRAIN and was not engaged in the study, said:

The results of this study suggest that dementia may be more likely to strike those with inadequate bone density. According to Dr. Sullivan, this study “adds to the persuasive body of literature that demonstrates that maintaining bone health integrity is a crucial component of successful ageing.

“Evidence-based techniques for enhancing bone health after age 50 include putting a premium on high-quality animal/plant protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids, fruits and vegetables high in potassium, fibre, and foods high in calcium and vitamin D having the greatest study backing. In order to maintain strong, healthy bones as we age, frequent weight-loading and resistance exercises are also necessary, the expert concluded.

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New combination could reduce the risk of Prostate cancer.

New combination could reduce the risk of Prostate cancer.

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The effectiveness of talazoparib plus enzalutamide in treating metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in adult males was investigated in the TALAPRO-2 international phase 3 clinical trial.

Comparing talazoparib and enzalutamide therapy to placebo and enzalutamide therapy, a 37% lower risk of cancer progression or death was observed.

In 2023, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is anticipated to make a decision on the use of this combination therapy to treat men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer affects one in eight men in the United States and is the second most frequent cancer in males after skin cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.

Male hormones called androgens, such testosterone, promote the growth of prostate cancer cells. Even when blood testosterone levels are controlled, prostate cancer occasionally still progresses. Castration-resistant prostate cancer is the term for this.

Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer is the term used to describe a type of cancer that has migrated from the prostate gland to other bodily tissues like the lymph nodes and bones.

Treatment for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer has greatly advanced in recent years. Despite these advancements, cancer might recur after therapy because existing medicines only have a temporary impact.

Pfizer researchers have combined the drugs talazoparib (Talzenna) and enzalutamide to create a breakthrough treatment for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (Xtandi). In the phase 3 trial of TALAPRO-2, they evaluated the effectiveness and safety of this combination medication.

Dr. Neeraj Agarwal, professor of oncology and Presidential Endowed Chair of Cancer Research at Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah, and principal investigator for TALAPRO-2, delivered the trial’s findings at the 2023 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Conference.

Why this combination therapy?

Enzalutamide is a type of hormone therapy that has been approved for the treatment of prostate cancer in males. It functions by preventing testosterone from growing prostate cancer cells. Even after they have migrated to other parts of the body, without which they cannot proliferate.

The group of cancer medications known as poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors includes talazoparib. An enzyme (protein) called PARP is present in all cells and aids in the self-healing of injured cells. The repair activity of PARP in cancer cells is blocked by PARP inhibitors, which leads to the death of the cancer cells.

The FDA has authorised the PARP inhibitor talazoparib to treat germline (inherited) HER2-negative advanced breast cancer. However, has not yet licenced it to treat prostate cancer.

When combined with medications that restrict testosterone, PARP inhibitors may be beneficial for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer, according to earlier research.

This inspired Pfizer researchers to create a combination therapy that combines the testosterone-blocking drug enzalutamide with the PARP inhibitor talazoparib.

Study

Adult men from 26 different countries who had metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer were included in the trial in December 2017.

At random, the participants were given one of the following:

  • Enzalutamide 160 mg once daily and talazoparib 0.5 mg were given to 402 individuals.
  • Or, for 403 individuals, a placebo and enzalutamide 160 mg once daily.

The TALAPRO-2 trial’s main goal was to determine whether adding talazoparib to enzalutamide extends radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS)—the period of time patients remain cancer-free—in comparison to placebo plus enzalutamide.

To see if any study participants had defective DNA repair genes, the researchers also analysed the DNA from the cancer cells of all study participants.

Drug combo lowers cancer progression risk

The median follow-up period for the combination therapy group was 24.9 months. However, the group receiving placebo + enzalutamide experienced a median follow-up period of 24.6 months.

According to the findings, talazoparib plus enzalutamide significantly decreased the risk of disease progression or mortality compared to placebo and enzalutamide by 37%. This was true whether “homologous recombination repair,” or DNA repair gene mutations, were present or not (HRR).

Dr. Andrew J. noted that TALAPRO-2, which joins the PROPEL research, is the second randomised phase 3 trial to show a benefit with combination [androgen receptor] plus PARP inhibition in delaying rPFS in the first line [metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer] context.

According to Dr. Armstronf, “the delays in rPFS range from > 50% relative improvements in HRR+ patients to 30-40% improvements in HRR-undetected individuals.

The results of TALAPRO-2 “differ from what was seen in the MAGNITUDE study with niraparib and abiraterone. Those without HRR deficiency (biomarker negative) group were stopped early due to lack of efficacy,” added Dr. Cora N. Sternberg, a genitourinary cancer specialist at Weill Cornell Medicine who was not involved in the study.

Data on overall survival were “immature” when the trial findings were announced. This indicates that more research is required to evaluate whether combination therapy with talazoparib and enzalutamide extends patient survival when compared to placebo and enzalutamide.

Is the combination therapy safe?

The study assessed any negative effects that men may have had from combination therapy.

The most frequent negative consequences were:

  • (65.8%) Anemia
  • reduction in neutrophil count (35.7%)
  • exhaustion (33.7%)
  • reduction in platelet count (24.6%)
  • Leukocyte count dropped (22.1%).
  • a backache (22.1%)
  • loss of appetite (21.6%
  • sickness (20.6%).

According to Dr. Zorko, the severe anaemia and neutropenia in the combination therapy group are not surprising given what is known about the side effects of PARP inhibitors.

Also, he advised that “before beginning combination therapy, consideration should be given to the necessity for transfusions and dose cessation. Particularly since 49% of patients had anaemia previous to therapy.”

The time toxicity required to obtain transfusions and supportive care in the clinic may further lessen patients’ enthusiasm for this oral combo therapy, the doctor added.

According to Dr. Armstrong, “there is higher toxicity and cost to patients getting combination [treatment], but these are tolerable for most patients and do not seem to impede quality of life in the long run in most patients with [dose] changes and side effect control.”

Study limitations and next steps

The primary limitations of this trial, according to Dr. Scott T. Tagawa, professor of medicine and urology at Weill Cornell Medicine who was not involved in it, include “early data for overall survival as well as [unknown] long-term adverse events.”

Dr. Zorko added: “In the trial, only 5.2% of patients had received abiraterone treatment in the past. We will see more patients in this area as they become castration-resistant as [triple therapy with] androgen-deprivation therapy, docetaxel, abiraterone/prednisone is used more frequently in the metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer setting, but whether this specific subgroup benefits will be interesting to see.

The final stage of medication development was the phase 3 clinical trial. The FDA must now analyse the results of the clinical trials and make a determination regarding the applicability of this therapy to patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. In 2023, the FDA is anticipated to make a decision regarding the clinical application.

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Common sweetener in high doses may suppress immune system.

Common sweetener in high doses may suppress immune system.

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According to a recent study, sucralose, an artificial sweetener, lowers immunological responses in mice when given in large amounts. In particular, it lessens their T cells’ level of activation. Researchers emphasise that sucralose ingestion by humans in usual amounts is unlikely to be detrimental.

Researchers plan to investigate if this popular sweetener could be utilised to calm down overactive immune systems in the future in high doses.

Sucralose, which goes by the brand name Splenda, is one of several artificial sweeteners that have been given the go-ahead for usage in the US. The sugar substitute has 600 times more sweetness than regular sugar.

Sucralose was given the go-ahead by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1999 to be used as a general-purpose sweetener for food.

In order to better understand how nutrition affects disease, Dr. Karen Vousden’s team at the Francis Crick Institute in London decided to study sucralose. She is a specialist in cancer biology.

“Sweetener consumption is rising quickly around the world, and comprehensive research by numerous regulatory bodies have demonstrated that they are safe at levels of usual consumption,” she said.

There have been reports in recent years suggesting that sweeteners may have more impacts than previously believed, including an impact on the gut flora. Hence, we conducted a study to examine these sweeteners’ impact on mice. Karen Vousden, Ph.D.

They recently had a publication about their study appear in Nature. It indicates the scientists discovered that sucralose lowers mice’s immune systems when taken in large dosages.

Recommended sucralose consumption

Sucralose has an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 5 milligrammes per kilogramme of body weight per day, as set by the FDA. It has an ADI set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) of 15 mg per kg of body weight per day.

Sucralose amounts to 12 milligrammes every packet of Splenda. In the United States, a person weighing 150 pounds can consume 340 mg of sucralose per day and still meet the ADI.

The researchers provided mice with access to water that was comparable to the ADI suggested by the EFSA (.72 mg) and the FDA for rodents for the experiments they conducted for their study (.17 mg).

Higher doses of sucralose

In order to examine the potential impact of sucralose on the immune system, the researchers conducted a number of laboratory tests on the T cells, a subset of white blood cells, of mice and people.

In one experiment, scientists fed mice either 0.17 or 0.72 mg of sucralose or sodium saccharin, a chemically unrelated sweetener (NaS). For several cell types, neither the amount of sucralose nor the presence of NaS had any discernible impact.

Another experiment assessed the homeostatic expansion of donor T cells in mice that were given sucrose but were unable to develop mature T cells or B cells. The growth of vital adaptive immune system cells was only prevented by sucralose.

Overall, results from numerous studies indicated that high sucralose exposure reduces T cell proliferation and differentiation.

Dr. Vousden, the senior author of the study, told that the team was shocked that “the effect was so evident across several mice models” due to sucralose’s poor absorption.

Sucralose did not appear to affect the activity of other immune cells, which shocked her team as well. “We were also startled to discover such a particular effect of sucralose on T-cells — none of the other sweeteners had this effect,” she said.

Effects of sucralose

Sucralose or NaS administration to mice for up to 12 weeks did not influence their dietary habits or body weight, according to the research. It also had no discernible impact on the mice’s fasting insulin levels or glucose tolerance.

Sucralose has been demonstrated to have an impact on the gut microbiota in certain studies, including one from 2008. But, in this most recent publication, researchers found “no consistent alteration in the bacterial species” in the mice given sucralose-treated stools.

The researchers also opted to investigate the medicinal potential of sucralose in the management of autoimmune diseases. They did this by administering sucralose to NOD (nonobese diabetic) mice.

According to Vousden, sucrose does not necessarily have a detrimental impact on the immune system. The findings suggest that the sweetener might one day be utilised therapeutically to treat autoimmune diseases, according to her.

The researchers treated mice that were engineered to be predisposed to type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disorder that induces T cells to assault pancreatic cells, excessive dosages of the sweetener to test this notion in animals. Just approximately a third of the mice given the sweetener acquired diabetes after about 30 weeks; in contrast, all of the animals given simply water got the disease.

In the event that human studies reveal a similar outcome, according to Zani, he could imagine the sweetener being used in conjunction with more traditional immunosuppressive medications. As a result, doctors might be able to reduce the dosages of these medications. Walther believes that this line of enquiry is promising, particularly in light of the fact that sucralose is inexpensive to produce and would have less negative side effects.

long-term use of sucralose

In a 2018 study, Dr. Fabio Cominelli of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Ohio discovered that sucralose consumption by mice may negatively affect the intestinal flora. Dr. Cominelli is the director of the Digestive Health Research Institute.

Dr. Cominelli, who was not involved in the current study, stated that he was unsure of the reason why the microbiome did not undergo significant changes as reported by the researchers.

He did, however, draw MNT’s attention to the fact that the rodent testing relied on doses of the sweetener that are far greater than what humans generally ingest, meaning that the article may not be relevant to scientists interested in the long-term effects of sucralose on humans.

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Focused ultrasound can improve Parkinson’s symptoms?

Focused ultrasound can improve Parkinson’s symptoms?

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In a recent study, a novel, non-invasive method of using focused ultrasound to lessen Parkinson’s disease symptoms was presented. In order to disrupt the neural network that causes uncontrolled movement and motor dysfunction, the approach entails deleting a tiny neuron cluster.

Twice as many research participants received the new treatment than those who received sham care, and these improvements in symptoms frequently sustained for at least a year.

An innovative, noninvasive strategy for lowering dyskinesia, or uncontrollable movements, and motor impairment in Parkinson’s disease patients is presented in a recent study. Focused ultrasound is used in the novel technique.

When compared to trial participants who underwent a sham, or placebo, therapy, twice as many people reported improvement in dyskinesia and motor impairment three months after undergoing the incision-less procedure.

In 77% of individuals who responded to the medication, the gains persisted for up to a year. Patients who receive focused ultrasound therapy often return home the same day.

Gait issues, speaking difficulty, and eye disruption were among the infrequently reported negative effects by the researchers. The group that received the treatment experienced more severe adverse effects than the group that received a placebo.

Focused ultrasound

Focused ultrasound is a minimally invasive, non-surgical technique that causes an ablation in a region that reduces Parkinson’s and tremor symptoms. To produce a clear thermal lesion deep into the brain without harming nearby structures, we use focused ultrasonic waves. The basal ganglia are what we are primarily aiming for. A set of brain regions are involved in the coordination and control of movement. We employ a thermal imaging equipment for magnetic radiofrequency imaging (MRI) during the procedure. This gauges alterations in the skull’s temperature and enables us to guarantee the patient’s security.

The treatment is fantastic because it allows us to work on really delicate places securely, effectively, and with very minimal adverse effects.

Dopamine and L-DOPA

Parkinson’s disease is caused by low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the substantia nigra of the brain. This is brought on by the death of neurons that produce dopamine.

The predominant idea holds that autophagy, the brain’s housekeeping mechanism, has failed, causing an accumulation of waste that impairs brain function.

Dopamine synchronises various brain regions so that they are communicating with one another at the same frequency, according to Dr. Jean-Philippe Langevin, director of the Pacific Neuroscience Institute’s Restorative Neurosurgery and Deep Brain Stimulation Program, who was not involved in the study.

“Consider all these parts of the brain as walkie-talkies or phones trying to communicate, but the frequency at which they’re trying to communicate is off,” said Dr. Langevin. Movements become stiff, hesitant, and tremble as a result, and are no longer flowing.

Dr. Langevin stated that the absence of dopamine causes the motor system of the brain, which regulates movement, to be “quite noisy.” Researchers can actually recognise electrical noise as this “noise.” According to recent research, Parkinson’s disease actually causes some neuronal frequencies to rise.

Levodopa, also known as L-DOPA, which replenishes dopamine in the brain, is the most widely used medication for the illness.

Yet, for many people, the dyskinesia and motor dysfunction they encounter are genuine side effects of L-DOPA therapy. Over time, the medication’s effectiveness deteriorates as well.

New treatment

The novel method examined in the trial is based on an essential tremor medication that was previously authorised in 2016.

A small group of neurons in the globus pallidus area of the brain are removed or ablate during focused ultrasound therapy. By leaving scarring on the tissue, ablation causes tissue destruction.

Dr. Howard M. Eisenberg, co-author of the study and professor of neurosurgery at the University of Maryland Medical System, with the following explanation of how a little more than 1,000 sound energy beams ablate the target tissue:

“Like light, sound can be concentrated. Imagine you had a magnifying glass when you were a child. If you focused the sun’s rays on a piece of paper, you would receive a tiny dot of light that would then transform into heat and burn a hole in the paper. With sound, we may achieve the same results.

When the beams are concentrated and the intensity is strong enough, “you can burn a little hole in the brain” precisely at the target location without harming surrounding tissue, he told us.

In essence, Dr. Eisenberg said, “that’s how it works: Back to the future, similar to ablation that was done years ago for essential tremor, but using different technology.”

According to Dr. Eisenberg, the dyskinesia and motor dysfunction are not always brought on by the ablated neurons. Instead, “it’s a system of targets that are interconnected nuclei, and you’re interrupting that system,” he said.

Motives for excitement

If the procedure enables Parkinson’s patients to take less L-DOPA medication, then there are many reasons to be optimistic, according to Dr. Langevin.

According to Dr. Eisenberg, based on prior experience with essential tremor ablation, we can anticipate benefits in roughly 80% of patients, and they might last at least five years.

However, not every participant in the research benefited from this treatment. A few participants, according to Dr. Eisenberg, might have skulls that are less effective at transmitting acoustic energy.

The reason for this is that the skull is made up of two hard layers of bone sandwiched by a softer layer, “like an Oreo biscuit,” rather than being one solid piece of bone.

Focused ultrasound vs. DBS

Dr. Eisenberg pointed out that deep brain stimulation is thought to be more successful for treating essential tremors than ablation (DBS). DBS stimulates tissue rather than destroying it. Furthermore, Parkinson’s dyskinesia and motor disability are treatable by DBS.

DBS, however, necessitates creating one or more tiny holes in the skull through which a wire is placed and directed to the desired location in the brain. The wire is then attached to a tiny neurostimulator that has been inserted into the chest.

“They won’t consider it even though we always explain that deep brain stimulation has advantages over focused ultrasound,” Dr. Eisenberg said of individuals who would prefer it instead. Hence, it’s beneficial for individuals who simply don’t want deep brain stimulation, which is understandable.

Yet, he added, the advantages provided by the new focused ultrasound approach are still potent enough to be life-altering.

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Could matcha tea have anti-depressant properties?

Could matcha tea have anti-depressant properties?

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In the US, major depressive disorders are thought to affect 21 million persons. According to Japanese researchers, matcha tea powder may be able to reduce symptoms of sadness while also enhancing mood and cognitive function.

According to reports, the powder improves mental wellness by stimulating dopaminergic cerebral pathways. Further research involving human people is required, experts believe. Their study was conducted on mice.

A recent study in the journal Nutrients found that matcha tea powder can aid people in managing stress and depression. According to research, the traditional Japanese tea can improve depressive symptoms in mice who have previously suffered stress from social isolation, activate dopaminergic brain networks, and improve mood and mental function.

The health advantages of matcha have been emphasised. But, additional mechanistic research is needed, which is why the study was conducted on mice, according to experts from Japan’s Kumamoto University. They claimed that more study could contribute in the creation of better antidepressants.

Depression and dopamine

A mood disorder called depression can make it difficult for a person to function in daily life. A continuous sense of emptiness is one of the many symptoms that someone with depression may experience.

Depression still doesn’t have a known specific cause. Yet, some risk factors, including as going through painful experiences or having depressed family members, might raise a person’s likelihood of getting depression.

Many of the basic elements of depression are still not fully understood, and researchers are continually trying to comprehend them. How neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine affect depression is one topic of investigation.

Dopamine, a chemical messenger that affects motivation and mood, is thought by some experts to play a role in depression.

How to treat depression?

The researchers made note of the fact that depression continues to afflict an increasing number of people and is the most common mental health disorder in the world.

Its onset varies, but it is thought to be caused by a decline in dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine is an important neurotransmitter and hormone that helps people feel better.

Low dopamine levels can be treated with antidepressants, although many have negative effects. Antidepressant resistance can also develop in patients, necessitating increased dosages or drug adjustments.

Matcha tea and its impact on depression

Matcha, a type of tea that has been around for a while, is made from the Camellia sinensis plant, which has a lot of happy-making substances in its leaves.

Regular matcha drinking, according to researchers, has been shown to reduce anxiety-like behaviour in rats during prior experiments by triggering dopamine function via dopamine D1 receptor signalling.

Researchers lead by Dr. Yuki Kurauchi of Kumamoto University examined the impact of matcha tea powder on depression in socially isolated mice. The team stressed social isolation on both stress-tolerant BALB/c and stress-sensitive C57BL/6J mice.

They claimed that giving the stress-prone rats an oral dose of a matcha tea suspension appeared to lower their levels of depression. This was determined by how well the mice performed in tail suspension experiments, which are frequently used to gauge mouse sadness.

In contrast to stress-tolerant mice, matcha tea only decreased the immobility time in stress-susceptible mice who were more stressed out by social isolation and showed more depressive-like behaviour. stated Kurauchi in a statement.

The prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens were activated in the stress-susceptible mice following matcha consumption, according to a brain examination of the mice. These areas are vital for regulating dopamine levels in the brain as they represent a significant component of the dopaminergic circuit.

Their activation would normally enhance dopamine levels, improving mood, as shown by an increase in the number of cells expressing c-Fos, a critical marker of brain activity.

Experts on matcha tea study

Although there are differences between mice and humans, experts told Healthline they were optimistic about the findings.

Dr. Kelly Johnson-Arbor, a medical toxicologist and the director of the National Capital Poison Center, stated that there isn’t much data on how matcha might effect depression in people. Also, the best dose and time frame for using matcha to prevent or treat depression haven’t been determined.

It’s not yet clear whether matcha can affect people’s moods. According to Johnson-Arbor, Healthline. Matcha has not been clearly demonstrated to be useful in preventing the onset of depression in humans, despite the fact that most healthy people may be able to incorporate it into their daily routine as part of a healthy, balanced diet.

She continued, “Before adopting matcha or any other natural therapy to treat depression symptoms, people should always see their doctor.”

Experts Opinion

Matcha has high levels of L-theanine, an amino acid that relaxes the brain and nervous system, according to Victoria Chan, a licenced naturopathic doctor who specialises in integrative mental health and has medical training in pharmaceuticals. This lessens the jittery effects of the tea’s natural caffeine.

The root causes of depression are still being discovered by scientists, according to Chan. Contrary to common belief, ‘chemical imbalances’ or imbalanced neurotransmitters are not the exclusive cause of depression. Digestion, hormones, immune reactions, thyroid, detoxification, allergic responses, nutrition, liver, heredity, and stress responses are just a few of the many elements that might contribute to depression.

According to Chan, matcha reduces depression in ways other than via influencing neurotransmitters.

According to Chan, if antidepressant medicine is not successfully treating your depression, the underlying cause may not be entirely controlled by neurotransmitters, which antidepressant medications primarily target. If so, you might benefit from treating your depression with substances that support various biological pathways, such as matcha, and from employing methods that do so.

Some cautions on the study

According to Dr. Zeeshan Afzal, a dermatologist and medical advisor for the artificial intelligence healthcare platform Welzo, matcha’s L-theanine and caffeine can work together to enhance brain function.

Afzal cautioned against becoming overly euphoric, though. He stated that the study conducted on mice “may offer some insights into the potential antidepressant.” “It’s vital to keep in mind that the results might not apply to humans. Because of the physiological variations between mice and humans, there are frequently notable discrepancies in how medications and therapies affect the two species.

Further affective human studies, according to Afzal, are required.

“Matcha could potentially become a natural alternative or complementary treatment for depression,” he added. “If subsequent studies confirm the antidepressant effects of matcha.” To diagnose and treat depression, people with the condition should always seek the advice of a trained healthcare expert, it is crucial to note that there is still much research to be done in this area.

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Does the contraceptive pill increase risk of breast cancer?

Does the contraceptive pill increase risk of breast cancer?

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Researchers looked into the connection between breast cancer risk and the usage of hormonal contraceptives. They discovered that using progestin-only contraceptives raises breast cancer risk in a manner similar to using both types of contraceptives.

According to them, doctors should consider the advantages and disadvantages of patients using hormonal contraceptives.

Almost 65% of women between the ages of 15 and 49 used some form of contraception between 2017 and 2019, with 14% of them using the pill. The progestin-only pill and the combined pill, which contains both progestin and estrogen-based components. These are the two types of contraceptive tablets available.

Progesterone is a naturally occurring hormone, and progestin, or progestogen, is a synthetic version of it. Those who use combination contraceptives have a marginally higher chance of developing breast cancer within 10 years of use, according to a meta-analysis from 1996.

The use of contraceptives that exclusively contain progestin, such as pills, injectables, implants, and intrauterine devices (IUDs), has increased recently. From 1.9 million in 2010 to 3.3 million in 2020, England saw an increase in prescriptions for medications. However, the effect of progestin-only contraceptives on breast cancer risk has received little attention in the past.

Researchers recently looked into the connection between the usage of hormonal contraceptives and the risk of breast cancer. They discovered that progestin-only contraceptives marginally raise the risk of breast cancer, similar to combination tablets.

What is the contraceptive pill?

The term “the pill” also refers to the oral contraceptive. In the UK, it is a widely used method of birth control. To avoid getting pregnant, take the contraceptive pill orally. The body’s hormones regulate the menstrual cycle (periods). By altering these hormones’ concentrations, the pill stops conception.

You may learn more about the two major forms of contraceptive pills on the NHS website:

  • The combination pill is a medication that combines both oestrogen and progestogen.
  • The little tablet (also called the progestogen-only pill or POP). Just progestogen is present in this tablet.

There are additional hormonal contraceptives on the market. On them and the risk of cancer, there is limited research. You can learn more about the various forms of contraception from your doctor.

Data on hormonal contraceptives use

The study’s authors examined medical information from a primary care database in the UK. They included information from 18,171 women without breast cancer and 9,498 women under 50 who had the disease.

Together, 44% of breast cancer survivors and 39% of non-survivors had a prescription for hormonal contraception. They were for progestin-only preparations around half of the time.

In the end, the researchers discovered that taking combination contraceptive pills elevated the risk of breast cancer by 23%. They also discovered that oral contraceptives that contain solely progestin raised the incidence of breast cancer by 29%.

Injectables, implants, and intrauterine devices (IUDs) are examples of other progestin-only formulations that raised the risk of breast cancer by 18%, 28%, and 21%, respectively.

According to the study, breast cancer incidence increased after five years of oral contraceptive usage in women between the ages of 35 and 39, rising from 265 per 100,000 users to 8 per 100,000 in those between 16 and 20.

Oral birth control and breast cancer risk

City of Hope Orange County’s medical director for women’s health and medical oncology, Dr. Irene M. Kang, was not involved in the research.

“Because all medications have dangers and advantages, talking to your doctor about any worries you have is very important. A few adverse consequences of oral contraceptives are blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes. In altering the levels of oestrogen and progesterone, research has revealed that oral contraceptives can affect a person’s chance of developing specific malignancies – in some circumstances, such as ovarian and endometrial cancers, downwardly; in other situations, upwardly. Family planning and more controlled menstrual cycles are additional advantages.

Medical oncologist Dr. Lilian Harris, who was not involved in the study, concurred that hormonal contraceptives offer advantages and disadvantages:

For instance, they can aid in the treatment of acne, fibroids, endometriosis, and menstrual pain in addition to protecting against pelvic inflammatory disease. Also, it has been demonstrated that they lower the risk of uterine cancer. On the other hand, any medicine could have hazards. These side effects for oral contraceptives can include higher risk for breast cancer as well as nausea, headaches, and breast discomfort.

Study limitations 

Dr. Kang said that the study’s shortcomings include that it only explains short-term risk associations rather than long-term danger because of the way it was designed.

Not a part of the study, according to Dr. Kristina Shaffer, a breast surgery oncologist at Novant Health Cancer Institute:

“In addition, the study included premenopausal women, a population whose incidence of breast cancer is lower, suggesting that other variables could have been to blame for the study’s findings of a slightly greater risk. While the study did take into account some of the recognised risk factors for breast cancer, it did not take into account family history, genetic predisposition, or history of atypical breast cells, all of which are known to have an impact on the risk of breast cancer.

Implications for contraceptives use

As a non-participant in the study, Dr. Parvin Peddi is a board-certified medical oncologist who serves as the Margie Petersen Breast Center’s director of breast medical oncology at Providence Saint John’s Health Center and an associate professor of medical oncology at Saint John’s Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, California.

The important takeaway from this study is that despite the perception of a lower risk of perinatal cancer, women do not always need to choose a birth control pill that only contains progesterone. – Doctor Peddie

However, Dr. Peddie emphasised that the absolute risk of breast cancer from any of these drugs is relatively low, and this study should not discourage women from using birth control methods that contain hormones.

Less than 0.5% of women aged 35 to 39 who used these drugs showed a risk of breast cancer, and even fewer women who took them earlier.

For instance, a relative rise of 20% would raise the risk of breast cancer in a 30-year-old woman from 5% to 6%. And for this reason, the study came to the conclusion that there was a modest increase in the risk of breast cancer,” she said.

Dr. Kang also pointed out: “Like all cancers, the risk of developing breast cancer rises with age and, in this case, also with the duration of hormonal contraception use.

It may be more advantageous for you to switch to a hormone-free birth control if you have a higher chance of developing breast cancer. Get treatment from a doctor who specialises in your particular type of cancer if you are diagnosed with breast cancer.

Self-exams and screenings are crucial because “early detection of breast cancer is one of the most significant factors in successfully treating this disease,” Dr. Kang said.

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Are Frozen Strawberries linked with Hepatitis Outbreak?

Are Frozen Strawberries linked with Hepatitis Outbreak?

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Reports

Due to hepatitis A infections, the FDA announced voluntary recalls on some frozen strawberry goods from California Splendor, Inc. and Scenic Fruit Company. The recalled goods were distributed all around the country, including in Trader Joe’s and Costco stores.

The best way for people to protect themselves, according to experts, is to wash their hands frequently. Also, avoid touching raw or undercooked meat, and get vaccinated against hepatitis A.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), two businesses are voluntarily recalling their organic frozen strawberries. This is due to the connection to five viral hepatitis A illnesses.

Following the FDA’s opening of an investigation into a hepatitis A outbreak, two businesses California Splendor, Inc., and Scenic Fruit Company voluntarily recalled some frozen strawberry goods. These include labels like Trader Joe’s Organic Tropical Fruit Mix. This is sold under its own name, and Kirkland Signature, which is available at some Costco locations.

Washington State has seen all five of the hepatitis A infections linked to frozen strawberries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s conceivable that additional people had symptoms from the recalled product but did not report them.

The hepatitis A virus has not yet been identified in any of the items. However, every sick person said they had eaten frozen strawberries before getting sick.

“Five cases product was withdrawn. According to Robert Fontana, MD, professor of internal medicine in the division of gastroenterology and hepatology at Michigan Medicine. He said that they don’t want anyone to acquire it because it’s a public health issue. “It doesn’t matter how healthy you are; you can get sick as an adult even if you’re completely healthy.”

What Is Hepatitis A?

According to Chloe Thio, MD, professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases at Johns Hopkins Medicine, hepatitis A is a foodborne sickness that affects the liver.

She said that liver cells are where the virus enters. In the majority of cases, the infection will simply be eliminated by your immune system. Some will are those who will experience significant liver cell disintegration. While others may not experience any symptoms at all.

Dr. Thio pointed out that hepatitis A is transmitted by the fecal-oral route. This means that infection occurs when a person unintentionally consumes blood or stool contaminated with the virus.

Dr. Thio stated that even though the FDA has not identified the precise source of the contamination in the instance of these frozen strawberries, the fruit most likely acquired contaminated with the hepatitis A virus during the growing or processing process. It’s likely that some of the individuals handling the berries contracted hepatitis A while doing so, or that tainted water was used to irrigate the plants.

Each year or two, the country is affected by these food-related outbreaks, which are frequently caused by tainted produce, according to Dr. Fontana. Because of the FDA and CDC’s involvement and ability to identify it and pull the product, most outbreaks are self-limited.

This outbreak is related to another hepatitis A outbreak that affected fresh strawberries around 10 months ago and that appears to have started in the same region—Baja California, Mexico—as this one. Dr. Fontana speculated that in order to ensure that this won’t happen again, additional government bodies may need to look into emerging practises in this area.

Hepatitis A Symptoms

If you have this infection, your liver is inflamed because of the virus. Numerous children, in particular, lack symptoms in some persons. Others may have:

  • Jaundice (yellow eyes and skin)
  • belly ache
  • dark urine
  • reduced appetite
  • uneasy stomach
  • Vomiting
  • Itching
  • Light-colored faeces
  • aching joints
  • Fever
  • Diarrhea
  • Fatigue

Although they may recur for up to six months, these issues often go away after around two months. Even if you feel healthy, the hepatitis A virus can still be transferred. Additionally, you can spread it in the two weeks prior to and the first week following the onset of your symptoms.

How to Avoid Getting Sick?

Dr. Thio noted that even though the recall was extensive, it does not necessarily follow that each and every package of organic frozen strawberries is hepatitis A-positive.

According to Dr. Thio, the frozen strawberries are unlikely to contaminate other foods in a person’s refrigerator and would even be safe to consume if the virus on the fruit were to be killed by heating it at high temperatures. Yet in situations like this, it’s preferable to be cautious than sorry.

Dr. Thio remarked, “I wouldn’t eat them. Hepatitis A may thrive in nooks and crannies, especially in strawberries, so even after washing the fruit, there may still be some contamination.

Hepatitis A symptoms might vary in intensity, although they can occasionally be very severe. Some people might go through:

  • yellow eyes or skin
  • abdominal pain
  • Fever
  • faeces with a pale tone or dark urine
  • Diarrhea
  • aching joints

Drs. Fontana and Thio concurred that hepatitis A infections can be somewhat more problematic for elderly individuals, those with impaired immune systems, and those with underlying liver diseases. Rarely, individuals in these higher-risk groups could develop liver failure or even pass away from the infection.

Beyond the symptoms, Scott Meschke, PhD, professor in the department of environmental and occupational health science at the University of Washington School of Public Health, said that hepatitis A outbreaks are also dangerous because infected individuals may spread the disease to other members of their household or customers if they work in the food service industry.

Individuals are most contagious in the one to two weeks before to the onset of symptoms, which may present additional opportunities for virus transmission.

Outbreak

When consumers are harmed by contaminated food, firms are sometimes plainly to fault. According to NPR, the former Head of a company that marketed peanuts received a 28-year prison sentence in 2015 for knowing selling goods that were tainted with salmonella. He replied in an email, “Just ship it.

But because they are picked by hand, lack any natural defences like a peel or shell, cannot be washed thoroughly without causing damage, and are often not cooked before consumption, berries are particularly susceptible to contamination. Even when businesses and employees are cautious and adhere to best procedures, they are therefore more likely to be contaminated at the moment of consumption than, for example, a watermelon or an avocado, according to Detwiler.

Because the water at the farm is contaminated, perhaps by animal excrement, faecal matter infected with Hepatitis A could be transferred by employees who haven’t cleansed their hands. Another potential point of contamination on the path to consumers is the freezing of berries after they have been harvested.

The CDC advises people to get in touch with their state agency as soon as possible if they have any reason to believe they may have consumed a contaminated berry. Also, medical specialists can help to alleviate the problem if a person learns they may have been infected with hepatitis A while in close contact with others.

Because hepatitis A is contagious, it is advised that household contacts receive a dose of the vaccination within two weeks, according to Dr. Fontana. He noted that some people might also have an immune globulin treatment, which strengthens the immune system, in the two weeks following exposure.

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