If You can Tolerate Take Aspirin to Prevent Cancer in Lynch Syndrome

If somebody can tolerate, aspirin may help to prevent cancer in lynch syndrome. Lynch syndrome is a rare inherited condition of genetic fault that increases the risk of colon cancer and other cancers.

Alternatively, Lynch syndrome is also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). It is estimated that 3 out of every 100 colon cancers are from Lynch syndrome.

Image via Wikipedia; Colon CancerCancer cases are set to increase by 45 per cent over the next two decades, research suggests. However, survival rates have doubled over the past 40 years, according to the study published in the British Journal of Cancer.

Cancer Research UK, studied 861 patients with Lynch syndrome; half were given 600 mg of aspirin in two divided doses for two years and the remainder were given placebo or dummy pills.

Initially, the researchers found no change in cancer rates between the two groups. But, when they followed up; after five years a significant difference was detected. 
By 2010 a total of 19 new bowel cancers had been identified among those given aspirin and 34 among the placebo group - a cut of 44 per cent among those taking the drug.

When researchers focused on the 60 per cent of patients who they believed to have definitely adhered to the doses schedule for at least two years, found an even more striking result.

Just ten cancers were discovered in the aspirin group compared with 23 in the placebo group, a cut of 63 per cent.

Rates of other cancers linked to Lynch syndrome were almost halved by taking aspirin.

The possible serious adverse effects of aspirin can be gastrointestinal bleeding and brain haemorrhage; but it can be of help in those selected cases who are less prone to the adverse effects.
The physician is the best guide for the advice in case to case basis.

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Targeting Triple Negative Breast Cancer with Herpes Virus

Triple negative negative breast cancer (TNBC) treatment has limited options, in the sense that hormonal manipulation can not be achieved here as those lack the protein for targeting.
Researchers from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City suggest that triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) might respond to treatment with an oncolytic agent. The findings were reported at the American College of Surgeons 97th Annual Clinical Congress.
They found that [ the genetically modified herpes virus] NV1066 is an effective oncolytic agent against triple-negative breast cancer.
 Image via Wikipedia; Herpes Virus Replication
Since sometime it has been seen that some viruses home in certain tumor cores best suited for their replication. Those viruses effectively target the tumor tissue and not the normal tissue. So those can be used as vector to deliver drugs precisely in the tumor and achieve tumor death.
The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is known to be important in TNBC, and activated (phosphorylated) MAPK signaling has been shown to mediate efficient replication of NV1066 through the deletion of the delta gamma(1)34.5 gene.
TNBC cells have high levels of phosphorylated MAPK, a protein that promotes tumor growth and contributes to resistance to current therapies. The herpes virus specifically targets cells that over express this protein.
Dr. Gholami and colleagues infected 5 different TNBC cell lines with the NV1066 herpes simplex virus. After treatment with the virus, the most sensitive cell lines demonstrated a 90% cell kill rate within 1 week; the less sensitive lines demonstrated a 70% cell kill rate.
In addition, sensitive cell lines expressed higher baseline levels of phosphorylated MAPK than resistant cell lines, and viral infection caused the down regulation of phosphorylated MAPK by 48 hours, she reported.
Oncolytic viruses are being studied in head and neck cancers, but this study is the first to show promise in TNBC. If additional animal studies are also positive, human clinical trials are expected.
The questioned remains, whether the use of an oncolytic virus can produce an immune response in the host needs to be addressed.
Read more about TNBC;
Lower vitamin D associated with breast cancer
Ways to target TNBC

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Gestational Bisphenol A Exposure may Cause Several Problems in Kids Including Behavioral Problem

Bisphenol A is found in plastic material found in baby feeding bottles, some food packages, canned food and can have many more unknown sources.

Its association in with immunity problem and diorder in brain development in children has not been conclusively disproved.

Now, a new research in greater Cincinnati, Ohio-area, published in the Journal of Pediatrics links it to development of behavioral problem in kids aged 3 years; and more so in female children. They were found to be more anxious and over-active than those only exposed to small amounts of the chemical.

 Image via Wikipedia; Bisphenol A

It may be due to consumption of bisphenol A contaminated food and other beverages during pregnancy by the mothers.

The researchers found that Almost all women had BPA in their urine, at an average concentration of two micrograms per liter. For every 10-fold increase in that concentration during pregnancy, girls -- but not boys -- had significantly higher scores on tests for anxiety and depression; and had worse behavioral and emotional control.

A higher BPA concentration in kids' urine at ages one, two and three wasn't linked to behavioral or emotional problems, the researchers reported in Pediatrics.
In the surveys, where a score of 50 represents an average kid and an increase between nine and 12 points, "a fairly sizable effect" that parents would probably be able to notice; and a score of about 65 on the tests "would be in the concerning range."
It has been seen that bisphenol A mimics many hormones and chemical mediators in body; so during brain development might be interfering with function of those in the developmental pathway; later giving rise to behavioral problem.
It’s use has already been banned in many European countries as well as many other countries. Also, it has been voluntarily withdrawn from the market by the manufacturers in some countries.

Though, it has not been conclusively proved and more research is needed; it is better to avoid the chemical than to remain concerned for the future of the child.

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• BPA in pregnant women might affect girls' behaviour (cbc.ca)

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Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis means porous bone. Osteopenia is the precursor of osteoporosis. In both the conditions the bone becomes more fragile and more susceptible to fractures.

It affects men as well as women. One out of every two women and one out of every four men over 50 are prone to develop osteoporosis-related fracture of the hip, vertebrae or wrist in their lifetime.
Image via Wikipedia

Women having early menopause and post-menopausal women are prone for osteoporosis due to insufficient female hormone oestrogen. Men having low levels of testosterone before his forties, or in conjunction with obesity are also prone for it.

Lack of proper nutrition due to various reasons like eating disorders, surgeries on stomach and intestine; diet low in vitamin D and calcium; people having diseases that hamper absorption of calcium; people suffering from kidney diseases having low level of vitamin D can put them at risk.

Medication like steroids, anti-convulsants, or anticoagulation therapy for a long time can affect bone density. Cigarette smoking, drinking too much alcohol, and leading a sedentary life also puts one at risk for osteoporosis.

These are some of the wide range of risk factors and something can be done to help prevent osteoporosis. The first step perhaps is to incorporate calcium into diet. There are many sources of calcium dairy products, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, collard greens, spinach, sardines, and some other types of fishes.

Most vitamin D is synthesized in skin from exposure to sun light, but older people are poor synthesizers of vitamin D; so people in their sixties and seventies need vitamin D supplements.

Lifestyle modification and weight-bearing exercises are principal steps to strengthen legs and hips and help to maintain a healthy blood  flow to the bones.

Even if somebody has osteoporosis, exercise is important. The only difference is that the exercises should be specifically designed for people with weak bones. People with osteoporosis should not perform any kind of strenuous, high-impact aerobics.

Oestrogen replacement therapy that was once favoured has gone out of favour because of various risks including that of developing breast cancer.

Bisphosfonates are the group of drugs that help to increase bone mass and reduce the incidence of fractures, though atypical fractures are reported. The most dangerous side effect of bisphosphonates is oteonecrosis of the jaw, where bone does not heal after dental work. So now dentists are very careful not to do major dental work in people who are taking these drugs.

Raloxifene, a selective oestrogen-receptor modulator prescribed to the patients of breast cancer also prevent osteoporosis. Calcium metabolism related hormones like calcitonin is co-prescribed with calcium to the patients.

Another one is teriparatide, an injectable form of human parathyroid hormone, which regulates calcium metabolism; also has been approved for treatment of osteoporosis in men and post-menopausal women.

One important consideration is to prevent fall in people who have significant osteoporosis. If an individual has osteoporosis and has difficulty in moving around, specific changes need to be made in their surroundings.

Lifestyle modification, aerobic weight bearing exercise, appropriate sun exposure, healthy food with supplementation of minerals and vitamin D will go a long way in preventing osteoporosis; and is better to prevent it than try to cure it.

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Call to Shorten The Time Since Heart Attack to Intervention in Hospital

The time since heart attack to angioplasty in hospitals is often delayed. After heart attack the blocked artery that was supplying the area of heart muscle dies and gradually replaced by fibrous tissue. That causes dysfunction  in the muscular contraction. Angiography and angioplasty was typically delayed till patient gets stabilized.
 Image via Wikipedia

The time taken in re-establishing the circulation to the part of tissue is crucial for the health of the muscle.

The current guideline says;

• That for patients with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction who is candidate to receive primary percutaneous coronary intervention that the time from hospital arrival to mechanical reperfusion, should not exceed 90 minutes.

In developed countries during the last five years the door-to-balloon time has declined markedly with corresponding increases in the percentage of patients who had times <90 minutes.

More liaison between the primary care center and the higher centers having the facility of angioplasty is the key, besides the quick mode of transport.

It is the time for India act in this direction to minimize the complication rate after a heart attack.

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A Molecule from Broccoli Sulforaphane Increases the Effectiveness of Steroid in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Researchers discover why steroid treatment for COPD is ineffective

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) leads to persistent inflammation of the airways and is typically managed with corticosteroids, a class of anti-inflammatory medication. However, corticosteroids do not improve survival nor alter the progression of COPD and may reduce lung symptoms as little as 20 percent.
 Image of COPD in X-Rays Chest
A new study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, found why corticosteroids do not work well for COPD patients and additional treatment with sulforaphane—an ingredient of broccoli and other vegetables—can improve the effectiveness of corticosteroids. The study was published online October 17, 2011, in advance of print in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
Exacerbations of the disease occur due to super-added infections and inflammation that increases the obstruction to breathing. It has been seen that nitrosamine in cigarette smoke causes S-nitrosylation of of Histone Deacetylase 2 (HDAC2). 
HDAC2 takes a critical part in the chain reaction to enable corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. S-nitrosylation causes HDAC2 dysfunction and leads to corticosteroid insensitivity in the alveolar defence by macrophages (White blood Cells) of the lungs of individuals with COPD. This also cases defect in phagocytosis, a process of uptake of the offending bacteria by the macrophages. HDAC2 is substantially reduced in the lung tissue of individuals with COPD.  

The study showed that sulforaphane could increase expression of receptors that improve macrophage phagocytic function. Sulphorafane activates Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2) pathwayand  restores the ability of macrophages to phagocytose the bacteria and clear lungs of the organisms. 

Furthermore, the research team found that treatment with sulforaphane restored HDAC2 activity and corticosteroid sensitivity. 

Restoring corticosteroid sensitivity in patients with COPD by targeting the Nrf2 pathway holds promise for effectively treating exacerbations. This molecule is found in broccoli, cabbage and other cruciferous vegetables.

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• Researchers discover why steroid treatment for COPD is ineffective (medicalxpress.com)
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Blood Sugar Estimation By Laser Beam

The simple thought of finger pricking is frightening for some and when it comes to the diabetics, who need constant blood sugar monitoring at frequent interval is perhaps very scary.

Scientists from University of Toronto are working on beam of near infra-red light to estimate blood sugar without a finger prick or puncturing a vein. The device can be used in hospitals as well as in home.

The chemical bonds in sugar molecules absorbs energy as the beam of light passes through human tissue harmlessly; and this absorption is measured by the device; that can provide information about the concentration of glucose in the blood.
The scientists are stranded in a point to make sure that other things in the blood should not absorb the near-infrared.
The lead scientist Mandelis and his team used mid-infrared light, which is absorbed by glucose and not by other molecules in the blood; but with one major exception; water that makes up most of blood volume and can absorb the light.
They used 2 beams that are tuned to slightly different wavelengths:

One is absorbed by both water and glucose, the other by only water. When both beams strike dissolved glucose in concert, the water absorptions cancel each other out, giving off measurable heat that spotlights just the sugar.

So far, it’s proven sensitive even to small quantities of glucose. And the team is working with a Toronto hospital to set up tests with people.
Published in smartplanet

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Low Intensity Ultrasound May Help in Healing Fractures Quickly

Image via Wikipedia

Low intensity ultrasound may help healing fractures, reported in MedicalXpres. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) is delivered by a device for 20 minutes per day and is painless.
The LIPUS device comprises a hand held control unit attached by wire to a small ultrasound emitter, which is placed over the fracture site for 20 minutes per day. Patients in this study had all sustained a tibial shaft fracture that subsequently showed inadequate progress toward healing and were randomized to receive either a functional or non-functional device.
The estimated increase in BMD among subjects randomized to active LIPUS treatment was 34% larger. According to Block, "This is the first study to offer Level-I evidence of this effect in a single fracture type".
The Low intensity pulsed ultrasound is a specific ultrasound signal of (1.5 MHz ultrasound pulsed at 1 kHz, 20% duty cycle, 30 mW/cm(2) intensity (SATA)).
In a study it was seen that LIPUS treatment accelerated the healing time in fresh tibia, radius and scaphoid fractures by up to 40%. Additionally, it had been been seen to be effective at resolving all types of nonunions of all ages, following a wide range of fracture types.

Healing of fractures is a complex issue involving many processes in the body. It also depends on the age; pre-existing diseases like chronic kidney disease and osteoporosis; infection of fracture site and proper immobilization etc.. Still, about 5% to 10% of fractures may land in delayed or non-union. Most of fracture healing takes place within six months, whereas it may take 1 year to regain full strength.
LIPUS has been demonstrated to accelerate all stages of the fracture repair process (inflammation, soft callus formation, hard callus formation) through an increase in cell proliferation, protein synthesis, collagen synthesis, membrane permeability, integrin expression, and increased cytosolic Ca(2+) levels as well as other increased indicators of bone repair.
In particular, it accelerated mineralisation with increase in osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase, VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) and MMP-13 expression. Expression of Integrins, a family of mechanoreceptors present on a wide range of cells are also involved in the fracture healing process.
Downstream of the integrin activation, focal adhesions occur on the surface of cells with the activation of multiple signalling pathways, including the ERK, NF-kappabeta, and PI3 kinase pathways. These pathways have been directly linked to the production of COX-2 and prostaglandin, which are key to the processes of mineralisation and endochondral ossification in fracture healing.
Though considerable amount of information has been revealed about the behavior of osteoblasts under low-intensity pulsed ultrasound exposure, it appears that the exact mechanism of action is complex.
LIPUS with other conventional and novel tissue-regeneration manipulations may be combined to develop new treatment strategies for large-scale bone Injuries.

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Drug for Erectile Dysfunction Tadalafil Relieves Symptoms of BPH

Image via WikipediaOn Oct. 6th, 2011; The U.S. FDA has approved tadalafil to treat the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH); and for BPH and erectile dysfunction (ED); if co-exist.

Image via WikipediaBPH is a condition in male, where the prostate gland becomes enlarged surrounding the urethra causing obstruction to the free flow of urine. Symptoms may include sudden urge to urinate (Urgency), difficulty in starting urination (Hesitancy), a weak urine stream and more frequent urination especially at night.

In two clinical trials, men with BPH who took 5 milligrams of tadalafil once daily experienced a statistically significant improvement in their symptoms of BPH compared to men who were treated with placebo.
In a third study, men who were suffering from both erectile dysfunction (ED) and BPH; and took 5 mg of this drug once daily experienced improvement in symptoms of both the BPH and ED compared to the men who were treated with placebo.
Tadalafil, sildenafil, and vardenafil all act by inhibiting the phophodiestarage (PDE)5 enzyme that delays degradation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which regulates blood flow in the penis; more blood goes to penile musculature and less returns, making it turgid; and helps patients of erectile dysfunction.
Tadalafil inhibits PDE11 more than sildenafil or vardenafil. PDE11 is expressed in skeletal muscle, the prostate, the liver, the kidney, the pituitary gland and the testes. Possibly this side effect helps in relaxation of prostatic smooth muscle helping in better urinary stream in BPH.
Tadalafil should not be used in patients taking nitrates, for example nitroglycerin, because the combination can cause an unsafe decrease in blood pressure. Also, the use of tadalafil in combination with alpha blockers for the treatment of BPH is not recommended because the combination has not been adequately studied for the treatment of BPH, and there is a risk of lowering blood pressure.
The FDA had earlier approved eight other drugs to treat symptoms of BPH: finasteride, dutasteride, dutasteride plus tamsulosin, and the alpha blockers: terazosin, doxazosin, tamsulosin, alfuzosin and silodosin.
Now, tadalafil will be another armor with the doctors to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia.

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Malaria Control by Bendiocarb Indoor and Bed-net Spray

Malaria parasite has acquired resistance to many commonly used insecticides. DDT has been banned in several countries. The mosquito has become resistant to gamaxane and permethrin.
 Image of Ring form of Plasmodium Falciparum  via Wikipedia
Bendiocarb, a carbamate insecticide, though voluntarily recalled by its manufacturer for potential toxic effects; if contaminates the water sources etc.; showing good result in Africa as indoor wall spray and use in bed-net.
As seen by the investigators, the transmission of malaria parasite has decreased substantially there. Perhaps it can be used with some precautions in some malaria prone pockets of India.

 

 

 

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