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Tuesday, 28 February 2017
Plain packets help smokers quit by killing brand identities
Was Kim Jong-nam killed by VX nerve gas? Doesn’t look like it
More Exercise, Fewer Pounds: Cut Your Heart Failure Risk
Link was stronger for common but difficult-to-treat type of heart failure
Source: HealthDay via Exercise and Physical Fitness New Links: MedlinePlus RSS Feed Read More Here..
Cell 'stickiness' could indicate cancer spread
BPA-free water bottles may contain another harmful chemical
Living with anxiety: 'I can't leave house'
Four questions predict need for skin prick test
Four simple questions can help GPs identify patients who think they have allergy don’t, study finds Related items from OnMedica Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis Doctor, do I have a food allergy? Good evidence for sublingual immunotherapy Giving babies eggs and peanuts early cuts allergy risk Fewer allergies in those who lived early life on a farm |
Electric appliances can impact on pacemaker function
Household appliances have an effect but biggest risk from workplace machinery Related items from OnMedica Short battery life of pacemakers puts patients at risk of serious complications Health risks over use of Tasers Atrial fibrillation poses greater risk for women than men AF screening with smartphone cheap and feasible |
The feeling you get when nails scratch a blackboard has a name
Doctors describe impact on patients of bed shortages in shocking dossier
‘Least bad’ patients asked to sleep in corridors and investigations cancelled as units turned into makeshift ‘wards’ Related items from OnMedica A&E is the barometer for a health and care system under pressure GMC warns of 'state of unease' amongst doctors NHS pressures could cause staff ‘burnout’ A&E four-hour target only for ‘urgent’ patients The incredible invisible bed crisis |
500 patients may have suffered serious harm in data scandal
NHS England investigating cases of potential harm related to non-delivery of 500,000 documents Related items from OnMedica Hospitals in Wales failing to give GPs discharge information 55 million patients set to access GP records online New measures proposed to bolster security of health and care information MPs to debate Capita’s failures to deliver on contract NHS investigating data loss 'scandal' |
12 bacteria posing greatest threat to human health named
List published by WHO highlights particular threat of gram-negative bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics Related items from OnMedica United global effort needed to fight antimicrobial resistance Tackling antimicrobial resistance GPs need support to convince public to stop expecting antibiotics US use of broad-spectrum antibiotics shows worrying increase Point-of-care diagnostics needed to curb antimicrobial resistance |
Blood tests spot ovarian cancer early
Why we like to eat chocolate
Listen up
'But I'm slim'
Full disclosure
Monday, 27 February 2017
WHO publishes list of bacteria for which new antibiotics are urgently needed
This Chalkboard Wall Planter Lets You Grow Edible Art That Looks Good AND Tastes Good
Kick off the spring growing season with this living wall in your kitchen. Research shows that indoor plants may help brighten your mood, reduce stress and clean the air too. All you need is a sunny window.
Call for Nominations: EatingWell's 2017 American Food Heroes
EatingWell is launching an annual list of our top heroes: people who are making food in America better right now. We need your help to make this work! We want to know who you think deserves to be added to our list.
Why is EatingWell doing this? We're committed to shining a light on the most important food, sustainability and nutrition issues of the day. We help readers understand where their food comes from and its impact on the environment, family, health and community. Our list will recognize and celebrate the great work and change happening now.
UTIs could soon be life-threatening without new antibiotics
World's most threatening superbugs ranked in new list
Why we are so bad at spotting if our kids are overweight
Live Healthy, Live Longer
Source: HealthDay via Exercise and Physical Fitness New Links: MedlinePlus RSS Feed Read More Here..
Don't Sweat It: Gender Doesn't Dictate Perspiration Rate
Instead, your size and shape influence how the body releases heat and cools down, study finds
Source: HealthDay via Exercise and Physical Fitness New Links: MedlinePlus RSS Feed Read More Here..
Charity says GPs 'failing' patients with eating disorders
But RCGP defends doctors' treatment and referral procedures Related items from OnMedica Bulimia nervosa The diagnosis and assessment of anorexia Eating disorders cost UK around £15bn per year Prime Minister to announce £1bn investment in mental health Eating disorders in women more common during midlife than expected |
NHS investigating data loss 'scandal'
Mix-up meant some 500,000 documents, including test results, placed in storage Related items from OnMedica MPs to debate Capita’s failures to deliver on contract New measures proposed to bolster security of health and care information Hospitals in Wales failing to give GPs discharge information 55 million patients set to access GP records online |
Doctors urged to listen more and treat less
Scotland's CMO outlines her vision for 'realistic medicine' Related items from OnMedica Engage public with resource prioritisation Councils warn of 'deep' cuts to social services STP proposals to cut beds not credible without community investment Scotland’s CMO calls for more ‘realistic medicine’ Practice sees huge benefits from integration |
MPs raise concerns over STPs
Government must prove changes are 'not just a cover for cuts' Related items from OnMedica Pressure threatens integration and transformation plans Stick with STPs, government and NHS urged Listening to patients and staff key to the future of health and care Sustainability and Transformation Plans Cash shortfall for NHS transformation plans |
Try these simple mental tests to see if you’re a good athlete
Hospitals 'must' become tobacco-free
New campaign urges hospitals to do more to stamp out smoking Related items from OnMedica Smoking cessation 'Extinction therapy' could help smokers quit Smoking cessation services face cuts Impose total smoking ban in hospitals, NHS told The role of e-cigarettes to help smokers quit |
Sunday, 26 February 2017
Parents of trans teenagers going private to beat waiting lists
Saturday, 25 February 2017
Maps reveal schizophrenia 'hotspots' in England
Friday, 24 February 2017
Sell-By Dates Have You Confused? Not Anymore
We've all been there: you're digging through the fridge to find an ingredient for dinner and you stumble upon a yogurt you bought a few weeks ago. It was buried in the back and you forgot about it (oops!), so you check the expiration date. It was three days ago. What should you do? With more than 10 different types of date labels for food products—including sell by, best by, use by, expires by—it can be confusing. Do we take a whiff, nibble a small bite and hope for the best or just toss it?
Having a cigarette may make your body crave coffee too
Fasting diet may help regenerate a diabetic pancreas
"The pancreas can be triggered to regenerate itself through a type of fasting diet, say US researchers," BBC News reports.
Research in mice found a low-calorie diet may help in cases of type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
The pancreas is an organ that uses specialised cells known as beta cells to produce the hormone insulin, which the body uses to break down sugars in the blood (glucose).
In type 1 diabetes the pancreas stops producing insulin. In type 2 diabetes either not enough insulin is produced or cells in the body fail to respond to insulin (insulin resistance).
Mice were fed for four days on a low-calorie, low-protein and low-carbohydrate but high-fat diet, receiving half their normal daily calorie intake on day one, followed by three days of 10% of their normal calorie intake.
Researchers repeated this fast on three occasions, with 10 days of refeeding in between. They then examined the pancreas.
They found in mice modelled to have both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, insulin production was restored, insulin resistance was reduced, and beta cells could be regenerated. Early lab study involving human cell samples showed similar potential.
These are promising results, but further studies are needed to validate these findings in humans.
If you have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you shouldn't attempt a fasting diet without first seeking medical advice. A sudden change in your calorie intake could have unpredictable effects and lead to complications.
Where did the story come from?
The study was carried out by researchers from the University of Southern California and the Koch Institute at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US, and the IFOM FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology in Italy.
It was funded by grants from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the US National Institute on Aging (NIA).
The study was published in the peer-reviewed journal, Cell. It's available on an open access basis and is free to read online (PDF, 6.74Mb).
The UK media coverage of the research is generally accurate. BBC News provided useful advice from one of the authors, Dr Longo, who cautioned: "Do not try this [fasting] at home. This is so much more sophisticated than people realise".
What kind of research was this?
This animal study examined whether a diet mimicking fasting cycles is able to promote the generation of new pancreatic beta cells in a mouse model of diabetes.
Beta cells are found in the pancreas. The cells' primary function is to store and release insulin in response to changes in blood glucose concentration.
In people with diabetes, the beta cells are either destroyed by the person's own immune system (type 1) or are unable to produce a sufficient amount of insulin (type 2).
Beta cells are reported to be highly sensitive to the availability of nutrients. The researchers wanted to see whether prolonged fasting and refeeding could regenerate pancreatic cells.
Animal studies like this one are useful early-stage research to help better our understanding of cellular mechanisms.
However, the human body has complex biology and we're not identical to mice, so further studies would be needed to see whether the same effects are observed in humans.
What did the research involve?
The first phase of the study involved male mice aged 10-16 weeks, some of whom had injections of a chemical to destroy their beta cells to mimic type 1 diabetes. Others were genetically bred to have type 2 diabetes, and normal mice acted as controls.
The researchers put the mice on a four-day fasting regimen consisting of a low-calorie, low-protein, low-carbohydrate and high-fat (FMD) diet.
They were fed 50% of their standard calorie intake on day one, followed by 10% of their normal calorie intake on days two to four.
At the end of the four days, the mice were fed regularly for up to 10 days to ensure they regained their body weight before the next fasting cycle. They underwent three dietary intervention cycles.
Blood glucose measurements were taken regularly. Pancreatic cell samples were taken to look at gene activity and investigate whether there were any changes.
The second phase of the study involved analysing human pancreatic cell samples collected from people with type 1 diabetes.
Researchers also recruited healthy human adult volunteers without a history of diabetes, who underwent three cycles of a similar five-day fasting regimen. The blood samples from these people were applied to the cultured pancreatic human cells.
What were the basic results?
In the mouse model of type 2 diabetes, after the FMD cycles insulin secretion was restored and insulin resistance was reduced. The FMD cycles seemed to induce beta cell regeneration.
In the mouse model of type 1 diabetes, FMD cycles were able to reduce inflammation and promote changes in the levels of cytokine proteins, which may indicate the restoration of insulin secretion. There was an increase in the proliferation and number of beta cells generating insulin.
The results in the human cell samples suggested similar findings to those seen in mice. FMD cycles – that is, in blood samples from fasted individuals applied to human pancreatic cells in the laboratory – may be able to promote reprogramming of cell lineages and generate insulin in pancreatic islet cells.
How did the researchers interpret the results?
The researchers concluded that, "These results indicate that an FMD promotes the reprogramming of pancreatic cells to restore insulin generation in islets from T1D [type 1 diabetes] patients and reverse both T1D and T2D [type 2 diabetes] phenotypes in mouse models."
Conclusion
This animal study examined whether a diet mimicking fasting cycles would be able to promote the generation of new insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells in a mouse model of diabetes.
Overall, researchers found in mice models of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, insulin secretion was restored and insulin resistance and beta cells could be regenerated or have their function restored. Very early laboratory study on human cell samples suggested similar potential.
These results show promise, but further research is needed to validate these findings in humans.
Professor Anne Cooke, professor of immunology at the University of Cambridge, commented: "This is good science and does give promise for the future treatment of diabetes, but we need further studies to see whether this works in people as well as it has in mice."
Don't suddenly try fasting, or any other radical change to your diet, without first consulting the doctor in charge of your care. Sudden changes to your diet could cause complications.
Links To The Headlines
Fasting diet 'regenerates diabetic pancreas'. BBC News, February 24 2017
Hope for millions of diabetics as condition could be reversed with yo-yo starvation diet. Daily Mirror, February 23 2017
Fasting diet could prove the cure for type 2 diabetes. The Times, February 24 2017 (subscription required)
Links To Science
Cheng C, Villani V, Buono R, et al. Fasting-Mimicking Diet Promotes Ngn3-Driven β-Cell Regeneration to Reverse Diabetes. Cell. Published online February 23 2017
Was Kim Jong-nam killed by VX nerve gas? Doesn’t look like it
Fasting diet 'regenerates diabetic pancreas'
Straight women have fewest orgasms
Patient access to GPs in Wales has soared
Welsh health secretary praises GPs but asks other professionals to help relieve pressure Related items from OnMedica Watchdog questions plans to improve access to GPs Wales offers incentives for GPs to train and stay in Wales What lies ahead for healthcare in Wales in 2017 and beyond? Wales invests £95m in healthcare professionals’ training Hospitals in Wales failing to give GPs discharge information |
NHS 111 redirects callers from A&E to general practice
Advises 60% of callers to go to GP not A&E; a third would have done so without advice Related items from OnMedica Most patients sent to A&E unnecessarily by NHS 111 NHS pilots medical advice smartphone app What value do GPs offer? GPs face nearly 10% rise in patient contacts in two years GPs have limited role in relieving winter A&E pressure |
Prescribing daily step count benefits patients’ health
People prescribed steps moved 20% more and had lower HbA1c and insulin resistance |
Schizophrenia risk higher with poor maternal nutrition
Inadequate weight gain during pregnancy linked to higher risk of schizophrenia in children Related items from OnMedica Offspring of obese mothers at higher risk of early death Unhealthy diet during pregnancy may be linked to ADHD Experts warn of high sugar level dangers in pregnancy Assess pregnant and new mums’ mental health Fifth of all children referred to specialist mental health services rejected for treatment |
Depression raises risk of developing psoriatic arthritis
Psoriasis patients over a third more likely to develop psoriatic arthritis if depressed Related items from OnMedica Gene breakthrough confirms existence of psoriatic arthritis New research reveals psychological impact of psoriasis Major depression common in people with psoriasis Psoriasis photo library |
Thursday, 23 February 2017
Cheshire woman pregnant with late husband's baby
Ten portions of fruit and veg key to longer life
But doctors warn upping the five-a-day recommendation 'creates unrealistic expectations' Related items from OnMedica ‘Five a day’ may be enough to lower risk of death ‘Mediterranean’ diet reduces risks for heart patients Diabetes risk lower with high intake of fruit and veg Signage increased share of spending on fruit and veg Vegetarians have lower bowel cancer risk than meat-eaters |
Plain packets help smokers quit by killing brand identities
Effective altruism is re-inventing how we do good – can it work?
Four in ten European doctors consider leaving the UK
BMA survey reveals perilous state of UK healthcare post Brexit Related items from OnMedica Don’t let Brexit scupper UK drug discovery and delivery, MPs told Former NHS chief executive says Brexit poses a threat to NHS Health and social care welcomes post-Brexit proposals UK must retain and attract ‘scientific talent’ post Brexit, insist Peers Brexit white paper unveiled: what next for the NHS? |
WEBSITE MAINTENANCE
www.onmedica.com will be offline this afternoon between 4pm and 5pm |
Adopted Romanian orphans suffering decades later
Unique study reveals problems faced by children who came to the UK in the 1990s Related items from OnMedica Third of young people with mental health issues stigmatised Abused children unable to access mental health services Nearly one in four children denied access to mental health services in England Many parents never talk to their children about mental health Parents fear mental health 'life sentence' |
Care of the dying compromised by NHS pressures
Nurses say they do not have enough time to provide quality care Related items from OnMedica Palliative care End-of-life care standards not universally high, says regulator End-of-life care heading for ‘meltdown’ without cash boost, warns cancer charity chief End-of-life care must be a core priority for all local health and care leaders |
Older people miss out on psychological therapies
Dementia Tsar says more must be done to help old people with depression Related items from OnMedica Psychological therapy outcomes vary vastly between CCGs Deprivation cuts chance of recovering from mental illness An active mind may delay Alzheimer’s symptoms Elderly failed by broken care system Dementia patients need more support at diagnosis |
Fruit and veg: For a longer life eat 10 a day
Adopted Romanian orphans 'still suffering in adulthood'
Canadian researchers set to study cannabis oil
You should be eating 10 pieces of fruit or veg every day, not 5
Wednesday, 22 February 2017
Desert people evolve to drink water poisoned with deadly arsenic
Global alliance now needed to drive down obesity, argue experts
UK government has failed to tackle issue properly; and voluntary measures won’t cut it Related items from OnMedica Managing obesity in primary care - Part 2 Managing obesity in primary care - Part 1 GP leaders condemn obesity strategy delay More obese people in the world than underweight Unhealthy lifestyles and poor diets |
Exercise a Powerful Ally for Breast Cancer Survivors
Those who worked out were about 40 percent less likely to die from disease, review suggests
Source: HealthDay via Exercise and Physical Fitness New Links: MedlinePlus RSS Feed Read More Here..
UK women expected to live until 85 and men to 82 by 2030
But South Korean women will live longest, potentially surpassing 90 years of age Related items from OnMedica A CCG perspective on improving care for older people GPs urged to collaborate more with geriatricians Life expectancy of over 65s is highest ever Eastern Mediterranean conflict jeopardising decades of health gains US life expectancy drops for first time in 20 years |
Plague! How to prepare for the next pandemic
European cancer death rates falling faster in men
Trends largely explained by decline in cancers associated with tobacco use Related items from OnMedica UK lung cancer survival rates are improving No safe level of smoking, study finds CCGs struggling to meet cancer targets Smoking consumes nearly 6% of global healthcare costs |
GPs poorly informed about degenerative eye disease, survey suggests
Timely information and support vital to help stave off progression, say researchers Related items from OnMedica Eye problems Age-Related Macular Degeneration STPs can help CCGs deliver eye care at scale First patient receives new treatment for AMD |
Large shortfall in mental health care for new mums, UK survey reveals
Only a handful of referrals made, and long waits for treatment common Related items from OnMedica New mothers to get more help with mental health Assess pregnant and new mums’ mental health 30,000 pregnant women with mental health problems do not get adequate care Postnatal depression |
Brain scans 'may spot teen drug problems'
Life expectancy to break 90 barrier by 2030
Tuesday, 21 February 2017
Putting cancer patients in hibernation could help tackle tumours
Is this snail the next medical breakthrough?
Exercise reduces death from breast cancer relapse by 40 per cent
Testosterone replacement for men 'trade-off with risks'
There's Fun and Fitness in the Pool for Asthmatic Kids
Source: HealthDay via Exercise for Children New Links: MedlinePlus RSS Feed Read More Here..
Jeepers Creepers
GP teams reach finals of BMJ Awards 2017
Teams show ‘inspiring and pioneering teamwork with patient outcomes at their core’ Related items from OnMedica Why the health and care system’s future hinges on creative leadership Innovative use of technology key to improving patient outcomes Practice sees huge benefits from integration Primary Care Home has positive impact on care and services GPs and physicians innovate to improve care |
STP proposals to cut beds not credible without community investment
Process ‘rushed and behind closed doors’; funding to carry out plans simply not available Related items from OnMedica STPs can help CCGs deliver eye care at scale Stick with STPs, government and NHS urged Listening to patients and staff key to the future of health and care Cash shortfall for NHS transformation plans Sustainability and Transformation Plans |
Dishing the dirt: How clean does your home really need to be?
"Everything changes and nothing remains still, you cannot step twice into the same stream" vs. Occidentali's Karma
Excerpts from the lyrics:
"Internet experts,
Honorary members of the selfie-addicted anonymous
Cleverness is out of fashion,
Easy answers,
Pointless dilemmas.
Whatever happens, panta rhei
And 'Singing in The Rain'."
The phrase panta rhei, "everything flows" either was spoken by Heraclitus or survived as a quotation of his. This famous aphorism used to characterize Heraclitus' thought comes from Simplicius, a neoplatonist, and from Plato's Cratylus. The word rhei is the Greek word for "to stream", and is etymologically related to Rhea according to Plato's Cratylus.
The philosophy of Heraclitus is summed up in his cryptic utterance:
"Ever-newer waters flow on those who step into the same rivers."
The quote from Heraclitus appears in Plato's Cratylus twice:
"All entities move and nothing remains still"
and
"Everything changes and nothing remains still ... and ... you cannot step twice into the same stream".
More from his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/GabbaniVEVO/videos
Another clip of the song:
References:
Italy sends rising star Francesco Gabbani - and an ape - to win Eurovision 2017 http://buff.ly/2loRH10
"Occidentali's Karma" lyrics - Francesco Gabbani (Italy, Eurovision 2017) http://buff.ly/2loSNd2
What future for E numbers after Brexit?
Faster drugs?
NHS set to miss target deficit cuts by over £300m
NHS providers ‘experiencing one of the toughest winters on record’ with record demand Related items from OnMedica CCGs facing huge challenges in balancing books Aggressive efficiency targets added to NHS finance woes A&E is the barometer for a health and care system under pressure Government ‘in denial’ about state of NHS funding crisis, say doctors’ leaders State of NHS 'reminiscent of Mid Staffs' |
The meerkats helping disabled people
Mystery eye disease is latest blow for Australia’s sick turtles
Welsh government invests £95m in healthcare professionals’ training
Package includes £500,000 to support community healthcare and primary care clusters Related items from OnMedica Wales offers incentives for GPs to train and stay in Wales What lies ahead for healthcare in Wales in 2017 and beyond? The incredible invisible bed crisis Hospitals in Wales failing to give GPs discharge information Extra GP-targeted investment would benefit whole NHS |
The man championing wheelchair tourism in Brazil
Stem cell transplant shows promise for MS outcomes
Nearly half of treated patients had five years’ progression-free survival after transplant Related items from OnMedica New multiple sclerosis drug hailed as a 'landmark' A clinical review of multiple sclerosis High cost of unscheduled care for MS patients MS progression worse in patients who smoke GPs have little confidence in primary care neurology services |
The wrong words
Let’s not use terms relating to health as pejoratives |
Fearne Cotton talks about her struggle with depression
Inside 'outstanding' children's hospital
Snail venom compound 'offers chronic pain therapy'
Monday, 20 February 2017
Magical Color-Changing Tea You Need to See to Believe (and It's Totally Natural)
You've heard of green tea, black tea and white tea. But a blue tea that changes color—naturally? Now that's something you've got to see.
‘Meditating mice’ reveal secrets of mindfulness training
Risky treatment can stop multiple sclerosis for years
Comedian David Baddiel talks about his father's dementia
Breast cancer diagnosed after breastfeeding problem
Hospital beds numbers down 20% in a decade
BMA warns that high bed occupancy reveals an NHS 'at breaking point' Related items from OnMedica State of NHS 'reminiscent of Mid Staffs' A&E four-hour target only for ‘urgent’ patients |
Councils warn of 'deep' cuts to social services
Survey reveals council tax rises will not fix local government funding crisis Related items from OnMedica Social care collapse by next year will hurt NHS, warn experts Spike in excess deaths linked to NHS and local authority spending cuts Government ‘in denial’ about state of NHS funding crisis, say doctors’ leaders Missed A&E targets reflect cuts in social care and NHS funding Spending on public mental health is ‘negligible’ |
Smoking cessation services face cuts
Survey reveals cash-strapped councils and commissioners restricting drugs and counselling Related items from OnMedica The role of e-cigarettes to help smokers quit Stop Smoking services under threat due to budget cuts Stop Smoking Services 'Extinction therapy' could help smokers quit E-cigs strong risk for future smoking in teens |
Extra help for struggling GP surgeries
New service will provide expert help to tackle workforce and workload pressures Related items from OnMedica GPs face nearly 10% rise in patient contacts in two years CCGs must extend access to benefit from extra funding Tired GPs greatest threat to patient safety Poor CQC ratings linked to poor practice funding Extra GP-targeted investment would benefit whole NHS |