June 15, 2007, 11:15 AM CT

Increased alcohol intake: decreased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis

Barcelona, Spain, Friday 15 June 2007: New data presented today at EULAR 2007, the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology in Barcelona, Spain, suggests that alcohol may protect against rheumatoid arthritis, with three units a week exhibiting protective effects and ten units a week being more protective still. An alcohol consumption of three units per week or more also reduced the risk by smoking or by a genetic predisposition to RA.

An increased alcohol (ethanol) consumption of three or more units per week was linked to a decreased risk of developing RA (odds ratio 0.5, 95%; confidence interval 0.4 0.7). The findings could improve understanding of the effects of lifestyle on the risk of developing RA and pave the way for new potential therapy approaches based on the apparently beneficial effects of alcohol.

Henrik Kllberg at the Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, who is a PhD student said, Several prior studies have indicated a suppression of the immune system by alcohol and a recent study showed that it prevented development of destructive arthritis. However, until now, epidemiological investigations on the effects of alcohol on RA were scarce and inconsistent. These data now show not only that alcohol can protect against RA and reduce the risk conferred by smoking or susceptible genes, but also gives an idea of the relevant alcohol doses necessary......... Posted by: Emily      Read more         Source

June 13, 2007, 8:59 AM CT

Extended duration work shifts risky to the safety

Working an extended duration shift can pose a risk to not only the safety and well-being of medical interns, but also to that of their patients, as per a research abstract that will be presented Wednesday at SLEEP 2007, the 21st Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).

The study, authored by Laura Barger, PhD, of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, was based on 2,737 physicians in their first post-graduate year, who participated in a nationwide Web-based survey, completing a total of 17,003 monthly reports. A regression analysis waccording toformed to determine the relationship between the number of extended duration work shifts (greater than or equal to 24 hours in length), reported medical errors and a self-reported measure of stress.

It was discovered that the reporting of medical errors and the number of extended duration shifts worked in a month were both significant predictors of stress. In comparison to months in which no extended duration shifts were worked, interns working five or more extended duration shifts had seven times greater odds of reporting at least one fatigue-related significant medical error that resulted in an adverse patient event and reported 300 percent more fatigue-related preventable adverse events resulting in the death of the patient. Moreover, interns who reported a medical error that resulted in an adverse patient outcome were more than three times as likely to report high stress in that month......... Posted by: Emily      Read more         Source

June 13, 2007, 8:45 AM CT

Periodontal diseases are blind to age

Two new studies in the recent issue of the Journal of Periodontology (JOP) suggest that periodontal diseases are a threat to women of all ages due to hormonal fluctuations that occur at various stages of their lives.

One study looked at 50 women who were between the ages of 20 to 35 with varying forms of periodontitis. The study observed that women who currently were taking oral contraceptive pills had more gingival bleeding upon probing and deeper periodontal pockets (signs of periodontitis) than those who were not taking oral contraceptive pills.

Younger women often believe that periodontal disease is a condition linked to old age, explained study author Brian Mullally, PhD. Our study shows that it is very possible for younger women to experience periodontal disease. It is important for women to alert their dental practitioners of any medications they are taking, such as oral contraceptive pills, because it is possible that their oral health may be affected. It might also be prudent where possible for young women to ensure that their periodontal health has been checked before commencing oral contraceptive treatment.

Another study in this months issue of the JOP examined 1,256 postmenopausal women and looked for a potential association between periodontal bacteria and bone loss in the oral cavity. The study results showed that women with periodontal bacteria in their mouths were also more likely to have bone loss in the oral cavity, which can lead to tooth loss if not treated......... Posted by: Emily      Read more         Source

June 13, 2007, 7:37 AM CT

Extra sleep improves athletes' performance

Athletes who get an extra amount of sleep are more likely to improve their performance in a game, as per a research abstract that will be presented Wednesday at SLEEP 2007, the 21st Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).

The study, authored by Cheri Mah of Stanford University, was conducted on six healthy students on the Stanford men's basketball team, who maintained their typical sleep-wake patterns for a two-week baseline followed by an extended sleep period in which they obtained as much extra sleep as possible. To assess improvements in athletic performance, the students were judged based on their sprint time and shooting percentages.

Significant improvements in athletic performance were observed, including faster sprint time and increased free-throws. Athletes also reported increased energy and improved mood during practices and games, as well as a decreased level of fatigue.

"Eventhough much research has established the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive function, mood and performance, relatively little research has investigated the effects of extra sleep over multiple nights on these variables, and even less on the specific relationship between extra sleep and athletic performance. This study illuminated this latter relationship and showed that obtaining extra sleep was linked to improvements in indicators of athletic performance and mood among members of the men's basketball team"......... Posted by: Emily      Read more         Source

June 12, 2007, 4:59 AM CT

Catastrophic events can affect a person's sleep

A significant disruption of day-to-day life can take place in those areas affected by a natural disaster. One of the more recent disasters occurred when Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in late August 2005, causing loss of lives, extensive damage, and the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of residents. Disasters such as Hurricane Katrina are more likely to affect the quality and the quantity of a person's sleep, as per a research abstract that will be presented Tuesday at SLEEP 2007, the 21st Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).

Denise Sharon, MD, PhD, of the Comprehensive Sleep Medicine Center in New Orleans, divided the participants of the study into four groups: (a) Jan. 1-Aug. 28, 2005; (b) Jan. 1-Aug. 31, 2006; (c) May 1-Aug. 28, 2005; and (d) Sept. 5-Dec. 31, 2005. The main complaints were divided across four categories: (1) Obstructive sleep apnea-related complaints such as snoring, breathing pauses during sleep or loss of continuous positive airway pressure; (2) Insomnia-related complaints such as difficulty achieving and maintaining sleep; (3) Complaints of excessive waketime sleepiness; and (4) Complaints suggesting movement disorders or parasomnias.

As per the results, among those patients presenting to the sleep center, a reversal of the gender distribution occurred after Hurricane Katrina. Previous to the storm, males in Group A and Group C accounted for 47 percent and 44 percent, respectively. After the storm, males in Group B and Group D accounted for 62 percent and 55 percent, respectively. Complaints correlation to the ability to initiate and maintain sleep showed a slight tendency to increase after Hurricane Katrina, while complaints of excessive daytime sleepiness and fatigue decreased......... Posted by: Emily      Read more         Source

June 12, 2007, 4:57 AM CT

Sleep deprivation can lead to smoking, drinking

Sleep loss or disturbed sleep can heighten the risk for adolescents to take up smoking and drinking, two habits that may prove to be detrimental to their health, as per a research abstract that will be presented Tuesday at SLEEP 2007, the 21st Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).

The study, conducted by Xianchen Liu, MD, PhD, of the University of Pittsburgh, was based a questionnaire survey among 1,362 adolescents, with an average age of 14.6 years, in five high schools in China. The self-administered questionnaire collected data on sleep patterns, sleep problems, smoking and drinking behavior, behavioral and emotional problems, life stress, and demographic characteristics of the adolescent and family.

The results showed that sleeping less than eight hours at night, frequent nightmares and difficulty initiating sleep were significantly linked to drinking. Further, smoking was correlation to sleeping less than eight hours, bedtime later than midnight, nightmares, difficulty initiating sleep, difficulty maintaining sleep and hypnotic medicine use.

"These findings demonstrate significant associations between sleep quantity and sleep disturbances and smoking and drinking in Chinese adolescents," said Liu. "Eventhough prospective, longitudinal studies are warranted, these findings suggest a potential role of sleep intervention that is, education in sleep hygiene and the therapy of sleep disturbances in the prevention of adolescent substance use"......... Posted by: Emily      Read more         Source

June 11, 2007, 4:19 PM CT

If They Have Low Testosterone

Low levels of testosterone may increase the long-term risk of death in men over 50 years old, as per scientists with the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.

"The new study is only the second report linking deficiency of this sex hormone with increased death from all causes, over time, and the first to do so in relatively healthy men who are living in the community," said Gail Laughlin, Ph.D., assistant professor and study author.

Laughlin will present the findings to The Endocrine Society Tuesday June 5th, 2007. The findings will be among selected articles reported in the distinguished The Endocrine Society's ENDO 07 Research Summaries Book.

"We have followed these men for an average of 18 years and our study strongly suggests that the association between testosterone levels and death is not simply due to some acute illness," said Laughlin.

In the study, Laughlin and co-workers looked at death, no matter the cause, in nearly 800 men, ages 50 to 91 years, who were living in Rancho Bernardo, California. The participants have been members of the Rancho Bernardo Heart and Chronic Disease Study since the 1970s. At the beginning of the 1980s, almost one-third of these men had suboptimal blood testosterone levels for men their age......... Posted by: Emily      Read more         Source

June 11, 2007, 3:46 PM CT

The fifth gene responsible for Joubert syndrome

An international study by scientists at Seattle Childrens Hospital Research Institute, the University of Washington School of Medicine, and Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands has identified a new genetic cause for Joubert syndrome (JS). Joubert syndrome is an inherited condition that affects development of the cerebellum and brainstem, the structures in the brain that coordinate movements and regulate basic functions such as breathing, swallowing, heart rate and consciousness. The study, reported in the June 10, 2007 issue of Nature Genetics, confirms key information about the genetic changes that cause JS and cellular structures called cilia, conclusively placing JS in a class of recently identified ciliopathic conditions. Though the disease is statistically rare and four other genetic markers have been previously identified, scientists believe these findings are important.

Joubert syndrome can result in developmental delay, poor physical coordination, irregular breathing, visual impairment, kidney failure and extra digits. Diverse symptoms may occur making diagnosis difficult, though patients typically feature a characteristic configuration of the brainstem and cerebellum on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), where the abnormally developed brain stem resembles the shape of a molar tooth. The scientists discovery of mutation in the gene (RPGRIP1L) now paves the way for definitive DNA testing that can more conclusively diagnose JS in some patients, and also identify asymptomatic carriers who might unknowingly pass the condition to their future children......... Posted by: Emily      Read more         Source

June 10, 2007, 7:43 PM CT

Dual-imaging technique useful with brain surgery

Brain specialists linked to the Neuroscience Institute at the University of Cincinnati (UC) and University Hospital say the ability to incorporatein real timetwo high-tech imaging tools into the operating room can improve the functional abilities of patients who undergo brain surgery.

Neuroradiologist James Leach, MD, and his UC colleagues are among the first in the United States to combine functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor tractography data to outline important areas of brain function and their connections previous to surgeryand then transfer that data to the operating room to track those areas during actual surgery.

This approach, Leach says, has already been used in 20 cases at Cincinnatis University Hospital.

Combining tractography and functional MRI intraoperatively has been in use clinically for only a few years, says Leach, associate professor of radiology at UC and a neuroradiologist with University Hospital, but our preliminary data is very promising because it allows us to optimize surgical approaches to treating brain tumors to ultimately improve patient outcomes.

He says that combining standard visual, sound, and voice-based tests, whose results are measured by MRI, performed on a high-field-strength (3 Tesla) scanner, with a precise intraoperative guidance system will improve patients post-operative speech, movement and memory, and also optimize quality of life for those with brain tumors and other neurological conditions......... Posted by: Emily      Read more         Source

June 10, 2007, 7:38 PM CT

Alzheimer's disease would quadruple worldwide by 2050

More than 26 million people worldwide were estimated to be living with Alzheimers disease in 2006, as per a research studyled by scientists at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The scientists also concluded the global prevalence of Alzheimers disease will grow to more than 106 million by 2050. By that time, 43 percent of those with Alzheimers disease will need high-level care, equivalent to that of a nursing home. The findings were presented June 10 at the Second Alzheimers Association International Conference on Prevention of Dementia held in Washington, D.C. and are reported in the Associations journal, Alzheimers & Dementia.

We face a looming global epidemic of Alzheimers disease as the worlds population ages, said the studys lead author, Ron Brookmeyer, PhD, professor in Biostatistics and chair of the Master of Public Health Program at the Bloomberg School of Public Health. By 2050, 1 in 85 persons worldwide will have Alzheimers disease. However, if we can make even modest advances in preventing Alzheimers disease or delay its progression, we could have a huge global public health impact.

As per Brookmeyer and his co-authors, interventions that could delay the onset of Alzheimers disease by as little as one year would reduce prevalence of the disease by 12 million fewer cases in 2050. A similar delay in both the onset and progression of Alzheimers disease would result in a smaller overall reduction of 9.2 million cases by 2050, because slower disease progression would mean more people surviving with early-stage disease symptoms. However, nearly all of that decline would be attributable to decreases in those needing costly late-stage disease therapy in 2050......... Posted by: Emily      Read more         Source