Air Pollution

Study says people didn’t feel air better this winter (The Times of India:20180306)

https://epaper.timesgroup.com/Olive/ODN/TimesOfIndia/?olv-cache-ver=20180304111420

New Delhi: Even though the Delhi government and local agencies classified Delhi’s winter to

be much cleaner, in terms of air quality, than the year before, a new perception survey

conducted by NGO Clean Air Asia says that Delhiites are still unaware of the improvement,

with around 40% of the people sampled feeling the air was much worse this winter as

compared to the previous one.

The survey, conducted across different economic stratum and parts of Delhi, also found that

awareness in terms of air quality was lacking in the lower economic strata, which is the most

prone to health hazards from pollution.

“We interacted with households who still use coal and firewood for cooking and found that

they were unaware of the impact it was having on them. We asked sweepers if they wanted to

wear a mask to protect their face from the dust, but they did not feel it was necessary for

them. The survey points that raising awareness on the ground is still very important,” said

Prarthana Borah, India director, Clean Air Asia.

The survey findings states that nearly 40% of the respondents felt Delhi’s air quality this year

was much worse than last year, 24% felt it was slightly worse as compared to last year and

nearly 17% said there had been little change in terms of pollution.

Nearly 45% of the respondents highlighted vehicular pollution as the biggest problem for

Delhi, followed by industries(18%), thesurvey read.

DAILY NEWS BULLETINLEADING HEALTH, POPULATION AND FAMILY WELFARE STORIES OF THE DayTuesday 20180306

“In terms of finding solutions for this problem, better public transport and planting more trees

emerged as the best options. People said they would be willing to use it if the transport

system in Delhi improved, which is a good sign for the future. We are planning to use this

survey report to carry out work in these particular sectors and it will also be submitted to the

government so that specific work can be done in these areas,” Borah added.

Viral Illness

Hospitals report multiple cases of viral fever in city (The Times of India:20180306)

https://epaper.timesgroup.com/Olive/ODN/TimesOfIndia/?olv-cache-ver=20180304111420

New Delhi: Delhi is in the grip of viral illnesses. Doctors say that almost every second patient

visiting them with febrile illness suffers from common cold, fever and cough caused by

viruses. Though self-limiting, these diseases tend to cause serious problems among highrisk

individuals, including infants and elderly people.

According to Dr Sandeep Budhiraja, senior director of internal medicine at Max Hospital

Saket, they are seeing an exceptionally high number of elderly people who have pneumonia

caused by viruses. “Some of them have secondary bacterial infections too.”

According to Dr Budhiraja, the preventive vaccinations for seasonal flu aren’t totally

effective this year. “Many patients are getting viral illnesses in spite of preventive

vaccination.”

Incidence of swine flu is also being reported. “We have come across sporadic cases of swine

flu. One person who was referred from another state succumbed to the disease at our hospital

this year,” Dr Arup Basu, senior chest physician at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said.

One person has died and 22 others have been found positive for swine flu in Delhi this year,

as on February 18.

Dr R K Singhal, head of the internal medicine department at BLK Super Speciality Hospital,

said change of season is responsible for high incidence of viral infection. “The best way to

avoid infections is to eat healthy and stay away from infected people,” he said.

The latest report by the corporations has confirmed nine cases of dengue in Delhi this year,

indicating early spread of the virus carrying the vectorborne disease in the capital. Of the

cases reported till March 3, six were recorded in January and three in February. According to

the report, “Two cases of malaria and three cases of chikungunya, both in February, have

been reported, while in January, none case was found.”

Mental Health

In the offing, a new facility for the mentally disabled (The Indian Express:20180306)

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/will-be-able-to-house-600-to-take-burden-off-asha-

kiran-home-in-the-offing-a-new-facility-for-the-mentally-disabled-5087363/

Once the AAP government came to power, the architectural plan of the proposed complex

was sent to the then social welfare minister Sandeep Kumar. But Kumar was sacked over an

“objectional CD”, and the secretary, too, was transferred.

Will Be Able To House 600, To Take Burden Off Asha Kiran Home The Asha Kiran home,

where 11 deaths in two months had triggered outrage last year, currently houses 970 inmates

against the sanctioned capacity of 510. (Source: Express Photo)

A new home for the mentally disabled — on the drawing board for the last five years — may

soon come up in Narela under a mega plan of the social welfare department. The facility is

expected to take the pressure off the existing home, Asha Kiran, which has faced a host of

problems ranging from overcrowding, deaths and allegations of human rights violations.

The plan for the proposed Rs 350-crore facility, which will be able to house around 600

inmates, will soon be sent to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for approval, and will

subsequently be taken up by the Cabinet, officials said. It was first envisaged in 2013, during

the last days of the Sheila Dikshit government.

“The new home will not only be bigger but will be an integrated complex where training will

be provided to volunteers. Inmates will be taught vocational skills, and medical facilities such

as physiotherapy will be provided. It will be a world-class facility,” an official said.

The Asha Kiran home, where 11 deaths in two months had triggered outrage last year,

currently houses 970 inmates against the sanctioned capacity of 510. The original sanctioned

capacity at Asha Kiran was 350, an official of the social welfare department said.

The department’s proposal to build a bigger home spread over 10 acres in Narela took proper

shape by 2015, with the building design and other components ready. But it got delayed as

the department managed to get the land use pattern changed to public/semi-public use from

residential/recreational only in late 2017, an official said.

In fact, in 2013, a team comprising social welfare department officials, architects and the then

director of Asha Kiran had visited Maharashtra and Gujarat to look at such homes run by

NGOs, and had subsequently submitted a report to the government. But the project did not

take off due to “bureaucratic complications”, an official said.

Once the AAP government came to power, the architectural plan of the proposed complex

was sent to the then social welfare minister Sandeep Kumar. But Kumar was sacked over an

“objectional CD”, and the secretary, too, was transferred.

“Considering the magnitude of the project and the money involved, the new secretary decided

that it needs to be cleared by the Chief Minister and the Cabinet. He wants the three

components of building, equipment and human resources to be considered simultaneously, as

very often buildings come up but there are no human resources to actually run them,” a senior

official said.

Dengue and chikungunya

Dengue, chikungunya may hit early this year (Hindustan Times:20180306)

http://paper.hindustantimes.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

HEALTH WORRIES Scientists say quick onset of summer to precipitate vector-borne

viruses

NEWDELHI: A warmer-than-usual winter, earlier-than-usual summer, and very early trends

of the disease have prompted experts to call for immediate measures to prevent the spread of

dengue in the national Capital.

Meanwhile, scientists warn that this year could see more chikungunya cases, courtesy the

medical equivalent of the so-called base effect, where the previous year’s data affects this

year’s. While there is no cause for alarm yet, given the weather conditions, efforts to contain

the breeding of the mosquitoes responsible for transmitting both diseases should have begun

by now, if not earlier, the experts add.

Till March 3, Delhi hospitals tracked by the South Delhi Municipal Corporation reported 15

cases of dengue, five more than last year when the mosquitoborne disease infected 9,271

people and killed 10.

“The high numbers at this time of the year are most likely because it was a warm winter and

the temperatures did not drop enough to end mosquito breeding and virus transmission,” said

Dr BK Hazarika, municipal health officer, Delhi. “It is important for

the temperature to remain below at least 16 degrees for 10 to 15 days at a time for the

mosquitoes and the virus to die,” he explained. That hasn’t happened this year.

The spike in day temperatures, already 1 to 1.5 degrees Celsius above normal, is also creating

breeding grounds for the Aedes mosquitoes -- Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti and the Aedes

Alpopictus – that spread dengue and chikungunya. “Even small environmental changes of 1-2

degrees in temperature and in humidity matter,” said Dr Neena Valecha, director, National

Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi. According to her, mosquitoes can breed indoors,

changing their behaviour. “High temperature increases the transmission window,” Dr

Valecha added.

Dengue causes flu-like illness, with symptoms of headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and

joint pains, nausea, vomiting, swollen glands or rashes lasting for two to seven days.

Nine dengue cases reported (The Tribune:20180306)

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/delhi/nine-dengue-cases-reported/553533.html

At least nine cases of dengue have been reported in Delhi in the first two months this year,

indicating early spread of the virus carrying the vector-borne disease in the capital.

Of the nine reported cases till March 3, six were recorded in January and three in February,

according to a municipal report released today.

The cases of vector-borne diseases are usually reported between mid-July and November-

end, but this period may stretch up to mid-December.

"Two cases of malaria and three cases of chikungunya, both in February, have been reported,

while in January none of the cases of both the diseases have been reported," as per the report.

There were no cases of any vector-borne disease till January 13.

At least 10 died in Delhi due to dengue last year, according to the South Delhi Municipal

Corporation (SDMC), which tabulates the data for the entire city.

Five of the 10 victims were not Delhi residents, but had died in the capital.

The official toll maintained by the Delhi municipal authorities till December 26 had stood at

four, even though some hospitals had reported a few more deaths due to dengue.

The vector-borne disease had affected 9,271 people here in 2017, out of which, .4,726

patients were from Delhi, while 4,545 had come to the city from other states for treatment, as

per the SDMC.

The mosquito-borne tropical disease had claimed its first victim in the city last year on

August 1, when a 12-year-old boy died of dengue shock syndromes at Sir Ganga Ram

Hospital.

Three more deaths were reported in October by the SDMC.

The numbers of malaria and chikungunya cases recorded in 2017 in the capital stood at 1,142

and 940 respectively.

HIV (The Asian Age:20180306)

http://onlineepaper.asianage.com/articledetailpage.aspx?id=10178493

Heart Attacks (The Asian Age:20180306)

http://onlineepaper.asianage.com/articledetailpage.aspx?id=10178492

Diet/Nutrition

Salt causes hypertension, but can fruits and veg save the day? (Medical News

Today:20180306)

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321119.php

It's no secret that consuming too much salt has the potential to raise our blood pressure. And

according to a new study, this association remains even when our diet is packed full of

healthful foods.

Researchers say that salt-induced high blood pressure is not offset by an otherwise healthful

diet.

In a study of more than 4,000 adults, scientists revealed that a diet rich in foods that are

linked with lower blood pressure — such as fruits and vegetables — did not offset the blood

pressure-increasing effects of consuming too much salt.

Co-lead study author Dr. Jeremiah Stamler — who works in the Feinberg School of Medicine

at Northwestern University in Chicago, IL — and colleagues recently reported their results in

the journal Hypertension.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when the force of blood that pushes against the

artery walls becomes too high. This can cause damage to the heart and blood vessels and

raise the risk of stroke and heart disease.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 75 million

people in the United States — or 32 percent of the country's population — have high blood

pressure.

However, revised guidelines from the American Heart Association (AHA) and the American

College of Cardiology — which were published in November last year — now mean that

almost half of U.S. adults can now be classed as hypertensive.

Under these new guidelines, a person is categorized as having high blood pressure if their

systolic blood pressure (or the top number that measures the blood pressure when the heart

beats) is 130 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) or higher and their diastolic blood pressure (or

the bottom number that measures blood pressure between heart beats) is 80 mmHg or higher.

Salt and blood pressure

Eating too much salt is considered a key risk factor for high blood pressure. So, the 2015–

2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that we limit our intake of sodium —

which is the primary component of table salt — to no more than 2,300 milligrams, or

approximately one teaspoon, each day.

But despite this recommendation, most adults in the U.S. consume more than 3,400

milligrams of sodium daily.

High blood pressure: Could diet replace medication?

Researchers suggest that the DASH diet is just as good as medication for lowering blood

pressure.

Health organizations state that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help to lower blood

pressure, but can such a diet counteract the effects of a high salt intake? Not according to Dr.

Stamler and colleagues.

The researchers came to their findings by analyzing the data of 4,680 men and women who

were a part of the International Study on Macro/Micronutrients and Blood Pressure.

Subjects were from the U.S., the United Kingdom, China, and Japan, and they were all

between the ages of 40 and 59.

Over a 4-day period, two urine samples were taken from each subject per day. These were

tested for levels of sodium, as well as potassium.

Potassium is a mineral commonly found in fruits and vegetables, including leafy greens,

broccoli, carrots, and pumpkin.

Also, on each of the 4 days, participants were asked to recall their food and drink intake over

the past 24 hours. The team used this information to calculate the subjects' intake of more

than 80 nutrients — including fats, proteins, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.

The participants' blood pressure was also measured twice per day over the study period.

'Having a low-salt diet is key'

The results of the study revealed that participants who had a high amount of sodium in their

diet were more likely to have hypertension than those with low dietary sodium, regardless of

their intake of fruits and vegetables.

In detail, the scientists found that each additional 118.7 millimoles of sodium in urine

excretion over a 24-hour period was linked with a systolic blood pressure increase of 3.7

mmHg, even after controlling for levels of potassium and other blood pressure-lowering

nutrients in the urine.

Based on these results, the researchers conclude that eating high amounts of fruits,

vegetables, and whole grains will not offset the negative effects of too much salt.

"We currently have a global epidemic of high salt intake — and high blood pressure. This

research shows there are no cheats when it comes to reducing blood pressure. Having a low-

salt diet is key — even if your diet is otherwise healthy and balanced."

Co-lead study author Dr. Queenie Chan, Imperial College London, U.K.

The team notes that around 75 percent of salt intake in the U.S. comes from restaurant foods

or foods that are prepackaged or processed.

As such, the team calls for food manufacturers to reduce the amount of salt that they add to

their products, as a way of helping to protect our heart health.

"We're learning more about the role other nutrients play in influencing the blood pressure-

raising effects of sodium, and that the focus on sodium remains important," says Cheryl

Anderson, Ph.D., vice-chair of the AHA's Nutrition Committee, who was not involved in the

study.

"Restaurant and prepackaged food companies must be part of the solution," she writes,

"because Americans desire the ability to choose foods that allow them to meet their sodium

reduction goals."

Pain

Hold my hand: Touching may ease pain by syncing brainwaves (Medical News

Today:20180306)

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321121.php

Our bodies are capable of an incredible range of physiological reactions in response to other

people's feelings. New research shows that holding your loved one's hand when they're in

pain will comfort them and cause your brain waves to synchronize.

Hand holding for pain reduction must not be underestimated, suggests new research.

Prosocial behavior is deeply ingrained in us as humans, and the way our bodies respond to

others is a testament to this.

When humans engage in communal practices — such as dancing or singing — our ability to

think about other people's feelings is enhanced, and sometimes, our heart rates even

synchronize.

When you add romance to the mix, things get even more interesting. Scientists have shown

that the hearts of romantic partners beat at the same rate, making the phrase "our hearts beat

as one" more true than previously thought.

Last year, a study led by Pavel Goldstein — a postdoctoral researcher in the Cognitive and

Affective Neuroscience Lab at the University of Colorado, Boulder — focused on how this

physiological synchronicity is affected when one partner is in pain and the other tries to

comfort them.

The study showed that holding your partner's hand can ease their pain, raise your empathy,

and even cause you and your partner's heart and respiration rates to synchronize.

This phenomenon is called "interpersonal synchronization," and now, the same Pavel

Goldstein has explored it further. Along with his team, Goldstein chose to focus on brain

wave patterns and how they behave when partners try to alleviate each other's pain.

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first time that "brain-to-brain coupling" has been

studied in the context of pain reduction through the human touch.

The findings were published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Hand holding, brain coupling may kill pain

Goldstein and colleagues asked 22 heterosexual couples to sit through different scenarios

while their brain activity was monitored using an electroencephalograph.

The participants were aged between 23 and 32 and had been together for at least a year.

During the study, they were asked to either sit together in the same room without touching, sit

together and hold hands, or sit in separate rooms.

Empathy: Why do we care?

We take a look at the neurobiological underpinnings of this deeply humane feeling.

The scenarios — which lasted for about 2 minutes each — were then repeated, with the

women subjected to mild heat-induced pain on their arms.

The study revealed that for the partners, simply being in each other's presence correlated with

synchronicity in a brain wavelength called the alpha mu band, which is involved in focus and

attention.

Brain coupling increased even more if the partner held the woman's hand while she was in

pain. Conversely, if the partners didn't hold hands while the woman was in pain, their brain

waves stopped coupling.

"It appears that pain totally interrupts this interpersonal synchronization between couples and

touch brings it back," says Goldstein.

Additionally, the researchers tested the male partner's levels of empathy, which revealed that

high empathy correlated with more intense brain coupling. This, in turn, lowered the women's

pain. The authors explain:

"Our findings indicate that hand holding during pain administration increases brain-to-brain

coupling in a network that mainly involves the central regions of the pain target and the right

hemisphere of the pain observer."

They add, "Interpersonal touch may blur the borders between self and other." And while the

study did not look at same-sex couples or other relationships apart from heterosexual,

romantic ones, Goldstein emphasizes how powerful the human touch can be in easing pain.

"We have developed a lot of ways to communicate in the modern world and we have fewer

physical interactions," he says. "This paper illustrates the power and importance of human

touch."

Goldstein also adds that further studies are needed to understand the precise mechanisms that

may explain exactly how hand holding can kill pain in the brain.

Child Health

What to expect from a baby's first cold (Medical News Today:20180306)

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321114.php

Symptoms of a newborn cold Is it something more serious? Treatment Risks and prevention

When to see a doctor Takeaway

A newborn baby starts building its immune system early on. But before this early immunity is

fully developed, a baby may be prone to catching and having to fight off viruses such as

colds.

Colds are less common in newborns because they have some immunity from their mothers.

This immunity wears off by about 6 months, and then colds become more common.

A newborn with a cold can be scary for a parent or carer to watch. But these illnesses are vital

to help the baby's body learn to fight the viruses that cause the common cold.

Children will usually have numerous colds before their first birthday. There are some other

symptoms to look out for to be sure it is a cold, and there will be times when a doctor should

be seen.

Treating a newborn's cold requires especially gentle care but is often not a serious issue.

Fast facts on newborn colds:

A cold may strike at any time of year and in a child of any age.

Nasal symptoms may be an early sign of a cold in newborn babies.

Babies less than 3 months old should be taken to a doctor if they have a cold.

Symptoms of a newborn cold

small baby having its temperature measured by touching its head

Some immunity to infections is passed to newborns from their mother, but this wears off at

around 6 months old.

Newborns may have excess nasal discharge that starts out runny and watery but progresses to

a thicker, yellow to green discharge within a few days.

This is the natural progression of the infection and does not automatically mean symptoms

are getting worse.

A slight fever may also follow, which could be another sign of their body fighting off the

infection.

Other signs of a cold in newborns include:

sneezing

coughing

irritability or fussing

red eyes

lack of appetite

trouble sleeping or staying asleep

difficulty nursing due to a stuffy nose

The signs of colds in newborns are similar to the symptoms of some other illnesses, including

croup and pneumonia. These conditions are more serious, however, so parents and carers

should contact a doctor or specialist pediatrician if a newborn shows signs of a cold.

A doctor can do a thorough diagnosis and usually put troubled minds at ease. The parents or

carers can then better focus on tending to their child's cold.

Is it something more serious?

While many of the above symptoms are common for multiple disorders, newborns with flu,

croup, or pneumonia will often show other symptoms.

Flu

A newborn with flu may have cold symptoms, but these are often alongside other signs that

may include vomiting, diarrhea, or higher fever.

The baby may also be especially fussy due to other symptoms they are too young to cannot

express. A baby with the flu will often seem sicker than with a cold, but not always.

Croup

Babies with croup will have the typical symptoms of a cold, but these symptoms may quickly

get worse.

Babies may have a harsh, barking cough. They may have difficulty breathing, which could

cause them to make straining, squeaking noises, or to sounding hoarse when they cough.

Whooping cough

Whooping cough, also called pertussis, begins as a cold, but symptoms can shift after a week

or so. The baby may develop a severe hacking cough that makes it hard for them to breathe.

The cough may make the baby take deep breaths immediately after coughing. These breaths

make a whooping noise.

The classic "whoop," however, is more common in older children and adults and does not

often happen in babies.

An infant with pertussis often vomits after coughing or, more seriously, may briefly turn blue

or stop breathing.

Whooping cough is serious and requires immediate medical care.

Pneumonia

Babies may be more at risk than older people of a cold turning into pneumonia. This can

happen quickly, which is why it is important to notify a pediatrician for a proper diagnosis.

Pneumonia symptoms include:

vomiting

sweating

high fever

flushed skin

strong cough, worsening over time

abdominal sensitivity

Babies with pneumonia may also have difficulty breathing. They could breathe more rapidly

than normal, or their breathing could sound difficult.

In some cases, their lips or fingers may look blueish, which is a sign they are not getting

enough oxygen and need emergency medical attention.

What happens when babies get oral thrush?

Another common but very treatable condition in babies is oral thrush. Learn more about it

here.

Treatment

baby being given nose drops

A doctor may prescribe saline nasal drops to help ease a baby's stuffy nose.

A newborn cold often has to be treated with patient care. The baby's body is learning to

protect itself, and the best assistance adults can offer is comfort and gentle care during the

process.

Over-the-counter cold medications are not recommended for babies, as they do not work and

can have serious side effects.

Doctors may recommend a few different home remedies to help babies through their early

colds. Nasal saline drops are sometimes suggested to help with a stuffy nose.

In some cases, they may also discuss the possibility of using fever-reducing medication.

It may take up to 2 weeks for a baby's symptoms to go completely.

Home remedies

The following home remedies can ease symptoms:

Hydration: Babies should be well fed and hydrated when they are fighting off a cold, as

mucus and fever can take away vital liquids and electrolytes.

Clean nasal passages: Cleaning out a baby's nose with a rubber syringe may help the baby

breathe easier.

Humidity: Using a gentle humidifier to moisten the area around the baby's crib may assist

them to breathe better and relieve congestion.

Steam: Standing in a steamy bathroom with the hot water running for 10 to 15 minutes may

loosen mucus.

Rest: It may be best to avoid public places and allow the baby plenty of extra time to rest

while they heal.

Any worsening of symptoms should be discussed with a doctor, and home remedies should

be used with caution.

Risks and prevention

While newborns get colds infrequently, older babies and young children have a greater risk of

getting a cold simply because they have not yet developed resistance to the viruses that cause

them.

A couple of other factors may increase this risk, such as exposure to older children or being

around people who smoke.

The viruses that cause the common cold can spread through the air or from contact with

someone who has the virus. A person who is carrying the virus may not show any symptoms.

A baby who has contact with such a person can easily become infected themselves.

It is best to help an infant avoid a cold by taking steps to reduce their exposure. These

includes:

regular hand-washing by anyone who is in contact with the baby

avoiding people who are sick or have been around someone who is sick

limiting exposure to crowds

avoiding secondhand smoke

regularly cleaning toys and surfaces

Nursing may also allow some of the mother's antibodies to be fed to the baby. It does not

mean the baby will not get sick, but they may get sick less often, and it may be easier for

them to fight off infections than formula-fed babies.

When to see a doctor

babys chest being listened to with stethoscope

It is important to seek advice from a doctor if a newborn seems unwell.

A fever is one of the baby's primary defenses against infections such as colds.

In very young babies under 3 months, fever higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) would

warrant a call to the doctor. Under 6 months, fever of 101°F would be a sign they need a

doctor's attention.

Very young babies may not have a fever even in the face of serious infection. If a newborn

seems ill, even with no fever, medical care should be sought right away.

In all cases, a young baby who has a fever that persists for more than a few days, or one that

goes away for a day or two but then returns, should be seen by a doctor.

It is also important to see a doctor if any other unusual symptoms show up in the baby.

These include symptoms such as:

trouble breathing normally

unusual sounding cry or cough

signs of physical pain or discomfort

trouble eating or refusing to eat

skin rashes

persistent diarrhea or vomiting

dehydration

In some cases, a parent or carer may simply sense the baby just does not seem right. If there

is any uncertainty about the symptoms a baby is showing, they should see a doctor straight

away.

Takeaway

Colds are common in babies that are building their immune system, but rarer in newborns.

It is impossible to avoid every germ in a baby's growing environment, and getting sick is

normal for them as it is for everyone. The best thing a parent or caregiver can do is to help

them feel comfortable while their body fights off the cold.

Colds may turn into serious illnesses, so regular checkups with a pediatrician are essential,

especially if they have a high fever or show other symptoms. In newborn babies, it is

essential to call a doctor at the first sign of sickness to rule out more serious conditions.

Ageing

High cholesterol in late life may mean better brain health (Medical News

Today:20180306)

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321115.php

A study of older people has found that having a total cholesterol level higher than it was in

midlife is tied to a lower risk of marked cognitive decline in those aged 85–94. This was in

stark contrast to the results found for the age group that was 10 years younger.

Having high cholesterol isn't always bad, a new study suggests.

The findings showed that among study subjects aged 75–84, those whose total cholesterol

was higher than it was in midlife had a 50 percent higher risk of marked cognitive decline.

However, among those aged 85–94 whose total cholesterol was higher than it was in midlife,

risk for marked cognitive decline happened to be 32 percent lower.

"Our results," notes first study author Jeremy Silverman, who is a professor of psychiatry at

the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, NY, "have important

implications for researching genetic and other factors associated with successful cognitive

aging."

He and his co-author James Schmeidler, also of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai,

report their findings in the journal Alzheimer's & Dementia.

Cholesterol serves many functions

Cholesterol is a fat-like compound that is found in all of the body's cells. It has a complex

biology and serves many functions.

For example, cholesterol is used to make vitamin D, compounds that aid digestion, and

hormones. It is also an essential component of cell membranes and is important for cell

signaling.

Cholesterol-removing gene may prevent heart disease

Learn how a gene once thought to serve no purpose actually helps to remove excess

cholesterol from blood vessels.

Although we can get cholesterol from animal-based foods such as meat, milk, cheese, and

eggs, our bodies can make all the cholesterol that our cells need.

To reach all the cells of the body, cholesterol travels in the bloodstream packed inside two

types of lipoprotein: low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein.

Usually, headlines about cholesterol are dominated by its relation to heart disease risk.

However, the new study reveals an intriguing connection to successful cognitive aging.

Five measures of total cholesterol over time

For their analysis, the researchers examined data on 1,897 participants from the Framingham

Heart Study, all of whom had healthy cognitive function when they entered the study.

They investigated associations between total cholesterol levels and incidences of marked

cognitive decline that emerged during the decades of follow-up as the participants progressed

through their middle and later years of life.

The researchers used five "time-dependent" measures of total cholesterol. These were:

average at age 40 (midlife)

average at age 77 (late life)

average since age 40

whether the level went up or down ("linear change since midlife")

whether any change in level slowed down or sped up (did the linear change accelerate or

decelerate?)

The results showed that some of the measures were predictive of a higher risk of marked

cognitive decline.

However, the study authors also found that "[s]ome associations of cholesterol with cognition

diminish as outcome age increases," and that "[i]n the oldest-old, some relationships reverse

from younger elderly samples."

More specifically, they found that among the cognitively healthy members of the group aged

85–94, having had a high total cholesterol level in midlife was linked to a reduced risk of

marked cognitive decline.

A biomarker of successful cognitive aging?

The findings reveal the need to look more closely at different age groups in this type of

research.

They challenge, for instance, studies that have concluded that cholesterol is linked to higher

risk for cognitive decline in older people — but those studies have mainly focused on adults

up to the age of 75.

Prof. Silverman points out that their findings should not be taken to mean that those aged 85

and older should now seek to raise their cholesterol levels.

"We don't think high cholesterol is good for cognition at 85," he adds, "but its presence might

help us identify those who are less affected by it."

"We hope to identify genes or other protective factors for cognitive decline by focusing on

cognitively healthy very old people who are more likely to carry protective factors."

Prof. Jeremy Silverman

He and his colleagues also plan to investigate other risk factors, such as blood pressure and

body mass index (BMI).

Depression

Depression: 'Orphan' brain receptor may be to blame (Medical News Today:20180306)

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321109.php

New research uncovers a brain receptor that could explain why some people experience

major depressive disorder after a stressful event, while others do not.

So-called orphan brain receptors may explain why some people develop depression after a

traumatic event.

Recently, an increasing amount of studies have been focusing on the neurological causes of

depression, which is a psychiatric condition affecting more than 16 million adults in the

United States.

Only a few months ago, one such study pointed out that depression originates in brain areas

associated with memory and reward.

And, just a few days ago, another study laid out an electrical brain map of depression that

could predict who develops the condition.

Now, researchers from The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) in Jupiter, FL, may have

uncovered a new drug target for the treatment of depression.

Scienitsts led by Kirill Martemyanov, Ph.D. — co-chair of the TSRI Department of

Neuroscience — focused on a brain receptor called GPR158 after they noticed that levels of

the GPR158 protein were very high in people with depression.

So, Martemyanov and colleagues examined the behavior of this brain receptor in mice that

had been subjected to chronic stress. Their findings were published in the journal eLife.

Studying 'orphan brain receptors' in mice

The researchers examined both rodents that had the receptor and those that did not. Exposing

the mice that did have GPR158 to chronic stress increased the levels of the protein in the

rodents' prefrontal cortices.

Martemyanov and colleagues also noticed that excessive levels of GPR158 led to behavioral

signs of depression in mice such as anhedonia — or the sudden inability to enjoy activities

that used to be pleasurable — and anxiety-like physiological reactions.

Understanding anhedonia: What happens in the brain?

Learn more about anhedonia, or the inability to enjoy once pleasurable activities.

By comparison, the researchers report that genetically removing GPR158 "led to a prominent

antidepressant-like phenotype and stress resiliency," in the mice.

Martemyanov explains that GPR158 brain receptors are called "orphan receptors" because it

is not yet known what chemical the protein binds to.

These are "proteins that look like they will bind and respond to a hormone or a brain

chemical, based on the similarity of their sequences to other proteins." However, their

binding partner(s) remain mysterious.

Why are some people resilient to depression?

Things such as going through a divorce, the death of a loved one, or losing one's job can all

be traumatic experiences.

While the risk of depression increases after such experiences, some people go on to develop

the condition while others do not.

As the authors of the new study explain, their findings might offer some clues as to why this

happens. They hypothesize that perhaps in humans, too, a lack of GPR158 makes people

genetically resistant to depression.

As co-first study author Laurie Sutton, Ph.D. — a research associate at TSRI — explains, the

findings seem to support observational evidence of individuals who have been subjected to

chronic stress. "There's always a small population that is resilient — they don't show the

depressive phenotype," she says.

Findings may change treatment

There is a dire need for alternatives to traditional treatments for depression, the scientists

explain. They say that the effects of current antidepressants may sometimes take a month to

kick in, and that the drugs don't work for everyone who has depression.

Also, even when they are effective, antidepressants can have a range of side effects, such as

the blunting of emotions or a decreased sex drive.

Co-first study author Cesare Orlandi, Ph.D. — a senior research associate at TSRI — says,

"We need to know what is happening in the brain so that we can develop more efficient

therapies."

Now that the researchers have uncovered the role of GPR158, "The next step in this process

is to come up with a drug that can target this receptor," says Martemyanov.

In fact, this team is not the only one attempting to come up with alternative treatments for

major depressive disorder; we recently covered studies exploring the benefits of psilocybin

— the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms — or those of grape extracts for treating

the condition.

Allergy (Dainik Jagran:20180306)

http://epaper.jagran.com/ePaperArticle/06-mar-2018-edition-Delhi-City-page_22-13171-

5283-4.html

ͬ

हर साल 27 हजार ͬ ͧ Ǖले रहे Û , ȡ Ʌ कैसे Ȫ ȧ जा सकती है ǒ ȡȣ (Amar

Ujala:20180306)

https://www.amarujala.com/delhi-ncr/birth-of-27-000-deaf-babies-every-year-know-how-

can-it-be-prevented

देश Ʌहर साल 27 हजार से Ï ȡȡ ͬ ͧ Ǖ Û ले रहे ¡ ɇ@̂ Ʌसे कई ȧ  ȣÍ ȯऐसे भी ¡ ɇ,

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ȣ छह करोड़ बधीरता ȧ  è ȡसे जूझ रहे थे। ǔ ȧ  ȲÉ ȡ[2011 तक 22.4 ĤǓ तक

बढ़ गई है। ȨÈɉका मानना है ͩ ^  ȧबड़ी वजह है \ ͧ ȡ ɉ Ʌ ȡ Ǿ ȡका आभाव।

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बाद Ʌवह ^Û¡ ȣȲसुने हुए Þɉऔर ] ȡ ɉ ȧनकल कर बोलता है। ȯͩ अगर नवजात इन

] ȡ ɉको न सुन पाए तो वह बोल भी ¡ ȣȲपाएगा। ^  ͧ f वे ȡ ɉ के ã से ã Į

¢ ȡ ȧजांच ȧसलाह देते ¡ ɇ@

¡ ȣȲ, डॉ. संजय जैन का कहना है ͩ ȣ एक Ǔ ¡ ȡ_ मामले [ Ȣ Ǒ¡ ȡया नवजात Ʌ  ȲĐ

ȧवजह से होते ¡ ɇ@यह Ǿȯ ȡ, ȯ ȯ ȡ̂ ȣ  , Ȣ ã  या कान Ʌ  ȲĐ Ʌसे ͩ   Ȣभी कारण से हो

सकता है। इसके अलावा h ȪȨǔÈ  दवाओं के ^è ȯ ȡ ȧवजह से भी ͬ ȡहो सकती है।

` Û¡ ɉ ȯबताया ͩ Û से आई ͬ ȡको Ȥ ¡ ȣȲͩ ȡजा सकता ȯͩ Û के बाद आई

बधीरता ɅȣȲȰ ȪÜ ȡèȣजैसे   [ȣसे उपचार ͩ ȡजाता है।

Diabetes (Hindustan:20180306)

http://epaper.livehindustan.com/story.aspx?id=2585598&boxid=117477938&ed_date=2018-

03-06&ed_code=1&ed_page=18

अवसाद

छह माह तक ͧ Ǖसंग सोने से अवसाद (HIndustan:20180306)

http://epaper.livehindustan.com/story.aspx?id=2585598&boxid=117324964&ed_date=2018-

03-06&ed_code=1&ed_page=18

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दसूरे कमरे Ʌसुलाने ȡ ȣमाताओं के मुकाबले 76 ȧ  ȣ\ ͬ रहता है। Ȫ ȡ[j Ȳका कहना था

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Air PollutionViral IllnessMental HealthDengue and ChikungunyaHIVHeart AttacksDiet/ NutritionPainChild HealthAgeingDepressionAllergyबधिर Diabetesअवसाद