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Thursday, July 2, 2009
Gene Expression Findings a Step Toward Better Classification and Treatment of Juvenile Arthritis
Scientists have discovered gene expression differences that could lead to better ways to classify, predict outcome, and treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Eventually such findings could enable doctors to target more aggressive treatment to children at risk of more severe arthritis, while those likely to have milder disease could be spared the stronger treatments that carry a greater risk of side effects. The researchers were supported by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), a part of the National Institutes of Health.

JIA is an inflammatory and sometimes disabling joint disease that affects an estimated 294,000 children in the United States. At present, making a diagnosis of JIA is imprecise and based largely on the presence of joint inflammation persisting for at least six weeks, for which no other cause can be determined, says Robert A. Colbert, M.D., Ph.D., chief of the NIAMS Pediatric Translational Research Branch. Based on the number of joints involved and other clinical features (fever and rash, for example), doctors classify patients into one of four or five major subtypes of JIA, which helps them predict a patient’s most likely outcome and guide appropriate treatments. "But, recent research suggests there is more variability in JIA than the four or five major subtypes we currently recognize," Dr. Colbert says.

In the first of two such NIAMS-supported studies to be published in the July issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism, scientists led by Michael Barnes, Ph.D., of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center used a large data set to compare a number of children newly diagnosed with one of four major subtypes of JIA — persistent oligoarthritis (affecting four or fewer joints), polyarthritis (affecting five or more joints), systemic arthritis (with fever and rash and inflammation throughout the body) and enthesitis-related arthritis (affecting the junctions between tendons and bones). Using gene expression technology — a method by which scientists can determine the relative levels of expression of thousands of different genes at the same time and compare a pattern from one subject with another — the researchers looked for differences in the children’s blood samples that corresponded with the different forms of JIA.

"We analyzed gene expression patterns in blood cells and found that we could indeed distinguish the major subtypes of JIA," says Dr. Colbert, who was a leader of this research program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center before coming to NIAMS. "Many of the genes whose expression is altered function in the immune system. This means that not only is there immune activation, but it differs depending on the subtype of JIA that is present."

In the second study, led by Thomas Griffin, M.D., Ph.D., also at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, scientists looked more closely at patients from the study with one particular subtype of the disease — polyarticular JIA — to determine if that form was more complicated, or if there were more subgroups than originally thought. They included children with rheumatoid factor (RF) positive JIA, meaning their blood tested positive for an antibody commonly seen in adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Surprisingly, the scientists found patterns of gene expression that indicated at least three subgroups of polyarthritis. There was an older subgroup (average age 11) that included both RF positive and negative children with an inflammatory gene expression signature bearing some resemblance to adult RA. A second older subgroup (RF negative) had less severe arthritis and an anti-inflammatory gene expression signature. A third subgroup was comprised mostly of younger patients (average age 7) who had no clearly defined gene expression signature and did have antinuclear antibodies (ANA). This third subgroup may be more similar to oligoarthritis patients, who frequently have a positive ANA, than to the other subgroups of polyarticular JIA.

Dr. Colbert says the new findings take pediatric rheumatologists a step closer to more precisely classifying JIA, and eventually developing individually tailored treatments that maximize the benefits, while minimizing the risks. "In pediatric rheumatology, we are at the early stages of improving our classification system for JIA. We expect that complementary studies designed to uncover the genetic differences that contribute to susceptibility will confirm the presence of several JIA subtypes, and add important information about what causes this group of diseases," he said. "We look forward to the day when we can use a combination of genetic and gene expression tests in the clinic to help us better diagnose and treat childhood arthritis."

In addition to NIAMS, funding for the studies was provided by the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation and the Arthritis Foundation Ohio Valley Chapter.

For more information about juvenile arthritis, visit the NIAMS Web site at http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Juv_Arthritis/default.asp.

For more information about arthritis and rheumatic diseases, visit the NIAMS Web site at http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Arthritis/arthritis_rheumatic_qa.asp.

The mission of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), a part of the Department of Health and Human Services' National Institutes of Health (NIH), is to support research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases; the training of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this research; and the dissemination of information on research progress in these diseases. For more information about NIAMS, call the information clearinghouse at 301-495-4484 or 877-22-NIAMS (free call) or visit the NIAMS Web site at http://www.niams.nih.gov.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) — The Nation's Medical Research Agency — includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.Reference:

Barnes M, Grom A, Thompson S, et al. Subtype-specific peripheral blood gene expression profiles in recent-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Arthritis Rheum 2009;60(7):2102–2112. DOI 10.1002/art.24601.

Griffin T, Barnes M, Ilowite N, et al. Gene expression signatures in polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis demonstrate disease heterogeneity and offer a molecular classification of disease subsets. Arthritis Rheum 2009;60(7):2113–2123. DOI 10.1002/art.24534.

Source: http://www.nih.gov/news/health/jun2009/niams-29.htm
posted by Healthy Life @ 8:03 AM  
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Eye Exercises - How Can They Help You?

Eye exercises can help prevent damage to the eyes. But can they also help them get better? According to world-renowned ophthalmologist William H. Bates argues that it is in fact possible to undo damage to the eyes. In his research Dr Bates found that eyesight was affected by factors such as stress, diet and lack of sleep. At the same time, he also figured out that they can also be brought back to normal in the same way broken bones can be rejoined. And based on this, he developed some 100 years ago some simple exercises of eye relaxation that can help to improve vision.

Glasses can only correct your vision. But they can never be the cure of the eye of what led to the problem in the first place. Eyesight is lost because the eye muscles weaken over time. Using lenses does not make your eye muscles stronger. It only introduces lenses which do the work your muscles should be doing.

The most important thing for the well-being of your eyes is to keep them lubricated. For this, you should keep blinking often because your tear-glands are in the upper eyelid, and will immediately wet the eye.

Here are a few exercises that will keep your eyes healthy:

1. This is a common exercise that many may have come across already. Draw a large 'E' on a sheet of paper. Now try first concentrating on the top bar, then the bottom, and then the middle bar. Keep doing this as you move the page away, until you can't see the letter distinctly any more.

2. Another thing you can try is to hold your hand out in your peripheral vision and wiggle your fingers. If you can't see your fingers distinctly, move them in closer. This also helps to improve peripheral vision, among other things.

3. This one is also a very simple and easy exercise that you may have heard of. Draw in your mind a circle. Then contract this into an oval, and then draw a figure of '8' around it. Sounds easy? The only difference is you must restrict the graffiti to your mind, but will need to follow all the 'pen' movements with your eyes. SO concentrate hard!

4. Get yourself a doctor's eye-chart. Yes, the one in the eye clinic with all the letters on it is the one we are talking about. It would be useful to put it up in an easily accessible place and keep glancing at it every now and then. You can do this with other general objects in your visual field as well. Pick any object. Pay attention to its details as well as the entire environment around it. This helps to keep your eyes moving so that they don't have to focus too hard and strain themselves. At the same time, it allows the mind to get all the information it needs.

Start off with these simple exercises as an activity to simply pass the time. Soon, as they begin to show results, you will begin to develop interest. And before you know it, these exercises will become part of your daily habit. Which is all the better for your eyes!

posted by Healthy Life @ 8:42 PM  
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Get Rid of Acne

Your ability to get rid of acne has never been easier. Thanks to the internet, you are now able to learn some simple things that will ensure that you never have acne again.

  • The first thing you must do is stop using those "over the counter" acne treatments. Those kind of treatments will never permanently eliminate your acne. Those treatments are made to do one thing only. They will eliminate the acne you currently have. There for you must have a breakout before you can use those products. What you want to do is never have the acne appear. Those product will never help you with that.
  • The second thing you must do is change some simple things. The soaps and detergents that you use can cause you to breakout. The human skin is very sensitive. Anytime your skin has a negative reaction; it will then breakout. By changing things like the soap and detergents you could eliminate those negative reactions.
  • The third thing you want to do is take better care of your skin. Healthy skin will not break out. Prevention is the key. There are now better lotions and moisturizers available. By using those products on your skin, you will then fight off the dirt and bacteria. The dirt and bacteria are some of the main reasons you will always break out. Eliminate that and then you will eliminate the acne.

Let the internet help you find some of the latest and most natural ways to permanently get rid of acne. Start eliminating your acne today.

posted by Healthy Life @ 10:09 AM  
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Your Weight in Menopause - Belly Battles

You spent your younger years worried about your hips, your thighs, your derriere - but your belly probably wasn't topping the list of things you kept a wary eye on. Then you entered perimenopause, and suddenly the weight went to your midsection and settled there, turning your shape from a pear into an apple seemingly overnight. What happened when you weren't looking?

As you age, your metabolism slows, and the amount of fat in your body creeps up. This is true of men as well as women, but it's women who experience the greater fat percentage increase. Simply getting older can do this, as some women are tapped by heredity and their genes to gain weight as they age. But hormonal changes after menopause may change the way that your body breaks down and stores fat. When you hit menopause, weight gain tends to be less in your arms, legs and hips and more in your abdomen - the worst place for it to be.

You see, it's not just the flab you can grab that is worrisome. As unpleasant as the subcutaneous fat between your skin and abdominal wall may be to your self image, it's the fat you can't see that's going to give you the most grief. Visceral fat, the kind that's deep inside surrounding your abdominal organs, is the real cause for your increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, gallbladder problems, and even certain types of cancer. The fat cells in your abdomen aren't like other fat cells, just sitting there waiting to be burned off. They are actively producing hormones that can adversely affect your health. You need to target them and get rid of them.

But there's good news. A few simple lifestyle changes, including some targeted ab exercises, and you can beat that ballooning belly back into shape.

How much is too much?

You know your pants fit tighter, but have you really gained enough extra weight to be in trouble? You can use a body mass index (BMI) calculation or a waist-hip ratio, but research has found that you get an accurate idea of whether you have an unhealthy amount of belly fat simply by measuring your waist. In fact, BMI is considered an inaccurate measure of body fat percentage or distribution when applied to the circumstances of menopause.

Run a tape measure around your midsection at about navel level. Breathe normally, don't suck in your gut, and don't squeeze the tape so hard it pushes your skin down. A woman of healthy weight should have a waist measurement of no more than 35 inches. Some research indicates that even a measurement of 33 inches will increase your health risks, so make it your goal to aim for numbers lower than that.

The battle plan

It might seem like fat that's buried deep inside would be difficult to get rid of. The good news is that it responds very well to a regular exercise routine and a healthy diet. Targeted tummy exercises can also go a long way toward flattening your abs.

Exercise. Daily, moderate-intensity exercise is the best way to lose belly fat - when you lose weight and gain muscle tone, your belly fat begins shrinking as well. In fact, you may notice that your tummy bulge is the first area to shrink when you start exercising. The amount and type of exercise you should get depends on your current activity level and your health goals. Check with your doctor about the right exercise program for you to promote good health and particularly combat abdominal fat.

Strength training. Research has shown that exercising with weights is effective in trimming tummy fat. Again, check with your doctor about how to incorporate strength training into your exercise routine.

Healthy diet. Altering poor eating habits can help fight belly fat. Read nutrition labels, and replace saturated fats with polyunsaturated fats. Increase portions of complex carbohydrates such as fruits and vegetables, and decrease simple carbohydrates like white bread and refined pasta. Reducing your portion sizes and daily calorie intake will also result in pounds lost.

Tone your tummy. While you can't "spot-burn" belly fat, you can firm up your abdominal muscles and get a flatter stomach as a result. Traditional sit-ups aren't the most effective way to do this, however. Instead, use these exercises to target both deeper and lower abdominal muscles:

  • Deeper abdominal muscles. Target deeper abdominal muscles by doing "abdominal hollowing" or "drawing in the bellybutton." Begin by getting down on all fours. Let your tummy hang down as you inhale deeply. Let your breath out, and at the end of your exhalation, gently draw your bellybutton inward and upward toward your spine. You should feel a slight tightening around your waist - think of it as trying to squeeze through a partially closed door. Hold for 10 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds. Work up to 10 repetitions. During each effort, your spine position shouldn't change and you should continue to breathe freely. Eventually, you'll be able to do this exercise standing up. It's very subtle, and no one will be able to tell you're doing it.
  • Lower abdominal muscles. Tone your lower abdomen by doing pelvic tilts and lifts. Pelvic tilt: lie on your back on the floor with your knees bent. Flatten your back against the floor by tightening your abdominal muscles and bending your pelvis up slightly. Hold for five to 10 seconds. Repeat five times and work up to 10 to 20 repetitions. Pelvic lift: lie on your back with your knees bent up toward your chest and your arms relaxed by your sides. Tighten your lower abdomen and lift your buttocks up off the floor, with your knees pointed toward the ceiling. Hold for five to 10 seconds. Repeat five times and work up to 10 to 20 repetitions.

Hormone therapy. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has its place, but as an aid in fending off menopause weight gain, it's pretty much useless. Some studies have shown that postmenopausal women who take HRT are less likely to accumulate abdominal fat than are postmenopausal women who don't. Other studies, however, found no difference. Meanwhile, concerns about the risks and benefits of HRT continue. Talk to your doctor in detail about the any risks and potential benefits of hormone therapy before trying it.

Menopause doesn't get to have the last word in how your body looks and feels. You can be in menopause and still lose weight by following the suggestions we outline here. A healthy diet and exercise program was a good idea when you were younger, and it's only gotten to be a better idea as you move into the next phase of your life.

posted by Healthy Life @ 10:05 AM  
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Acai Berry and its Popularity

Acai berry is so popular now-a-days, everyone is going for it. But one question that rises, Are acai berries safe or not? Things will be safe as long as we stay close to nature. It is always good to intake natural products rather than going for some chemical or man-made weight loosing pills.

Acai berry are 100% natural and effective. They are grown in Brazil and Peru i.e. in the Amazon rainforests. Local people do the harvesting of these berries and use to make lot of business from them. These berries are natural so is the important part of their diet which ensures their good health. Various researches had been made which truly state the fact that acai berry does not have any side effects; it is very much safe to use.

Many marketers claim that these berries provide increased energy levels with improved sexual performance and reduction of cholesterol levels. Some of the marketers also claim that it even helps in expanding the size of penis and sexual attractiveness to women. Acai berry in specific has two fatty acids, these are omega 6 and omega 3, and they help in increasing the Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and mobilize the fat tissues. These berries are used in many diets due to its legitimate results in helping user to lose weight. Many skin care products also have some traces of acai in it.

On the whole, if someone asks whether acai berries can be harmful? The sure shot answer will be NO. Stay fit and healthy by including acai berry in your diet plan.

posted by Healthy Life @ 8:42 PM  
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Get Rid of Warts

Anyone having a wart goes through a lot of pain. How to get rid of warts is a big question for people suffering from it, because warts are very difficult to treat. But if you want to get rid of you wart then follow these tips as they are really beneficial.

1. Soak your wart in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes. Then scrap as much dead skin as you can tolerate, from your wart using a pumice stone or sand paper or nail file. Now take a flat surface large crumble of sea salt, moisten it and apply over your wart and put a tape over it. Replace the salt if it falls and use it for several days. This tip can be easily followed by those looking for how to get rid of warts.

2. Take duct tape and apply its strips on your wart. Keep it for one day and then remove it, because when you peel the tape from the wart it takes away some layer of wart. Repeat the process as frequently as possible for quick results.

3. Garlic capsules if taken twice daily for several weeks helps in getting rid of warts.

4. Rub banana peel on your wart daily and it will disappear, however this process will take some time.

5. Therapy of warts using blue red lights has proved to be very successful.

So follow these tips as they are the answer of your question "how to get rid of warts", and free yourself from the unwanted and ugly wart on your body.

posted by Healthy Life @ 8:55 PM  
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Medical Records Are Going Green

In the world of medicine there is so much information about a patient that needs to be recorded and transcribed. Each time a patient visits a doctors office their medical file is pulled and reviewed by the doctor. In cases where ongoing treatments are required and multiple visits to the doctor are needed to administer medications those patient files can grow to become volumes of paperwork.

Every time a patient visits a doctor there medical file is updated with information regarding the visit. At a glance the physician is reminded of the condition and treatment that has been prescribed for the patient. Although doctors keep accurate records their filing systems are enormous and finding a file can take time to locate. With the use of an EMR system those files can be searched and retrieved quickly and easily, reducing the time spent in the waiting room for hard copy files to be found.

With all of the hype about the environment, doctors offices, clinics and hospitals are transferring once cumbersome hard copy patient files into easy to use digital formats using an Electronic Medical Record or EMR to keep track of a patients complete medical history. Everything from prescriptions and medications to conditions and illnesses can be stored, downloaded and viewed at a moments notice with an EMR. For patients that require that skill of a surgeon or the expertise of a specialist in the field of medicine the EMR can be transferred electronically without duplicating paperwork or messenger carrying medical files to doctors offices.

posted by Healthy Life @ 8:52 AM  






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