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Behavioral-Health Treatment Can Reduce Your Hospital Use

Jul 7, 2015

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A new research from a leading university shows that the treatment of mind and body as an integrated structure can cause to have cheaper and better medical treatment. Sujoy who is a well-known health economist with the university center found an interesting thing. He told that people who undergo primary medical care and get hospitalized often tend to acquire mental health issues. These issues are also known as substance-abuse problems. Also, it has been observed that a balanced primary care and behavioral health care increase the chances of good health. This thing is really progressive until unless there is some emergency.

Mr. Sujoy added that this type pf treatment is very important and covers the entire quality of medical care patients usually receive. If treatment is given to both mind and body, then it can reduce the excessive use of hospitals by the patients except for severe cases where medical emergency is needed. It's also important to know that this type of medical treatment is far cost efficient than the usual one. Generally, patients suffering from substance-abuse problem, if they don't receive good treatment for both mind and the body, they tend not to follow doctors' advice. Even patients with this type of health treatment are likely to be found indulged in physical problems related to their bodies.

It would be interesting to know that Nicholson foundation granted funds of around $300,000 to the university so that they can give a go to such research and, of course, can come up with a report. The primary objective of the research is to recognize the potential savings on the expenses of hospitals, service gaps, and the precise levels of the care given to patients. Accountable Care Organizations foundation's director Mr. Rachel Cahill said that so many doctors, hospitals, and myriad service providers cooperate with us to improve the care and treatment quality patients are provided with. Of course, they also share the cost savings and other financial rewards with each other.

It's really great to know that the same foundation has also provided to support the formation of seven ACOs that work with in each other's coordination. The common objective of improving the health care and treatment given to the patients while keeping the primary care and behavioral care in mind should be followed. In fact, Nicholson himself funds the pilot programs in several health centers based in Lakewood and Trenton as well. This is so because it gives opportunity to many doctors and service providers that they can analyze the patients together. To get this type of thing done, use of cognitive behavioral therapy is made online.

Tough these types of initiatives are totally new yet it would be interesting to see if this can actually reduce hospital usage and the expenses made. The report presented by university is basically focused on some communities based in New Jersey with low income. However, they have also gone through the statewide data. From that point of view, since 2008 to 2011, they have actually covered around 931,179 hospitalizations and 2.9 million emergencies.

It has been observed that only more than $950 million in emergencies and other hospitalizations were found indulged with the patients suffering from behavioral-health treatments. You would be amazed to know that around seventy-five percent of patients in four hospitals stayed on study during that time. The team of the university also had a look at condition of hospitalization available for diseases e.g. diabetes, heart failure etc.

It's great to know that around forty percent of such hospitalizations were equipped with or provided with behavioral-health problems. Let's see how much influence this research is going to have on our hospital use and the expenses made in hospitalizations.

References

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Mental_illness_treatments

Melanoma’s safe haven targeted for shut-down

Jul 6, 2015

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Melanoma

In a new research published in Cancer Cell recently, it is revealed that melanoma cells become drug resistant with the help of the safe haven provided by the surrounding healthy cells. About 50% of the melanomas occur due to a mutation in a gene called BRAF. Typically, drugs called BRAF inhibitors that targets the faulty genes are used to treat these melanomas. However, the problem is these cancers soon develop a resistance to these targeted treatments.

In their research, scientists at the Francis Crick Institute, funded by Cancer Research UK, and at the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute have discovered that a side effect of BRAF inhibitors which eventually makes the cancer cell drug resistant. It is found that BRAF inhibitors prompt healthy cells to form a ‘safe haven’ shielding melanoma cells from cancer drugs. So even though some cancer cells are destroyed, the protected cancer cells survive – and the disease rebound in a form that is untreatable with fatal consequences.

The scientists experimented on mice and in sample from patients' tumors. Their study showed that the shield of cells that surround melanoma cells turn on a parallel set of cell signals that helps them survive. The researchers also found a way to overcome the resistance to BRAF inhibitors. By adding a second experimental drug that blocks this alternative route by targeting a protein called FAK, the resistance to BRAF inhibitors can be overcome. In their lab study it was found that this combination of two drugs increased the cancer cell death and slowed cell growth in the samples. Also, it stopped tumors from growing bigger in mice.

This treatment method is still not dubbed as a cure, but by adding a second targeted therapy could improve treatment by overcoming the cancer's resistance to drug. It can also extend the time before the cancer can strike back. FAK inhibitors are being tested in early stage cancer trials. However, it will take some years before we know how effective they are along with BRAF inhibitors.

Francis Crick Institute based study author Dr. Erik Sahai said skin cancers are caused by a faulty BRAF gene that typically out-smarts the targeted drugs after a few months of treatment. He is of the opinion that understanding why it happens is a crucial to improving the treatment. With this study, they now know how melanoma cells exploit their neighboring cells to survive in the presence of targeted drugs. Since, it is now known that the safe haven is triggered as a response to the same drugs used for treating this class of melanoma, steps to improve the treatment process can be taken.

Richard Marais, who is a co-author in this study and also the director of the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute at the University of Manchester, said that understanding the complex behavior of melanoma cells is vital to improving survival. Now that this study has revealed what is stopping the best drugs from working in this deadly skin cancer, the next step is to see if adding a second drug is safe and effective in patients.

Nell Barrie, Cancer Research UK’s senior science information manager opined that this research has showed some crucial details and has helped in �understanding how melanoma cells develop resistance to drugs and how it can be tackled head on. The researchers have worked through the issue with meticulous care to show not just how this happens, but how we can tackle the problem.

The survival rates of melanoma cancer are improving since the last 40 years. However, there is still so much to do and this research is a step in the right direction.

Suffering from melanoma and losing hope on life? Try this guide to help cure the disease yourself!

References

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-04-melanoma-safe-haven-shut-down.html

https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/news/latest-news/melanoma%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98safe-haven%E2%80%99-targeted-shut-down

Disrupted biological clock linked to Alzheimer’s disease

Jul 5, 2015

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A new research by the scientists from the Oregon State University and the Oregon Health & Science University has identified some of the processes by which molecules associated with neurological diseases can disrupt the biological clock. They can play havoc with sleep and activity patterns, and set the stage for a spiral of health concerns including a decreased lifespan and Alzheimer’s disease.

The results of the research were published in Neurobiology of Disease. This work was also supported by the National Institutes of Health. There have been previous studies which have shown that if the biological clock is disrupted � i.e., if the natural pattern of day-night activity which are genetically controlled in many animals gets screwed up, it can cause neurodegeneration, loss of motor function and early death.

The results from the latest study outline the molecular mechanism involved and also throw light on how proteins associated with neurological disease can diminish the biological clock function and eventually lead to very serious health problems, which include severe cognitive deterioration. These risks increase significantly as one age.

Matthew Blake, an OSU faculty research assistant and author of the study said that the molecular basis underlying biological clock deficits in Alzheimer’s disease has been difficult to tease out. It is only recently that their model has been put to good use to accurately dissect this mechanism. The subjects for this research were fruit flies. They made a great choice as they have many genes and biological processes which are similar to those of humans and are retained through millions of years of evolution. Circadian clocks are so essential to health that they are found throughout the nervous system and peripheral organs.

It is seen that proper functioning of circadian rhythms is important as it has been shown to affect everything from sleep to stress reaction, feeding patterns, DNA repair, fertility and even the effectiveness of medications.

The reason why Alzheimer’s disease has always been a subject of interest for the research fraternity is because sleep disruption is one of its earliest symptoms. Jadwiga Giebultowicz, corresponding author of this study, a professor in the Department of Integrative Biology in the OSU College of Science, and expert on the biological and genetic underpinnings of the biological clock said that it is seen that almost everyone with Alzheimer’s has some sort of sleep problems. Giebultowicz opined that this research supports the hypothesis that neurological damage is a vicious circular process that encourages more neurological disruption. Through this research a new player in the process has been identified – a fragment of the amyloid precursor protein called AICD that is able to enter the nucleus of cells and interfere with central clock function.

It is known that one of the causes of Alzheimer's disease is the cleavage of an amyloid precursor protein, which in turn leads to the creation of a peptide that is toxic to neurons. In Alzheimer's patient one particular enzyme is elevated. Through this study it was shown that the increased production of the enzyme, which is known as called dBACE, reduced the expression of a core clock protein. The results of the study point that dBACE acts via dAICD to cause the disruption of the biological clock amounting to loss of daily sleep and activity cycles. It is seen that this disruptive process was even more severe in older flies.

Proper sleep makes way for neuronal repair activity and the maintenance of neuronal health. Neuronal damage is a destructive process which can build on itself after it has begun. So, it is very important that sleep issues are taken seriously by people and their doctors, particularly in aging people.

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References

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-03-disrupted-biological-clock-linked-alzheimer.html

https://oregonstate.edu/ua/ncs/archives/2015/mar/disrupted-biological-clock-linked-alzheimer%E2%80%99s-disease

Research Team Developing Bioactive Gel to Treat Knee Injuries

Jul 4, 2015

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Injuries of any kind to the body are undesirable but knee injuries are especially bad. However, many people including athletes, gym enthusiasts, etc., suffer from knee injuries often. Presently, the surgical treatments for repairing knee injuries are quite costly. Even if you undergo these treatments, there is no guarantee that you will be alright in the long run. That is because, cartilage degeneration after a surgery is not uncommon; it can even progress into painful arthritis.

To put an end to this problem, orthopedics research team at the University of Iowa is working on a solution that is least invasive, practical and low cost. If proven successful this approach will be able to repair cartilage and prevent osteoarthritis. This research is featured in the May issue of the journal Arthritis and Rheumatology.

Yin Yu, first author of the study, a graduate student in the lab of James Martin, PhD, UI assistant professor of orthopedics and rehabilitation said that they are working on creating an injectable, bioactive hydrogel that has the ability to repair cartilage damage and regenerate stronger cartilage. This gel will also help in delaying or stopping the development of osteoarthritis and will likely eliminate the need for total knee replacement.

The precursor cells within the normal cartilage that can mature into new cartilage tissue were previously identified by Martin's team. This discovery was ground breaking in itself as it had been long assumed that cartilage is one of those body tissues that cannot repair by itself. Not just this, the signaling factors that attracts these precursor cells also known as chondrogenic progenitor cells (CPC) were also identified by the team. The precursor cells attract the healthy tissues from the surrounding area into the damaged area and cause them to develop into normal cartilage. One of these signals called stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF1), acts like a homing beacon for the precursor cells.

In the experimental model of the cartilage injury, when the custom-made hydrogel with SDF1 was injected it was found that the precursor cells migrated toward the SDF1 signal and filled in the injury site. Further application of a growth factor caused the cells to mature into normal cartilage that repaired the injury. Yu said that the results of the experiment were very encouraging. The newly formed cartilage integrates seamlessly with the undamaged tissue; it has normal concentrations of proteoglycans, good structural properties, and looks like normal cartilage. However, it was noted that this new tissue is not as mechanically strong as a normal cartilage. Yu and Martin opined that physical therapy and exercise might improve its mechanical properties.

Martin said that the only cure for osteoarthritis at the moment is total knee replacement. But, it is not a suitable option for young patients as over the years the artificial joints wear out and might need multiple replacements eventually. He further added that with their approach body's natural repair and healing properties is leveraged. We just need to know how to manipulate it right to make use of the cartilage's regenerative potential.

In order to translate this experiment into a therapy a growth factor need to be incorporated into the gel in such a way that there is a stepwise release of the attractant SDF1 followed by the growth factor. For this, Martin and Yu have teamed up with UI pharmacy professor Aliasger Salem, PhD, to engineer that property into the gel. Salem has expertise on microfabrication techniques for creating novel drug and gene delivery devices, to test two technologies- nano-size plasmids carrying genetic instructions for the growth factor or microspheres loaded with the substance�to incorporate the growth factor into gel.

Martin is hopeful that they will be able to develop a treatment that is usable for humans. Trails on animals are likely in about a year time and the results are favorable human trails might follow in due time.

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References:

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-04-team-bioactive-gel-knee-injuries.html

https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/new-bioactive-gel-to-treat-knee-injuries-115042900372_1.html

Exercising Critically Ill Patients May Help Speed Recovery

Jul 3, 2015

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There are hospitals where even critically ill patients are made to stand or walk when feasible. Recently, there has been a study which put sick mice on tiny treadmills and found that even a little bit of activity can aid in their speedy recovery.

Dr. D. Clark Files of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina who heads the research, opined that there is definitely a possibility of implementing early mobility therapies. In his hospital, he is already trying to get more critically ill patients up, ventilator and all. Typically, for less critical patients hospitals do focus on exercising as it can help in preventing their muscles from wasting away. However, in the past several years there have been studies in the ICU which have shown that even critically ill people could benefit from some physical activity. It can also help them in getting discharged from ICUs sooner. Of course, one needs to ascertain the medical feasibility of physical exercise first.

By physical activity and exercise, it doesn't mean passively changing a patient's position. However, it could include things like helping them sit on the side of the bed, do arm exercises with an elastic band or in-bed cycling, even walk a bit with nurses holding all the tubes and wires. Definitely, it will take extra staff and man power on the hospital's part to be able to try these steps.

Here is an inspiring instance from the Wake Forest Baptist where a physical therapist helped Terry Culler, 54, do arm and leg exercises without dislodging his ventilator tubing, working up to the day he stood for the first time since developing respiratory failure about three weeks earlier. His wife, Ruanne Culler of Lexington, North Carolina was elated and cheered for him. She added that the extra effort put in by the two therapists and a nurse finally helped him to his feet.

One would wonder how such mild activity could help. Files focused on one especially deadly reason why people end up on a ventilator and it is acute respiratory distress syndrome, or ARDS. It is the same problem Terry Culler battled. On an average about 200,000 Americans suffer from it. The survivors of this condition suffer profound muscle weakness.

For this study Files’ team injured the lungs of laboratory mice in a way that triggered ARDS. The animals, sick but still breathing on their own, were made to walk or run on a treadmill for a few minutes at a time over two days. The results were encouraging. The exercise did more than counter wasting of the animals’ limbs. It also slowed weakening of the diaphragm, used to breathe. Plus it was seen that it tamped down a dangerous inflammatory process in the lungs that Files suspect fuels muscle damage on top of the wasting of enforced bed-rest.

Here is how it works. When certain white blood cells stick inside ARDS-affected lungs for too long, it can slow healing. When the mice are made to exercise, the lungs of the exercised mice have fewer of those cells�and their blood contained less of the protein that activates them. As a result of all this, speedy recovery becomes more likely.

When the blood frozen from ARDS patients who participated in an earlier Wake Forest Baptist study comparing early mobility to standard ICU cares, it was found that patients who had gotten some form exercise harbored less of that protein, which in turn means they are on a faster road to recovery.

The only thing to keep in mind is � the patient should be in a position to do physical activity. For example, back at Wake Forest Baptist, Terry Culler began the exercises when he was medically stable, and he scribbled notes saying he wanted to participate.

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References

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-03-patients-feet-recovery-icu.html

https://news.yahoo.com/why-getting-patients-feet-may-speed-recovery-icu-070604980.html

New Liver Cancer Target Is A Protein That Accelerates Inflammation

Jun 14, 2015

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TREM-1 is a protein that promotes inflammations. Scientists who have been studying how cancer starts are now concentrating on this protein. It is understood that chronic inflammation is a huge promoter of cancer development and progression. Dr. Anatolij Horuzsko, immunologist at the Medical College of Georgia and Georgia Regents University Cancer Center said that this type of inflammation is quite subtle. One will not see any signs of it in the body like high fever, etc. But, that doesn't mean that it is not damaging. Such inflammation actually provides the advantage to mutated cells to avoid the immune response and become cancerous.

Horuzsko and his team have received a grant of $1.6 million from the National Cancer Institute for the study. The team of researchers is hoping that this grant will help them in finding out if bringing down the curtain on TREM-1 blocks liver cancer development and possibly other cancers like colorectal, lung, and cervical cancer which are also associated with inflammation.

A handful of immune cell types – neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages express TREM-1. However, normal healthy liver cells do not exhibit it. In the liver, TREM-1 can be found in Kupffer cells, which is a resident macrophage that’s basically a cellular garbage disposal that devours invaders, waste and even cancer cells.

Horuzsko study also found that another protein � HMGB1 which is present in the cell nucleus and is responsible for keeping the DNA organized is released from cells damaged from years of exposure to chronic inflammation. He discovered that when it is released HMGB1 activates the previously dormant TREM-1 in the Kupffer cells. This results in an amplified inflammation which promotes production of more liver cells in order to replace the dead and dying. However, the problem is that the new cells are mutated and cancer-prone. TREM-1 continues supporting inflammation and it prevents the dangerous new cells from dying.

If an individual were healthy, a few wayward cells could be taken care of by the body. However, when the liver is in a state of constant stress, it attracts inflammatory cells from other parts of the body and it moves on in a state of chronic inflammation. That in turn increases the cancer risk.

The chronic state of inflammation also produces a scar-like tissue which replaces the healthy liver tissue resulting in liver diseases like fibrosis and cirrhosis. In a course of 10-20 years, it could result in fatal liver cancer. The scientists are of the opinion that TREM-1 supports scar tissue formation by activating stellate cells which typically remain dormant unless there is a damage or injury to the liver.

Horuzsko’s study has shown that when exposed to a known carcinogen liver cancer is caused in mice, and these cancer cells contain TREM-1. It is also noted that those mice which are deficient in TREM-1 have a dramatically reduced risk of induced liver cancer after such exposure.

In order to further find out its therapeutic potential, normal mice are exposed to a carcinogen. Simultaneously, the mice are given a short-acting peptide that blocks TREM-1, in the anticipation that it will reduce the liver cancer risk in the mice to that of the TREM-1 deficient ones. Since, the research peptide Horuzsko is using would disappear in patients in just a few hours, while therapy could be needed long term to help prevent liver cancer, he is simultaneously working on a more powerful inhibitor.

He also plans to learn more about what happens between HMGB1 and TREM-1, what regulates TREM-1 on liver cancer cells, and TREM-1’s role in cancer proliferation and survival. He added that he also wants to experiment by removing TREM-1 from tumor cells and see if that will prompt tumor regression.

References

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-12-liver-cancer-protein-inflammation.html

https://medicalusa.org/d-n/inflammatory-disorders/new-liver-cancer-target-is-a-protein-that-accelerates-inflammation/

Power of Speech Could Improve Dementia Diagnosis

Jun 11, 2015

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In a new research carried out at the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, it was found that only half of patients seen at neurology-led memory clinics at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital suffered with dementia. Often patients are referred to the memory clinic not because they show sign of dementia, but because they are concerned about their memory.

Led by Markus Reuber, Professor of Clinical Neurology at the University of Sheffield and Honorary Consultant Neurologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, this study is the first of its own kind.

For this particular study, the researchers used a method called ‘Conversation Analysis’ for the first time ever as a diagnostic tool for memory. In this method, audio or video recordings of talk between patients, carers and doctors are examined very closely. The research team studies the conversation closely to find out any subtle differences in the use of language. Such signs can be early symptoms of dementia. The research could help doctors in distinguishing people who are suffering from an early stage of dementia from those who only have memory concerns related to mood or anxiety-related problems.

In the UK, around 800,000 people have been diagnosed with dementia. It is believed that the number is conservative as there can be many others who remain undiagnosed � particularly in the early stages. It has been estimated by the Alzheimer’s Society that the number of dementia sufferers is to increase to one million by 2021 and 1.7 million by 2051.

This research is significant because there are a high proportion of the people referred to the specialist memory clinic who do not to have any signs of dementia at present said Dr. Daniel Blackburn, Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Sheffield and Consultant Neurologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

About six years ago, one in every five patient referred to the clinic was found to have dementia. But, there has been an alarming increase in the rate of dementia sufferers. Today, almost every second patient referred is diagnosed with dementia. The results of the study would help GPs and other primary care health professionals to identify patients who need to be referred to specialist memory clinics. Additionally, it would help in minimizing the distress of patients who do not suffer with dementia while they seek support and reassurance for memory problems. It has been observed that patients who experience memory concerns but are unlikely to develop dementia often suffer with low mood, anxiety and depression. That leads to further memory problems. Such problems can be treated when identified with simple interventions like reassurance, talking treatments or medication for anxiety and depression.

Using the Conversational Analysis tool, video recordings were made of the patient’s initial visit to the memory clinic. The researchers focused on analyzing the opening conversation between the neurologist and the patient, and any family or friends who accompanied them. On close examination of the recordings it was found that there are two distinct conversational profiles: one for patients with dementia and the second for those who have memory concerns unrelated to dementia. Things that are crucial in segregating the profiles includes features like, who is most concerned about their memory (patient or family), patients’ ability to respond to complex questions, how they answers questions � short or elaborate, repetitiveness and hesitancy in answering, etc.

The findings of the study will let doctors use their conversation with the patient as a kind of diagnostic tool where they look for any signs of memory loss or dementia.

References

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-01-power-speech-dementia-diagnosis.html

https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/news/nr/power-of-speech-improves-dementia-diagnosis-1.430577

8 Simple Research Backed Methods to Make You a Happier Person

Jun 10, 2015

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We often find ourselves in a not-so-pleasant state of mind that last for weeks and months. With the hectic lifestyle that all of us are leading, things like long work hours, poor eating habits and a lack of sleep are very common. All of these are taking a toll on our emotions and are steering us towards unhappiness.

There is no simple definition for happiness as it is actually a state of mind. What can bring happiness to you may be insignificant for others. Although happiness is hard to define, there is one thing about it that most people will agree to � everyone wants to be happy, but do not know how.

If you want to be happy, you have to take control of your life and make positive changes in your life. To help you with the same here are 8 simple research backed methods that will make you a happier person.

Physical Exercise

If there is one thing that you could do to make yourself happy, then it is exercise. Exercise has a dramatic impact on your mental health. Research shows that only exercise can help in treating depression and maintaining wellness to a great extent. Even if you are not depressed, exercise can make you a happier person. It can make you feel better about your body by boosting health promoting chemicals inside the brain like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. These chemicals help in warding off everyday stress.

Exercise should not be seen as a way of just losing weight, or preventing diseases. It is actually a way to enhance your frame of mind and make you a happier person.

Smile

A genuine smile is infectious a fake smile is likely to worsen your mood. To be really able to really able to reap the benefits of smiling, you should think positive things and then smile. It will make you happy. When you smile at others, they are likely to smile back in return creating a cycle which brings more positivity in not only your life but also of others.

Get Proper Sleep

Check if you are getting adequate quality sleep. Lack of sleep makes one more prone to negative emotions and makes you feel unhappy. Alack of quality sleep is also linked to psychiatric disorders whereas, getting adequate sleep can enhance one's self esteem and optimism, thus paving way for happiness.

Meditate

Meditation is great for your overall health and it can do wonders for your happiness quotient. It can help in keeping your mind focussed and enhance your inner peace. Research also reveal that meditation leads to physical changes in the brain that makes one a happy person.

Shorten Your Commute

A long commute to work drains you of all energy; it is stressful and makes a person irritable. Make sure you have a house near your workplace; it can substantially increase your happiness quotient.

Spend Time Outdoors

Did you know that simply going out to get some fresh air and sunshine can help in improving your mood? It broadens your thinking and improves memory. Spend 20 minutes outdoors every day basking in the sun and see the changes for yourself.

Nourish Your Relationships

Give your friends and family the due time they deserve. Spending quality time with your loved ones makes you much happier. There is an interesting study that says that a pay increase cannot bring as much happiness to one's life as a quality and loving relationship.

Plan a Vacation

Did you know that people are happiest during the planning stage of their vacation as that is the phase when their sense of anticipation is highest? The simple act of planning a vacation can bring happiness in your life.

References

https://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/choosing-to-be-happy

https://www.health.com/health/article/0,,20851975,00.html

Mutated ATRX Gene Linked To Brain Tumors Potential Biomarker for Rare Adrenal Tumors Too

Jun 8, 2015

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It has been recently shown that a somatic mutation in the ATRX gene is a potential molecular marker for aggressive brain tumors like gliomas, neuroblastomas and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. However, in a new study researchers at the Penn's Abramson Cancer Center have for the first time found that the same mutated gene can be a biomarker for the pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PCC/PGL) that become malignant. Typically, these rare neuroendocrine tumors are harmless. But, if they become bad, they can be quite aggressive.

Scientists have known that quite a few inherited genes like the VHL and RET are associated with PCC/PGL. However, there is not much known about the somatic genetic changes that lead to tumorigenesis in these patients.

The study was published online in Nature Communications.

Katherine Nathanson, MD, study's senior author and an associate professor in the division of Translational Medicine and Chief Oncogenomics Physician for the ACC said – that their study is a first step towards understanding such diseases in a better way. It will also help in identifying biomarkers of poor outcome. Not only the mutation could be a biomarker for metastatic diseases, it could also be a potential therapeutic drug target in future.

PGLs are rare tumor that occurs in nerve ganglia in the body. PCCs on the other hand occur in the center of the adrenal gland � this part is responsible for producing adrenaline. Because of the tumor, the glands start overproducing adrenaline and it leads to elevated blood pressure, severe headaches, and heart palpitations. Statistics reveal that both of these tumors are found in about two out of every million people each year. Not all tumors become malignant, however when it does, the five-year survival rate of the patient is about 50 percent.

About 60 percent of PCC/PGLs are sporadic in nature and the remaining 40 percent are hereditary. It is seen that recurrent somatic mutations are observed almost exclusively in sporadic PCC/PGLs.

Till now, no reliable predictors for the disease are known, other than an inherited mutation in the SDH gene. However, it is also seen that only half of patients who develop metastatic disease carry that mutation, meaning the other half have no known predictors.

Researchers investigated the mutations using whole exome sequencing on a set of 21 tumors/matched germline DNA samples of either sporadic or inherited PCC/PGL. They wanted to find out the difference between benign tumors and the clinically aggressive ones, so that markers of malignant potential could be spotted. Their study revealed that in two of seven SDHB-associated tumors, somatic ATRX mutations were present. They determined the frequency of somatic ATRX mutations in PCC/PGL, by sequencing the ATRX coding region in a separate set of 103 tumors samples. It was found that 13 percent of tumors had ATRX mutations.

The authors remarked that even though their sample set of PCC/PGL with ATRX variants is too small to identify statistically significant associations, many had clinically aggressive features, inherited SDHx mutations and ALT, which suggests that there is an interaction between the somatic and inherited genomes in solid cancers, which needs further investigation.

In the early months of 2014, the Endocrine Society issued the first ever clinical practice guidelines for the management of patients with PCC/PGL. It was recommended by them that genetic testing in all patients should be considered among other evidence-based guidance. The Patients with paraganglioma should be tested for SDHx mutations, and those with metastatic disease for SDHB mutations.

Dr. Fishbein sadi the guidelines are well thought. He added that it is especially important to identify SDHx mutation carriers and SDHB mutation carriers as they are at higher risk of malignant disease. As per the results of their study, tumor-specific somatic mutations, such as those in ATRX, can also be useful in identifying patients at the highest risk for more clinically aggressive disease.

References

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-01-mutated-atrx-gene-linked-brain.html

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-01/uops-mag012015.php

Best Exercises for Better Mood

Life Style

Jun 7, 2015

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Exercising is a great way to improve your mood and it is a proven stress management technique. If you are feeling sad, stressed, depressed or lonely, various types of exercise can come to your rescue. When we are stressed or are not in a great mood, a lot of things happens in the body � the cholesterol levels of the body increases, the cortisol levels are negatively affected and our body becomes a mess.

When we exercise our brain releases hormones and chemicals like adrenaline, endorphins, serotonin and dopamine. All these work together giving you feelings of pleasure thus, abating stress effectively.

Exercise gives our body a way to give vent to our bottled up negative energy. If you are looking for exercises that are best to uplift your mood then this article will definitely be of help. Do take note that exercise is not on its own, a way to treat depression or stress, but it can definitely improve your mood temporarily. It is important that you confront your problems instead of running away from them. Dealing with problems or forgetting situations that cause grief is a great way to treat and manage stress. Unfortunately, stress is not an issue which dies out on its own. Prolonged stress or depression can get chronic and result in a myriad of physical and emotional problems. However, exercise can give you the “high” to come up with positive solutions.

To find out which exercises are perfect for better mood, read on:

– Running: Have you wondered if you can ever run away from your problems? The answer is you can run your problems away. Running enhances our mood and helps us get a better perspective of things thus enabling us to handle the affairs of our life better. The good thing is you can run alone or with a group of runners, whichever suits you best. Therefore, the next time you are feeling low, you know better than cribbing about it � just put on your running shoes, get your iPod and get running.

Aerobics/Dance/Zumba/Swimming: These are some super effective exercises that will help you inbeating the blues. Cardiovascular exercises like dancing, swimming, and aerobics are intense and increase the release of the mood uplifting hormones – endorphins, adrenaline, serotonin and dopamine in the body. When your body gets in sync with the moves, your spirits can rise within minutes.

– Yoga:A soul searching and stress relieving yoga session can do wonders to uplift your mood. This form of exercise makes use of a variety of techniques like stretching, breathing and motion that create a vent to get rid of the negative emotions in the body.

– Kick Boxing:If you are feeling angry and restless, kick boxing can be the most effective way to calm you down. You will not only kick your bad mood away but will also be able to burn as much as 8.3 calories per minute.

These were some great exercise options that you could choose to enhance your mood. It doesn't matter which one you choose or at what intensity you exercise, every time you do it you will be able to feel the difference. In order to get the maximum benefit, try to stick to a schedule and make exercising a regular affair. Join a group or exercise with a friend � it will go a long way to keep your motivated. To make exercising fun, try to mix it up � go for a brisk walk, go cycling, take a swim or go for a dance class but don’t just stick to one routine.

References

https://www.mensfitness.com/training/cardio/study-cardio-could-lessen-brain-damage-alcohol

https://www.wcvb.com/health/cardio-exercises-may-aid-brain-health/25281242

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