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How Exercise Boosts Brainpower

Life Style

Jun 4, 2015

3742

We all know about the obvious health benefits of exercising � it reduces the risk of chronic diseases, helps in maintaining ideal body weight, paves way for better sleep and also lives helps you enjoy your life in a healthy manner and age gracefully. But, one of the benefits of exercising that most people are not aware of is that it boosts our brainpower.

Simply put, exercise is not just good for the body but also for the brain. When we exercise, extra blood gets pumped into our brains thereby delivering the oxygen and essential nutrients for it to perform at maximum efficiency.Exercise increases the size and density of brain capillaries through which extra blood is supplied to the brain. Research says that it has a significant impact on the survival of new neurons and can even help the neurons to fire quicker.

The following are some amazing ways through which your brain can improve your brainpower:

Improves Our Memory

The part of our brain that is responsible for memory is known as hippocampus. Research reveals that people who exercise more have a larger hippocampus, which in turns means that their memory power is enhanced. A person who exercises regularly is also at a lesser risk of brain shrinkage � a symptom that is linked to Alzheimer's disease and due to its impact on your memory. Exercise also enhances our attention and concentration. When a person is fit, he has a faster reaction time and a better ability to focus on relevant information. In fact, the loss of gray matter that is usually associated with aging decreases if a person is fit and exercises regularly.

Exercise Enhances Creativity

We all go for a walk in the park when we need to clear our heads. When our minds are free from all inhibitions, its creativity is enhanced. Walking has a certain effect on our brain that helps in clearing our heads and makes way for creative thoughts. Our brains continue to evolve and adapt. Research shows that exercise stimulates important changes in our brain that help in increasing its capacity to enhance its creative horizons.

Exercise helps with Motor Skills

When we exercise, our brain is working hard to co-ordinate movements; it keeps us balanced and upright. Our attention is heightened and we are not easily distracted.

Exercise Improves Mood

After having a brisk walk, running on the treadmill at the gym, a swimming session, a dancing class or a good run, you are likely to feel invigorated and energized. All these are some forms of exerciseslead to the surge of certain hormones like endorphins in our brain. These hormones are feel-good neuro-transmitters that are also useful in fighting depression. In fact, in certain treatments of depression, an exercise routine is a vital part.

Exercise Relieves Stress

When we are stressed, stress hormones like cortisol, adrenaline, etc., get elevated. Increased levels of these hormones enhance the risk of chronic diseases like heart problems, depression, obesity, etc. When youexercise, the presence of cortisol and adrenaline in the body gets reduced. While adrenaline gets burned while exercising, the cortisol reduction happens only after a workout is complete and in this process, the stress in our body is released.

Therefore,exercise has a very positive impact on our brains. It reduces stress, stabilizes our mood, prevents mental illness, reduces our risk of depression and anxiety, boosts our memory, improves our concentration and does so much more.Hopefully these reasons are enough to motivate and inspire you to exercise regularly.

References

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166223602021434

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166223607001786

Most people eager to know the secrets of their genetics

Jun 1, 2015

3354

The British government announced that Genomics England will sequence 100,000 genomes by 2017, following which a survey of nearly 7000 people was carried out. This survey has brought about an important and on-going conversation about how our genomic data is used. In the survey nearly 7000 people took part and its results reveal that 98% of them want to be informed when researchers using their genetic data find out indicators of any serious preventable or treatable disease.

The survey was a part of the Deciphering Developmental Disorders (DDD) project, which aims to find genetic diagnoses for rare developmental disorders using patients’ sequence data.

It is interesting to note how genomic data has a perceived value even for the common people, even though it is not clear what the information will mean from the health perspective. Generally, it was seen that people were interested in clinically actionable data and those from the genetic field taking part in the survey were concerned about returning data that cannot yet be deciphered accurately.

Dr. Anna Middleton, first author from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute said that with the advent of fast and efficient genetic sequencing medical research has undergone huge transformation over the past decade and it is all set to revolutionize clinical care in the future. She opined that policy surrounding the use of genetic data in research and clinical settings must take into account the views and experiences of the public, patients, clinicians, genetic health professions and genomic researchers.

The participants in the survey were drawn from 75 countries around the world. Most of them wanted to receive information about serious conditions, even if the risk of developing the condition was as low as 1 per cent.

Alastair Kent OBE, Director of Genetic Alliance UK, a charity that works to improve the lives of people affected by genetic disorders said that when the participants were asked how much they wanted to know about their genetic information, their immediate reaction was anything the clinicians find they want to know. But, the problem is there is no one size fits all in this case. Whenever communicating any information to them, it is important that enough information and support is available to let individuals make an informed decision about whatever the case maybe. Since, the information belongs to the individual; it is their right to know about it and for that it should be first decided how it is to be recognized.

However, the genetic health professional surveyed were mostly of the opinion that information of clinical importance should not be shared. Dr. Helen Firth, an author from the Department of Clinical Genetics at Addenbrooke’s Hospital said that genetic health professionals are acutely aware of the challenges posed by interpreting genetic information accurately and communicating results to patients. Having key indicators for a disease in your genetic code does not necessarily mean that you will develop that disease. A lot of information in our personal genetic codes is currently not decipherable and is of uncertain clinical significance. Only years of research can unravel the mystery of genetic codes. When such knowledge is gained, this survey will help researchers and health policy makers to plan accordingly.

The DDD project did not search this data for disease indicators and only returned results likely to be linked to the patients’ disorders. This fits well with the findings of the survey too. Agreed, participants were interested in learning about their genetics however, the majority did not expect the researchers to actively search for key indicators of disease in genomic data.

References:

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-04-people-eager-secrets-genetics.html

https://www.sanger.ac.uk/about/press/2015/150429.html

Study Finds Twitches during Sleep Activate the Brain in a Unique Way

Jun 1, 2015

3199

Have you wondered about the twitches baby do while asleep and their possible connection with development of brain? That might seem like an unlikely hypothesis, but a recent study at the University of Iowa which appeared this month in the journal Current Biology is pointing towards the same. The research reveals that twitches during the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep activates the brain in a unique way and it is different from the movement made while awake. There is significant evidence that sleep twitches teaches new born babies about their bodies.

The researchers say that the twitches during REM sleep consists of a different class of movement and it activates circuits throughout the developing brain and thus it educates newborns about their limbs and what they can do with them. Alexandre Tiriac, a fifth-year graduate student in psychology at the UI and first author of the study said that every time we move while we are awake, we understand that it is we who made the movement because there is a mechanism happening in the brain which lets us understand the same. But, twitches do not work the same way because our brain is unaware that it is self-generated.

The study says that these self-generated twitches which are more frequent in early infancy have something to do with the brain development. Mark Blumberg, a psychology professor at the UI and senior author of the study remarked that this discovery is further evidence that sleep twitches, be it in dogs, cats or human are not connected to dreams but to brain development.

In order to carry out this study, Blumberg, Tiriac and fellow graduate student Carlos Del Rio-Bermudez studied the brain activity of unanesthetized rats which were around 8 and 10 days of age. The brain activity of these animals while awake and when they were moving was measured. Their brain activity while they were in REM sleep and twitching was also measured.

The results of these observations were somewhat puzzling. It was noticed that there was a lot of brain activity when the rats were sleeping but not when they were awake and moving. The researchers hypothesized that sensations as a result of the twitching limbs during REM sleep were being processed differently in the brain than the movements made by them while awake. That is because the movements lacked what is known as “corollary discharge.”

Corollary discharge was first introduced by researchers in 1950. It is actually a split-second message sent to the brain that allows animals like rats, crickets, humans and more, to recognize and filter out sensations generated from their own actions. This filtering of sensations is what that lets animals to distinguish between sensations that arise from their own movements and those that are a result of stimuli from the outside world.

The researchers carried out several follow-up experiments to determine whether sleep twitching is a unique self-generated movement that is processed as if it lacks corollary discharge. The experiments supported the idea consistently that the sensations arising from twitches are not filtered. And since, the filtering is not provided by the corollary discharge, the sensations which results due to twitching limbs activate the brain and teach the newborn brain about the structure and function of the limbs. If the twitches during sleep were same as the wake movements, the signals should have been filtered out. Since, they are not filtered; they suggest that they are different. The researchers at the University of Iowa were also surprised to find the filtering system functioning so early in development.

References

https://now.uiowa.edu/2014/09/sleep-twitches-light-brain

https://www.counselheal.com/articles/11582/20140930/twitches-during-sleep-activate-brain-unique-way-study-finds.htm

New cancer-fighting strategy would harden cells to prevent metastasis

May 18, 2015

3216

Present therapies to treat cancer focus on killing tumor cells, so that there is no chance for them invading other parts of the body. In a new study by the researchers at the John Hopkins researchers have proposed a different strategy. The report on the study appeared in the early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences which reveals the scientists have found a way of subtly hardening cancer cells so that they cannot invade into new areas of the body. They devised a way which will help in screening such compounds for the desired effect and have even identified a compound that looks promising in fighting pancreatic cancer.

Douglas Robinson, Ph.D., a professor of cell biology in the Institute for Basic Biomedical Sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine said that with their novel approach to cancer therapy, the way we fight this disease could be revolutionized. It can also help in identifying drugs for many other diseases.

Robinson said that the idea of the project came to him in 1997. He was then a postdoctoral fellow. He said that he had the idea that if we can understand how a cell divides into two better, it could shed some light on how cells change shape in general. Changes in cell shape eventually figure into conditions from cancer to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to degenerative nerve diseases. He was of the opinion that the compounds that affect cells shape might turn out to stall disease progress.

The lead author of this study Alexandra Surcel, Ph.D., joined Robinson’s laboratory as a postdoctoral fellow in the year 2008. He started his work on a screen for molecules that tweak cell shape. Surcel explained that this screen was different as it is based on the end result for a whole cell. In this case, he chose the amoeba Dictyostelium, which closely resembles a number of mammalian cell types. The cells were treated with a molecule after which, Robinson’s team looked for out-of-the-ordinary numbers of cells with two or more nuclei. Typically, Dictyostelium have two nuclei only when they are likely to be in the process of dividing into two daughter cells. So, if there are a high proportion of cells with more than one nucleus, it should be safely concluded that the molecule has played havoc with the process of cell division.

While a screen of thousands of molecules showed the effect the team was looking for, on further study they found that one of them, 4-HAP, affected myosin II, a building block of the cell skeleton. The group of researchers identified changes in the amount of myosin II in pancreatic cancer cells as they spread from the original tumor into other areas of the body, a crucial step in progression of the disease.

The 4-HAP was tested on lab-grown pancreatic cancer cells and they found that it affected the myosin in their skeletons in such a way that made them harder. Surcel says that since the cancer cells are relatively soft, invading cancer cells slip through healthy cells of the body and make colonies of malignant cells in new areas of the body.

Further investigations are needed to find out if this strategy would work in humans. Presently, the team is testing 4-HAP in mice. The drug is already in use in some countries for treating jaundice. So, in the eventuality that it is successful against pancreatic cancer, it could potentially make it to market relatively quickly. Whether that happens or not, the study has already identified the great potential this drug has.

References

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-01/jhm-ncs012015.php

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150120142658.htm

How to Whiten Teeth at Home

Life Style

May 16, 2015

5466

Who does not want a mouth full of white pearly teeth? They can make your smile look more beautiful and can even make you look younger. There are some common beverages that we have in day to day life like red wine, soda, coffee, tea, cranberry juice and some other foods like soy sauce, tomato sauce and balsamic vinegar that can stain your teeth, thus marring that pretty smile. But the good news is that, there are some other foods and simple techniques that can brighten your smile quickly and without any side effects.

Eat Strawberries

Yes, you heard it right! I bet you didn't know that whitening your teeth could be so delicious. Strawberries contain an enzyme called malic acid and vitamin C and they are known to have a whitening effect on the teeth. The astringent found in strawberries helps in removing stains, while vitamin C helps in removing plaque. All you need to do is mash a few strawberries and brush the mixture once or twice a week to get positive results. In fact, if you could just eat strawberries and ensure that you chew it really well and you will see the difference in your teeth after a few days.

Floss Your Teeth

Agreed, most people find flossing a chore. However, most dentists will tell you that flossing is far more important than brushing. For best results, floss twice daily � this practice will remove the staining between your teeth and will make them look whiter.

Baking Soda and Lemon Paste

This is a very popular and effective natural teeth whitening home remedies. When baking soda and lemon juice are combined, a chemical reaction takes place that has a teeth brightening effect. Both the ingredients work well to whiten the teeth, but together their teeth whitening effect grows manifold. To prepare this paste, mix a little baking soda with freshly squeezed lemon juice. The mixture will bubble a bit. Using your brush, smear this paste on your teeth and leave it for a minute before brushing it off. The only word of caution is that use this paste only once a week. If you use it frequently, it may erode the tooth enamel and make sure you don't brush too vigorously as you may hurt your gums.

Eat Crunchy Veggies and Fruits for the good health of teeth

Foods like apples, celery and carrots are great for your teeth. These fruits and vegetables work like nature's tooth brush. All you need to do is chew them properly � the chewing action will scrub away excess bacteria and stains from the surface. On top of that, the acid in them helps in keeping the teeth whiter.

Have more green tea

Numerous studies indicate that unlike black tea, green tea is actually good for your teeth. Another type of tea which may benefit you is white tea. Both teas are extremely beneficial for oral health because they ward off bacteria, prevent tooth decay and also treat bad breath. Therefore, green tea isn't for weight loss and your body only, it is also an excellent oral-health enhancing drink.

Use a Straw

As stated earlier, coffee, tea, soda, wine, etc., have a damaging effect on the enamel of your teeth. Whenever possible, it is advisable to use a straw to drink these beverages as this will reduce their direct exposure to teeth. In social places, drinking coffee and wine out of straw can be embarrassing; in such situations make sure to brush your teeth after drinking.

Doctor’s Order – Don’t go with Chemicals –�try out�Teeth Whitening alternative All Natural Products for Better, Stronger teeth�Click Here!

References

https://www.teethwhitening4you.com/

https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/whiten-your-teeth-at-home

https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/w/whitening

How To Get Rid Of Stomach Fat

Life Style

May 14, 2015

5717

Stomach Fat

Want to get rid of that belly? Want to be your old beach beautiful self again?

Excessive belly fat can be death to your self confidence and a charring fire for your cool self-image. It not only presents danger to your self-esteem but also to your health.

Unfortunately, in spite of the claims of many advertisements on TV, there is no magic pill�, potion, or oil that targets abdominal fat specifically. Unwanted belly fat can alter the aesthetics of your body to a limit that you begin to feel like an outcast among your fitter friends. Stubborn stomach fat has to be fought with a combination of hard work, exercise and specific nutritious foods; it is difficult but not impossible. It is also very dangerous to have excessive stomach fat because it is associated with a variety of diseases.

Never “MIND” the calories

When it comes to losing weight, many people don’t know that spot reduction never works. If you lose weight, you lose weight from every part of your body. Reducing your caloric intake is the first step towards this direction. Do it (ideally both) ways: by reducing the portions that you eat and by eating low calories. Limit your diet to fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, nuts and seeds, beans and whole grains. The intake of sugars, fats, and empty calories, which provide little nutrition and tend to be stored as fat should be cut down to the least quantity.

Sugar please!

Sugar is found to be the serial murderer of healthy living in the obesity epidemic that every other person faces, even more harmful than fats. Excess sugar causes a rise in insulin, which causes energy to be stored in fat cells. Beware of hidden sugars in beverages, breads, cereals, ketchups, cooking sauces, etc. People with a sweet tooth may satisfy their cravings with honey, dark chocolate, dried fruit, and Greek yogurt.

Target stress

Stress is a very common cause of increase in cortisol, a hormone that causes our body to store extra fat, particularly in the stomach area, i.e. the core of the body.

It can also cause emotional or depressive eating, or eating for comfort rather than to fill your empty stomach. Eliminating stress-provoking people and things from your life is the next big step to get rid of that stomach fat.

Drink plenty of water

To help curb your appetite, you can drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily. It helps you shed weight faster and also keeps your system clean and hydrated. Drinking enough water is crucial to maintain normal bodily functions

Go cardio

Cardiovascular exercises burn excessive calories faster than any other exercises and they also help speed up your metabolism so that you can lose weight faster. To get the maximum benefits of any cardio session one should get at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercises 5 days in a week. These may include jogging, running, walking briskly, cycling, swimming, etc.

Skip a beat but not a meal

While it may seem like a counter measure to many but it is not the case. Skipping meals can actually make weight loss harder as it slows down your metabolism drastically. The best way to speed up your metabolism and keep on burning body fat is to eat regularly in small portions. In simple words, it is much more advisable to eat 6 small meals in a day rather than to eat 2 or 3 very large ones.

Skip abdominal exercises

Crunches, as tiring and fruitful as they may seem, they will do nothing for your stomach fat. As long as there is that layer of fat covering your abdomen, even a thousand crunches will not make it go away. The only way to get rid of that fat is cardiovascular exercises and a strict diet. Toning of the muscle comes after.

Doctor’s order�: Imagine never having to suffer through another boring cardio workout again…Click Here!

References

https://www.turbulencetraining.com/homepage-cb/

https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/the-truth-about-belly-fat

7 Harmful Effects of Alcohol Consumption

Life Style

May 10, 2015

4271

Alcohol

In North America and Europe, Vodka, wine, beer, whisky etc. are beverages people like to consume with their meals or at social gatherings.

We all know that a glass of red wine a day is good for the body but excessive consumption of alcohol has been linked to numerous health risks.

Unfortunately, most of us are only aware of the short-term disadvantages of alcohol consumption, such as vision blur, mental fog, inability to concentrate and hangover.

Along with short-term effects, the long-term health effects add up and cause severer complications. It can effect a person’s life in several ways, be it his social life, personal life or even work life.

Alcohol can have disastrous effects on the nervous, digestive and excretory system. It can have a negative impact on you physically, as well as emotionally.

Consumption of alcohol usually leads to delayed reaction times, bad impact on human body & psyche, and decreased ability of specific motor functions that often lead to tentative and accidental bruises or injuries. �It also leads to impaired judgment, mood swings, passing out and eventually death if consumed in excess.

Many people tend to look at alcohol containing beverages or liquors in an acceptable fashion but the truth is that it is a drug albeit a legal drug, and a toxin. However, it cannot be deniable that teenagers may start drinking due to peer pressure and develop a stronger preference for it. Some people consume alcohol for various reasons, such as to eradicate emotional stress, escape from work problems or to stay fit & maintain statuses at social situations.

Some common health effects of alcohol consumption include:

Liver cirrhosis:� Liver cirrhosis is the 12th leading cause of death. It is caused by many factors including� excessive alcohol consumption. It is a gradual process in which scar tissues begin to form in the liver. When cirrhosis occurs, the liver stops functioning properly. Due to tissue formation, the blood flow gets obstructed. This stops the nutrients and hormones from entering the liver.
2.�� Alcohol Poisoning: �Excessive consumption of alcohol leads to alcohol poisoning. This condition can be extremely dangerous and even life-threatening for an individual. Some common telltale signs of alcohol poisoning include� vomiting, irregular breathing, blue skin and hypothermia. Seek immediate medical attention if you suspect someone is suffering from alcohol poisoning as this could possibly lead to death as well.
3.�� Harmful Effects on Teenage Brain Development: In large amounts, alcohol is technically harmful to every age group.� Lack of concern of parents, genetics and the thrill of risk-taking can possibly cause alcohol dependence amongst teenagers. Teenagers are particularly susceptible to the stress or emotional trauma. According to researchers, teenage brains are more susceptible to risks associated with overconsumption of alcohol as opposed to adult brains.
�Risk of Cancers: �People who consume alcohol are usually more prone to suffer from oral cancer. It includes cancer of the throat, mouth and larynx. Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol can increase your risk if tumours and cause death.
5.�� Violence Streaks: A bad and terrible effect of hard alcohol is violence. Violence goes beyond fights and physical abuse. This harms the community and increases the chances of the drinker of going to jail.
Depression: One of the most harmful effects of alcohol consumption is depression. It can be genetic, but consuming excessively and not knowing when to stop can cause dependence and depression. In most cases, people who are depressed end up being alcohol dependent because they want a distraction from pain and misery. Alcohol is a stimulant and can increase feelings of pleasure in an individual, but cause long-term cognitive effects.
Pregnancy problems. Excessive consumptions of alcohol leads to complications for for an expecting mother and her child therefore it is critical that a mother is more responsible and restricts her drinking habits to ensure her child is healthy.

References

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/009130579500029V

https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.80.5.575

How Going Outside Makes You Healthier

Life Style

May 7, 2015

3257

Running at sunset on a sandy white beach in Florida, walking through a shallow, cool trickling stream in Meghalaya, watching the sun set over a sand dune in the Sahara or even hearing the wind blow through the trees outside your very own window in the morning � can make you a healthier person.

These experiences don’t really fall short of explaining how “Nature leads one from joy to joy”- William Wordsworth.

Our connection with nature is lost in this never ending crusade to find a spot of recognition that cannot be filled by any substitute. Many researches and scientific studies have proven the worth of nature, which is not only beneficial to the body, but also to the mind.

Nature’s Healing Nature

The closer you are to nature, the healthier you’re likely to be. People who live closer a park or a wooded area or a green belt experience less anxiety and depression than people who live farther away from green or wooded space. In addition, people living in urban environments or modern cities have a higher percentage of anxiety disorder and depression.

Research proves that people who exercise in a natural green environment that is lush with foliage and landscapes, feel more at peace and calm than those who do the same in gyms or health clubs. Therefore, even if you have to drive a little distance to get that kick of nature, it’s definitely worth it!

So what is it about trees and shrubs that makes us so lively?

Let's talk about Vitamin D. While there are so many theories listed everywhere as to why nature does us so good and makes us healthier, one leading hypothesis is that increased outdoor activities increase our Vitamin D. We just keep learning more merits of vitamin D every second but do we know that it is actually for health. Vitamin D can prevent cancer, hormonal problems and obesity, prevent from inflammation, and build a strong immune system. Because sunlight is a natural source of Vitamin D, it only is logical to spend more time outside to increase your vitamin D intake.

Get Fresh With Nature

Being in natural surroundings comes naturally to all. You cannot doubt, even for a second, the miraculous effects that it has on your mood and though process. It can also help increase your quality of sleep. Exposure to natural sunlight sets your body’s internal clock right and it tells you when to eat and sleep, that normalizes hormonal functions during day and night. In addition, the importance of sleep is well known by all, not just for basic health, but also even for weight loss.

Being in nature doesn't have to be boring or a chore. It is fun. It is lively. It is a healing ritual. Therefore, you need to find reasons to get out. It can be an outdoor walk or jog, a swim at a nearby lake or even an outdoor date. You can even try gardening to zap some fat and boost your mood

Get your daily dose of green and you’re sorted. It won’t just keep you busy but happy with your business. Once you need the mud and get your knees dirty in the grass, you won’t need anything else. Take a walk among the shaded trees of the neighboring park, plan a vacation to the most natural and remote destinations, or pick up your car and start exploring the countryside, and witness your mood reflecting the changing colors of the sun as it courses through the sky.

References

https://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/spending-time-outdoors-is-good-for-you

https://www.nwf.org/be-out-there/why-be-out-there/health-benefits.aspx

Liver Gene Therapy Corrects Heart Symptoms in Model of Rare Enzyme Disorder

May 4, 2015

3190

Liver Gene Therapy Corrects Heart Symptoms in Model of Rare Enzyme Disorder

Patients suffering from the rare disorder known as MPS I are deficient in the enzyme IDUA. In a recent research that has been published in two papers, a new gene therapy approach has been outlined by the researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. They have examined the process of systemic delivery of a vector to replace the enzyme IDUA. In the second paper that has been published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences this week, it is described that an injection of a vector expressing the IDUA enzyme to the liver can be useful in preventing most of the systemic manifestations of the disease, including those found in the heart.

The first paper of the study was published in Molecular Therapy. It describes how an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector can be used to introduce normal IDUA to glial and neuronal cells in the brain and spinal cord in a feline model. The aim of the study was to treat the manifestation of MPS relating to the central nervous system. On the other hand the more recent study aims to treat the manifestations of the disease which are outside of the nervous system.

It is known that diseases due to MPS comprises of 50 rare inherited disorders that are characterized by defects in the lysosomes � these are compartments within cells filled with enzymes to digest large molecules. In case any of mutation of any of these enzymes, molecules that would have been normally degraded by the lysosome starts accumulating within the cell and the recycling of their fragments is also stopped. Many of the MPS disorders have common symptoms, which include speech and hearing problems, hernias, and heart problems .It is estimated that 1 in 25,000 births in the United States has some form of MPS. The life expectancy for people with MPS I show considerable variation.

There are two main treatments for MPS I at the moment namely bone marrow transplantation and intravenous enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). However, both of them have their significant drawbacks and are known to be marginally effective and are clinically impractical. They do not address some of the most critical clinical symptoms, like life-threatening cardiac valve impairments. James M. Wilson, lead author of the paper, MD, PhD, professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and director of the Penn Gene Therapy Program observed that both the paper on gene therapy are the first proof-of-principle demonstrations for the efficacy and practicality for gene therapies that can be translated into the clinic for lysosomal storage diseases. This approach has better prospects than ERT and it can also replace ERT.

Patients suffering from MPS I accumulate compounds called glycosaminoglycans in tissues and it results in various clinical symptoms, which includes neurological, eye, skeletal, and cardiac diseases. The team used a naturally occurring feline model of MPS I and tested the liver-directed gene therapy through a single intravenous infusion to establish long-term systemic IDUA presence throughout the body. The team carried the treatment in 4 MPS I cats which were between the ages of three to five months and administered them with an AAV serotype 8 vector expressing feline IDUA. The sustained serum enzyme activity was observed for six months at approximately 30 percent of normal levels in one cat and in excess of normal levels in the other three cats. It is remarkable to note that the treated animals not only showed reductions in glycosaminoglycans storage in most tissues, but also exhibited complete resolution of aortic valve lesions, an effect which was not seen with current therapies.

These findings point shows hope that with liver gene transfer, the lives of those suffering from MPS I can be changed for the better.

References

https://www.uphs.upenn.edu/news/News_Releases/2014/09/wilson2/

https://www.sciencenewsline.com/summary/2014093016580089.html

9 Habits of Highly Confident People

Life Style

Apr 29, 2015

3230

Confidence is actually a state of mind. Our mind is perhaps the most powerful thing we know.� Thoughts take shape in our mind and these thoughts guide our emotions. Our emotions have a direct influence on our actions and our actions decide our lives. People who are confident wield a greater control over their minds and just by the power of their thoughts, they do the things that they want to do in their life. Confidence is one of those personality traits that can differentiate between a winner and a loser.

If you are wondering, what are the habits that characterize highly confident people then here is our list:

They don't give up:

Whatever the situation, they have the never-say-die attitude. They never expect things to go smoothly and are always ready to meet challenges. They always look for solutions for a problem rather than cribbing about the problem. Since, the concentrate on finding solutions, they are generally able to overcome all difficult situations.

They know themselves:

Confident people typically have a strong sense of self. They are very sure about their strength and weaknesses and know how to use them to the best of their advantage. They know what they want in life and hence, they work towards their dreams and goals with perseverance. They also understand their personal boundaries and limitations. �They trust their instincts to guide them to make better choices and move on the path of success.

They learn from their experiences:

Often people are intimidated by their past failures, and fear to take new challenging tasks in life. However, confident people do things differently. They recognize that every mistake is in fact a learning opportunity, so there is no point is beating oneself up for a past mistake. They take the lesson from their mistakes and any negative past experiences, but do not let it shadow their future dreams. They know how to move forward in life without any baggage.

They are ready to try new things:

As the saying goes � experience is the best teacher. When one tries new things his experience enriches and he evolves as a person equipped with better knowledge of doing things.

They are fearless:

Confident people are ready to take risks in life: they do not fear risks. It doesn't mean that they are rash � it means that they make informed choices even it risk is involved.� They take their time to prepare themselves and take the chances when they feel that taking the risk is worth it.

They embrace change:

People often detest change � as change means that have to adapt themselves to the changes. However, confident people know that change is inevitable and that change is synonymous to progress and evolution. They embrace change and move with it.

They take responsibility for their own actions:

Highly confident people are aware that whatever happens in our lives are a result of their own actions. Hence, they take full responsibility for their lives and actions. They don't blame others or circumstances for their situations. It gives them a feeling of control over their life. However, they know what is in their control and what is not. This knowledge also gives them a surge of confidence.

They are not quick to make assumptions:

People are often quick to form opinions based on unsubstantiated assumptions. But, highly confident people do not form opinion so quickly. They weigh their options; look at things from various perspectives and come to a conclusion only after a thorough analysis.

They say �NO' when required:

They do not have any problem in speaking their mind and express their opinion even if it means saying �no' to people.

Highly confident people choose to stay positive and associate themselves with positive people. The good thing is that this personality is not necessarily an inborn gift. With practice you can grow your confidence and reach new heights in all walks of life.

Reference

https://elitedaily.com/money/entrepreneurship/21-things-that-people-with-confidence-do-differently/

https://www.psychology-solution.com/confidence/confident-people

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