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Learning more about the link between polycystic ovary syndrome and mental health

Jan 1, 2016

2260

Among the fertility issues women of child bearing age face, PCOS is a very common issue. Almost every one in ten women of fertile age is affected by it. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome aka PCOS is characterized by the presence of several small follicles in one or both ovaries, increased levels of testosterone in the blood and irregular periods.

Women who suffer from PCOS also typically have high levels of androgens in their blood � factor that is known to affect fetal development during pregnancy. There are some other serious issues faced by women suffering from this condition � they have problems with obesity and insulin resistance, which puts them at a greater risk of developing type 2 Diabetes. At some point, they are also more prone to have mental health problems.

A hormonal mechanism that might shed some light on why women with PCOS are more likely to develop symptoms of mental ill-health, such as anxiety and depression, in adulthood has been identified by an international team of scientists led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden.

The results of the study have been published in the journal PNAS.

Elisabet Stener-Victorin, researcher at the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at Karolinska Institutet and the principal investigator of the study remarked that over 60 per cent of these women are diagnosed with at least one psychiatric symptom, like anxiety, depression or an eating disorder, and suicide is much more common amongst women with PCOS than amongst healthy controls.

It has also been seen that daughters of women with PCOS are more likely to develop the condition, while their sons tend to suffer from problems of obesity and insulin resistance. One theory is that it might be due to the greater in-utero exposure to male hormones (androgens) through the mother’s blood; however the biological mechanism is unclear.

For this PNAS study, the researchers exposed pregnant rats to excessive doses of testosterone to create the conditions of pregnant women with PCOS. These rats and their fetuses were then studied – the impact on the placenta and on fetal growth was monitored. Also, they monitored the offspring – of both sexes – to adulthood and their behaviour was then tested. Their study revealed that both male and female offspring exposed to testosterone in a late fetal stage are more likely to exhibit a higher degree of anxiety behaviour as adults than those born under normal circumstances.

Further experiments were carried out and it was found and established by the researchers that the testosterone exerts the greatest effect on the amygdala – a region of the brain that has a significant role to play in emotional regulation and behaviour linked to both positive and negative emotions.

Disturbances in the activity of the gene regulating the androgen receptor in the amygdale of offspring were found by the group. They also noted changes in the receptors for a type of oestrogen and in the genes that regulate serotonin and GABA, signal substances in the brain that are known for their involvement in the regulation of anxious behaviour.

Dr. Stener-Victorin added that but when the androgenic and oestrogenic receptors were blocked by two different drugs, the animals were protected against the development of the anxiety-like behaviour in adulthood. The results of the study signal towards a hitherto unknown biological mechanism that can help in understanding why the daughters and sons of women with PCOS have a tendency to have anxiety issues as adults.

Struggling with anxiety? Try this awesome method.

References:

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-11-link-polycystic-ovary-syndrome-mental.html

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/301822.php

Natural Colic Relief with Baby Bowen

Dec 21, 2015

2595

Giving birth to a baby is in itself a beautiful yet, challenging experience. You have been through the tough labor time and have fared well. Now, you want to have some memorable, happy time with your baby. But, the reality is a totally different story. Your baby throws in a lot of tantrums and cries incessantly. However much you try to sooth him/her, he/she would not relent. It is painful for a mother to see her baby in so much stress. You feel helpless because none of the things you are trying to soothe him/her is working.

Colic

Doubt sets in. Frustration takes root. You start questioning your own nurturing abilities and think to yourself, if you are not being a good mom. The truth is � you are just as good as you can be. That is not the problem here. The problem is probably your baby is experiencing colic pain. There is no standard definition for colic pain. In general, a baby is said to be experiencing colic pain if he/she cries for about 3 hours a day, 3 days a week for more than 3 consecutive weeks despite of being well-fed and healthy. You may initially think it is gas or constipation only to realize later that it is something else.

You would surely be wishing if only there was a way you could comfort your distressed baby. The good news is that your wish is granted. There indeed is a way which is simple enough and effective too. You can make your baby happy again and help them sleep peacefully through the night.

The solution is Baby Bowen. Simply put, it will tell you about 5 simple and gentle moves that will almost immediately sooth your baby. The best thing about these techniques is that it is safe, natural, non-invasive, and effective; it prevents wind and indigestion, it gives instant relief and also strengthens the baby's immune system. These moves are actually made on the specific part of the baby's body. For example: across the muscle on each side of the spine. These moves work and trigger the body's natural responses which in turns heal the body and bring it into balance. Since, the Bowen moves rebalances the nervous system, one can see immediate effect on the baby. In fact, you can use these techniques on your baby right from day 1.

The baby Bowen guide is a comprehensive resource which will give your information about the following:

–�� What exactly comprises of colic pain and its possible causes.

–�� Causes of indigestion, gas and bloating in babies and how to prevent it.

–�� How to strengthen baby's digestive system?

–�� How to prevent hiccups in babies?

–�� How to relax tense muscles in babies

–�� Step� by step techniques� with video on relieving colic in babies

–�� How to prevent colic pain in babies

–�� Best exercises for your baby.

The author of this baby Bowen guide is from a medical background and her aim with this scientific offering to help new mothers in relieving colic pain in their babies. She wants them to enjoy motherhood and not be stressed out about incessantly crying babies. You can benefit from it too. So, go now and grab a copy for yourself online.

Baby Bowen is a solution to a number of common problems in babies like colic, gas, hiccups, bloating, wind, constipation, indigestion, reflux, etc.

There are number of happy mothers who have made use of this technique to soothe their babies. You can benefit from it too. The step-by-step Bowen guide complete with videos, will teach you how to treat colic in your baby instantly. Get your copy today by following this link.

The Interstitial Cystitis Solution

Dec 19, 2015

2447

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is actually a chronic inflammation of the bladder that is characterized with symptoms like increased frequency of urination, pelvic pain and discomfort. It is also known by the name of Painful Bowel Syndrome (PBS). Statistics reveal that as many as 4 million people in the United States alone suffer from the symptoms of IC. Those who suffer from this condition know how important it is for them to stay close to the bathroom all the time. A healthy adult feels the need to urinate for a maximum 7 times a day and this number can rise to as high as 60 in a person who suffers from severe IC. So, you can realize that as a result of this condition, lifestyle, work, sleep, etc., of the affected person definitely suffers.

Interstitial Cystitis

The bladder in a human body is a hollow organ whose function is to store urine. When it is full, brains sends it a signal to empty it. That is when a person feels the need to urinate. In a person suffering from this condition, this working is disturbed. One feels like urinating even if his bladder is not full. Most of the Interstitial Cystitis sufferers are women. Unlike urinary tract infection, which has similar symptoms, this condition is not cause by bacteria and hence antibiotics don't work. In fact, in medical science there is no cure for it. It is said the symptoms can be minimized through medicines and therapies but not cured.

If you too have been suffering from this problem and are of trying solution after solutions without any result, then maybe there is another way of curing it still left. We are talking about Interstitial Cystitis Natural Remedies by Laura Brown. To give you a background about the author � she herself suffered from this condition for 4 long years; her life became a constant trip to the bathroom, and she forgot how to enjoy life. But, then she was not the one to accept failures and hence she resorted to natural remedies for a solution. Her endeavor reaped results. She tried several natural remedies, some of which actually showed results. Slowly, she improvised and found a cure that worked for her. She had suffered enough because of this condition and didn't want others to go through the same. Hence, she documented all her findings in a book which she is offering to the world now.

In her book � How to get rid of Interstitial Cystitis Naturally, she shares a number of proven naturally healing methods and alternative ways that she found useful in treating her Internal Cystitis. Do not expect a book that runs into a hundred of pages because you will not get one. Instead her book focuses on the solutions and cures. Not every imaginable solution is listed her � the ones which are listed in the book are the ones which give result.

To give an idea what to expect here are a few examples: she shares ways to strengthen body's immunity against Interstitial Cystitis; she shares amazing tips to modify one's diet that helps in coping with IC symptoms. You will also find the name of 5 herbs that sooth your bladder. You will gain the knowledge about which vitamins and minerals that are helpful in reducing the pain. Unearth a sea of information for fighting off Interstitial Cystitis and curing it completely.

Do keep in mind that in order to benefit from the natural remedies listed by Laura, one will have to make certain lifestyle changes. If you do so, you are definitely going to benefit and see results.

You can find the product in this link!

Practice Really Does Make Perfect

Dec 18, 2015

1702

In a research that was published in the journal of Biology recently, it is reported that researchers from the University of Cambridge and the University of Plymouth have found that follow-through movements like swinging of a golf club or tennis racket, can help us to learn two different skills at once, or to learn a single skill faster. The research is significant as it can provide new insight into how tasks are learned. It could go a long way in helping people for rehabilitation, such as re-learning motor skills following a stroke.

It was found by researchers that a particular active motor memory that can be modified in the brain at any given time is influenced by both lead-in and follow-through movements. It is also seen that the skills which typically interfere can be learned at the same time given their follow-through movements are unique. It is true that in follow-through movements in sports like tennis or golf one cannot affect the movement of the ball after it has been hit. However, there are two other important purposes it serves – it helps to maximize force at the point of impact, and prevent injuries by allowing a gradual slowdown of a movement. Through this study, researchers have found a third important role for follow-through which is it allows distinct motor memories to be learned.

For example, if a new task be it serving a tennis ball or learning a passage on a musical instrument; if it is repeated enough times, a motor memory of that task develops in the brain. The brain can instruct the muscles to perform the task such that it can be performed seemingly without thinking. The issue with learning similar but distinct tasks is that there can be a certain level of interference between the two. For example, both tennis and racquetball are racket sports but the strokes for playing them are different.

To find out if we learn a separate motor memory for each task, or a single motor memory for both, the researchers carried out an experiment. They asked participants learn a ‘reaching’ task in the presence of two opposite force-fields. The participants were made to grasp the handle of a robotic interface and make a reaching movement through an opposing force-field to a central target. It was immediately followed by a second unopposed follow-through movement to one of two possible final targets. The direction of the force-field was changed, representing different tasks.

It was discovered by the researchers that the specific motor memory which stays active at any given moment is influenced by the movement that will be made in the near future. This indicates that different follow-throughs may activate distinct motor memories and hence two different skills can be learned at a time without them interfering.

Dr. David Franklin of Cambridge’s Department of Engineering, a senior author on the research remarked that since there is noise in the sensory information we receive, the planning we undertake, and the output of our motor system, every movement we make is different from the last one. Since, there is variability within our movements; there will be variability within our follow-through too.

When a person tries to re-learn skills after a stroke, he may actually exhibit a great deal of variability in his movements. Dr. Ian Howard of the University of Plymouth and the paper’s lead author opined that since now it is known that learning occurs faster when the movements are consistent; it therefore makes sense to consider methods that will reduce this variability and improve the speed of rehabilitation.

References

�

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150108130057.htm

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-01-practice-really-does-make-perfect.html

Causes of belly bloat

Dec 13, 2015

2612

You have swollen up and your abdomen feels really full and tight and all this happened overnight? If that is the case, then you're probably suffering from a bad case of belly bloat.

No, a swollen or puffy belly does not indicate that you've gained weight; it's highly temporary and can be prevented with a few changes in your daily habits. Bloating doesn't only appear unsightly, it also causes discomfort and sometimes pain.

However, the good news as we mentioned before is that belly bloat can be prevented. But in order to find the treatment and prevention method, it is essential that you know the cause:

Eating too much, too fast

You know the feeling when you go to your favorite restaurant and you can't hold yourself back from eating all they have to offer?

Most people eat too quickly without realizing it. Not chewing your food thoroughly can prevent your food from being broken down into smaller pieces in the mouth. Furthermore, the food stays in the mouth for a shorter period of time and is thus, less affected by the salivary enzymes in the mouth.

Never ever stuff your belly with more than what it can handle. We always suggest that you should eat until you are satisfied, not until you are full or stuffed.

When you eat too much or too quickly, you get bloated. Your stomach swells up in the morning and you could suffer from some possible nausea too.

Moreover, if you eat too fast, then you tend to swallow air along with your food. This results in excess gas and thus, you face physical discomfort not to mention an annoying belly bulge. Experts say that you should take at least 30 minutes to finish your meal. Just remember, the process of digestion starts from the mouth, so chew properly in order to reduce stress on your stomach and prevent it from doing too much work.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Another cause for bloating can be Irritable Bowel Syndrome� or IBS. IBS is a condition that affects your large intestine and thus, causes many uncomfortable symptoms in which bloating is on top of the list. There is no home remedy for this and the wisest advice would be to go see a doctor as soon as possible. Avoid heavy meals during this condition so that your stomach has less work to do in terms of digestion.

Wheat Allergies and Lactose Intolerance

There is a chance that you might have either both or one of the mentioned allergies. However, you should be really certain that you are allergic to wheat or dairy before you decide to cut these two off from your diet. Self-medication or self-diagnosis has never been recommended by the doctors, therefore, you should see a doctor in your earliest free time so that he can confirm if you have the above said allergies or not. Find substitutes for substances you are allergic to and do some trial and error to check if you feel the same after elimination of a suspect item.

Constipation

Constipation is also one of the most common reasons of belly bloating. When there is too little consumption of fiber, liquids or physical activity, constipation happens. To avoid this, chalk out a daily routine in which you cater for all these three things. Maintain a diet that is high in fiber by consuming nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables and grains. On average, women should consume 25 grams of fiber per day and men should consume 38 grams. Make sure you exercise regularly and keep yourself hydrated throughout the day. If it's difficult for you to remember to drink water regularly, a water app might help.

Don’t Let IBS Ruin Your Life�

References

� � �https://TheIbsMiracle.com/

https://www.healthline.com/symptom/abdominal-bloating

https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003123.htm

New Cellular Pathway Triggering Allergic Asthma Response Identified

Nov 17, 2015

2297

In a recent article published in the online Early Edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, it has been revealed that researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine along with collaborators in Korea and Scotland, have discovered a novel signaling pathway critical to the immune response of cells associated with the initiation of allergic asthma. The researchers are of the opinion that the study could point the way to new therapies that could be used to suppress the inflammatory allergic response. This in turn will offer potential relief to millions of Americans who suffer from this chronic lung condition and other such allergic diseases.

The researchers demonstrated that dendritic cells (DC) – a type of white blood cell, which trigger a reduction in the production of cyclic AMP or cAMP, a key messenger molecule for signaling inside cells is involved in T helper 2 (Th2) type inflammation in allergic asthma. It is found that when this gene that codes for a protein that promotes the production of cAMP was deleted in the mouse models, it triggered spontaneous bronchial asthma in them. This symptom has many similarities with human asthma. �When then cAMP levels were increased, it inhibited the cells’ inflammatory response that results in asthma’s characteristic symptoms.

Eyal Raz, MD, professor of medicine and the study's principal investigator said that their finding and the related mechanism are very different from the current known view of activation of specific T helper cell responses. Co-author Paul Insel, MD, professor of pharmacology and medicine remarked that they were surprised to find the role of cAMP formation and action in dendritic cells in the induction of allergic response. It suggests that this signaling pathway is involved in other immune-related functions as well.

The immune response of humans, mice and other vertebrates comprises of two fundamental components, the first of which is the innate immune system that recognizes and responds to pathogens in an immediate, but generalized, way but does not confer long-lasting immunity. In the second one highly specialized T and B cells eliminate or prevent pathogen growth. They also create immunological memory in case of future encounters with the same pathogen. It is the adaptive immune system.

In the adaptive immune system, Th2 immunity has an important role to play. Th1 responses target intracellular pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria that have invaded host cells. The Th2 response is more effective against extracellular pathogens like bacteria, parasites and toxins that operate outside of cells.

In case of allergic asthma, allergens, such as pet dander, pollen, mold and dust mites are inhaled. Symptoms include inflammation and narrowing of the airways, resulting in wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, coughing, etc. The common form of allergic asthma is associated with an exaggerated Th2 immune response. It is seen that it affects people of all ages; however it is more common in childhood. More than 25 million Americans suffer from the condition.

Jihyung Lee, PhD, a post-doctoral fellow and first author of the study said that this research will open new avenues for exploration of DC-related molecules as mediators that influence Th2 induction and Th2 ‘bias. In their study, some of these molecules have already been identified and others are under investigation. Hopefully, more will be identified in the near-future.

Raz emphasized that the genetic mouse model developed for the research had multiple similarities with human allergic asthma and that is the reason, they are quite optimistic that the mice will reveal additional novel insights into human allergy which will further fuel their study.

References

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-01-cellular-pathway-triggering-allergic-asthma.html

https://health.ucsd.edu/news/releases/Pages/2015-01-19-asthma-and-immune-response.aspx

How does the brain adapt to the restoration of eyesight?

Nov 16, 2015

2236

With all the scientific research that have taken place in the field of vision and eyesight, it has become possible for eyesight's to be restored even in people who have been blind for their life. But, in a recent study, the scientists at the University of Montreal and the University of Trento discovered that the visual restoration may never be 100%. This is because a rewiring of the senses that occurs in the brains of the long-term blind may never be complete.

Giulia Dormal who led the study, said that they had the opportunity to study a very rare case of a woman who had very low vision since birth. Her vision was suddenly restored in adulthood when she underwent an implantation of a Boston Keratoprosthesis in her right eye. It is known that the visual cortex maintains a certain degree of plasticity which means that it is flexible and has the capacity to change as there is a change in a function or experience like the restoration of vision in an adult person who had with low vision since early life. The visual cortex is the part of the brain that processes information from our eyes. However, after several months of the surgery, it is also discovered that the visual cortex is not functioning to its 100% potential.

Some very interesting observations have been made in cases of untreatable blindness. The occipital cortex – the part of the brain normally devoted to vision, becomes responsive to sound and touch in order to make up for the loss of vision. Some reorganization and rewiring of the brain occurs for this to happen. So, when such people undergo eye surgery to recover vision, the reorganized occipital cortex faces another challenge and it may not be able to restore itself to process vision anymore after having spent years in the dark.

To find out how much of a problem it can be, the researchers worked with the patient, a 50 year old Quebec woman. They conducted several behavioral and neurophysiological measurements prior to and after surgery to track changes in her sight and brain anatomy, and in the way her brain responded to sights and sounds. He was made to undergo MRIs and various visual and auditory tasks. Her scans were then compared with scans of people with normal eyesight and people with untreatable blindness who had performed the same tasks.

Oliver Collignon, Superviser of the research said that they could show that there was some structural and functional reorganization in the occipital regions in this patient before surgery because of the longstanding visual impairment. Some of these reorganizations can be partially reversed by visual restoration in adulthood. Since, there has been important advances in visual restoration techniques, such findings are crucial for blind individuals who are candidate to such interventions.

The study concluded that eye surgery in individuals who have had a life time of profound blindness can have a positive result. However, an important factor to take into consideration is that the decrease in auditory-driven responses and the increase in both visually-driven responses and grey matter density with time are not total.

Dormal said that auditory-driven responses were still evidenced in certain regions of the visual cortex even 7 months after surgery, and these responses overlapped with some visually-driven responses. That could be the reason why even after showing some improvement, some aspects of vision remained below normal range even after 7 months of surgery.

These findings open the door to the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging before surgery as a prognostic tool for visual outcome. It can also help in the development of adapted rehabilitation programs following visual restoration.

References

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-01-brain-eyesight.html

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/01/150119082752.htm

Disrupted biological clock linked to Alzheimer’s disease

Life Style

Nov 15, 2015

1855

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.

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

Best foods for tummy problems

Life Style

Nov 14, 2015

2159

Wholegrains

So you have got a really bad tummy and you're in no condition to eat. Chances are that you only need to make some diet modifications instead of taking an antacid every day.

All of the tummy problems are related to improper food digestion. Either you ate the wrong food or you ate too much food. Therefore, the best way to deal with tummy problems is to give your tummy a rest for a while. Try to eat as little as possible and when you eat, make sure the food item is one of the below mentioned food items. Avoid having anything too heavy. It will make the situation worse.

This article will tell you about the right kind of foods that you should eat in case you're facing stomach pain or other tummy problems. Incorporate the following foods in your diet and say goodbye to all your tummy issues:

Bananas

Every time you would have a stomach issue, someone will suggest you bananas. Bananas are all-stars when it comes to health. They are packed with fiber, potassium and other vital nutrients your body needs. Bananas contain pectin which helps to naturally firm bowel movements. However, bananas isn't a superfood for healthy bowel movements only, studies show that bananas are actually one of the best energy-providing fruits. Moreover, they are healthy, contain low calories and serve the same function as coffee. They are easily digestible and do not upset the stomach, unless of course you decide to eat a dozen of them in one go.

Brown Rice

Instead of having a serving of white rice, try having some brown rice or red rice instead. Brown rice is minimally refined as compared to white rice and contains maximum nutrients. Moreover, brown rice has a lower glycemic index which makes it healthy for diabetics as well. Other brown sources of fiber include brown bread, wholegrains, nuts and seeds and quinoa. They are light if consumed in small amounts and do not stress the digestive system. However, if you are gluten intolerant, having rice or wheat may not be a good idea. Foods like quinoa and nuts and seeds are better options. Another positive factor regarding brown rice and other fibrous foods is that they prevent diarrhea as well as constipation. In both cases, they add bulk to your stool and improve bowel movements.

Papaya

Eating Papaya would help your stomach by not only increasing the overall digestion process, but also by easing the process. Moreover, papayas also help improve constipation. Papayas have the enzymes papain� and chymopapain� which help in breaking down the proteins and also in relaxing the tummy by promoting a healthy acidic environment.

If it is hard for you to come across papayas, then you can look for papaya extract tablets.

Apple Sauce

Just like the bananas, apples are also a good source of pectin, which means that apples help in reducing the symptoms of diarrhea. However, since you are already facing a tummy problem, it would be a wise decision to skip the apples and go for the applesauce instead. Since it is made of cooked apples, it would be much easier for the stomach to digest.

Ginger

Ginger not only works for stomach issues, but it is also an anti-nausea remedy and improves overall digestive health. In order to consume ginger, the recommended limit is about 4 grams of ginger daily. You can start by taking 1 gram of powdered ginger or its equivalent after every four hours. You can have it any way as you want. Some people like chewing on a piece of fresh ginger while others like to steep fresh ginger in hot water and drink it as a soothing hot tea.

References

https://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20551987,00.html

https://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/digestive-health/Pages/stomach-friendly-foods.aspx

Study shows molecule isolated from sea sponges may be effective treatment against leukemia

Nov 13, 2015

2060

A study published in �Nature' recently has revealed that a molecule isolated from sea sponges and then synthesized in lab can curtail the growth of leukemia cancer cells. The team of researchers consisted of scientists from Harvard and is led by Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Matthew Shair. The results are encouraging and can open the door to a new treatment for leukemia.

Shair said that once they found that the molecule named cortistatin A was quite potent and selective in inhibiting the growth of AML cells, they tested it in mouse models of AML. The results are quite positive; cortistatin A is quite as efficacious without any undesirable effects. What the researchers have identified seems like a very promising new therapeutic approach.

Cortistatin A was synthesized by the researchers and they are now working to develop novel therapeutics based on it by optimizing its drug-like properties. Since, there is a dearth of effective treatments for AML; the importance of advancing it toward clinical trials soon is tremendous. Typically, it takes years to develop drugs, but Shair's lab is very close to having a development candidate that could be taken into late-stage preclinical development and then into clinical trials. What they will need is an industrial partner to progress the technology along that path and toward eventual regulatory approval. The good news is that Harvard’s Office of Technology Development (OTD) is engaged in advanced discussions for that.

Cortistatin A works by inhibiting a pair of nearly identical kinases, called CDK8 and CDK19, which as per Shair's work play a key role in the growth of AML cells. It is seen that the kinases operate as part of a poorly understood, massive structure in the nucleus of cells called the mediator complex, which acts as a bridge between transcription factors and transcriptional machinery. When these two specific kinases were inhibited, Shair and fellow researchers found that it doesn’t shut down all transcription, but has gene-specific effects.

Shair explained that they treated AML cells with cortistatin A and then measured the effects on gene expression. Surprisingly, they found that it affects a very small number of genes � a number that was expected in thousands but it runs in the low hundreds. Upon further study, it was found that the genes that were affected were associated with DNA regulatory elements known as “super-enhancers.” These super-enhancers drive high expression of genes, many of which dictate cellular identity. When cancer happens identity is lost, and the cells become poorly differentiated and are stuck in an almost stem-cell-like state. Some potential cancer treatments attack the disease by down-regulating such cellular identity genes, but to Shair and colleagues' surprise, it is seen that their molecule actually turned up the activity of those genes in AML cells.

400 kinases were tested upon and it was found that Cortistatin inhibits only CDK8 and CDK19 in cells, making it among the most selective kinase inhibitors identified till now. Shair said that to have compounds that precisely hit a specific target, like cortistatin A can help reduce side-effects and increase efficacy. This molecule does it because of its three-dimensional structure. One way to achieve this level of specificity is to make molecules more like cortistatin A.

Since Shair’s team synthesized the molecule; they could study how it worked and why it affected the growth of a very specific type of cell. With funds and drug-development expertise provided by Harvard’s Blavatnik Biomedical Accelerator, they also created a range of new molecules that may be better suited to clinical application. There are 32 chemical steps involved in the complex process of making cortistatin A, but they have found less complex structures that act just like the natural compound, with better drug-like properties. Also, they can be manufactured on a large scale and in about half the steps.

While there is still much research to be done�the early results are quite dramatic. Shair said that he was quite excited and curious to see where this research leads them,

References

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-09-molecule-isolated-sea-sponges-effective.html

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/09/150928123314.htm

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