Trump, Pope Francis offer to help terminally ill baby in Britain

The parents of a baby with an extremely rare condition want to take their son to the United States for an experimental treatment. Doctors say the illness is incurable and that any treatment would simply prolong his suffering. Charlie D'Agata has more.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/trump-pope-francis-offer-to-help-terminally-ill-baby-in-britain/

Popular Heartburn Drugs May Boost Death Risk: Study

Popular heartburn drugs known as proton pump inhibitors may raise the chance of death, new research shows.

From: http://www.webmd.com/heartburn-gerd/news/20170703/popular-heartburn-drugs-death-risk?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Don't get sick at your holiday BBQ: 5 food safety tips

With many Americans firing up the grill this week, health experts warn summer is the time they see more cases of food poisoning​

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/dont-get-sick-at-your-holiday-bbq-cookout-5-food-safety-tips/

What late-night screen time could mean for teens' mental health

Experts say this is the first study that shows a direct link between teens' screen time and mental health

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/late-night-cell-phone-screen-time-teens-mental-health-sleep/

"An angel caught him": Child survives 7-story fall

"It is really like a miracle, I think his guardian angel was definitely there," says one neighbor who witnessed the tumble

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/boy-survives-7-story-fall-boston-massachusetts/

Why this summer could see an uptick in ticks

Dr. David Agus shares some tips for preventing bites this season and the proper way to remove a tick

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ticks-lyme-disease-increase-this-summer/

Widening 'Race Gap' in U.S. Infant Deaths

After years of progress, there's been a recent rise in deaths for black babies, study finds

From: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/news/20170703/widening-race-gap-in-us-infant-deaths?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Gastric and Postgastric Processing of 13C Markers Renders the 13C Breath Test an Inappropriate Measurement Method for the Gastric Emptying of Lipid Emulsions in Healthy Adults [Nutrient Physiology, Metabolism, and Nutrient-Nutrient Interactions]

Background: Breath tests (BTs) present an alternative gastric-emptying (GE) measure. However, their efficacy in the measurement of the GE rate of lipid emulsions (LEs) is unknown.

Objective: The objective of this work was to investigate the validity of ¹³C BTs as a measure of fat GE rate in LEs.

Methods: The lipophilic ¹³C octanoate (OCC) BT marker was investigated for fat GE with the hydrophilic ¹³C sodium acetate (ACC) and the triglyceride ¹³C trioctanoin (TCC) markers as comparators. Data from 2 randomized studies were combined [50 healthy participants; 25 men, mean ± SD age: 23 ± 2.8 y; mean ± SD body mass index (in kg/m²): 22.4 ± 1.7]. Each participant was given either an acid-stable LE (LE1) or an acid-unstable LE (LE4) at each visit. Twenty-three participants underwent simultaneous MRI. The effect of LEs on ¹³CO₂ excretion profiles was determined. The BT half-emptying times (BT T₅₀) were validated with the MRI half-emptying time of the ingested fat volume (MRI T₅₀).

Results: The effect of LEs on ¹³CO₂ excretion depended on the properties of the ¹³C marker. T₅₀ for OCC was shorter by 98 min for LE1 than for LE4 (P < 0.001). Other markers showed either no LE dependency or a longer T₅₀ for LE1 than for LE4. No difference in T₅₀ between OCC and ACC was detected in LE1. In LE4, the T₅₀ was longer by 154 min (P < 0.0001). There was some concordance between MRI T₅₀ and OCC BT T₅₀ for LE1 (r_c = 0.7). No other marker showed any concordance with fat GE. ¹³C-Nuclear magnetic resonance in vitro findings were compatible with changes in the kinetics of phase transfer of OCC dependent on its protonation state.

Conclusions: The structure of fat present in the stomach affects ¹³CO₂ excretion. The chemical properties of the ¹³C marker and their gastric and postgastric interaction with fat renders ¹³CO₂ excretion an inappropriate measure of LE emptying in healthy adults. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02226029 and NCT02602158.

From: Parker, H. L., Liu, D., Curcic, J., Ebert, M.-O., Schwizer, W., Fried, M., Steingoetter, A. http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/short/147/7/1258?rss=1

Replacement of Refined Starches and Added Sugars with Egg Protein and Unsaturated Fats Increases Insulin Sensitivity and Lowers Triglycerides in Overweight or Obese Adults with Elevated Triglycerides [Nutrient Physiology, Metabolism, and Nutrient-Nutrient Interactions]

Background: Hypertriglyceridemia is a common condition in the United States and is often associated with other metabolic disturbances, including insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and a predominance of small dense LDL particles.

Objective: The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effects of a combination of egg protein (Epro) and unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) substituted for refined starches and added sugars on insulin sensitivity (primary outcome) and other cardiometabolic health markers in overweight or obese adults with elevated triglyceride (TG) concentrations.

Methods: Subjects with elevated TG concentrations were given test foods prepared by using Epro powder (~8% of energy) and vegetable oil (~8% of energy; Epro and UFA condition) or test foods prepared by using refined starch and sugar (~16% of energy; carbohydrate condition) in a randomized, double-blind, controlled-feeding, crossover trial (3 wk/condition, 2-wk washout). The Matsuda insulin sensitivity index (MISI), fasting lipids, and other cardiometabolic health markers were assessed at baseline and the end of each diet condition. Responses were compared by using repeated-measures ANCOVA.

Results: Twenty-five participants [11 men, 14 women; mean ± SEM: age, 46.3 ± 2.4 y; body mass index (in kg/m²), 31.8 ± 1.0] with a median (interquartile range limits) fasting serum TG concentration of 173 mg/dL (159, 228 mg/dL) completed the trial. The MISI value increased 18.1% ± 8.7% from baseline during the Epro and UFA condition and decreased 5.7% ± 6.2% from baseline during the carbohydrate condition (P < 0.001). The disposition index increased 23.8% ± 20.8% during the Epro and UFA condition compared with a decrease of 16.3% ± 18.8% during carbohydrate (P = 0.042) and LDL peak particle size increased 0.12 nm (–0.12, 0.28 nm) with Epro and UFA compared with a decrease of 0.15 nm (–0.33, 0.12 nm) with carbohydrate (P = 0.019). TG and VLDL cholesterol concentrations were lowered by 18.5% (–35.7%, –6.9%) and 18.6% (–34.8%, –7.4%), respectively, after the Epro and UFA condition and by 2.5% (–13.4%, 17.0%) and 3.6% (–12.5%, 16.2%), respectively, after the carbohydrate diet condition (P < 0.002).

Conclusions: The replacement of refined carbohydrates with a combination of Epro and UFA increased the MISI value and altered several markers of cardiometabolic health in overweight or obese adults with elevated TG concentrations. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02924558.

From: Maki, K. C., Palacios, O. M., Lindner, E., Nieman, K. M., Bell, M., Sorce, J. http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/short/147/7/1267?rss=1

Intragastric Lysine Lowers the Circulating Glucose and Insulin Responses to a Mixed-Nutrient Drink without Slowing Gastric Emptying in Healthy Adults [Nutrient Physiology, Metabolism, and Nutrient-Nutrient Interactions]

Man who inspired ice bucket challenge back in the hospital

Family members say 32-year-old Pete Frates​ is "battling this beast ALS like a Superhero"

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/pete-frates-inspired-ice-bucket-challenge-back-in-the-hospital/

Are hot dogs without added nitrites any healthier?

One popular brand is boasting of more natural ingredients, but experts say that doesn't turn processed meat into a health food

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/hot-dogs-uncured-without-nitrites-may-not-be-any-healthier/

Hepatitis C and women of childbearing age

Hiding in the shadow of the opioid epidemic is another troubling public health crisis, the precipitous increase in people whose liver is infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV).

It’s likely you have seen the drug company commercials advertising medications to treat hepatitis C. In these commercials, it appears that hepatitis C is only a problem among older Americans. Although baby boomers still represent the largest group infected with hepatitis C virus, these commercials only tell a part of the story.

The hepatitis C virus is transmitted by direct contact with the blood of someone who is infected with the virus. Most people who are infected with the hepatitis C virus do not have any symptoms. Others may have very mild, vague symptoms including fever, fatigue, joint pain, nausea, and vomiting. Although the infection often goes away on its own, more than 75% of people who get the hepatitis C virus will develop a persistent (chronic) infection. Over time, chronic HCV can lead to liver failure and an increased risk of liver cancer.

The good news is effective treatment options are available that cure hepatitis C. You are considered cured when the virus is no longer detected in your bloodstream. But because you may not develop any symptoms until it is much too late to prevent the serious liver complications of chronic hepatitis C, you need to be tested to see if you are at risk of infection.

The prevalence of HCV has been steadily rising over the last three decades since its discovery in 1989. But according to the CDC, more recently there has been a marked increase in the diagnosis of HCV, especially in those under 40. This increase parallels the rise in the misuse of opioids and heroin in this age group.

But there is another problem: HCV infection during pregnancy

About half of these young people who are injecting drugs are women of childbearing age. And although sexual transmission or transmission of HCV from infected household items is rare, it can happen. And women whose partners inject drugs are also at risk for exposure.

A pregnant woman can pass the hepatitis C virus to her baby. It is not exactly clear at what point in pregnancy HCV transmission occurs, but there is some evidence to suggest it is more likely to occur close to the onset of labor or actually during labor and delivery. This is known as vertical transmission. Luckily vertical transmission of HCV is relatively uncommon, with 6 out of 100 babies born to HCV-infected mothers ultimately testing positive for HCV.

That said, in a recent article published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers from the CDC reported that cases of HCV “essentially doubled among reproductive-aged women between 2006 and 2014, from 15,550 to 31,039.” They went on to compare rates of HCV in pregnant women and anticipated new cases in children to actual reported cases of HCV in children. The results suggest that there are likely a lot of children who have the hepatitis C virus but no symptoms. The authors conclude that these results should spur thinking about whether it might be appropriate to screen children for HCV and if so, which children and when?

How do you know if you have hepatitis C?

A screening test that measures antibodies to HCV can only tell whether a person has been exposed to the virus, but it doesn’t tell whether there is active virus in the body now. To diagnosis an active infection, you need another blood test that looks for HCV RNA. This measures “viral load” (how much active virus is present).

Factors that increase a pregnant woman’s risk of passing HCV to her baby

A pregnant woman with evidence of HCV antibodies but no detectable active virus in her body is very unlikely to transmit HCV to her baby. On the other hand, pregnant women with very high viral loads are believed to be at increased risk for vertical transmission of HCV.

Babies born to women who are infected with both HIV and HCV are at increased risk of becoming infected with HCV. Although we don’t know exactly why, it may be that the HIV weakens the immune system so that there is more HCV in the blood.

HCV tends to infect a certain type of blood cell more often in women who contract the virus from injecting drugs. And it turns out that pregnant women with this type of infection are more likely to transmit the virus to their babies.

How to protect moms and babies from the effects of HCV

Although the chances are relatively low, the vertical transmission rate of HCV is significant, as is the liver disease that chronic infection can cause. And in the shadows of the current opioid epidemic, a growing number of reproductive-age women are contracting HCV, making vertical transmission of HCV even more of a concern.

Current guidelines recommend screening only “at risk pregnant women” for HCV, but some experts have started discussing the routine screening of all pregnant women for HCV.

The post Hepatitis C and women of childbearing age appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Andrea Chisholm, MD http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/hepatitis-c-and-women-of-childbearing-age-2017070311952

Is Your Child's 'Penicillin Allergy' Real?

Follow-up of 100 kids found none were allergic

From: http://www.webmd.com/children/news/20170703/is-your-childs-penicillin-allergy-real?src=RSS_PUBLIC

This summer could see uptick in ticks, scientists say

Diseases carried by ticks are on the rise and some scientists predict this summer could be the worst tick season in years. More than 30,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported nationwide each year but studies suggest the actual number is closer to 300,000. Dr. David Agus joins "CBS This Morning" from Los Angeles to discuss what might be the reason for the trend and tips for tick bite prevention.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/this-summer-could-see-uptick-in-ticks-scientists-say/

New study links phone use and mental health issues in teens

A new study in the journal Child Development shows nighttime usage of a cell phone can increase anxiety and depression in teenagers and reduce self-esteem. This is the first study that shows a direct link between screen time and mental health. Psychologist and CBS News contributor Lisa Damour joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss tips for parents who want to decrease their teens' cell phone usage and how screen time affects important sleep habits.

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/new-study-links-phone-use-and-mental-health-issues-in-teens/