Mold a serious health risk in Harvey's wake

Experts warn mold can grow quickly after flooding, and breathing it "can be like smoke inhalation"

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/houston-harvey-flooding-mold-serious-health-risk-in-texas/

15 Cancer Symptoms Women Ignore

Some body changes that seem normal could be symptoms of cancer. What should you watch for?

From: http://www.webmd.com/cancer/features/15-cancer-symptoms-women-ignore?src=RSS_PUBLIC

15 Cancer Symptoms Men Shouldn't Ignore

WebMD explains 15 cancer symptoms that men should discuss with a doctor.

From: http://www.webmd.com/cancer/features/15-cancer-symptoms-men-ignore?src=RSS_PUBLIC

New breast cancer drug study results are promising.

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feya6q-BfpI

Mayo Clinic Minute: The benefits of beets

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIH9OasKQ84

Fast-track for ACA repeal expires at end of September

The Senate parliamentarian deals another major blow to Republicans, who already faced a major defeat on health care in July

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fast-track-for-aca-repeal-expires-at-end-of-september/

How to boost the U.S. economy: Delay school start times

Why giving teens until 8:30 a.m. to arrive at school could add billions of dollars to the country's economic growth

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-to-boost-the-u-s-economy-delay-school-start-times/

FDA OK's New Drug for Antibiotic-Resistant UTIs

The FDA approved a new drug called Vabomere, meant for serious, antibiotic-resistant urinary tract infections.

From: http://www.webmd.com/women/news/20170901/fda-new-drug-uti?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Fewer Kids Covered Without Nasal Flu Vaccine

Overall child immunization rates fell after CDC advised against the inhaled form, study shows

From: http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20170901/fewer-kids-covered-without-nasal-flu-vaccine?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Protein Powder Can Provide Boost But At What Cost?

Americans spend big money on protein supplements, but research is mixed on whether that's a good thing.

From: http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20170901/protein-powder-can-provide-boost-but-at-what-cost?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Modifying the Dietary Carbohydrate-to-Protein Ratio Alters the Postprandial Macronutrient Oxidation Pattern in Liver of AMPK-Deficient Mice [Nutrient Physiology, Metabolism, and Nutrient-Nutrient Interactions]

Background: Hepatic AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) activity is sensitive to the dietary carbohydrate-to-protein ratio. However, the role of AMPK in metabolic adaptations to variations in dietary macronutrients remains poorly understood.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the role of hepatic AMPK in the adaptation of energy metabolism in response to modulation of the dietary carbohydrate-to-protein ratio.

Methods: Male 7-wk-old wild-type (WT) and liver AMPK–deficient (knockout) mice were fed either a normal-protein and normal-carbohydrate diet (NP-NC; 14% protein, 76% carbohydrate on an energy basis), a low-protein and high-carbohydrate diet (LP-HC; 5% protein, 85% carbohydrate), or a high-protein and low-carbohydrate diet (HP-LC; 55% protein, 35% carbohydrate) for 3 wk. During this period, after an overnight fast, metabolic parameters were measured and indirect calorimetry was performed in mice during the first hours after refeeding a 1-g calibrated meal of their own diet in order to investigate lipid and carbohydrate metabolism.

Results: Knockout mice fed an LP-HC or HP-LC meal exhibited 24% and 8% lower amplitudes in meal-induced carbohydrate and lipid oxidation changes. By contrast, knockout mice fed an NP-NC meal displayed normal carbohydrate and lipid oxidation profiles. These mice exhibited a transient increase in hepatic triglycerides and a decrease in hepatic glycogen. These changes were associated with a 650% higher secretion of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) 2 h after refeeding.

Conclusions: The consequences of hepatic AMPK deletion depend on the dietary carbohydrate-to-protein ratio. In mice fed the NP-NC diet, deletion of AMPK in the liver led to an adaptation of liver metabolism resulting in increased secretion of FGF21. These changes possibly compensated for the absence of hepatic AMPK, as these mice exhibited normal postprandial changes in carbohydrate and lipid oxidation. By contrast, in mice fed the LP-HC and HP-LC diets, the lack of adjustment in liver metabolism in knockout mice resulted in a metabolic inflexibility, leading to a reduced amplitude of meal-induced changes in carbohydrate and lipid oxidation.

From: Chalvon-Demersay, T., Even, P. C., Chaumontet, C., Piedcoq, J., Viollet, B., Gaudichon, C., Tome, D., Foretz, M., Azzout-Marniche, D. http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/short/147/9/1669?rss=1

A Daily Dose of 5 mg Folic Acid for 90 Days Is Associated with Increased Serum Unmetabolized Folic Acid and Reduced Natural Killer Cell Cytotoxicity in Healthy Brazilian Adults [Nutrient Physiology, Metabolism, and Nutrient-Nutrient Interactions]

Background: The effects of high-dose folic acid (FA) supplementation in healthy individuals on blood folate concentrations and immune response are unknown.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of daily consumption of a tablet containing 5 mg FA on serum folate; number and cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) cells; mRNA expression of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), interferon (IFNG), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFA), and interleukin 8 (IL8) genes; and concentrations of serum inflammatory markers.

Methods: This prospective clinical trial was conducted in 30 healthy Brazilian adults (15 women), aged 27.7 y (95% CI: 26.4, 29.1 y), with a body mass index (in kg/m²) of 23.1 (95% CI: 22.0, 24.3). Blood was collected at baseline and after 45 and 90 d of the intervention. Serum folate concentrations were measured by microbiological assay and HPLC–tandem mass spectrometry [folate forms, including unmetabolized folic acid (UMFA)]. We used real-time polymerase chain reaction to assess mononuclear leukocyte mRNA expression and flow cytometry to measure the number and cytotoxicity of NK cells.

Results: Serum folate concentrations increased by ~5-fold after the intervention (P < 0.001), and UMFA concentrations increased by 11.9- and 5.9-fold at 45 and 90 d, respectively, when compared with baseline (P < 0.001). UMFA concentrations increased (>1.12 nmol/L) in 29 (96.6%) participants at day 45 and in 26 (86.7%) participants at day 90. We observed significant reductions in the number (P < 0.001) and cytotoxicity (P = 0.003) of NK cells after 45 and 90 d. Compared with baseline, DHFR mRNA expression was higher at 90 d (P = 0.006) and IL8 and TNFA mRNA expressions were higher at 45 and 90 d (P = 0.001 for both).

Conclusion: This noncontrolled intervention showed that healthy adults responded to a high-dose FA supplement with increased UMFA concentrations, changes in cytokine mRNA expression, and reduced number and cytotoxicity of NK cells. This trial was registered at www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br as RBR-2pr7zp.

From: Paniz, C., Bertinato, J. F., Lucena, M. R., De Carli, E., Amorim, P. M. d. S., Gomes, G. W., Palchetti, C. Z., Figueiredo, M. S., Pfeiffer, C. M., Fazili, Z., Green, R., Guerra-Shinohara, E. M. http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/short/147/9/1677?rss=1

Brachial and Cerebrovascular Functions Are Enhanced in Postmenopausal Women after Ingestion of Chocolate with a High Concentration of Cocoa [Nutrient Physiology, Metabolism, and Nutrient-Nutrient Interactions]

Background: Cocoa contains polyphenols that are thought to be beneficial for vascular health.

Objective: We assessed the impact of chocolate containing distinct concentrations of cocoa on cerebrovascular function and cognition.

Methods: Using a counterbalanced within-subject design, we compared the acute impact of consumption of energy-matched chocolate containing 80%, 35%, and 0% single-origin cacao on vascular endothelial function, cognition, and cerebrovascular function in 12 healthy postmenopausal women (mean ± SD age: 57.3 ± 5.3 y). Participants attended a familiarization session, followed by 3 experimental trials, each separated by 1 wk. Outcome measures included cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFv) responses, recorded before and during completion of a computerized cognitive assessment battery (CogState); brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD); and hemodynamic responses (heart rate and blood pressure).

Results: When CBFv data before and after chocolate intake were compared between conditions through the use of 2-factor ANOVA, an interaction effect (P = 0.003) and main effects for chocolate (P = 0.043) and time (P = 0.001) were evident. Post hoc analysis revealed that both milk chocolate (MC; 35% cocoa; P = 0.02) and dark chocolate (DC; 80% cocoa; P = 0.003) induced significantly lower cerebral blood flow responses during the cognitive tasks, after normalizing for changes in arterial pressure. DC consumption also increased brachial FMD compared with the baseline value before chocolate consumption (P = 0.002), whereas MC and white chocolate (0% cocoa) caused no change (P-interaction between conditions = 0.034).

Conclusions: Consumption of chocolate containing high concentrations of cocoa enhanced vascular endothelial function, which was reflected by improvements in FMD. Cognitive function outcomes did not differ between conditions; however, cerebral blood flow responses during these cognitive tasks were lower in those consuming MC and DC. These findings suggest that chocolate containing high concentrations of cocoa may modify the relation between cerebral metabolism and blood flow responses in postmenopausal women. This trial was registered at www.ANZCTR.org.au as ACTRN12616000990426.

From: Marsh, C. E., Carter, H. H., Guelfi, K. J., Smith, K. J., Pike, K. E., Naylor, L. H., Green, D. J. http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/short/147/9/1686?rss=1

Plasma F2-isoprostanes Are Positively Associated with Glycemic Load, but Inversely Associated with Dietary Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Insoluble Fiber in Postmenopausal Women [Nutrient Physiology, Metabolism, and Nutrient-Nutrient Interactions]

Background: Dietary factors, such as antioxidant nutrients, contribute significantly to the maintenance of an appropriate balance between antioxidant defense and free radical production in the body.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the relation between oxidative stress as assessed by plasma F₂-isoprostane (IsoP) concentration, glycemic load (GL), glycemic index (GI), intake of antioxidant nutrients, dietary fiber, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).

Methods: This study was a cross-sectional secondary analysis of baseline data collected from a random sample of 269 postmenopausal women participating in the Minnesota Green Tea Trial. GL, GI, and dietary variables were calculated from the diet history questionnaire. Subjects filled out surveys about the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and physical activity. Plasma IsoP concentration was assessed by GC-mass spectrometry. IsoP concentrations were compared across quartiles of GL, GI, insoluble fiber, PUFAs, and antioxidant nutrients with the use of linear regression.

Results: Antioxidant supplement intake, including zinc, copper, vitamin C and vitamin E, was reported by >60% of the participants. Mean intake of PUFAs was 12.5 g. Mean plasma IsoP concentrations increased from 34 to 36.7 pg/mL in the lowest quartiles of GL and GI, respectively, to 45.2 and 41.6 pg/mL, respectively, in the highest quartiles (P-trend = 0.0014 for GL and P-trend = 0.0379 for GI), whereas mean IsoP concentrations decreased from 41.8 pg/mL in the lowest quartile of PUFAs to 34.9 pg/mL in the highest quartile (P-trend = 0.0416). Similarly, mean IsoP concentrations decreased from 44.4 pg/mL in the lowest quartile of insoluble fiber to 36 pg/mL in the highest quartile (P-trend = 0.0243) after adjustment for potential confounders.

Conclusions: We concluded that dietary PUFAs and insoluble fiber are inversely associated with oxidative stress whereas GL and GI are positively associated with oxidative stress in postmenopausal women. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00917735.

From: Arikawa, A. Y., Samavat, H., Gross, M., Kurzer, M. S. http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/short/147/9/1693?rss=1

Addition of Rye Bran and Pea Fiber to Pork Meatballs Enhances Subjective Satiety in Healthy Men, but Does Not Change Glycemic or Hormonal Responses: A Randomized Crossover Meal Test Study [Nutrient Physiology, Metabolism, and Nutrient-Nutrient Interactions]

Background: The development of high-protein, fiber-rich foods targeting appetite control could be an efficient tool in obesity prevention.

Objectives: We investigated whether ad libitum energy intake (EI), appetite, and metabolic markers in a meal context were affected by 1) fiber addition (rye bran and pea fiber) to pork meatballs, 2) the food matrix of the fiber (fiber meatballs compared with fiber bread), or 3) the protein source (animal compared with vegetable protein patties).

Methods: In a crossover design, 40 healthy men [mean ± SD: body mass index (BMI; in kg/m²), 22.2 ± 1.9; age, 23.3 ± 2.9 y] consumed 4 test meals: a low-fiber meal consisting of pork meatballs plus wheat bread (LF meal); pork meatballs plus fiber bread; fiber meatballs plus wheat bread, and vegetable patties with a natural fiber content plus wheat bread (~3000 kJ; protein ~18% of energy, carbohydrate ~50% of energy, fat ~30% of energy; 13 g fiber in the fiber meals). Ad libitum EI after 4 h was the primary endpoint. Moreover, appetite sensations and postprandial responses of glucose, insulin, glucagon-like peptide-1, peptide YY 3–36, and plasma amino acids were measured.

Results: Ad libitum EI did not differ significantly between the meals. Satiety and fullness increased 11% and 13%, respectively, and hunger and prospective intake decreased 17% and 15%, respectively, after the meal of fiber meatballs plus wheat bread compared with the LF meal (P < 0.01). Hormonal and metabolic responses did not differ between the meals. In general, plasma amino acid concentrations were higher after the fiber-rich meals than after the LF meal.

Conclusions: Meals based on meatballs and bread with differences in the fiber content, food matrix of fiber, and protein source had similar effects on ad libitum EI in healthy men. However, fiber addition to pork meatballs favorably affected appetite sensations but without changes in hormonal and metabolic responses. Moreover, animal- and vegetable-protein–based, fiber-matched meals had similar effects on appetite regulation. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02521805.

From: Kehlet, U., Kofod, J., Holst, J. J., Ritz, C., Aaslyng, M. D., Raben, A. http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/short/147/9/1700?rss=1

NHSC 2018 Students to Service applications now available

The National Health Service Corps Students to Service Loan Repayment Program is now accepting applications for the 2018 cycle.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/september/apply-for-nhsc-2018-students-to-service

Why are yawns are contagious? New research finds clues

Primitive brain reflexes may be at play, new research finds

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/why-are-yawns-contagious-new-clues/

Trump still hasn't officially declared opioid crisis emergency

The president said in early August that he would make a formal declaration

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-still-hasnt-formally-declared-the-opioid-crisis-a-national-emergency/

OTC hearing aids? Tech industry aims for new use for earbuds

New federal law could help speed up innovations that would make the devices more affordable

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hearing-aids-over-the-counter-audio-enhancing-earbuds-doppler-labs/

Report: One-third of U.S. adults are beyond overweight

An annual report released by two nonprofit groups found that obesity rates could be stabilizing

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/obesity-report-one-third-of-u-s-adults-are-beyond-overweight/

The liver in regulation of iron homeostasis

The liver is one of the largest and most functionally diverse organs in the human body. In addition to roles in detoxification of xenobiotics, digestion, synthesis of important plasma proteins, gluconeogenesis, lipid metabolism, and storage, the liver also plays a significant role in iron homeostasis. Apart from being the storage site for excess body iron, it also plays a vital role in regulating the amount of iron released into the blood by enterocytes and macrophages. Since iron is essential for many important physiological and molecular processes, it increases the importance of liver in the proper functioning of the body’s metabolism. This hepatic iron-regulatory function can be attributed to the expression of many liver-specific or liver-enriched proteins, all of which play an important role in the regulation of iron homeostasis. This review focuses on these proteins and their known roles in the regulation of body iron metabolism.

From: Rishi, G., Subramaniam, V. N. http://ajpgi.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/313/3/G157?rss=1

Loss of the anion exchanger DRA (Slc26a3), or PAT1 (Slc26a6), alters sulfate transport by the distal ileum and overall sulfate homeostasis

Ductular and proliferative response of esophageal submucosal glands in a porcine model of esophageal injury and repair

Esophageal injury is a risk factor for diseases such as Barrett’s esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma. To improve understanding of signaling pathways associated with both normal and abnormal repair, animal models are needed. Traditional rodent models of esophageal repair are limited by the absence of esophageal submucosal glands (ESMGs), which are present in the human esophagus. Previously, we identified acinar ductal metaplasia in human ESMGs in association with both esophageal injury and cancer. In addition, the SOX9 transcription factor has been associated with generation of columnar epithelium and the pathogenesis of BE and is present in ESMGs. To test our hypothesis that ESMGs activate after esophageal injury with an increase in proliferation, generation of a ductal phenotype, and expression of SOX9, we developed a porcine model of esophageal injury and repair using radiofrequency ablation (RFA). The porcine esophagus contains ESMGs, and RFA produces a consistent and reproducible mucosal injury in the esophagus. Here we present a temporal assessment of this model of esophageal repair. Porcine esophagus was evaluated at 0, 6, 18, 24, 48, and 72 h and 5 and 7 days following RFA and compared with control uninjured esophagus. Following RFA, ESMGs demonstrated an increase in ductal phenotype, echoing our prior studies in humans. Proliferation increased in both squamous epithelium and ESMGs postinjury with a prominent population of SOX9-positive cells in ESMGs postinjury. This model promises to be useful in future experiments evaluating mechanisms of esophageal repair.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY A novel porcine model of injury and repair using radiofrequency ablation has been developed, allowing for reproducible injury to the esophagus to study repair in an animal model with esophageal submucosal glands, a key anatomical feature and missing in rodent models but possibly harboring progenitor cells. There is a strong translational component to this porcine model given the anatomical and physiological similarities between pigs and humans.

From: Krüger, L., Gonzalez, L. M., Pridgen, T. A., McCall, S. J., von Furstenberg, R. J., Harnden, I., Carnighan, G. E., Cox, A. M., Blikslager, A. T., Garman, K. S. http://ajpgi.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/313/3/G180?rss=1

Anti-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of vagal nerve stimulation combined with electroacupuncture in a rodent model of TNBS-induced colitis

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects and mechanisms of vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) and additive effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on colonic inflammation in a rodent model of IBD. Chronic inflammation in rats was induced by intrarectal TNBS (2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid). The rats were then treated with sham ES (electrical stimulation), VNS, or VNS + EA for 3 wk. Inflammatory responses were assessed by disease activity index (DAI), macroscopic scores and histological scores of colonic tissues, plasma levels of TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity of colonic tissues. The autonomic function was assessed by the spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) derived from the electrocardiogram. It was found that 1) the area under curve (AUC) of DAI was substantially decreased with VNS + EA and VNS, with VNS + EA being more effective than VNS (P < 0.001); 2) the macroscopic score was 6.43 ± 0.61 in the sham ES group and reduced to 1.86 ± 0.26 with VNS (P < 0.001) and 1.29 ± 0.18 with VNS + EA (P < 0.001); 3) the histological score was 4.05 ± 0.58 in the sham ES group and reduced to 1.93 ± 0.37 with VNS (P < 0.001) and 1.36 ± 0.20 with VNS + EA (P < 0.001); 4) the plasma levels of TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, and MPO were all significantly decreased with VNS and VNS + EA compared with the sham ES group; and 5) autonomically, both VNS + EA and VNS substantially increased vagal activity and decreased sympathetic activity compared with sham EA (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, chronic VNS improves inflammation in TNBS-treated rats by inhibiting proinflammatory cytokines via the autonomic mechanism. Addition of noninvasive EA to VNS may enhance the anti-inflammatory effect of VNS.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study to address and compare the effects of vagal nerve stimulation (VNS), electrical acupuncture (EA) and VNS + EA on TNBS (2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid)-induced colitis in rats. The proposed chronic VNS + EA, VNS, and EA were shown to decrease DAI and ameliorate macroscopic and microscopic damages in rats with TNBS-induced colitis via the autonomic pathway. The addition of EA to VNS provided a significant effect on the behavioral assessment of inflammation (DAI, CMDI, and histological score) but not on cytokines or mechanistic measurements, suggesting an overall systemic effect of EA.

View this article’s corresponding video summary at https://youtu.be/-rEz6HMkErM.

From: Jin, H., Guo, J., Liu, J., Lyu, B., Foreman, R. D., Yin, J., Shi, Z., Chen, J. D. Z. http://ajpgi.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/313/3/G192?rss=1

Dysfunctional neutrophil effector organelle mobilization and microbicidal protein release in alcohol-related cirrhosis

Functional morphology of the lower esophageal sphincter and crural diaphragm determined by three-dimensional high-resolution esophago-gastric junction pressure profile and CT imaging

The smooth muscles of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and skeletal muscles of the crural diaphragm (CD) provide a closure/antireflux barrier mechanism at the esophago-gastric junction (EGJ). A number of questions in regard to the pressure profile of the LES and CD remain unclear, e.g., 1) Why is the LES pressure profile circumferentially asymmetric, 2) Is the crural diaphragm (CD) contraction also circumferentially asymmetric, and 3) Where is the LES and CD pressure profile located in the anatomy of the esophagus and stomach? The three-dimensional (3-D) high-resolution esophageal manometry (HRM) catheter can record a detailed profile of the EGJ pressure; however, it does not allow the determination of the circumferential orientation of individual pressure transducers in vivo. We used computed tomography (CT) scan imaging in combination with 3-D EGJ pressure recordings to determine the functional morphology of the LES and CD and its relationship to the EGJ anatomy. A 3-D-HRM catheter with 96 transducers (12 rings, 7.5 mm apart, located over 9-cm length of the catheter, with eight transducers in each ring, 45° apart (Medtronics), was used to record the EGJ pressure in 10 healthy subjects. A 0.5-mm diameter metal ball (BB) was taped to the catheter, adjacent to transducer 1 of the catheter. The EGJ was recorded under the following conditions: 1) end-expiration (LES pressure) before swallow, after swallow, and after edrophonium hydrochloride; and 2) peak inspiration (crural diaphragm contraction) for tidal inspiration and forced maximal inspiration. A CT scan was performed to localize the circumferential orientation of the BB. The CT scan imaging allowed the determination of the circumferential orientation of the LES and CD pressure profiles. The LES pressure under the three end-expiration conditions were different; however, the shape of the pressure profile was unique with the LES length longer toward the lesser curvature of the stomach as compared with the greater curvature. The pressure profile revealed circular and axial pressure asymmetry, with greatest pressure and shortest cranio-caudal length on the left (close to the angle of His). The CD contraction with tidal and forced inspiration increases pressure in the cranial half of the LES pressure profile, and it was placed horizontally across the recording. The CD, esophagus, and stomach were outlined in the CT scan images to construct a 3-D anatomy of the region; it revealed that the hiatus (CD) is placed obliquely across the esophagus; however, because of the bend of the esophagus to the left at the upper edge of the hiatus, the two were placed at right angle to each other, which resulted in a horizontal pressure profile of the CD on the LES. Our observations suggest a unique shape of the LES, CD, and the anatomical relationship between the two, which provides a possible explanation as to why the LES pressure shows circumferential and axial asymmetry. Our findings have implication for the length and circumferential orientation of myotomy incision required for the ablation of LES pressure in achalasia esophagus.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We used computed tomography scan imaging with three-dimensional esophago-gastric junction (EGJ) pressure recordings to determine functional morphology of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and crural diaphragm and its relationship to EGJ anatomy. The LES pressure profile was unique with the LES length longer and pressures lower toward the lesser curvature of the stomach, as compared with the greater curvature. Our findings have implications for the length and circumferential orientation of myotomy incision required for the ablation of LES pressure in the achalasia esophagus.

From: Mittal, R. K., Zifan, A., Kumar, D., Ledgerwood-Lee, M., Ruppert, E., Ghahremani, G. http://ajpgi.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/313/3/G212?rss=1

Characterization and mechanisms of the supragastric belch in the cat

A response in which a belch occurs without gastric involvement, i.e., the supragastric belch (SGB), has been characterized in humans. The aims of this study were to determine whether animals have an SGB and, if so, to determine its mechanisms. Studies were conducted in decerebrate cats (n = 30) with electromyographic electrodes on hyoid, pharyngeal, esophageal, and diaphragm muscles. The effects of distending different regions of the esophagus in different manners using a balloon were quantified to determine the most appropriate stimulus for activating the cat SGB. The effects of esophageal perfusion of lidocaine (n = 3), vagus nerve transection (n = 3), or esophageal acidification (n = 5) on activation of the SGB were determined. Rapid large distensions of the thoracic esophagus best activated responses similar to the human SGB, i.e., rapid inhalation followed by a belch. The rapid inhalation was associated with activation of hiatal fibers and the belch with activation of dome fibers of the diaphragm. The rapid inhalation response was independent of the belch response. Lidocaine perfusion of the esophagus blocked the belch response without blocking the rapid inhalation, HCl perfusion sensitized the esophagus to activation of both the rapid inhalation and the belch response, and vagotomy blocked both responses. We conclude that the cat has an SGB that is composed of two independent reflex responses, i.e., rapid inhalation and belch, that are mediated by the vagus nerves and tension/mucosal receptors of the esophagus and sensitized by esophageal acid exposure. We hypothesize that the SGB is a learned voluntarily activated reflex response.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Rapid strong distension of the thoracic esophagus activates rapid inhalation followed by a belch, which is the sequence of responses that compose the human supragastric belch (SGB). The rapid inhalation and belch phases of the cat SGB are activated by hiatal and dome fibers of the diaphragm, respectively, and are mediated by the vagus nerves and tension/mucosal receptors of the esophagus and sensitized by esophageal acid exposure. There are many similarities between the cat and human SGB.

From: Lang, I. M., Medda, B. K., Shaker, R. http://ajpgi.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/313/3/G220?rss=1

Disease activity in eosinophilic esophagitis is associated with impaired esophageal barrier integrity

In eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), the esophageal barrier integrity is impaired. Integrity can be assessed with different techniques. To assess the correlations between esophageal eosinophilia and various measures of mucosal integrity and to evaluate whether endoscopic impedance measurements can predict disease activity, endoscopies and mucosal integrity measurements were performed in adult EoE patients with active disease (≥15 eosinophils/high-power field) at baseline (n = 32) and after fluticasone (n = 15) and elemental dietary treatment (n = 14) and in controls (n = 19). Mucosal integrity was evaluated during endoscopy using electrical tissue spectroscopy (ETIS) measuring mucosal impedance and transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and transepithelial molecule-flux through biopsy specimens in Ussing chambers. We included 61 measurements; 32 of patients at baseline and 29 after treatment, 3 patients dropped out. After treatment, 20 patients were in remission (≤15 eosinophils/high-power field) and these measurements were compared with 41 measurements of patients with active disease (at baseline or after failed treatment). All four mucosal integrity measures showed significant impairment in active EoE compared with remission. Eosinophilia was negatively correlated with ETIS and TER and positively with transepithelial molecule flux (P ≤ 0.001). The optimal ETIS cutoff to predict disease activity was 6,000 ·m with a sensitivity of 79% [95% confidence interval (CI) 54–94%], specificity of 84% (95% CI 69–94%), positive predictive values of 89% (95% CI 77–95%) and negative predictive values of 71% (95% CI 54–84%). In EoE patients, markers of mucosal integrity correlate with esophageal eosinophilia. Additionally, endoscopic mucosal impedance measurements can predict disease activity.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY In adult patients with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), the mucosal integrity, measured by making use of four different parameters, correlates strongly with esophageal eosinophilia. The accuracy of endoscopically measured mucosal impedance to distinguish active disease from remission was acceptable with moderate specificity and sensitivity. Mucosal impedance measurements can predict disease activity in adult EoE patients.

From: Warners, M. J., van Rhijn, B. D., Verheij, J., Smout, A. J. P. M., Bredenoord, A. J. http://ajpgi.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/313/3/G230?rss=1

Oatmeal particle size alters glycemic index but not as a function of gastric emptying rate

The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which oat particle size in a porridge could alter glucose absorption, gastric emptying, gastrointestinal hormone response, and subjective feelings of appetite and satiety. Porridge was prepared from either oat flakes or oat flour with the same protein, fat, carbohydrate, and mass. These were fed to eight volunteers on separate days in a crossover study, and subjective appetite ratings, gastric contents, and plasma glucose, insulin, and gastrointestinal hormones were determined over a period of 3 h. The flake porridge gave a lower glucose response than the flour porridge, and there were apparent differences in gastric emptying in both the early and late postprandial phases. The appetite ratings showed similar differences between early- and late-phase behavior. The structure of the oat flakes remained sufficiently intact to delay their gastric emptying, leading to a lower glycemic response, even though initial gastric emptying rates were similar for the flake and flour porridge. This highlights the need to take food structure into account when considering relatively simple physiological measures and offering nutritional guidance.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The impact of food structure on glycemic response even in simple foods such as porridge is dependent on both timing of gastric emptying and the composition of what is emptied as well as duodenal starch digestion. Thus structure should be accounted for when considering relatively simple physiological measures and offering nutritional guidance.

From: Mackie, A. R., Bajka, B. H., Rigby, N. M., Wilde, P. J., Alves-Pereira, F., Mosleth, E. F., Rieder, A., Kirkhus, B., Salt, L. J. http://ajpgi.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/313/3/G239?rss=1

Activated Notch signaling cascade is correlated with stem cell differentiation toward absorptive progenitors after massive small bowel resection in a rat

Notch signaling is thought to act to drive cell versification in the lining of the small intestine. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the role of the Notch signaling pathway in stem cell differentiation in the late stages of intestinal adaptation after massive small bowel resection in a rat. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of two experimental groups of eight rats each: Sham rats underwent bowel transection and reanastomosis, while SBS rats underwent 75% small bowel resection. Rats were euthanized on day 14. Illumina's Digital Gene Expression (DGE) analysis was used to determine Notch signaling gene expression profiling. Notch-related gene and protein expression was determined using real-time PCR, Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry. From seven investigated Notch-related (by DGE analysis) genes, six genes were upregulated in SBS vs. control animals with a relative change in gene expression level of 20% or more. A significant upregulation of Notch signaling-related genes in resected animals was accompanied by a significant increase in Notch-1 protein levels (Western blot analysis) and a significant increase in the number of Notch1 and Hes1 (target gene)-positive cells (immunohistochemistry) compared with sham animals. Evaluation of cell differentiation has shown a strong increase in total number of absorptive cells (unchanged secretory cells) compared with control rats. In conclusion, 2 wk after bowel resection in rats, stimulated Notch signaling directs the crypt cell population toward absorptive progenitors.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study provides novel insight into the mechanisms of cell proliferation following massive small bowel resection. We show that 2 wk after bowel resection in rats, enhanced stem cell activity was associated with stimulated Notch signaling pathway. We demonstrate that activated Notch signaling cascade directs the crypt cell population toward absorptive progenitors.

From: Sukhotnik, I., Coran, A. G., Pollak, Y., Kuhnreich, E., Berkowitz, D., Saxena, A. K. http://ajpgi.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/313/3/G247?rss=1

CDX2 upregulates SLC26A3 gene expression in intestinal epithelial cells

High-resolution mapping of gastric slow-wave recovery profiles: biophysical model, methodology, and demonstration of applications

Slow waves play a central role in coordinating gastric motor activity. High-resolution mapping of extracellular potentials from the stomach provides spatiotemporal detail on normal and dysrhythmic slow-wave patterns. All mapping studies to date have focused exclusively on tissue activation; however, the recovery phase contains vital information on repolarization heterogeneity, the excitable gap, and refractory tail interactions but has not been investigated. Here, we report a method to identify the recovery phase in slow-wave mapping data. We first developed a mathematical model of unipolar extracellular potentials that result from slow-wave propagation. These simulations showed that tissue repolarization in such a signal is defined by the steepest upstroke beyond the activation phase (activation was defined by accepted convention as the steepest downstroke). Next, we mapped slow-wave propagation in anesthetized pigs by recording unipolar extracellular potentials from a high-resolution array of electrodes on the serosal surface. Following the simulation result, a wavelet transform technique was applied to detect repolarization in each signal by finding the maximum positive slope beyond activation. Activation-recovery (ARi) and recovery-activation (RAi) intervals were then computed. We hypothesized that these measurements of recovery profile would differ for slow waves recorded during normal and spatially dysrhythmic propagation. We found that the ARi of normal activity was greater than dysrhythmic activity (5.1 ± 0.8 vs. 3.8 ± 0.7 s; P < 0.05), whereas RAi was lower (9.7 ± 1.3 vs. 12.2 ± 2.5 s; P < 0.05). During normal propagation, RAi and ARi were linearly related with negative unit slope indicating entrainment of the entire mapped region. This relationship was weakened during dysrhythmia (slope: –0.96 ± 0.2 vs –0.71 ± 0.3; P < 0.05).

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The theoretical basis of the extracellular gastric slow-wave recovery phase was defined using mathematical modeling. A novel technique utilizing the wavelet transform was developed and validated to detect the extracellular slow-wave recovery phase. In dysrhythmic wavefronts, the activation-to-recovery interval (ARi) was shorter and recovery-to-activation interval (RAi) was longer compared with normal wavefronts. During normal activation, RAi vs. ARi had a slope of –1, whereas the weakening of the slope indicated a dysrhythmic propagation.

From: Paskaranandavadivel, N., Cheng, L. K., Du, P., Rogers, J. M., OGrady, G. http://ajpgi.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/313/3/G265?rss=1

RNA-seq implicates deregulation of the immune system in the pathogenesis of diverticulitis

Individuals with diverticula or outpouchings of the colonic mucosa and submucosa through the colonic wall have diverticulosis, which is usually asymptomatic. In 10-25% of individuals, the diverticula become inflamed, resulting in diverticulitis. Very little is known about the pathophysiology or gene regulatory pathways involved in the development of diverticulitis. To identify these pathways, we deep sequenced RNAs isolated from full-thickness sections of sigmoid colon from diverticulitis patients and control individuals. Specifically for diverticulitis cases, we analyzed tissue adjacent to areas affected by chronic disease. Since the tissue was collected during elective sigmoid resection, the disease was in a quiescent state. A comparison of differentially expressed genes found that gene ontology (GO) pathways associated with the immune response were upregulated in diverticulitis patients compared with nondiverticulosis controls. Next, weighted gene coexpression network analysis was performed to identify the interaction among coexpressed genes. This analysis revealed RASAL3, SASH3, PTPRC, and INPP5D as hub genes within the brown module eigengene, which highly correlated (r = 0.67, P = 0.0004) with diverticulitis. Additionally, we identified elevated expression of downstream interacting genes. In summary, transcripts associated with the immune response were upregulated in adjacent tissue from the sigmoid colons of chronic, recurrent diverticulitis patients. Further elucidating the genetic or epigenetic mechanisms associated with these alterations can help identify those at risk for chronic disease and may assist in clinical decision management.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY By using an unbiased approach to analyze transcripts expressed in unaffected colonic tissues adjacent to those affected by chronic diverticulitis, our study implicates that a defect in the immune response may be involved in the development of the disease. This finding expands on the current data that suggest the pathophysiology of diverticulitis is mediated by dietary, age, and obesity-related factors. Further characterizing the immunologic differences in diverticulitis may better inform clinical decision-making.

From: Schieffer, K. M., Choi, C. S., Emrich, S., Harris, L., Deiling, S., Karamchandani, D. M., Salzberg, A., Kawasawa, Y. I., Yochum, G. S., Koltun, W. A. http://ajpgi.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/313/3/G277?rss=1

Leaving an enduring legacy

This is the first in a series featuring graduates of the ADA Institute for Diversity in Leadership and how these dental leaders continue to affect their communities.

From: By Kimber Solana http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/august/leaving-an-enduring-legacy

Artery Calcium May Predict Heart Attack, Stroke

Factors such as cholesterol and blood pressure might be less of a concern, study contends

From: http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/heart-failure/news/20170831/artery-calcium-may-predict-heart-attack-stroke?src=RSS_PUBLIC

New Hope From Old Drugs in Parkinson's Fight

Asthma medications may lower risk, but much more research is needed

From: http://www.webmd.com/parkinsons-disease/news/20170831/new-hope-from-old-drugs-in--parkinsons-fight?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Get SMART about your goals to stay focused and on track at any age

When you were younger, life revolved around goals: college degree, new job, traveling to a foreign country, running a marathon. Having your eyes (and mind) on a prize kept you motivated and engaged.

But as you age that focus tends to wane. What’s left to accomplish? Is it even worth striving for something anymore? Yet you need goals as you age more than ever.

“Goals are crucial to keeping your mental and physical skills sharp,” says Susan Flashner-Fineman, a coach at the Vitality 360 Wellness Coaching Program at Harvard-affiliated Hebrew SeniorLife. “You want your remaining years to be good ones, so what do you want them to look like? Goal setting can help you get there.”

A good way to establish new goals is to make them SMART, which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely. The SMART approach ensures you’ve defined your goals clearly and can attain them. Here is how it breaks down.

• Specific: Goals need to be clear, detailed, and connected to a meaningful outcome. Instead of “I want to be more active,” try, “I will exercise 30 minutes, five days a week so I can have the strength and stamina to travel to a new country.”
• Measurable: If you have no way to measure a goal, it’s tough to know when you’ve met it. “I’m going to lose weight” works better with a measurable outcome, such as “I’m going to lose 15 pounds by my birthday in three months.”
• Achievable: Avoid overly grand goals. “They should be based on what you realistically can do now, and not when you were younger,” says Flashner-Fineman. “If you used to be able to walk five miles without fatigue and now can only do a mile, lower your expectations with a goal of walking three miles without fatigue.”
• Relevant: Is your goal important to your life right now? “You don’t want to set goals just to have a goal,” says Flashner-Fineman. “It needs to have a purpose, or you may find it difficult to stick with.” For instance, do you want to learn a language because it sounds fun, or do you want to connect with your family’s history or improve your cognitive health?
• Timely: Is your goal something that you can take on right now — or is it best for later? Also, is the time frame suitable? You probably won’t be able to safely lose 20 pounds in three weeks or master a new skill in a few months. Make sure you give yourself adequate time.

Goal setting also can be a wonderful journey of self-discovery, says Flashner-Fineman. “You might abandon your initial goal or never quite reach it, and that’s just fine. Consider it a learning experience, and try again. Or you may realize that it wasn’t what you really wanted to do and venture into a new direction.”

4 goal-setting tips

1. Break big goals into smaller ones. They won’t feel so daunting, and you’ll be able to celebrate success along the way. For example, if you want to write your memoirs, focus first on attending a writing class or researching your family history.
2. Reward yourself. Positive feedback is itself a reward, so share your accomplishments with friends and family or reward yourself with purchases related to your goal.
3. Change your approach to challenges. For instance, if you want to learn to paint, but don’t think you can because you can’t see well, or can’t hold a small brush, then perhaps switch to another art form that’s better suited to you physically, like sculpting.
4. Use visual reminders. Keep a photo related to your goal in constant view, like a vacation destination or the sign-up form for a 5K race.

The post Get SMART about your goals to stay focused and on track at any age appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Matthew Solan https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/get-smart-about-your-goals-this-strategy-can-help-you-stay-focused-and-on-track-at-any-age-2017090112113

Fentanyl drives another grim record of overdose deaths

An average of 11 people died each day of drug overdoses​ in one state alone, officials say

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fentanyl-drives-another-record-year-of-overdose-deaths-in-ohio/

FDA designates MDMA as "breakthrough therapy" for PTSD

The psychoactive drug, commonly known as ecstasy or Molly, is being studied for its potential medical benefits

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fda-designates-mdma-as-breakthrough-therapy-for-ptsd/

Trump HHS cuts funds for Obamacare ads by 90 percent

The administration is also cutting funding for consumer helpers called "navigators"

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-cuts-funds-for-obamacare-ads-by-90-percent/

Safety advocates seek ban on high-dose opioids

A petition asks the FDA to ban opioid pills that, when taken as directed, would add up to a daily dose of more than 90 milligrams of morphine

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/opioid-crisis-petitioners-seek-ban-on-high-dose-painkillers-fda/

Laughing gas reappears in U.S. ambulances

Normally used in dentist's offices and hospitals, nitrous oxide is starting to turn up elsewhere in place of more traditional painkillers

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/no-laughing-matter-nitrous-oxide-reappears-in-u-s-ambulances/

FDA approves breakthrough CAR-T therapy for leukemia

With FDA approval, breakthrough CAR-T therapy for cancer becomes the first approved gene therapy treatment in the U.S. It reprograms the body's own immune system to attack a deadly type of blood cancer and has been effective in treating children and young adults with leukemia. Cancer expert Dr. David Agus joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss who's eligible and the risks of treatment.

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/videos/fda-approves-breakthrough-car-t-therapy-for-leukemia/

As Harvey Exits, Water, Pain, And Need Remain

Thousands left in hurricane's wake in need of medicine, treatment and assistance.

From: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/news/20170831/as-harvey-exits-water-pain-and-need-remain?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Helping kids recover from a disaster like Harvey

Children may experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress after a disaster. How can parents help kids bounce back?

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/houston-flooding-harvey-how-to-help-kids-recover-from-disaster/

U.S. Obesity Rate Holding Steady, but Still High

In 25 states adult rates exceeded 30 percent this year, report notes

From: http://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/news/20170831/us-obesity-rate-holding-steady-but-still-high?src=RSS_PUBLIC

New Clues to Why Yawns Are Contagious

Primitive brain reflexes may be at play

From: http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/news/20170831/new-clues-to-why-yawns-are-contagious?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Mayo Clinic Minute: Blood test basics

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPT7d153mo8

FDA approves first gene therapy to treat leukemia

CAR-T cell treatment is called "a brand new way of treating cancer"

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fda-approves-first-gene-therapy-in-u-s-to-treat-leukemia/

For people with MS, can exercise change the brain?

Follow me on Twitter @RobShmerling

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition of unknown cause in which the covering lining of nerve fibers (called myelin) is damaged. Myelin is like insulation on a wire — when it is damaged, nerve impulses are not transmitted properly. This leads to an array of symptoms including weakness, vision problems, numbness, tingling, and poor coordination or imbalance that can be debilitating.

MS is thought to develop when the immune system mistakenly attacks the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. The severity of the disease varies. The most common pattern is one in which symptoms wax and wane. People who experience this are described as having “relapsing-remitting” disease.

Although there are more and better treatments for MS than ever before, there is no known cure. And the disease can progress even with the best treatments.

A new study suggests that exercise may alter the brain

A new study looks at exercise as a potential treatment for people with relapsing-remitting MS. What’s different, and exciting, about this study is that it not only analyzed the impact of exercise on symptoms of the disease, it also assessed how the brain changed with exercise treatment.

As published in the Multiple Sclerosis Journal, researchers enrolled 35 patients with relapsing-remitting MS. Half began a 24-week program of twice-weekly supervised exercise, while the other half continued to see their doctors for routine care. At the end of 24 weeks, the assignments reversed (although the group assigned to start with exercise could continue unsupervised exercise). The exercise program included progressive resistance training such as free weights, elastic bands, or exercise machines with increasing resistance over time. After the exercise program, researchers evaluated each study volunteer with measures of function, disability, and brain MRI.

Here’s what they found after the period of exercise.

• Measures of overall function improved while measures of disability did not change.
• Overall MRI findings (including brain volume and damage from MS) did not change. Since MRI findings of MS damage tend to worsen over time, this could suggest that exercise might keep MS from worsening, or slow its progression.
• Certain parts of the brain appeared to “thicken” by MRI (suggesting preservation of brain tissue or even regeneration). However, this was observed for only 19 of 74 brain areas examined.

What does this mean?

These findings are intriguing and potentially quite important. And this is not the only study looking at the capacity of exercise to change the brain. Previous studies of the healthy elderly who exercise, those with Parkinson’s disease who exercise, and practitioners of tai chi have found evidence of brain changes by MRI.

Even so, the real importance of this study is uncertain because:

• Even though the study subjects with MS improved with exercise, the overall appearance of the brain, including evidence of damage, did not improve.
• The relevance of the MRI changes is not entirely clear. We don’t know whether areas of “cortical thickening” function normally or account for improved symptoms.
• The study was quite small and short-term. Relapsing-remitting MS cycles through periods of improvement and worsening. So longer-term studies are needed before we know whether improvements associated with exercise are actually due to exercise, reflect the pattern of the disease, or have some other cause.

In conclusion…

Clearly, improvement in MS symptoms that seems related to exercise is reason to continue recommending physical activity for this condition. Supervised exercise may be helpful, with little chance of causing serious side effects. I think that in the future we will see more and more research into non-medication treatments of MS and other chronic diseases.

Many people, myself included, believe that the usefulness of non-medication approaches for chronic disease may be underrecognized. While it seems unlikely that exercise alone can reverse brain damage from MS or cure the disease, it might play an important role when combined with other standard treatments, including medications.

The post For people with MS, can exercise change the brain? appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Robert H. Shmerling, MD https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/for-people-with-ms-can-exercise-change-the-brain-2017083112304

Stay in School for a Healthier Heart

College degree may reduce your risk of cardiac disease by one-third, study suggests

From: http://www.webmd.com/heart/news/20170831/stay-in-school-for-a-healthier-heart?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Eating Feeds 'Feel Good' Hormones in the Brain

Overstimulation of this system could play a role in obesity, researchers say

From: http://www.webmd.com/brain/news/20170831/eating-feeds-feel-good-hormones-in-the-brain?src=RSS_PUBLIC

60% of Single Guys Say They Handle Contraception

Most rely on condoms, but use of another method has doubled, study finds

From: http://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/news/20170831/60-of-single-guys-say-they-handle-contraception?src=RSS_PUBLIC

FDA approves "brand new way" to treat leukemia

The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved the first gene therapy to fight leukemia. The treatment turns a patient's blood cells into cancer killers. Jim Axelrod has more.

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/videos/fda-approves-brand-new-way-to-treat-leukemia/

For Harvey survivors, mental health impact could linger

The trauma from natural disasters like Harvey can create an enormous amount of stress and anxiety for survivors

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/houston-harvey-flooding-mental-health-impact/

Large study suggests high-carb diet is a killer

New research may turn conventional thinking on its head, but some experts warn its not time to change nutritional guidelines just yet

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/large-study-suggests-carbs-not-fats-bad-for-you/

Salmonella outbreak tied to pet turtles

The CDC warns that the reptiles can carry bacteria even if they look healthy and clean

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/salmonella-outbreak-tied-to-pet-turtles/

More Evidence Links the 'Mono' Virus to MS Risk

Latest study shows blacks and Hispanics also vulnerable

From: http://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/news/20170831/more-evidence-links-the-mono-virus-to-ms-risk?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Is ADHD Real? What the Medical Community Says

An ADHD diagnosis is not so clearcut. WebMD looks at the controversy surrounding this condition.

From: http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/features/adhd-critics?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Looking for a plastic surgeon on Instagram? #Beware

You may end up with a hair stylist or a dentist instead, a new study finds

From: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/looking-for-a-plastic-surgeon-on-instagram-beware/

Yes, Girls Can Have ADHD

Many girls struggling with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) go unnoticed by parents, teachers, and other adults. WebMD explains.

From: http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/childhood-adhd/features/do-girls-get-adhd?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Dr. Matthew Goetz discusses Z-endoxifen

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOzB3okdy1M

Small ways to live better with heart failure

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKd41YHhzbo

8 ways to accidentally burn more calories all day long

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Haat0g3USTs

1-minute meditations for living with cancer

From: Mayo Clinic https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goJGXLx4AhA

Advance registration deadline Sept. 22

The deadline for advance registration for all courses at ADA 2017 – America's Dental Meeting is Sept. 22 at 5 p.m. CDT.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/august/advance-registration-deadline-sept-22

Dentist at forefront in reversing antifluoridation vote in Tennessee

Fluoridation fared well in this town of about 5,300 in August, where leaders voted to reverse a decision it had made in February to end water fluoridation.

From: By Michelle Manchir http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/august/dentist-at-forefront-in-reversing-antifluoridation-vote-in-tennessee

FTC offers resources for victims, those willing to help in wake of Hurricane Harvey

The Federal Trade Commission has advice for victims of severe storms and flooding in Texas and Louisiana as result of Hurricane Harvey as well as for those looking to help the victims.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/august/ftc-offers-resources-for-victims-those-willing-to-help-in-wake-of-hurricane-harvey

Applications due Dec. 1 for University of Chicago dentistry-focused social science Ph.D. program

Dentists and dental students interested in becoming clinician-scholars and earning a Ph.D. from a social science program can apply through Dec. 1 to enroll at the University of Chicago.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/august/applications-due-dec-1-for-university-of-chicago-dentistry-focused-social-science-phd-program

Cybersecurity starts with training dental teams

In 2015, Dr. Lloyd Wallin's dental office was victimized twice in one month by hackers using ransomware — a type of malicious software that threatens to publish the victim's data or block access to it unless a ransom is paid.

From: David Burger http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/august/cybersecurity-starts-with-training-dental-teams

Paper checks continue, but plan for electronic future

The switch to electronic reimbursement by some third-party payers has prompted the ADA Practice Institute to study how easy dentists could make the change in their offices.

From: By David Burger http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/august/paper-checks-can-continue-but-plan-for-an-electronic-future

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2017-archive/september