Asthma could affect entire body, not just lungs

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New York: Asthma could be more dangerous than previously thought as researchers have found that it could affect the whole body, not just the lungs.

'Asthma is a very widespread disease, and we show for the first time an association between asthma and genotoxicity in peripheral blood,' said Robert Schiestl, senior author and professor at the University of California, Los Angeles in the US.

This is important because it shows not only damage to the lungs but the whole-body effect due to asthma, Schiestl added.

Researchers looked for the overexpression of a cytokine called interleukin 13 (IL-13), which is known to mediate inflammation for people with asthma.

According to Schiestl, it appears that IL-13 increases important elements of the inflammatory response, including free radicals.

Free radicals is an atom or group of atoms that has at least one unpaired electron and is therefore unstable and highly reactive. In animal tissues, free radicals can damage cells.

The team found four different markers of DNA damage and one marker of protein damage in blood cells in the body periphery.

'This could indicate that other organs in asthmatics have a higher risk of developing disease,' Schiestl concluded.

The findings were published in the journal Mutation Research - Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis.

IANS

Diabetes, heart disease may share deep roots

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Washington: Type 2 diabetes and cardio-vascular disease often occur together and scientists have now discovered that the two diseases may be related at the level of genes, proteins and fundamental physiology.

The study could lead to the common treatment for both diseases.

The two diseases share eight molecular pathways and several 'key driver' genes appear to orchestrate the gene networks in which these pathways connect and interact, the findings showed.

'These (key driver) genes represent central network genes which, when perturbed, can potentially affect a large number of genes involved in the CVD (cardio-vascular) and T2D (Type 2 diabetes) pathways and thus exert stronger impact on diseases,' said co-senior author Xia Yang of the University of California, Los Angeles in the US.

'We were able to derive novel mechanistic insights and identify potential therapeutic targets,' the researchers added.

The researchers gathered genetic and health information from more than 15,000 women.

The scientists started by looking for individual genetic differences in women of three different ethnicities, who had either or both of the conditions compared to similar but healthy women - a technique called Genome Wide Association Study (GWAS).

But the team members did not stop there. They also analysed the women's genetic differences in the context of the complex pathways, where genes and their protein products interact to affect physiology and health.

In comparing women with cardio-vascular diseases and and Type 2 diabetes to healthy women, team found key differences in eight pathways regulating cell adhesion (how cells stick within tissues), calcium signalling (how cells communicate), axon guidance (how neurons find their paths to connect with target sites), extra-cellular matrix (structural support within tissue), and various forms of cardiomyopathy (heart muscle problems).

The study appeared in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics.

IANS

Orange triggers deadly allergy in asthmatic toddler

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New York: A toddler in Pennsylvania suffered a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis after eating an orange - the first time such a case has been reported in someone so young.

Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death. The symptoms including itchy rashes, throat swelling, and low blood pressure. Common causes include insect bites, stings, foods and medications

'The two and-a-half year-old girl ate an orange and within a few minutes, she had developed severe anaphylaxis,' said Sigrid DaVeiga, allergist and member of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).

'Her lips and tongue swelled, she broke out in hives and could not breathe well. Her parents immediately got her to an emergency room, and she was flown by helicopter to a pediatric intensive care unit,' DaVeiga told the gathering at ACAAI's annual scientific meeting.

Following treatment and a 48-hour hospital stay, the girl recovered and was able to go home.

Upon examination of her medical history, doctors discovered that she had previously had orange juice with no reaction, but more importantly, that she had undiagnosed asthma.

Allergists found that she was allergic to both orange and peach.

According to ACAAI, it is very rare for anyone to have a severe allergic reaction to an orange.

Many people do not realise allergies and asthma go hand-in-hand and about 90 percent of kids with asthma also have allergies.

'Even more important, when asthma is undiagnosed or poorly controlled, children are at risk of suffering difficult-to-treat allergic reactions to food,' DaVeiga concluded.

IANS

Eight new species of spiders spotted in PTR

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Thrissur: Eight new species of spiders were claimed to have been spotted in the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve by researchers at the Centre for Animal Taxonomy and Ecology at the nearby Christ College.

The new species were spotted during a recent 'spider diversity exploration survey' by the Centre for Animal Taxonomy and Ecology (CATE) in association with officials from the Tiger Reseve and Forest Department.

A V Sudhirkumar, Head, CATE, who led the team of researchers said they had prepared an inventory of more than 200 species. Some species are endemic to Western Ghats, others are similar to those in the African region and others to those in the Malayan region.

The newly-spotted species in the 391 sq km Parambikulam Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Palakkad district were net casting spider of genus Deinopis family, fishing spider of the genus Dolomedes, bird dropping spider of the genus Calaenea, new species of the genus Haploclastus, another new species of the genus Stenaelurillus, green spotted Neoscona spider of the family Araneidae, Hasarious of family Salticidea, and Stenochilus of family Stenochilidea.

He said spotting of net casting spider was the most interesting one. It spreads its web in the first four legs and waits for the prey to come. When the prey came close, it threw its web into the prey's body forcing the prey to entangle in the sticky web.

The fishing spider lives in the vegetation nearby water bodies and can catch small fish from the water body. It is also capable of living under the water for few minutes.

The bird dropping spider usually holds its legs and keeps very close to its body and remains immobile so as to look perfectly like a bird dropping. When a suitable prey came close by, it suddenly catches the prey by its ambushing behaviour. Other species of this genus is so far reported from the Australian region, he said.

A new species of the genus Haploclastus is an inhabitant of the evergreen forest. It usually lives in the potholes made on the ground.

Stenaelurillus with contrasting red and blue line on the forehead region, exhibits its colours during the nuptial dance for attracting its female partner. Other species of this genus are darker. The green spotted Neoscona spider of the family Araneidae is also new to the scientific world, he said. 

An orange a day for good health

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Sweet and juicy to taste, oranges have great health benefits

Sweet and juicy to taste, oranges are easily available. Oranges have lots of health benefits. You can have them like that or you can have orange juice too. But the best way is to have the whole fruit as it is rich in fibre too. And oranges are used for making desserts. It's difficult to resist a chocolate orange cake.

Boosts your immunity
Oranges are great source to meet your daily requirement of Vitamin C. This vital nutrient helps improve your immunity, keeping you free from diseases and infections.

Good for your skin
As we grow older, our skin goes for a rapid change. Oranges are packed with antioxidants and Vitamin C which slows down the process and makes you look younger than your age! So, what are you waiting for? Just grab that orange and enjoy the happiness of having glowing skin.

Great for your eyes
Oranges are rich in nutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin C and potassium which are great for your eyes. So, if you want your vision to be fine, eat an orange every day!

Keeps you free from stomach ulcers
Oranges are a good source of fibre which helps keep your stomach healthy. A diet rich in fibre will ensure that you are not affected with ailments like stomach ulcers and constipation. So, oranges should figure in your diet.

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Apple's next iPhone to have glasses-free 3D display: Report

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Apple may be planning to introduce a glasses-free 3D display in the next iPhone, according to a new report from Economic Daily News (via MacRumors). 

The report claims Apple is working on a "naked eye 3D screen" alongside a new 3D "hardware and software ecosystem" for next year's iPhone. 

This would be Apple's first use of 3D in any of its consumer devices, and while Economic Daily News has a decent track record when it comes to Apple, it's important to take this report with a fairly large grain of salt. 

While moving from a 2D display to a fully 3D display and iOS ecosystem may seem unlikely, MacRumors points out that Apple has explored 3D in the past, applying for a patent for a glasses-free, stereoscopic 3D display more than six years ago. 

Another patent that Apple has applied for details a 3D "hyper reality" display that would alter the perspective of the iPhone's home screen as you moved your head. 

Apple also purchased a company that deals with 3D technologies: It acquired PrimeSense last November, which created the 3D motion-sensing technology behind Microsoft's Kinect accessory for Xbox, but had also been working on 3D solutions for other industries, including retail, health care, robotics, and even interactive displays for PC and mobile. 

Earlier this year, Amazon launched its Fire phone, which featured four "stereovision" cameras for tracking a user's head, used to create a 3D effect for the phone's lock screen. 

While flashy and somewhat interesting, consumers have generally shown they're not very interested in 3D-enabled smartphones. But people didn't think of wireless NFC payments as that interesting before Apple Pay came along.

Exercise reduces risk of breast cancer: Researchers

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London: Everybody is aware of the fact that exercise is good for your health, but very few know that it can help in preventing breast cancer too, says an expert.

Middle aged women, who regularly partake in some form of exercise each day, are significantly reducing their chances of getting cancer.

And it is said that just 30 minutes of exercise a day, such as a game of squash or a spinning class reduces the risk of cancer by a fifth, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Scientists have found that obese women are 50 percent more likely to get cancer than those who have a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI). Also those women who did three hours of exercise per week were 21 percent less likely to get breast cancer.

Currently 1 in 8 women get breast cancer, which equates to 50,500 a year, however this new evidence is positive in showing that a healthy lifestyle can reduce the probability of a woman being affected.

Researchers at Oxford University have spent three years monitoring 126,000 women going through menopause and noted if they got the disease or not. They filled in questionnaires about their exercise levels, weight, diet, drinking and smoking.

Scientists believe that being obese increases the risk of cancer, most likely due to the fat cells containing oestrogen which encourage the growth of tumours.

'What's really interesting about this study is that (reduction in breast cancer risk) does not appear to be solely due to the most active women being slimmer, suggesting that there may be some more direct benefits of exercise for women of all sizes,' said Tim Key, a Cancer Research UK scientist from the cancer epidemiology unit at Oxford University.

'We don't yet know exactly how physical activity reduces risk ... but some small studies suggest that it could be linked to the impact on hormone levels in the body,' he added.

Tim Key also says that more research is still required to find the link between women's hormone levels and the prevention of cancer.

IANS

Wagah suicide attack toll rises to 61

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LAHORE: The death toll in the horrific suicide attack that shook Pakistan minutes after the popular flag-lowering ceremony at Wagah climbed to 61 on Monday, even as security agencies arrested about 20 suspects from the Indo-Pak border area.

Ten women, eight children and three security personnel were among the 61 people who have died in the attack that took place on Sunday when a suicide attacker detonated a powerful bomb at Wagah.

Over 100 people were injured in the incident and are being treated in different hospitals in Lahore where emergency has been declared.

The blast took place when a large number of people were returning after attending the flag lowering ceremony at the main Indo-Pak land border crossing, which is heavily guarded by the Punjab Rangers.

A young suicide-bomber blew himself up near the main exit gate of Parade Avenue at 6.03 p.m. (local time), causing colossal devastation.

“The death toll of the devastating suicide attack at Wagah border has risen to 61. The condition of some injured is still critical and the doctors are battling to save their lives,” Punjab Emergency Services Rescue spokesman Jam Sajjad told reporters.

About 43 bodies have been handed over to the families while the remaining are yet to be recognised, Sajjad said.

“We have sought the help of the National Registration Database Authority (Nadra) for recognition of 18 bodies,” he said.

The law enforcement agencies have launched operation in the residential areas in Wagah and taken about 20 suspects into custody, Lahore police spokesman Niyab Haider Naqvi said.

“A joint investigation team of police, rangers and intelligence agencies have started its probe into the incident. The army and rangers along with police will provide security to Ashura processions in Lahore and they have been put on high alert in the wake of Sunday’s attack,” he said.

Punjab Interior Minister Col. (Retd.) Shujah Khanzada said the target of the suicide bomber was the venue of the flag hoisting ceremony.

“The suicide-bomber wanted to reach the Parade Avenue to cause maximum devastation but he blew himself up near the entrance of the main gate after failing to reach the Parade Avenue,” he said.

At least three militant factions have claimed the grizzly bombing. Al-Qaeda affiliated militant group Jandullah, a splinter group of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), was first to claim responsibility of the attack.

Shortly afterwards Jamaatul Ahrar said its bomber Hafiz Hanifullah carried out the attack. Later, a lesser-known Mahar Mehsud group also claimed responsibility for the bombing.

Terminally ill American woman kills herself

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A young American woman with terminal cancer has committed suicide, following promises to do so that had triggered shock and controversy over the right to die.

Brittany Maynard, a 29-year-old brain cancer sufferer, made headlines earlier this month when a video of her making her suicide threat went viral and was seen by millions of Web users.

"Goodbye to all my dear friends and family that I love. Today is the day I have chosen to pass away with dignity in the face of my terminal illness, this terrible brain cancer that has taken so much from me... but would have taken so much more," she wrote in a message circulated widely on social media.

"The world is a beautiful place, travel has been my greatest teacher, my close friends and folks are the greatest givers. I even have a ring of support around my bed as I type... Goodbye world. Spread good energy. Pay it forward!"

In January, Maynard was given six months to live and told her death would be painful because of the aggressive nature of her cancer.

She had been trying for a first child with her husband Dan Diaz at the time, but gave up due to her disease.

Maynard and her husband, who had just married when she began having severe headaches, moved from their home in California to Oregon, one of a handful of US states with a "right-to-die" law.

A doctor could therefore prescribe her the medication she needs to end her own life, surrounded by her family in the bedroom she shares with her husband.

On Thursday, she had released a new video in which she said she might temporarily delay her appointment with a self-administered cocktail of potentially deadly drugs.

But the delay was a short one.

Her story has made headlines around the world, and she was featured on the cover of last week's People magazine in the United States.

Maynard has in recent weeks and months been working to tick off items on a "bucket list" of what she wants to do before she dies -- including traveling to the Grand Canyon last week.

Restrictions on arishta sale in the offing

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Thiruvananthapuram: The government is making move to restrict the sale of arishta (a potable ayurvedic medicine) in state. In future, only registered doctors and those possessing special licence will be eligible for sell arishta.

The sale will be restricted by amending the KeralaSpirituousPreparations(Control)Rules, 1969.

An expert panel was constituted in 2011 to gave recommendations in this regard. Excise minister K Babu said the recommendation of the panel has been approved.

The rule has been amended or the first time. Accordingly, the illegal possession of arishta could invite a penalty ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 30,000.

Also, the criteria for the prduction of the medicines will also be made stricter. Henceforth, medical practioners will be granted five licences only.