Health Research: Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis symptoms curbed by bariatric surgery♦ Leading cause of blindness could be prevented or delayed ♦ Molecular clocks control mutation rate in human cells

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis symptoms curbed by bariatric surgery Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis symptoms were significantly lessened in patients who underwent bariatric -- or weight loss -- surgery, according to researchers. According to the study's authors, the findings suggest that losing excess weight may improve symptoms in people who have these lifelong condition

Deaths from heart disease declining among rheumatoid arthritis patients Rheumatoid arthritis patients are twice as likely as the average person to develop heart disease, but a new study shows that efforts to prevent heart problems and diagnose and treat heart disease early may be paying off

Leading cause of blindness could be prevented or delayed In a major scientific breakthrough, a drug used to treat Parkinson's and related diseases may be able to delay or prevent macular degeneration, the most common form of blindness among older Americans.

Molecular clocks control mutation rate in human cells A theory that our cells have molecular clock processes ticking inside them, that damage DNA by generating mutations continuously throughout life, has just been proven.These clock-like mutational processes could ultimately be responsible for a large proportion of human cancer and contribute to human aging. Two clock-like mutational processes have been found in human cells and the rates at which the two clocks tick in different human cell types have been determined.

Cardiovascular Research:Specific Vitamin D levels linked to heart problems ♦ Poor air quality increases patients' risk of heart attack ♦ Moving to a walking neighborhood is good for your blood pressure

Poor air quality increases patients' risk of heart attack

People with heart disease face an increased risk of a serious heart attack during poor air quality days.

New Milestone in Cardiovascular Disease Management for People with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Cardiovascular disease deaths are declining in people who have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis after the year 2000, according to new research. This decline is found when compared to people diagnosed with RA in previous decades as well as when compared to people without the disease – signifying an encouraging milestone.

Specific vitamin D levels linked to heart problems

A lack of vitamin D can result in weak bones. Recent studies also show that vitamin D deficiency is linked to more serious health risks such as coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and strokes.

Moving to a walking neighborhood is good for your blood pressure

People who moved from a neighborhood that required a vehicle to run errands to one that made walking-errands convenient were significantly less likely to have high blood pressure than people who moved from one low-walkability neighborhood to another low-walkability neighborhood. Specifically, people who moved to a highly walkable neighborhood had a 54 percent lower risk of high blood pressure than those who moved to a more car-dependent neighborhood over 10 years of follow up

Food Research: Just one energy drink may boost heart disease ♦ Vanilla yogurt makes us feel happy ♦ Eating more homemade meals may reduce risk of type 2 diabetes

Eating more homemade meals may reduce risk of type 2 diabetes People who mostly eat meals prepared at home may have a slightly lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Eating more homemade meals may be associated with less weight gain over time, which could contribute to a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Diet may determine your risk for rheumatoid arthritis Two new studies show a person’s diet can significantly affect his or her chance of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

Vanilla yogurt makes us feel happy Foods that are more - or less - delicious than we expect can also cause mood changes. We all know what it's like to take a bite of something expecting one taste and getting another - it can be an enjoyable or disgusting experience. New research reveals that being pleasantly surprised or disappointed with a food product can actually change a person's mood.

Just one energy drink may boost heart disease risk in young adults Drinking one 16-ounce energy drink boosts blood pressure and stress hormone responses in young, healthy adults, according to a new study. These changes could conceivably trigger new cardiovascular events.

Health Research:Conservation policies could improve human health ♦ 'Crosstalk' gives clues to diabetes ♦ Study points to drug target for Huntington’s disease

Conservation policies could improve human health An analysis of four years of data on disease, climate, demographics, public health services and land use change in 700 municipalities within the Brazilian Amazon reveals that measures taken to protect ecosystems and the environment might also deliver public health benefits.

'Crosstalk' gives clues to diabetes Sometimes, listening in on a conversation can tell you a lot. A diabetes researcher is listening in on crosstalk between the cells that control the body's response to sugar, helping us to understand, and perhaps ultimately treat, diabetes.

Rheumatoid arthritis and giant cell arteritis linked with solar cycles A rare collaboration of physicists and medical researchers finds a correlation between rheumatoid arthritis and giant cell arteritis and solar cycles.

Study points to drug target for Huntington’s disease Scientists have established conclusively that an activating protein, called “Rhes,” plays a pivotal role in focusing the toxicity of Huntington’s disease

Group memberships boost self-esteem more than friends alone Belonging to multiple groups that are important to you boosts self-esteem much more than having friends alone, new research has found. The researchers compared group memberships to the number of friends people had, and found that having a large network of friends did not predict self-esteem, but belonging to multiple groups did. The authors argue that groups provide benefits that interpersonal ties alone do not; namely, meaning, connection, support and a sense of control over our lives.

Health News: Eight Vibrio infections, including two deaths reported in Florida ♦ How the discomfort from dry eye disease originates ♦ Physical activity decreases over time at all levels of COPD

Eightnfections, including two deaths reported in Florida  The Florida Department of Health has reported eight confirmed Vibrio vulnificus infections, including two deaths, so far this year. Vibrio is a naturally occurring bacterium found in warm, brackish seawater. Vibrio infections are rare, and the bacterium does not pose a risk to a normally healthy person (without any open cuts or wounds) who swims

Researchers discover how the discomfort from dry eye disease originates A study on the origin of the symptoms of dry eye disease has taken place, and explains the molecular mechanism leading to the discomfort that causes this disease. Dry eye is the most common eye disease in the world, and especially so in elderly people. It is caused by disorders in the quantity and quality of tears, and leads to continuous eye pain and irritation, increased blinking and altered vision, and can potentially cause blindness.

Physical activity decreases over time at all levels of COPD severity, leading to further decline Physical activity decreases substantially over time in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at all levels of severity

Ultrasound identifies RA patients in clinical remission who need more intensive treatment Two new studies have shown the importance of using ultrasound to identify those Rheumatoid Arthritis patients in clinical remission who would benefit from more intensive treatment.

Mechanism regulating gene expression linked to bone and joint damage in ankylosing spondylitis A new study reveals that DNA methylation -- a mechanism that regulates gene expression -- could influence the progression of structural damage to the joints and spine in ankylosing spondylitis. Study findings showed significant associations between a low methylation score and more radiographic progression of the disease, and implicated smoking in worsening of disease outcome.

Health News: 55 sick: Norovirus linked to NC Cowfish Sushi Bar illness ♦ Seven E. coli cases linked to SC daycare ♦Drug-induced tissue regeneration demonstrated

55 sick: Norovirus linked to NC Cowfish Sushi Bar illness The Mecklenburg County Health Department believes norovirus is what caused customers and employees at Cowfish Sushi Bar and Grill to become sick. Cowfish Sushi Bar and Grill Twenty-one employees and 34 customers reported flu-like symptoms, prompting the restaurant

Seven E. coli cases linked to South Carolina daycare The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced Sunday that lab tests have confirmed seven cases of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) associated with a daycare in Greenwood, SC. Four of these individuals have infections with the same bacteria strain, DHEC noted, and two of them are in the hospital. DHEC issued a public...

Factory Farming: The ignored elephant in the room The World Expo, being held in Milan, Italy, from May 1-Oct. 1, 2015, and themed, “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life,” is bringing together 140 countries to unravel one of the world’s greatest challenges. Alongside the Expo, the U.S. brings its pavilion titled, “American Food 2.0: United to Feed the Planet.” Here the U.S. boasts...

Drug-induced tissue regeneration demonstrated by scientists

A primordial form of energy production that still exists in mammals can be harnessed to achieve spontaneous tissue regeneration in mice, without the need for added stem cells, a scientist has demonstrated.

Early clinical trial success for new rheumatoid arthritis treatment

A world-first vaccine-style therapeutic approach to treat rheumatoid arthritis has been developed by researchers. Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the immune system attacks healthy tissues, particularly in the joints, causing inflammation, pain and deformity.

Health Research: Potential treatment tor rheumatoid arthritis ♦ Correct defects in diseased cells ♦ Continuous glucose monitoring

Compound has potential for treating rheumatoid arthritis A new study outlines a chemical compound with potential for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects an estimated 1.3 million people in the world. Characterized by stiff, swollen joints, it's a progressive disease that occurs when the body's immune system attacks its own cells. Inflammation in the lining of the joints leads to loss of bone and cartilage.

Premature aging: Scientists identify, correct defects in diseased cells Scientists have succeeded in restoring normal activity in cells isolated from patients with the premature aging disease Cockayne syndrome. They have uncovered the role played in these cells by an enzyme, the HTRA3 protease.

Blood to feeling: Scientists turn adult human blood cells into neurons  Stem cell scientists can now directly convert adult human blood cells to both central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) neurons as well as neurons in the peripheral nervous system (rest of the body) that are responsible for pain, temperature and itch perception. This means that how a person's nervous system cells react to stimuli, can be determined from his blood

Odds are that chronic gamblers are often also depressed If a young man is a chronic gambler, the chances are extremely high that he also suffers from depression, finds a study that is is the first to investigate the extent to which gambling and depression develop hand-in-hand from the teenage years to early adulthood.

Continuous glucose monitoring with real-time measurement devices has added benefit Real-time continuous glucose monitoring has advantages for HbA1c control, reviewers have concluded in a new report

Health News: More artificial ingredients coming off Panera's menu ♦ Tea tainted with pesticides ♦ Technique helps smokers quit tobacco

More artificial ingredients coming off Panera's menu Fast casual restaurant chain Panera is expanding the list of additives they won’t allow in their food. The company announced Tuesday that, by the end of 2016, all of the food in its U.S. bakery-cafes will be free of artificial preservatives, colors, sweeteners and flavors. New “clean” salad dressings free of artificial ingredients will be

Ten Ren tea tainted with pesticides Fipronil is a pesticide that can cause cancer when consumed by humans. The FDA launched a large-scale investigation into tea chains nationwide after the Stornaway tea scare broke early in April. The Taichung Department of Health discovered 0.003 ppm of fipronil in Easy Way Bubble Tea House's black tea on May 4, which violates the

Psychological technique helps smokers quit tobacco Researchers have demonstrated that motivational interviewing can make smokers see tobacco as something disagreeable, thus helping them to quit the habit. Motivational interviewing is a psychological technique of direct intervention that seeks to produce changes in patient behavior.

Exposure to air pollution in the first year of life increases risk for allergies Exposure to outdoor air pollution during the first year of life increases the risk of developing allergies to food, mould, pets and pests, new research concludes. The study showed that the sensitivity to allergens was associated with exposure to traffic-related air pollution during infancy

Rheumatoid arthritis patients at increased risk of surprise heart attack Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are at increased risk of a surprise heart attack, according to new research. Risk was increased even when patients had no symptoms and was independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking and diabetes, researchers report.

Health News: Mission to Mars cosmic ray exposure leads to dementia ♦ Boosting the body's ability to fight urinary tract infections ♦ Benefits seen for lung volume reduction surgery for emphysema

Mission to Mars cosmic ray exposure leads to dementia What happens to an astronaut's brain during a mission to Mars? Nothing good. It's besieged by destructive particles that can forever impair cognition. Exposure to highly energetic charged particles -- much like those found in the galactic cosmic rays that bombard astronauts during extended spaceflights -- cause significant damage to the central nervous system, resulting in cognitive impairments.

US clinics avoiding government oversight of 'stem cell' treatments Clinics across the United States are advertising stem cell treatments that attempt to take advantage of what they perceive as exceptions in FDA regulations, according to bioethicist

Gene variants show potential in predicting rheumatoid arthritis disease outcomes Scientists have identified a new way in which genotyping can be used to predict disease outcomes among sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis

Boosting the body's natural ability to fight urinary tract infections Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common, and widespread antibiotic resistance has led to urgent calls for new ways to combat them. Researchers report that an experimental drug that stabilizes a protein called HIF-1alpha protects human bladder cells and mice against a major UTI pathogen. The drug might eventually provide a therapeutic alternative or complement to standard antibiotic treatment.

Durable benefits seen for lung volume reduction surgery for emphysema The National Emphysema Treatment Trial (NETT) was a multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trial comparing the efficacy of lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) plus medical management with rehabilitation to medical management plus rehabilitation in patients with severe emphysema. In 2003, the results of NETT demonstrated that LVRS could improve lung function in patients with emphysema, and that the procedure led to improved survival. Yet, adoption of LVRS has been very slow. Now researchers present the results of ten years of’ experience with LVRS for emphysema.

2/8/15 Health News: A phone so smart, it sniffs out disease ♦ Hydrogen sulfide helps lower blood pressure ♦ Biomaterial coating improves success of medical implants

A phone so smart, it sniffs out disease

Imagine a smartphone that not only finds the nearest five-star restaurant or hails a cab with a quick click, but also diagnoses illness. New technology would enable smartphones to screen their users' breath for life-threatening diseases, developers report. Continue Reading

Hydrogen sulfide could help lower blood pressure

A new compound, called AP39, which generates minute quantities of the gas hydrogen sulfide inside cells, could be beneficial in cases of high blood pressure and diseases of the blood vessels that occur with aging and diabetes, new research suggests. Continue Reading

Biomaterial coating raises prospect of more successful medical implants

A novel, bacteria-repelling coating material that could increase the success of medical implants has been created. The material helps healthy cells 'win the race' to the medical implant, beating off competition from bacterial cells and thus reducing the likelihood of the implant being rejected by the body. Continue Reading

Shared symptoms of Chikungunya virus, rheumatoid arthritis may cloud diagnosis

A mosquito-borne virus that has spread to the Caribbean and Central and South America and has caused isolated infections in Florida often causes joint pain and swelling similar to that seen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Continue Reading

Possible New Cause for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Gut Microbes Linked to Rheumatoid Arthritis The presence of a specific type of gut bacteria correlates with rheumatoid arthritis in newly diagnosed, untreated people. The finding suggests a potential role for the bacteria in this autoimmune disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of function in the finger, wrist, and other joints throughout the body. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissue, such as the membranes that line the joints.

The causes of rheumatoid arthritis aren’t completely known. Genes tied to the immune system may contribute. Environmental factors, such as cigarette smoking, diet and stress, may also play a role in triggering the disease. Treatments include medications to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

The immune system is influenced by the microbiome, a network of microorganisms that live in and on the human body. These microbes outnumber the body’s cells by 10 to 1. Trillions of microbes—both helpful and harmful—reside in the digestive tract. The gut microbiome has been linked to arthritis in animal studies.

To see if these microbes might also be associated with rheumatoid arthritis in humans, Dr. Dan Littman of NYU School of Medicine led a team of researchers that examined DNA in 114 stool samples from both healthy people and those who had rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis. The team identified gut bacteria by extracting DNA from the samples and then analyzing a bacteria-specific gene called the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. The research was funded in part by NIH’s National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). Results appeared online on November 5, 2013, in eLife.

The researchers found that 75% of people with new-onset, untreated rheumatoid arthritis had the bacterium Prevotella copri in their intestinal microbiome. In comparison, it was present in 12% of people with chronic, treated rheumatoid arthritis, 38% of people with psoriatic arthritis, and 21% of those in the control group. Increased levels of P. copri correlated with reductions in several groups of beneficial microbes, such as Bacteroides. The researchers performed more complete DNA sequencing on a subset of samples and identified unique Prevotella genes that correlated with rheumatoid arthritis.

To test whether P. copri could influence inflammation, the team administered the bacteria to healthy mice so that the bacteria became part of their gut microbiome. Mice were then given a chemical that induced colitis, a model of gut inflammation. Animals with P. copri developed more severe symptoms than the mice that hadn't received the bacteria. The finding provides further evidence for a potential role for P. copri in inflammation.

“Our own results in mouse studies encouraged us to take a closer look at patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and we found this remarkable and surprising association,” Littman says. “At this stage, however, we cannot conclude that there is a causal link between the abundance of P. copri and the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. We are developing new tools that will hopefully allow us to ask if this is indeed the case.”

Originally Published by NIH