Medically Speaking

Lipstick may boost self-esteem, complete an outfit, and prevent chapped lips. Sharing a tube with a friend or member of your family, though, can transfer disease. Cranberry extract was added to the mix by researchers at ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces to produce a version with antibacterial properties.

Viruses, bacteria, and a fungus that cause disease that come into touch with their deep crimson cream are swiftly rendered inactive. According to historians, the first humans to wear makeup were those in ancient Egypt, who applied pastes derived from local minerals and other ingredients. Although the formulas have changed over the years, experts are once more turning to natural substances.

For instance, according to recent studies, lipstick formulations including natural colourants, such red dragon fruit, can produce goods that have both bright hues and antibacterial action. Additionally, cranberry extract has previously been demonstrated to render bacteria, fungi, and viruses inactive. Angel Serrano-Aroca and associates aimed to develop a deep red lip colour with antibacterial qualities using cranberry extract.

Cranberry extract was blended into a lipstick cream foundation that also included shea butter, vitamin E, provitamin B5, babassu oil, and avocado oil by the study team. In trials, cultures containing several viruses, bacteria, and one type of fungus were put along with the reddish cream. Within a minute of coming into touch with the cranberry-containing cream, both enveloped and non-enveloped virus types were entirely rendered inactive.

Within five hours of using the cream, the multidrug-resistant bacteria, mycobacteria, and fungus were mostly rendered inactive. The researchers hypothesise that a number of disease-causing germs may be shielded from by their cutting-edge lipstick mix. The Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation as well as the Fundacion Universidad Catolica de Valencia San Vicente Martir have provided financing to the writers.

Although it has a bad reputation for posing a health concern when blood levels of cholesterol are too high, cholesterol is an essential component of the membrane that encircles every human cell. The key to optimal health is having the appropriate amount of cholesterol in the right places. Cholesterol homeostasis refers to maintaining healthy levels. New details on how cells keep cholesterol homeostasis within the cell membrane have been discovered by researchers at Kyoto University in Japan’s Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Science (iCeMS). The Journal of Biological Chemistry publishes the findings.
The density of cholesterol molecules within the cell membrane regulates the fluidity, thickness, and flexibility of the membrane.

These features are essential for the membrane to function as a selective semi-permeable barrier, allowing for precise regulation of the chemicals that can enter and exit cells.

“Disturbances in cholesterol homeostasis can lead to some serious diseases, but it has been unclear how cells detect and respond to changes in cholesterol levels in the cell membrane,” says iCeMS cellular biochemist Kazumitsu Ueda.

A crucial function of two proteins in preserving an optimal distribution of cholesterol inside cells and their membranes has recently been identified by Ueda and his colleague Fumihiko Ogasawara. ATP-binding cassette A1 (ABCA1), the first protein, transports cholesterol within the membrane. A lipid bilayer, consisting of inner and outer layers of fatty molecules (phospholipids, cholesterol, and glycolipids) that are positioned in opposition to one another, makes up the cell membrane.

The ABCA1 protein regulates the movement of cholesterol molecules from the inner layer to the outer layer, which is a significant new discovery revealed in the current study. This procedure is known as “cholesterol flipping” by the researchers. Their earlier research focused on how this protein helps high-density lipoprotein (HDL), sometimes known as good cholesterol, transport cholesterol through the circulation.

Aster-A, a protein that transfers cholesterol, was also discovered by Ueda and Ogasawara to work in conjunction with ABCA1 to maintain the essential asymmetric distribution of cholesterol, with more cholesterol in the outer layer of the cell membrane than the interior. The endoplasmic reticulum of the cell contains Aster-A, which is inside the cell.

Aster-A creates a bridge that transports cholesterol from the cell membrane to the endoplasmic reticulum when the amount of cholesterol in the inner layer of the cell membrane rises.
The researchers explain how cholesterol may act as a signalling agent in the membrane due to its uneven distribution, with the degree of asymmetry determining how it affects other cellular functions. They contend that this explains why flaws in ABCA1’s normal operation can result in improper molecular signalling, which can cause cancer and autoimmune disorders.

“The progress we have made needs to be built on to better understand all the implications of these cholesterol homeostasis processes in both health and disease,” Ueda concludes. He hopes this may eventually open new avenues to treating diseases linked to cholesterol imbalance.

Dr. Rajat Gupta, Senior Consultant, Cosmetic Surgeon Rosewalk Healthcare

The Mommy Makeover is a procedure designed especially for problems faced by women after Pregnancy and Breastfeeding. The surgical technique has found its way into mainstream media with it becoming the procedure of choice among Hollywood elite. Fortunately for mothers everywhere, there are many ways to address these changes and make yourself feel better about yourself. One such way is through mommy makeover surgery.

Mommy makeover surgery empowers you by helping you attain a contour body figure and a healthy, glowing skin effectively by the combination of surgical as well as a non-surgical procedure, including liposuction, tummy tuck, breast lift, facial rejuvenation, and additional skincare treatment.

A mother after 2 childbirths and breastfeeding routines, the patient faced issues of subcutaneous fat accumulation in the abdomen area, sagging abdominal skin, enlarged, loose and sagging breasts, deflated buttock area, and undesirable body shape. The patient also suffered back and neck pain and distorted posture due to enlarged breasts.

Dr Rajat Gupta, an experienced and board – certified surgeon with a track record of more than 800 Mommy Makeover procedures performed till date, carried out the procedure. 360O Liposuction, Abdominoplasty (Tummy Tuck), Reduction Mammaplasty (Breast Reduction), and Buttock Augmentation was recommended for the patient. She was examined for physical health, found in sound health conditions, and ready to receive the procedure. The patient was a non-smoking patient. She received 2 consultation sessions for a complete understanding of all the procedure inclusions. Each session lasted 45 minutes. The patient also checked the before and after images of previous surgery results performed by the surgeon. She found the results satisfactory and understood the procedure timeline, recovery timeline, and post-op care to be taken.

He started with the liposuction of the back followed by the liposuction of upper abdomen, the flank region called love handles, and the lower abdomen. This procedure is called 360 liposuction. It was performed to achieve harmonious results. To give a natural, hourglass shape, hi-definition liposuction was performed.

To remove the sagging and hanging skin, complete contouring of the abdomen, also known as Abdominoplasty or tummy tuck, was performed to give a highly aesthetic and natural-looking shape to the abdomen, along with an extremely shapely navel. During the tummy tuck, all the extra skin was removed, and the edges of the skin were sutured with the other edge of the skin. The skin was perfectly tightened on the abdomen area to remove all signs of sagging. The bikini incision was made to excise the extra skin tissue and was kept extremely low to keep it hidden inside the pelvic crease.

To achieve the hourglass shape, the divarication of the recti muscles was also corrected. The two muscles in the midriff, called recti, are usually joined in the midline, but after pregnancy, Mrs. Khatri(Name Changed) was facing divarication, which means the muscles had gone apart. Using his immense expertise, Dr. Gupta sutured the muscle layers together – one edge of the muscle to the other to bring them together. This helped in achieving a thinner waistline.

The fat removed from this zone was used to augment the lateral hips to provide a good elevation to the buttock area. This made the buttocks not wider but lifted and achieved the hourglass shape for the patient. The waist went in, and the buttocks slightly came out; thus, Mrs Khatri(Name Changed) received the desired hourglass shape.

For the breast reduction procedure, Dr Gupta performed liposuction to remove extra fat from the breasts. He then excised the excess amount of breast tissue and hanging skin and sutured it after lifting the breasts, giving them a natural, more youthful shape, proportionate to the rest of her body. The nipple and areola were also placed at an elevated position to give them a youthful appearance. This gave the patient an aesthetic-looking, fuller cleavage.

The aesthetics of the body and the shape have immensely improved. The results will improve over the next few weeks as the swelling and bruising settle down In all the abdominoplasty and body contouring procedures, the surgeon used MicroAire and VASER liposuction techniques. Other contouring devices were used to give the perfect natural-looking results as the patient desired. Tummy tuck combined with hi-def 360O lipo, breast reduction, and lateral raise of the buttocks combined together proved to be a highly successful procedure for Mrs. Khatri(Name changed), who was looking to regain the body shape she lost after multiple pregnancies.

From the 50 million cases that exist today, it is predicted that there will be more than 150 million dementia cases globally by 2050. Body mass index (BMI) is a common way to evaluate obesity, and it’s still a problem throughout the world. Previous studies have shown that obesity in middle life may increase the risk of dementia. However, it is still unclear how BMI and the risk of dementia are related.

The Alzheimer’s Association’s journal, Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal, published these findings online. Researchers from the Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine at Boston University, the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College have shown that various patterns of BMI changes throughout the course of a person’s life may be a sign of dementia risk.

“These findings are important because previous studies that looked at weight trajectories didn’t consider how patterns of weight gain/stability/loss might help signal that dementia is potentially imminent,” explained corresponding author Rhoda Au, PhD, professor of anatomy and neurobiology.

A set of individuals in the Framingham Heart Study were tracked for 39 years while having their weight checked around every 2-4 years. The researchers investigated various weight trends (stable, growth, loss) between those who developed schizophrenia and others who did not.

They discovered a greater risk of dementia development was linked to the general trend of decreased BMI. Further investigation revealed a subgroup, though, that looked to be the key to the falling BMI-dementia relationship, with a pattern of initial growing BMI followed by dropping BMI, both happening in midlife.

Au emphasises how simple it is for patients, family members, and primary care providers to keep track of their weight.

“If after a steady increase in weight that is common as one gets older, there is an unexpected shift to losing weight post midlife, it might be good to consult with one’s healthcare provider and pinpoint why. There are some potential treatments emerging where early detection might be critical in the effectiveness of any of these treatments as they are approved and become available,” she added.

The researchers hope this study will illustrate that the seeds for dementia risk are being sowed across many years, likely even across the entire lifespan. “Dementia is not necessarily inevitable and monitoring risk indicators such as something as easy to notice as weight patterns, might offer opportunities for early intervention that can change the trajectory of disease onset and progression.

People who suffer from cluster headaches may be three times more likely to develop heart problems, mental health issues, or other neurologic conditions. According to a research published in the online edition of Neurology®, the official medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, on December 14, 2022. Cluster headaches are brief but very severe headaches that can last for many days or even weeks. The duration of the headaches might range from 15 minutes to three hours.

“Around the world, headaches have an incredibly negative impact on people’s quality of life, both economically and socially,” said study author Caroline Ran, PhD, of the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden. “Our results show that people with cluster headaches not only have an increased risk of other illnesses, those with at least one additional illness missed four times as many days of work due to sickness and disability than those with just cluster headaches. They also have a higher chance of a long-term absence from work.”

In Sweden, 3,240 cluster headache sufferers aged 16 to 64 were compared to 16,200 others of a comparable age, sex, and other characteristics. The majority of patients had cluster headaches, which is typical. To assess how many days per year people missed from work owing to illness or disability, researchers examined labour records and disability payouts.

2,977 patients, or 92 percent of those with cluster headaches, also had at least one other condition. 12,575 patients, or 78% of those without cluster headaches, had two or more diseases. Women were more likely than males (96% versus 90%) to have other diseases among individuals with cluster headaches.

Persons with cluster headaches missed work an average of 63 days more frequently than people without cluster headaches, who missed an average of 34 days owing to illness and incapacity. In comparison to those with cluster headaches who did not have an additional illness, those with cluster headaches plus at least one other sickness missed four times as many days of work.

“Increasing our understanding of the other conditions that affect people with cluster headache and how they impact their ability to work is very important,” added Ran. “This information can help us as we make decisions on treatments, prevention and prognoses.”

In some regions of the United States, fewer people have received the coronavirus vaccine, which is due in part to vaccine resistance. Wide variations in healthcare coverage, particularly in rural regions, hindered vaccination attempts during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study published in the journal Lancet Regional Health. The results highlight a hidden gap in access to healthcare in America between those who have convenient geographic and financial access and those who do not. An multinational team of researchers looked into variations in vaccination rates among 2,417 U.S. counties under the direction of epidemiologist Diego Cuadros from the University of Cincinnati. They discovered that vaccination coverage is influenced by the accessibility of medical resources.

More than 6.3 million people have died as a result of the epidemic globally, including more than 1 million in only the United States. Researchers blame the country’s relatively high death rate on immunisation failures as compared to other nations. The incidence of vaccination varies significantly across the United States, according to Cuadros, an associate professor of geography in the College of Arts and Sciences at UC. He noted that while some people may be hesitant to be immunised due to baseless worries or false information, that only tells a portion of the picture.

“During the pandemic we realized the huge health care disparity we have in this country,” he said. Access to healthcare is hampered by factors including cost, insurance, and transportation. In nationwide studies, 20% or so of Americans have stated that they are opposed to vaccination.

The bigger unvaccinated population is unaccounted for by this. While the majority of people in every state of the United States are now completely immunised, certain states have made significant progress over others. Cuadros said that during the delta and omicron waves, the virus killed the most people in places with poor vaccination rates, highlighting the severe effects that health inequalities may have on marginalised groups.

Even in regions with easy access to health care, the pandemic created significant interruptions to such services, according to co-author Neil MacKinnon, provost of Augusta University in Georgia. Less frequent medical visits resulted in an increase in the number of cancer and other illness cases that went undetected.

“Our study demonstrates that these disruptions were not uniform across the United States,” MacKinnon said. “Many counties, especially those in rural areas, experienced significant disruptions in health care, including the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine itself.”

According to the current data, persons in underprivileged neighbourhoods had a 34% lower likelihood of receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. These included the least vaccinated counties in Nevada, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska.

“America’s healthcare system has improvements to be made to address historical disparities that, as shown in our study, can influence individual-level decision-making,” study co-author and UC geography student Santiago Escobar said. “Our study suggests clear disparities that need to be addressed.”

The study highlights the importance of immunisation in preventing disorders like COVID-19, according to co-author Phillip Coule, M.D., chief medical officer for Augusta University Health in Georgia.

“Those responsible for guiding health policy need to consider issues such as vaccination rates, access to care and health disparities when evaluating outcomes from COVID-19 and other conditions,” he said.

While it’s critical that individuals understand AIDS and take the appropriate steps to prevent it, it’s equally critical that they understand their general sexual health, which includes understanding the many STDs, how they are caught, and how to protect oneself from them. Since there are many different STDs and some of them can be fatal if untreated, it is crucial to regularly get checked for STDs and receive treatment if necessary.

Additionally, it’s critical to practise safe sex, which includes wearing condoms while engaged in sexual activity. It’s also crucial to understand various forms of contraception and learn how to engage in healthy and safe sex. “Sexual health diseases are a full spectrum of diseases including disorders of sexual desire, sexual dysfunction and sexually transmitted infection and they are interrelated.”

A person’s total health, whether it is their physical or mental health, may be measured by their level of positive sexuality. “Controlling your sexual feelings and being aware of the dangers of being careless in your sexual activities is the first and most important guideline to avoid sexual health illnesses. The secret to sexual satisfaction is prevention.

Here are some recommendations for preventing STD exposure:

• Have a single partner and a stable sexual relationship.
• Use a latex condom (male or female condoms) at the time of having vaginal /oral sex.
• Avoid any unnatural sexual activity, it may give genital trauma, and the risk of infection is high.
• Delay having a sexual relationship as long as possible. Physical maturity is not the criteria for starting a sexual activity in teens. Wait for mental and emotional sexual maturity. The younger a person is when they start to have sex for the first time, the more susceptible they are to getting various sexually transmitted infections or probably other sexual health and relationship problems.
• Get vaccinated: Vaccines are available to help protect against hepatitis B and the human papillomavirus. HPV vaccines are given at age of 11-12 years.
• Don’t mix the two, like there is a warning don’t drink and drive, it’s equally applicable don’t drink and have sex as under the influence it is difficult to control sexual behaviour.
• Don’t hesitate to discuss your issues with the doctor because early use of post-exposure prophylaxis can prevent you from getting infected.

Signs and symptoms that might indicate an STI are:

• Sores or bumps on the genital/oral area
• Painful urination in women
• An unusual smelly vaginal discharge or itching in the vagina
• Painful colitis
• Discharge from the penis

Please see a doctor if any of these symptoms appear after having sex.

According to scientists, “Sexual contact between people spreads sexually transmitted illnesses.” STI transmission is widespread and simple to do in the modern world. STIs are entirely treatable and curable in the twenty-first century. It can be stopped, though. Any patient is equally at risk of contracting a STI after having sexual contact with another individual. According to research, STIs may spread to other people through touch with skin, genitalia, mouth, the rectum, and bodily fluids. Additionally, contact during vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse might result in STI infection.

Following are some tips that she advised can help avoid sexual health diseases:

• Avoid sexual contact if the person is carrying some symptoms
• Use of latex or polyurethane condom during vaginal, oral, or anal sex can help reduce the risk of infection.
• Both partners should get vaccinated which will help protect against hepatitis B, and human papillomavirus (HPV).
• Avoid sharing towels
• Wash before and after intercourse.

People may make better decisions about their sexual behaviour and safeguard themselves against both HIV and other sexually transmitted illnesses by being more knowledgeable about sexual health. According to information provided by the National AIDS Control Organization, approximately 17 lakh persons in the country become infected with HIV during the course of the preceding 10 years as a result of unprotected sexual intercourse.

The body’s immune system is the target of HIV. If HIV is not treated, AIDS may develop. The virus can spread by contact with tainted blood, semen, or vaginal secretions. HIV cannot be cured, but it may be managed with the proper medical care. Utilizing the numerous tools that are available to educate individuals about sexual health is crucial. One may contribute to reducing the spread of STDs and enhancing general sexual health by learning about STDs and taking precautions to protect themselves.

List of recommendations for men and women to combat sexually transmitted illnesses and claimed:

Use protection when having sex, even though it offers us the necessary pleasure. This goes for both men and women. To lessen the possibility of STD transmission, condom usage is encouraged.

Practice safe sex: Despite the fact that sex provides us with the necessary pleasure, it is crucial for both men and women to utilise protection. To lessen the possibility of STD transmission, condom usage is encouraged.

Maintain sexual hygiene: Sexual hygiene is highly important when it comes to safe sex practises. From the front to the rear, women should bathe their sensitive areas. Men should use caution when cleaning their foreskins as well. Practice proper hygiene, wash your hands prior to having sex, take care of your mouth, manage body odour, and pass urine both before and after having sex to prevent humiliation.

Limiting the number of sexual partners: Maintain sexual hygiene:Sexual hygiene is highly important when it comes to safe sex practises. From the front to the rear, women should bathe their sensitive areas. Men should use caution when cleaning their foreskins as well. Practice proper hygiene, wash your hands prior to having sex, take care of your mouth, manage body odour, and pass urine both before and after having sex to prevent humiliation.

Ensure medical hygiene: The more partners you have, the greater the chance that one of them has an uncontrolled case of HIV or another STD (STD). Both of these factors have the potential to increase HIV risk. Never trade narcotics for needles, syringes, or other injecting devices. Use new, clean syringes and tools each time you give an injection. The greatest approach to avoid contracting HIV, though, is to avoid injecting drugs.

Stop smoking and consuming alcohol: Alcohol worsens the effects of HIV on the immune system. You can feel weak and your symptoms might get worse as a result. It could also interfere with the HIV medications you are taking. Your ability to think clearly and make wise judgments may be compromised, which might lead to dangerous behaviours like unsafe sex. Additionally, research indicates that smokers with HIV have shorter lives, respond less well to HIV therapy, and are more likely to acquire AIDS.

Get yourself tested: Getting checked is one of the greatest ways to prevent problems related to sexual health. To avoid HIV, make sure to have your partner tested prior to sexual activity. Additionally, it’s crucial to get evaluated for general sexual health. Tests for erectile dysfunction, early ejaculation, libido, semen, fertility, PCOS, and other conditions may be included.

According to a recent Lancet report on the disease, China ranks second in Asia in terms of the number of cervical cancer cases behind India. According to the study, 23% of the world’s cervical cancer deaths—or 40% of all cervical cancer deaths—took place in India and 17% in China. In 2020, there were 3,41,831 fatalities worldwide from cervical cancer and an estimated 6,04,127 new cases. According to the data, India recorded about 21% of all cervical cases. The analysis is based on projections from The Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) for 2020, which take into account historical, geographic, and socioeconomic changes.

“More than 58% of all cases of cervical cancer globally were estimated in Asia followed by Africa (20%), Europe (10%) and Latin America (10%) and more than half of deaths were estimated in Asia (58%) followed by Africa (22%), and Latin America (9%). Around 39% of all cases occurred in China (18%) and India (21%) and 40% of total deaths from cervical cancer (17% in China; 23% in India),” the study noted.

In addition, it noted that in 173 of 185 nations, the age-standardized incidence of cervical cancer in 2020 exceeded the benchmark established by the WHO’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative. The study also found that there was a distinct and significant socioeconomic gradient between the incidence and death rates of cervical cancer and the mean national HDI values, with progressively lower rates seen as HDI grew.

However, the sharp decline in incidence seen in some nations, including India, Thailand, Brazil, and Poland, could be attributed to a variety of factors, including declines in fertility rates and lower parity, which are declining over successive generations of women, or improvement in the coverage of screening programmes and access to treatment services, particularly in the urban population of the registry catchment areas, the study added.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most prevalent malignancy in women worldwide, affecting an expected 6,04,000 new cases and 3,42,000 fatalities in 2020, with the Region accounting for 32% and 34%, respectively.
According to news agency ANI, the World Health Organization (WHO) has previously stated that India will soon receive human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations in an effort to eradicate cervical cancer as a public health issue.

In order to prevent cervical cancer, HPV vaccination programmes have been made available nationally in Bhutan, the Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Cervical cancer is treatable if detected early, according to Dr. NK Arora, head of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI). He added that screening to detect cervical cancer is important after the age of 35 and it needs to be taken as a mission as “India has the largest burden of deaths due to cervical cancer.”

According to a research, two anti-Ebola injections produced immune responses that lasted for at least a year, suggesting they may be able to prevent the virus from spreading for a considerable amount of time. According to a paper from the Partnership for Research on Ebola Vaccines research consortium, researchers examined the vaccines—one from Merck & Co. and a two-dose regimen from Johnson & Johnson and Bavarian Nordic A/S—in 1400 adults and 1401 children who registered from April to December 2018.

According to a research released on Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine, people reacted to the injections within two weeks of getting them, with the Merck vaccination plus a booster achieving the best percentage of response.

The unpredictable emergence of Ebola in African nations has been a pain for health officials. In order to combat the Sudan Ebola strain, which is vaccine-resistant and has been responsible for more than 140 confirmed cases and 55 fatalities there, the World Health Organization is collaborating with Uganda.

Cliff Lane, a deputy director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases who contributed to writing the study, said that even though the shots examined in this trial haven’t demonstrated a capacity to prevent the Sudan strain, they may serve as a basis for developing vaccines that do.

The J&J-Bavarian regimen has pre-qualification from the WHO, while the Merck Ervebo Ebola vaccine has already received US licensure. The experiment was unable to compare infection rates in vaccinated and non-immunized individuals since it only evaluated immune responses that suggest the possibility for protection. The study states that no safety issues were discovered during the experiment.