Health & Medicine
Lifestyle medicine and adverse childhood experiences
Adverse childhood experiences, which can be identified in up to 20% of the population, can underpin a wide range of diseases in later life. Professor Garry Egger, from Southern Cross University, Australia, suggests that this may occur via underlying systemic inflammatory processes. Understanding more about this association, and the role that lifestyle medicine may play in preventing and managing chronic […]
The missing link? Sudden infant death syndrome and the diaphragm
The cause of death in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is unknown. Scientists know that risk factors include the prone sleeping position, prematurity, low birth weight, and non-lethal infections. SIDS likely has a respiratory origin, but the diaphragm that powers the vital respiratory pump has not been adequately investigated in the context of SIDS. Diaphragm failure is a well-known cause […]
Managing lymphoproliferative disorders in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs) are characterised by the abnormal proliferation of lymphocytes – a white blood cell in the immune system. LPDs are a notable complication during the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune condition. In Japan, the incidence of LPDs in RA patients is high and the management and treatment strategies for these patients has been challenging. Dr Masao Tanaka from the Kyoto University […]
Exploring a novel approach to lung cancer treatment
Lung cancer, just like other types of cancer, is mostly treatable when diagnosed in the earliest stages. Treatments mainly include chemotherapy and surgeries such as sublobar resection and lobectomy. The thoracic surgical team led by Dr Calvin Ng at Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, have successfully applied a novel approach to lung cancer treatment. They […]
Deeper insights into cell death and survival
The intricate balance between cell death and survival is essential for normal development and for preventing diseases such as cancer and autoimmunity. Ronald Jemmerson at the University of Minnesota contributed to the seminal discovery that cytochrome c (Cyt c) plays a key role in the onset of apoptosis (programmed cell death). His laboratory also established that leucine-rich alpha-2-glycoprotein-1 (LRG1) binds […]
A digital health intervention for adolescent mothers in the Dominican Republic
Adolescent mothers and their babies are vulnerable to poor health outcomes. For this reason, it is vital to provide them adequate support and information to ensure optimal health. Dr Samantha Stonbraker and her research team undertook a study to identify the health information needs of young mothers living in the Dominican Republic and design a digital intervention using WhatsApp Messenger […]
The financial toxicity of multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurologic autoimmune disease that is generally diagnosed in young adults. It is a lifelong condition, as it is currently incurable. The medical costs are high, as patients have to cover frequent hospital visits and prescription medications, such as emerging disease modifying drugs. As a result, many patients do not adhere to treatment plans, which further […]
The benefits of exercise programmes for pre-school children with autism spectrum disorders
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) see the world differently and can find it hard to interact with both their environment and other people. Sport has many benefits for mental and physical health, and therefore Kelong Cai, of Yangzhou University, hypothesised that sport may offer a novel therapy for pre-school children with ASD. He implemented a 12-week mini-basketball programme for […]
Reducing treatment costs for thyroid cancer patients in Japan
Japan’s healthcare system disincentivises longer hospital stays to reduce costs, but also categorises certain complications as secondary diseases, which incur separate additional payments. The high rate of occurrence of these complications makes these costs unavoidable. Hiroki Konno, Associate Professor at the College of Sports Sciences at Nihon University, Japan, studied the implications of this for four prognostic factors affecting thyroid […]
New possibilities: Same-day surgery for trochlear dysplasia
Trochleoplasty is an open procedure performed on patients with patellar instability and/or chronic anterior knee pain, in patient having a flat groove (trochlear dysplasia). Though this is a widespread treatment for recurrent patella instability, open trochleoplasty is a highly invasive procedure and leads to an increased risk of infection, scar tissue, and pain. Dr Lars Blønd of The Zealand University […]