Does Dad's stress affect his unborn children? |  |
- Does Dad's stress affect his unborn children?
- Stress, hectic lifestyle raises IVF demand
- CBT is highly effective in Dental Phobia
- Probe ordered into Rajasthan hospital deaths
- India accounts for 55 pc of worldwide leprosy cases
- Chewing tobacco joins 'banned foods' as oral cancer cases rise
- Leprosy in India down but not out: Azad
- Gutka, paan masala are banned food in new guidelines
- NSF funds NJIT's participation in program to retain engineering students
| Does Dad's stress affect his unborn children? Posted: 04 Sep 2011 12:00 AM PDT ( From http://www.rxpgnews.com ) According to the results of a new study in Elsevier's Biological Psychiatry, it seems the answer may be "yes, but it's complicated". The risk of developing depression, which is significantly increased by exposure to chronic stress, is influenced by both environment and genetics. The interplay of these two factors is quite complex, but in fact, there is even a third factor that most of us know nothing about – epigenetics. Epigenetics is the science of changes in genetic expression that are not caused by actual changes in DNA sequencing. It is these mechanisms that have been the recent focus of intergenerational investigations into the transmission of stress vulnerability. Inheritance is complex. We've all known that mothers and fathers have tremendous influence on their children, but "this study highlights how complicated the relationship between genetic, epigenetic, and environmental contributions can be with regards to the inheritance of important behavioural traits," commented Dr. John Krystal, editor of Biological Psychiatry. Most work to date has focused on maternal effects. In this fascinating new study, researchers investigated paternal effects instead, and found that male mice exposed to chronic stress pass those stress behaviours along to their offspring. Both their male and female offspring showed increased depression and anxiety-like behaviours, although the effects were stronger in males. Importantly, these behavioural changes were only present in offspring produced through natural reproduction, and not in those offspring that were produced via in vitro fertilization. That interesting twist suggests that most stress-related vulnerabilities are transmitted to subsequent generations behaviourally, rather than epigenetically. "This type of translational animal work is important to help scientists focus their work in humans", explained lead author Dr. Eric Nestler, from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York.... http://www.rxpgnews.com    |
| Stress, hectic lifestyle raises IVF demand Posted: 03 Sep 2011 11:46 AM PDT ( From http://www.rxpgnews.com ) New Delhi, Sep 3 - Once upon a time, In-Vitro Fertilisation - was largely popular among middle-aged women to resolve pregnancy problems. But now young urban women who are unable to conceive due to a stressful life, long working hours and late marriages are incresingly falling back on it, experts say. 'Earlier, most of my patients who used to opt for IVF treatment were in the age group of 38-45 years. But in the last six-seven years, I have observed a shift in the age group of women seeking this treatment,' said Indira Ganeshan, IVF expert and gynecologist. 'Today, about 70 percent of my patients are in the age group of 23-32. This trend is visible only in urban areas. The reasons behind this shift are multiple. Urban couples are stress-laden with both husband and wife working for long hours. They don't have the time and patience to develop a nurturing relationship and want fast results,' she added. IVF is a process by which egg cells are fertilised by sperm outside the human body. Hormonal injections are given to the patient to increase the productivity of the eggs. The eggs are removed from the ovaries and fertilised with sperm of the partner within a controlled cultured environment. The fertilised egg is then transferred to the patient's uterus with the aim of establishing a successful pregnancy. Ganeshan pointed out the IVF reached India simultaneously after its invention -- the world's first IVF baby, Louise Brown, was born July 25, 1978, in Britain. India's first IVF baby Durga was born Oct 3 the same year. While IVF has been around for more than three decades, its demand has shot up in the last few years. Hormonal imbalances, tubal blockage, azoospermia - used to be usual factors responsible for infertility, and now a hectic lifestyle is creating problems for couples. Ila Gupta suggested that couples detect the cause of infertility as soon as possible because the success rate of IVF comes down with ageing. 'When a... http://www.rxpgnews.com   |
| CBT is highly effective in Dental Phobia Posted: 03 Sep 2011 12:37 AM PDT ( From http://www.rxpgnews.com ) People with severe dental phobia may be able to overcome their anxieties with a single session of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), research published in the latest issue of the British Dental Journal (BDJ) suggests. The authors of the study, based on an initial pilot of 60 patients who relied on having intravenous sedation before they could undergo dental treatment, concluded that the benefits were of such significance that they advise dental providers to implement this approach now rather than wait to pursue further research. They point out that patients benefit from not being exposed to the health risks associated with repeated intravenous sedation; and this approach saves money for the NHS. The initial cohort of 60 patients had all attended a specialist dental clinic in Sheffield for people with severe dental phobia. Half the group were offered CBT, with 21 patients accepting the treatment. Twenty of these went on to have dental treatment without having to be sedated. An audit of these patients a decade later found that of the 19 patients located who had had CBT, none had returned to sedation in the intervening 10-year period. The benefits of having CBT for severe dental phobia appear to endure over time, the authors of A joint approach to treating dental phobia: A re-evaluation of a collaboration between community dental services and specialist psychotherapy services ten years on, conclude. The latest 10-yearly survey on adult dental health published earlier this year by the NHS Information Centre suggests that as many as 12 per cent of people may experience extreme dental anxiety. Professor Damien Walmsley, the BDA's scientific adviser, said: "Dental phobia is a serious problem because it deters some people from ever going to the dentist, except when they are in severe pain. At this stage, they may require more invasive treatment than might be the case if they went to the dentist regularly. Sadly,... http://www.rxpgnews.com   |
| Probe ordered into Rajasthan hospital deaths Posted: 02 Sep 2011 10:06 PM PDT ( From http://www.rxpgnews.com ) Jaipur, Sep 2 - The Rajasthan government has ordered an inquiry into the deaths of three patients in the intensive care unit - of a government hospital in Jodhpur town allegedly to due to non-availability of oxygen gas, an official said Friday. The three patients -- Vinod Panwar, 45, Choti Devi, 60, and Kamla Devi, 35, -- were on ventilators in the ICU of Mathura Das Mathur Hospital when the oxygen supply allegedly stopped. The deaths were reported between 11 p.m. Thursday and 4 a.m. Friday. The wards of the three patients alleged that they had reported interrupted supply of the oxygen to the hospital authorities, but they could not arrange the gas cylinders on time. The patients then approached various hospitals on their own which also refused to help them. 'People in the oxygen gas supply unit of the hospital suddenly told us that there was no gas available. We approached everyone in the hospital, nobody helped us,' said Kamla Devi?s husband Gumana Ram. ?The state government has formed a two-member team to probe the matter. Action will be taken if negligence is found on the part of hospital authorities,? an official of state?s medical and health department told IANS. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also sought details about the deaths Friday evening. The government hospitals in Jodhpur, the home constituency of Gehlot, have been embroiled in controversies in the past too. Over February and March, at least 17 pregnant women died of excessive bleeding at two other state-run Umaid Hospital and Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Jodhpur after they were allegedly administered contaminated IV fluids of a particular batch manufactured by Parental Surgical India Pvt Ltd. Three doctors have been suspended and an FIR lodged against the IV fluids manufacturing company. http://www.rxpgnews.com   |
| India accounts for 55 pc of worldwide leprosy cases Posted: 02 Sep 2011 09:08 PM PDT ( From http://www.rxpgnews.com ) New Delhi, Sep 2 - India accounts for more than half of new leprosy cases in the world and reported nearly 35,000 cases till June, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad informed the Lok Sabha Friday. In a written reply, the minister said in its August 2010 report, the World Health Organisation - had said India accounts for 55 percent of all new leprosy cases in the world. Last year, 133,717 cases were reported in the country - of the 244,796 cases reported worldwide, he said. This year till June, as many as 34,846 cases were reported in the country. The maximum cases were reported from Uttar Pradesh -, Bihar -, Maharashtra -, Orissa -, West Bengal -, Chhattishargh -, Andhra Pradesh -, Gujarat -, Madhya Pradesh -, Tamil Nadu -, Himachal Pradesh -, Karnataka -, Chandigarh -, Arunachal Pradesh -, Meghalaya -. Azad said that till Aug 29, the government has released Rs.777.44 lakh to the states for leprosy elimination. The government in its national health policy 2002 had planned to eliminate leprosy - by 2005, the minister said. 'The prevalence of leprosy has been decreasing in India over the years. From 42 cases per 100,000 population in 2001-02, it has come down to seven cases per 100,000 population in 2010-11. 'However, considering the very long incubation period of the disease, India will continue to have new leprosy cases for many years to come,' Azad added. 'The government continues to accord high priority to elimination of leprosy within the overall framework of National Rural Health Mission -. We are advocating a district-specific approach for elimination of leprosy, which will be further strengthened during the 12th Plan period,' said Azad. http://www.rxpgnews.com   |
| Chewing tobacco joins 'banned foods' as oral cancer cases rise Posted: 02 Sep 2011 06:36 PM PDT ( From http://www.rxpgnews.com ) New Delhi, Sep 2 - Chewing tobacco, like gutka and paan masala, has been included among banned 'food products' in the government's new food safety guidelines. The move has been welcomed by health activists as increasing incidence of oral cancer is being reported in the country, with the 2010 figure at more than 70,000. Coming soon after the ban on the usage of plastic pouches to package chewing tobacco and pan masala, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India - under the health ministry issued a notification prohibiting use of tobacco as an ingredient in any food product. The food safety notification which was announced and enforced early August says: 'Product not to contain any substance which may be injurious to health. Tobacco and nicotine shall not be used as ingredients in any food product.' Clearing the air about terming tobacco as a 'food product', FSSAI director V.N. Gaur said that chewing tobacco, like gutka or paan masala, can be called a 'food' because it is consumed like any other food product. 'It - is a food product. Anything that is consumed is called food and anything that is food and contains nicotine or tobacco must be banned,' Gaur said. That gutka and paan masala can be termed as food product was also affirmed by the Supreme Court. In the Ghodawat Paan Masala case, the apex court said: 'Since paan masala, gutka or supari are eaten for taste and nourishment, they are all food within the meaning of Section 2- of the Act.' Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad Friday informed parliament that 70,261 people were detected with cancer of mouth, tongue and hypopharynx in 2010 because of such products, also known as 'smokeless tobacco products'. Quoting data from the Indian Council of Medical Research, Azad said the numbers of those affected have been rising - 66,129 in 2008 and 68,160 in 2009. Welcoming the new notification, health activists said the guidelines will act as a deterrent to the 'non-smoking... http://www.rxpgnews.com   |
| Leprosy in India down but not out: Azad Posted: 02 Sep 2011 06:34 PM PDT ( From http://www.rxpgnews.com ) New Delhi, Sep 2 - Leprosy is down but not out in India as the disfiguring disease -- though with case numbers coming down -- is expected to continue for many years to come, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad told parliament Friday. Leprosy cases in the country have come down from 42 per one lakh population in 2001-02 to seven cases per one lakh population in 2010-11, Azad told the Lok Sabha Friday. However, considering very long incubation period of the disease, India will continue to have new leprosy cases for many more years to come, he said in reply to a question. 'The government continues to accord high priority to elimination of leprosy within the overall framework of National Rural Health Mission -. We are advocating a district-specific approach for elimination of leprosy, which will be further strengthened during the 12th Plan period,? said Azad. Citing the World Health Organisation report published in August 2010 Azad said India accounted for about 55 percent of new leprosy cases in the world -- reporting 133,717 cases out of total 244,796 cases. http://www.rxpgnews.com   |
| Gutka, paan masala are banned food in new guidelines Posted: 02 Sep 2011 04:32 PM PDT ( From http://www.rxpgnews.com ) New Delhi, Sep 2 - Chewing tobacco, like gutka and paan masala, has been included among banned 'food products' in the government's new food safety guidelines. The move has been welcomed by health activists. Coming close on the heels of the ban on the usage of plastic pouches to package chewing tobacco and pan masala, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India - under the health ministry issued a notification prohibiting tobacco to be used as an ingredient in any food product. The food safety notification which was announced in early August says: 'Product not to contain any substance which may be injurious to health. Tobacco and nicotine shall not be used as ingredients in any food product.' Clearing the air about terming tobacco as a food product, V.N. Gaur, director of FSSAI, said that chewing tobacco, like gutka or pan masala, can be called as food because they are consumed like any other food product. 'It - is a food product. Anything that is consumed is called food and anything that is food and contains nicotine or tobacco must be banned,' Gaur said. That gutka and pan masala can be termed as food product was also affirmed by the Supreme Court. In the Ghodawat Pan Masala case, the apex court said: 'Since pan masala, gutka or supari are eaten for taste and nourishment, they are all food within the meaning of Section 2- of the Act.' Welcoming the step, health activists said that the guidelines will act as a deterrent to the 'non-smoking tobacco industry'. 'The current notification which defines tobacco as food and bans it is a welcome step. It's only logical that things like gutka or pan masala which can be chewed and digested like any other food item is termed as food,' Bhavna Mukhopadhyay, executive director of the Voluntary Health Association of India -, told IANS. This, she added, could deal a blow to the Rs.8,000 crore worth gutka industry in India. Added Rajeev Sharma, a health activist who mobilises youth... http://www.rxpgnews.com   |
| NSF funds NJIT's participation in program to retain engineering students Posted: 02 Sep 2011 05:00 AM PDT ( From http://www.rxpgnews.com ) The Newark College of Engineering (NCE) at NJIT has been selected by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to participate as one of 20 universities and colleges across the nation in a new five-year program to keep students enrolled in engineering programs. This selection is the culmination of a two-year long effort led by NCE Dean Sunil Saigal and Associate Dean Lisa Axe. Currently, some 43 percent of engineering undergraduates switch to other majors. The ENGAGE program (Engaging Students in Engineering) has awarded NJIT a grant valued at $100,000 which includes NJIT matching funds. The program is based on the successful Cooperative Extension Service model at state land-grant institutions. It will provide resources and expertise to engineering schools, enabling them to create successful academic and social environments. In higher education circles, many people talk about the need in the U.S. for well-trained engineers, if the nation is to remain an innovation leader in fields ranging from energy to nanotechnology, said Priscilla P. Nelson, professor in the department of civil engineering and ENGAGE project lead at NJIT. Although the number of engineering jobs here is expected to grow by 11 percent in the decade spanning 2008 to 2018, what most people don't realize is that the nation's colleges won't be able to keep pace with that demand unless something radically changes in the way engineers are educated. Susan Metz, ENGAGE's principal investigator, said that the program advocates and teachers should use three proven and time-honored research-based strategies in the first two years of schooling. This is the key period in which engineering students are most at risk to change majors. The strategies are improving and increasing interaction between faculty and students; illustrating engineering concepts in courses by using everyday familiar objects; and improving students' spatial visualization skills. Although these... http://www.rxpgnews.com   |
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