Aurora magazine

An international team identified the genetic component behind anorexia, identifying an anomaly in chromosome 12. The disease is both psychiatric and metabolic, linked to a problem in nutrition absorption. Discovery could deeply change the approach to the disease and its treatments. It also opens the DNA test gates designed to prevent at least part of the disorder.

The research involved 3,495 individuals with anorexia nervosa. These were accompanied by data of 10,982 healthy individuals. The researchers analyzed the DNA of subjects with modern genom sequencing techniques. They thus identified an anomaly in chromosome 12, common among anorexia people. The region has already been associated with the onset of type 1 diabetes and autoimmune diseases.

According to the findings, there may be a correlation between anorexia, other psychiatric disorders and metabolic diseases. The connection to depression and schizophrenia is not surprising, while the bond with metabolic diseases is unpublished. For example, subjects with anorexia have low insulin resistance. This changes the way they absorb food and burn it, thereby affecting the relationship they have with it.

The discovery tries again the link between psychology and physical development. Anorexia has a very strong psychological component, but not only. Consequently, treatments should take into account abnormal metabolism. For example, you may need to introduce more carbohydrates into these people's diet. During pregnancy it is advisable to undergo non-invasive prenatal tests such as fetal DNA test, which detect chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus.

Source: corriere.it

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the Treponema pallidum bacterium. The first testimonies date back to the sixteenth century and are probably the origin of the Americas. Its incidence in the West dropped towards the end of 1800, with a new peak since World War I. New diagnostic methods and antibiotics have reduced the incidence after World War II. It is, however, spreading again in recent years, especially in developing countries.

Syphilis has a long course and no obvious clinical manifestations, which often causes late diagnosis. The typical symptoms of the disease are ulcers that are formed in the genital and oral area, often mistaken for the symptoms of other diseases. If suspicious wounds are found, then it is good to analyze the materials taken from them. Diagnostic tests detect the presence of antibodies to the Treponema disease or bacterium. In pregnancy, the test should be performed in the first weeks of gestation, together with other prenatal screening tests.

If untreated, syphilis attacks the nervous system and arterial vessels, leading to mental disorders and sometimes death. It is therefore important to periodically use the appropriate diagnostic test and, if successful, to undergo an antibiotic therapy. Depending on the stage of the disease and its severity, the intake of penicillin is more or less prolonged. During treatment, you must also abstain from any sexual activity.

The disease is transmitted sexually, through contact with infected wounds. The most frequent cases of contagion are during the early stages when people are unaware of their illness. To minimize the risk, it is best to use the condom for any sexual contact

A University of California team found a new contraceptive method from traditional medicine. The researchers analyzed some popular methods used to prevent pregnancies. They have found two substances capable of blocking the fertilization, with no side effects on ovules and spermatozoa. With further studies, they could become an alternative to hormonal contraception.

Sperm mobility is one of the key factors in conception. Sperm swims along the entire female reproductive tract and near the ovule make a click forward. Thanks to this shot they gain strength to penetrate the oval barrier and fertilize it. To sneak forward they use calcium chains that open under the stimulus of female hormones. Calcium flows into the tail and gives it strength to increase the rhythm.

The Tripterygium wilfordii or "thunder grass" is a plant used as a contraceptive in traditional Chinese medicine. It contains a substance called pristimerina, which cancels sperm mobility. The pristimerine binds to the ABHD2 protein and prevents the opening of the calcium chains. This prevents sperm from making the final shot and penetrating the oval barrier. Lupeol, an anticancer agent of mango, has similar properties.

According to the study, the two substances could replace hormonal contraceptives. You could turn it into pills or put in vaginal patches and rings, as you do today with some hormones. They would gain more safe and healthy contraceptives than the current ones. For this reason, researchers are looking for methods of economic extraction and are assessing the effects on man in the long run.

Source: berkeley.edu

Smoking marijuana in pregnancy triples the risk of premature childbirth and child weight at birth. This is revealed by a study by the Lawson Health Research Institute, Western University and the University of Brescia. The herb joins the other two substances to avoid in pregnancy for excellence, nicotine and alcohol. All future mothers know how dangerous it is to smoke and drink alcohol during pregnancy. Nonetheless, some women use marijuana to relieve discomforts such as morning sickness.

According to the study, this habit is one of the main causes of underweight at birth. Other risk factors are chronic hypertension and amphetamines. The study analyzes underweight and / or premature babies in Canada between February 2009 and February 2014. Smaller weights weighing less than 2.5 kg and / or were born before 37 weeks of gestation. 15.6% of mothers had smoked in pregnancy, causing 6.4% of underweight births and 9.7% of premature births. The data are comparable to those reported by the Canadian Institute for Health Information between 2010 and 2011.

The Institute reported that 6.6% of Canadian infants were born underweight and 8.1% were born in advance. The Canadian study attributes to marijuana a serious impact on the health of the child, greater than the socio-economic context. Nonetheless, there is a Jamaican study that shows exactly the opposite. According to these researchers, pregnant marijuana is harmless to the fetus and will improve its future relational abilities.

The authors of the Canadian study believe however that the Jamaican study does not give enough weight to factors that might counteract the effect of marijuana. The effects of marijuana on the fetus are still unclear and further studies will be needed. It is therefore good for pregnant women to pay attention to the use of certain substances. It is also always advisable to follow a prenatal screening path, which will highlight any problems.

Source: medicaldaily.com