Aurora magazine

It was believed that the cause of baldness in a same gene handful. According to a study by the University of Edinburgh, however, are 287 genes that cause hair loss. They are inherited in large part from the mother and establish the risk of baldness for a man. In the future, you could use this data to create accurate genetic tests that provide for if you lose your hair or not.

Baldness affects about 70% of men and was believed to be linked to only a few genes. This at least until the researchers of Edinburgh have analyzed the DNA of 52,000 men. Riccardo Marioni, one of the authors, says that this is the largest genetic work ever done on the subject. According to the collected data, the problem is rooted in the ratio of 287 genes. Many of these genes are located on chromosome X. The baldness is so ricollegabile especially to the mother's genes and is much more complex than previously thought.

Genetic tests are available in the market for baldness, but we need other studies to obtain reliable forecasts. The research in question, in particular, could give a boost to the process and help to understand the phenomenon. Results were unthinkable a few years ago, made possible by genomic databases and new technologies. DNA sequencing is in fact becoming more quickly and accurately, with benefits for research and prenatal screening.

Source: ansa.it

The human papilloma virus is the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease. It has forty variations and affects both male and female genitalia, as well as mouth and throat. Despite being transmitted through sexual contact, it causes different consequences from the classic sexually transmitted diseases. The other side is the worst possible cervical cancer, which often remain asymptomatic until it is late.

The virus affects 1 in 2 at least once in life. Most often it remains asymptomatic and in 90% of cases the immune system destroys it within 2 years. Sometimes the virus evolves and causes genital warts, recognizable thanks to regular medical checks. They are contagious and annoying if left untreated, but relatively harmless. Other times, however, the virus causes a tumor. The most common type of cancer papillomavirus is cervical, but also were identified cancers of the vulva, anus and throat.

As sexually transmitted disease, the most common of the papilloma virus transmission method is vaginal intercourse. However, it is also transmitted through anal intercourse, oral sex and contact between the genitals, both heterosexual and homosexual partners. Most of the time the virus remains active and asymptomatic for years, raising the risk of infection to unsuspecting partners.
Currently it lacks an analysis for the papilloma virus that works for both sexes. There are tests to screen for cervical cancer, but lack those for mouth or throat. In any case, doctors advise sexually active women to perform a Pap test every two years. It is a sampling of cervical cells, to be analyzed to identify any anomalies.

There are no specific treatments for the papilloma virus, but only for diseases caused by it. The best route is the vaccine, effective both on the man on the woman against the most common types of papilloma virus. The best thing would be to administer them before starting to have sex. To those who are sexually active, doctors recommend the use of condoms to reduce the risk.

A study led by Professor Carlo Foresta and Dr. Andrea Garolla revealed that the Papilloma Virus causes male infertility. Researchers have identified the virus in the semen of patients with infertility problems. According to the study, the Papilloma binds to sperm, making fertilization more difficult. The problem persists even in the case of in vitro fertilization. For this reason, scholars argue the importance of the vaccine against the papilloma virus also for males.

The Paduan researchers evaluated 115 couples with infertility problems. In all these cases, there were no obvious problems to hinder conception, but the man showed signs of papilloma virus in semen. Of the 115 couples, 54 have tried to conceive naturally for 12 months. 14.8% of them got pregnant successfully. In all these cases the partner had cleared the infection spontaneously. In 37.5% of cases, however, conception has ended in miscarriage.

In 61 pairs partner was subjected to vaccination for the Human Papilloma before pregnancy research. In this way the infected partner has cleared the virus before you even start with the new attempts at conception. Among these couples 37.7% it conceived within a year, with 4.3% of spontaneous abortions. Almost all pregnancies are therefore arrive at the end, as opposed to unvaccinated pairs. The key seems to be the presence or absence of the virus, which would hinder both the conception both embryo development.

The authors of the study suggest that the antibody response induced by the vaccine accelerates the elimination of infection. At 6 months after vaccination, 92% of men with Papilloma Virus infection were negative with the new test. Among untreated patients, only 30% after 6 months had cleared the infection. The use of the vaccine is therefore essential both in the case of natural conception, both couples using in vitro fertilization. For safety, it would also be a good idea to perform a variety of prenatal screening test, to ensure the health of the fetus.

Source: pharmastar.it

A study by the University of Arrhus belies the correlation between anti-epileptic drugs in pregnancy and fetal abnormalities. According to Danish researchers, the average level of health of children exposed to drugs in utero is identical to those of all the others. An observation that goes against previous studies, according to which the drugs against epilepsy would cause congenital malformations in the fetus.

It was a common belief that the anti-epileptic drugs, if taken during pregnancy, intaccassero brain development in fetuses. There is still lack of clarity about the actual health conditions of those who were exposed in the womb to drugs. This study, however, delves into some issues and reassures women that need to continue taking the drugs even when pregnant. Danish researchers have indeed found no correlation between treatments for epilepsy and children's health.

The researchers analyzed the data of 963,010 children born between 1997 and 2012. In 4478 pregnancies mothers had continued to take anti-epileptic drugs also pregnant. Scholars have verified how many pediatric visits was requested over the years. The analyzes did not reveal any substantial difference between the two groups, which suggests that the children's state of health is not been touched by the mother's drug treatment.

The study looked for any differences explicable to the nature of maternal disease. In fact, the treatments were explicable both cases of epilepsy, both bipolar disorder and migraine. The study showed that there was no difference between how many were suffering from epilepsy and how many had other disorders. A discovery that will be a great relief for many expectant mothers. In any case, if in doubt it is always a good idea to seek advice from your doctor and resort to any appropriate prenatal screening tests, such as fetal DNA test.

Source: news-medical.net