Her sense is that people will say Im avoidant, guess Im never going to have a relationship. Im anxious. So Im, Im texting him too much, and thats why he doesnt like me. Those kinds of words have power.

Another critique is that the book flattens nuance out of some very complicated ideas, and that its success is owed to part of a larger trend of people overeager to reduce themselves or others to a single style (see: Myers-Briggs tests, Enneagram typing, Zodiac signs). They do this, goes the critique, in order to further pronounce their own identity, rather than realizing that our behavior and attachment styles (and thus, our identities) arent so precisely fixed, or attributable to just one single thing.

There is a spectrum, Dr. Levine said when I spoke to him in September. But what the research finds is that there is a predominant characteristic that you can find yourself gravitating toward more. And I think thats helpful to know.

As for the critique of the book needing to be read in therapy? He agreed that this would be ideal, but contended that while not everyone has access to therapy, most people have access to a library, and something is better than nothing. He also agreed that the book attempts to negotiate the fine line between being a wonkish academic treatise, and being over-distilled and it may not always succeed to peoples tastes on either side.

In our interview, given that he had just been read a series of pitches against his lifes work hes no doubt heard time and time again, Dr. Levine was a remarkably good sport. This may have something to do with that fact that hes not some globe-trotting, TED-talking, Oprah-approved sage-on-a-stage celebrity love guru, but instead, a sheepish, shy, sweetly enthusiastic Columbia academic, who spends most of his days seeing patients, conducting research, writing and talking about neural-developmental pathologies.

While he foresaw a rise in sales during the pandemic, Dr. Levine remains as mystified at the books success over the last decade as anyone else. I dont think I still fully realize it, he said, laughing. And no, he knew nothing about #AttachmentStyle TikTok.

Read the original here:
Anxious, Avoidant or Secure: 'Attached' Is the Book That's Shaping How We Understand Love - The New York Times

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

India is currently home to over 10-plus million pets. Over time, pet parents have realized the importance of medicine and innovation and the change it can bring about in a pets life. Pet innovation today is booming across treats, food, grooming, wearables, insurance, online veterinary services, genetic testing, stem cell therapy, diagnostics and much more. According to PETEX INDIA 2021, the pet food market alone is projected to cross $310 million by FY22. The pet care industry is globally expanding horizontally and vertically with innovative and challenging minds at work. Medical innovation has brought about effective growth thus making way for new products, services and medicines for pets. Medical procedures such as lasers for joint pains and joint care have helped pet owners make the lives of their furry babies a little less painful.

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A few medical innovations in India have particularly taken the Indian pet care sector a notch higher:

CBD & Hemp Seed Oil For Overall Health & Wellness

CBD, or cannabidiol, is a chemical found in the cannabis sativa plant and is known to have wonderful pain-relieving properties. CBD is one of the most effective natural therapies for dogs suffering from arthritis and many other diseases. It is safe and has no side effects. CBD oil interacts with the cells in the muscle, skin and nerves of pets thereby reducing their pain. CBD and hemp seed oils are now available in the form of oil, shampoos and treats. It also benefits pets with anxiety issues triggered due to loud noises, people or travel and keeps them calm and relaxed. CBD oil is finding an innovative use in health and wellness based products for pets and its multiple visible benefits.Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids in hemp seed oil help control skin breakouts and protect the skin.

They are responsible for creating a healthy cell membrane and help to avoid excessive fur shedding. Hemp serves as the optimum plant-based nutrition that is easily digestible and includes antioxidants that aid elevated health in pets. Hemp seed oil has recently been added to pet food and treats and is also being used in healing balms for dry paws and skin.

Prebiotics & Probiotics For Gut Health

Probiotics are the billions of good bacteria that live in the gastrointestinal tract of animals. Pets respond to supplements in the form of immunity boosters and probiotic strips are easy dissolving strips unlike pills, powders or tablets which the pet might refuse to intake. Probiotics treat diarrhoea, stomach related issues, irritable bowel syndrome, improve digestive health, prevent anxiety, reduce stress and improve general health and well-being. Given its health benefits, prebiotics and probiotics have found their way in pet food as they help to maintain the pH balance in the gut and keep the digestive tract healthy. Probiotics have also recently been introduced in shampoos as they help in supporting a healthy microbiome and defend against common skin problems such as itching dryness, dandruff, hot spots, excessive shedding and yeast in pets.

Assistive Devices To Aid Mobility

Harnesses and slings for dogs suffering from hip dysplasia are gaining popularity among vets and pet parents. These act as a wheel-chair and support the pets rear body and enable them to move around. They also help pets who have lost their hind legs in accidents. Harnesses for pets who are blind have been created such that they form a halo around their head and this will alert the pet if they happen to bump against any object. These innovations may alter the pets appearance but what is important is that it helps pets to live a normal life. The same goes for pets afflicted with arthritis. Elevated feeding stations, ramps to reduce the stress on joints have also become common to households who have aging pets.

Veterinary Diagnostics

Innovation in the use of technology that equips veterinarians to view real-time information on internal bone and muscle structure is in the fray. This will help to speed up the prototype required to create an animal bone model that is generated using the tomography scan technology. This technology is building steam though still in its nascent stage. Two new blood types, Langereis and Junior, have been identified in pets apart from the 12 dog blood types. New diagnostic techniques through tests which can help to diagnose the possibility of diseases in pets, confirm or even classify disease status in pets, is the need of the hour.

According to a study by Grand View Research on veterinary medicine, the global veterinary medicine market size was estimated at $29.2 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 7.4 per cent from 2021 to 2028. Steady medical innovation is solving unsolved and unattended problems that pets have faced since decades. While the offline gap has been filled in by the online D2C revolution in pet care and wellness, advancements in medical innovation remain unhindered despite the pandemic.

Go here to read the rest:
Medical Innovation In Pet Healthcare Is Taking Things Up a Notch - Entrepreneur

Phovia is highly effective for treating superficial and deep skin infections.

This article is sponsored by Vetoquinol.

Superficial bacterial folliculitis, also called superficial pyoderma, is a commonly diagnosed dermatological condition in dogs.1,2 These infections are secondary to primary conditions affecting normal skin barrier function (eg, allergic skin disease, trauma, burns), keratinization (eg, nutritional deficiency, liver disease), and immune regulation (eg, neoplasia, autoimmunity, endocrinopathy).2 Cats less commonly develop superficial pyoderma perhaps because of decreased adhesion of staphylococci to feline corneocytes, but the primary issues causing infection are similar to those seen in dogs.3-8

The primary pathogen associated with superficial pyoderma in dogs and cats is a normal resident of the skin, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, but other flora may be involved.2,8-12 As the normal homeostasis of this organism is disrupted from a primary disease, these gram-positive cocci invade deeper regions of the epidermis and hair follicle epithelium, increase in number, and enhance inflammation.

Classical clinical lesions of superficial pyoderma include papules and pustules that may eventually progress to alopecia, epidermal collarettes, scales, and crusts. Often the skin is erythematous and pruritic. Chronic cases may demonstrate lichenification, hyperpigmentation, and scarring alopecia from long-standing inflammation and infection.2 Cats may develop even more unique cutaneous reaction patterns and skin lesionsespecially when allergic skin disease is presentincluding miliary dermatitis, eosinophilic plaques, rodent ulcers, and eosinophilic granulomas.5

Identifying and addressing the primary disease is paramount in achieving complete, permanent resolution of the superficial pyoderma. Therefore, treatment is multifactorial and aimed at addressing the primary disease, reducing skin inflammation, and treating the infection directly. Current guidelines for the treatment of superficial pyoderma in dogs recommend the use of topical antimicrobials as sole therapy whenever possible; however, overuse of systemic antibiotics remains common.2,13-16

Topical therapy has many benefits including direct antimicrobial effects without use of an antibiotic, reduction in antibiotic-resistant bacterial populations, restoration of the normal skin barrier, enhancement of skin hydration, physical removal of keratinous debris, and removal of offending allergens from the haircoat.2,14 However, topical therapy is met with challenges that impede clinical application. Adherence is the biggest concern when recommending topical therapy to pet owners. Frequent bathing or application of medicated solutions to the skin can be difficult when busy owner lifestyles combine with a nonadherent patient. Skin inflammation can be painful and animals may be resistant to topical therapy. Cats are fastidious groomers and may lick away a medicated topical therapy before it can achieve appropriate contact time. Additionally, some topical agents can cause oral erosions and ulcerations or even gastrointestinal disturbance when groomed off. For these reasons, systemic antibiotics continue to be a common prescribing practice for superficial pyoderma.

All antibiotic use, despite duration or frequency, contributes to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacterial populations on the animal and in the environment.17-19 From that very first dose, bacteria are constantly evolving to implement inherent and acquired resistance mechanisms necessary for survival. One well-recognized mechanism is oxacillin resistance through the mecA gene, which produces a penicillin-binding protein receptor with poor affinity for -lactam antibiotics.2,14,15,20-23 Even more concerning than these oxacillin-resistant strains are those that develop multidrug resistance, which is defined as resistance to 3 or more antibiotic drug classes. This may happen over time with repeated antibiotic exposure or after a single dose of certain antibiotics such as fluorinated quinolones.2,20,23-25 The continued emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria inhibits the successful treatment of bacterial infections in pets and humans. As veterinarians consider how their antibiotic use contributes to this growing pandemic, they must look for alternative, safe, effective, affordable, and convenient antibacterial treatment modalities.

Phovia as a solution

Investigation into the photobiological effects of light therapy has been ongoing for the past 50 years. Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy is a type of light treatment that uses visible or near infrared light to promote therapeutic benefits including induction of tissue healing and regeneration and inhibition of biological responses that induce pain or inflammation. The treatment distance, wavelength, fluence, pulse parameters, spot size, and irradiation time influence the effects of light energy on tissue. Visible light with wavelengths ranging from 400 to 700 nm can stimulate positive photobiomodulatory effects that promote wound healing, reduce inflammation and pain, modulate stem cell populations, and reduce bacterial contamination of wounds.26,27

Once visible light enters the skin, it is absorbed by the cells and initiates chemical changes dependent on the wavelength (or color) of light and the chromophore within the skin.27 Within each cell, membrane-bound organelles called mitochondria contain chromophores that absorb the light energy and begin making energy (adenosine triphosphate; ATP) via activation of cytochrome c oxidase. Outcomes of the mitochondrial respiratory pathway activation include stimulation of secondary messenger pathways, production of transcription factors and growth factors, and increased ATP production. However, excessive light energy exposure will overstimulate mitochondrial respiration and cause expenditure of all ATP reserves, which creates oxidative stress resulting in damaging elevations of nitric oxide, production of harmful free radicals, and activation of cytotoxic mitochondrial-signaling pathways leading to apoptosis.27,28 This is why creating PBM therapy protocols is important for targeting the beneficial effects while avoiding unintended harm.

Specific benefits of light energy within the visible light spectrum can be broken down into each color of light. Blue light (400-500 nm) has a lower penetration depth and primarily interacts with keratinocytes, reduces bacterial adhesion and growth, and increases intracellular calcium and osteoblast differentiation.29-31 Green light (495-570 nm) affects the superficial tissue and alters melanogenesis, reduces hyperpigmentation of the skin, and reduces tissue swelling.29,30 Red light (600-750 nm) penetrates deeper into the dermis and subcutis where it acts on cellular mitochondria to reduce inflammation and promote collagen synthesis through fibroblast proliferation and production of transforming growth factor-, fibroblast growth factor, platelet derived growth factor, and others.26-28,32,33 Red light has proliferative effects on mesenchymal stem cells and induces proliferation of epithelial colony forming units important for tissue repair and regeneration.34,35

Phovia, sold by Vetoquinol, is a form of fluorescent PBM therapy utilizing a blue light emitting diode (LED lamp, 400-460 nm) and topical photoconverter gel that emits low-energy fluorescent light (510-600 nm) when illuminated by the LED lamp.36,37 This interaction results in the formation of multiple wavelengths of visible light, each with a unique depth of penetration and effect on the tissue as described above. Application is fast and simple. The affected skin may be clipped free of hair and cellular debris removed with gentle cleaning. The skin is allowed to dry before application of the photoconverter gel. Just prior to application, 1 ampule of fluorescence chromophore gel is added to 1 container of photoconverter carrier gel and mixed thoroughly. The mixture is applied in a 2-mm layer to the affected skin, and the LED lamp is held 5 cm above the lesion and used to illuminate the area for 2 minutes. The gel is wiped away using saline-soaked gauze. The application can be repeated immediately after 5 to 10 minutes of rest or a second application can occur a few days later. Twice-weekly applications are continued until the wound is healed. Appropriate eyewear is required to protect the operator from the intensely bright light. Application is pain free and stress free for the patient, so sedation is not typically required.

Benefits of Phovia

Phovia shows great promise as a safe, effective therapy for treatment of numerous inflammatory dermatoses in dogs including superficial pyoderma,38 deep pyoderma,39 perianal fistula,40 interdigital dermatitis,41 calcinosis cutis,42 acute traumatic wounds,43 chronic wounds,37 surgical wounds,44 and otitis externa.45 Phovia as a sole therapy speeds time to healing by 36% in canine superficial pyoderma as compared with dogs receiving oral antibiotics alone.38 In one study, dogs with superficial pyoderma were treated with Phovia alone or with an oral antibiotic alone. Dogs treated twice weekly with Phovia demonstrated complete clinical healing in about 2.3 weeks (P < .05)whereas dogs receiving oral antibiotic healed in about 3.75 weeks.38 Additionally, Phovia speeds time to healing by nearly 50% in deep pyoderma when used with an oral antibiotic (5.7 weeks of treatment) compared with dogs receiving only oral antibiotic (11.7 weeks of treatment).39 The ability of this fluorescent PBM therapy to eliminate or significantly reduce duration of exposure to antibiotics will decrease the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains within pets and humans.

Phovias high safety profile makes it a beneficial tool to implement in everyday practice. Training the veterinary team to communicate therapy benefits with clients as well as to perform treatments is fast and easy. Training the veterinary technicians to perform treatments will give the veterinarian time to examine other patients. A single back-to-back application takes about 15 minutes, so pet owners can be in and out of the clinic quickly; however, the 2 weekly treatments can be separated by a few days if the veterinarian prefers to evaluate the patient more frequently. Additionally, when used as a sole therapy, clients are not required to administer oral or topical medications at home. This greatly improves treatment adherence and success. Instruct clients to use once-daily smartphone photos to document improvement at home. This can be useful when deciding how many treatments to perform. Most cases of superficial pyoderma will resolve completely by the third treatment.38 It is a good idea to communicate to clients that 3 to 4 weekly treatments may be required.

Conclusion

Phovia is a versatile, innovative therapeutic approach to numerous types of dermatitis.36 It is easy to implement in general practice, and is safe, pain free, and affordable. Phovia is highly effective for superficial and deep skin infections and eliminates the need for clients to administer numerous at-home treatments. This greatly improves the pet-owner bond and treatment outcomes by promoting adherence. Phovia accelerates time to wound healing, which decreases duration of antibiotic exposure and may reduce risk of antibiotic resistance development in these cases.2,13,36-39 Phovias efficacy against antibiotic-susceptible and antibiotic-resistant bacteria shows promise as an alternative therapeutic approach that promotes the principles of antimicrobial stewardship.36 If you are interested in purchasing this medical device for your practice, contact your Vetoquinol service representative.

Amelia G. White, DVM, MS, DACVD is an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine.

REFERENCES

See more here:
Managing superficial pyoderma with light therapy - DVM 360

The immune system produces immune cells that travel through the lymphatic system to fight off infections and diseases. T-cell lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that affects specific immune cells called T-lymphocytes.

T-cell lymphoma starts in lymphoid tissues, which include the lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, and digestive, or gastrointestinal, tract.

It is a relatively rare disease, accounting for less than 15% of non-Hodgkin lymphomas in the United States.

This article discusses the symptoms, causes, types, diagnosis, and treatment of T-cell lymphoma and the outlook for people with this disease.

T-cell lymphoma is an umbrella term for cancers affecting T-cells. T-cell lymphoma can develop from precursor or immature cells (blasts) or mature cells.

This type of lymphoma affects immature forms of T-cells and constitutes 1% of all lymphomas. It is a fast-growing cancer that tends to affect younger individuals and males.

More modern classifications refer to PTCL as mature T-cell lymphoma (MTCL), as it affects mature forms of T cells.

The 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of tumors of hematopoietic and lymphoid tissues lists 29 types of PTCL. These include:

T-cell lymphoma has a vast range of symptoms, which vary among the types.

However, the characteristic symptoms typically present late in the disease when it is already in the aggressive stages. The initial symptoms often overlap with those of other, benign conditions, making diagnosis challenging.

People with lymphoma may show general, nonspecific symptoms called B symptoms. These include:

A person may see or feel lumps on certain parts of the body where lymph nodes are present.

These areas include:

These are usually not painful compared with swollen lymph nodes that occur because of an infection, which are known as reactive nodes.

People with CTCL may initially notice itchy, dry patches that can appear red or purple, depending on a persons skin tone. Some of these patches may thicken and cause the skin to break. As the disease progresses, small bumps and nodules may appear.

Learn more about lymphoma rashes here.

Lymphoma that affects the brain can cause headaches, difficulty paying attention and processing thoughts, mood and personality changes, and seizures.

Lymphoma can also occur in areas near the brain and spinal cord, causing symptoms such as slurred speech, double vision, and facial numbness. Weakness or numbness of other body parts can also happen.

Lymphoma in the abdomen can make the liver and spleen swell, causing abdominal pain. An enlarged spleen may make a person feel full easily or cause them to lose their appetite. Lymphoma in the stomach may result in vomiting and nausea.

Lymph nodes in the chest may grow and cause chest pain or pressure. They can also press on the windpipe and cause coughing or breathing problems.

Sometimes, the lymphoma can press on the superior vena cava (SVC), causing blood to pool back in the veins. This may lead to SVC syndrome, a life threatening condition.

Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma may cause nasal obstruction, nosebleeds, or nasal bone destruction. People with adult T-cell lymphoma may have hypercalcemia and areas of bone destruction called lytic bone lesions.

In most cases, the cause of T-cell lymphoma is unknown. However, experts associate CTCL with the dysregulation of certain genes and signaling pathways. Some reports also link it with chronic skin inflammation.

Certain types of T-cell lymphoma may be due, at least in part, to viral exposure. For instance, adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma is linked with the HTLV-1 virus. In 6699% of AITL cases, people have previously contracted the Epstein-Barr virus (EPV).

A 2018 study suggests that adults aged 50 years and above with celiac disease have a higher risk of developing EATL.

Additionally, a family history of myeloma and T-cell activating autoimmune disease increases a persons chance of having T-cell lymphoma.

After asking a person about their medical history and symptoms and examining them for physical signs, a doctor will likely recommend further lab testing.

They will generally request a biopsy of the lymph node for lab testing. If the symptoms indicate that lymphoma is present in other parts of the body, they may extract fluid samples to check for lymphoma cells. They may use:

Pathologists will carry out several tests on the samples to diagnose lymphoma and determine the type. Tests include:

Doctors may also request imaging tests, such as a chest X-ray, CT scan, MRI scan, PET scan, or ultrasound. These can help them find possible causes of the symptoms, determine the extent of the lymphoma, monitor treatment progress, and, at a later stage, check for the recurrence of the disease.

Treatment options for this type of lymphoma include:

Treatment for CTCL consists of topical therapy and systemic therapy. Topical therapy includes:

Other skin-directed treatment options are radiation therapy, which includes electron beam radiation and total skin electron beam (TSEB) therapy, and phototherapy, which may use UVA, UVA with psoralen (PUVA), or UVB.

A 2021 review states that novel treatments for CTCL, including targeted therapies and histone deacetylase and mTOR inhibitors, have potential benefits for people with this disease.

As PTCL is a rare disease, treatments are based on the findings of clinical trials, and experts are still looking for novel therapies for the condition. However, since it is a fast-growing disease, people with PTCL usually receive intensive chemotherapy. The standard first-line chemotherapy treatment for PTCL is CHOP, which stands for:

Other regimens, which include the drug etoposide, are CHEOP and EPOCH. These treatments are more suitable for young individuals.

However, a 2019 review suggests that adding etoposide to a CHOP regimen does not significantly change the therapeutic effects.

Another chemo combination option for some of these lymphomas is:

Doctors give less intensive drugs, such as gemcitabine and bendamustine, to individuals who cannot tolerate intensive chemo.

They may sometimes recommend autologous stem cell treatment (ASCT) to individuals who have responded well to initial treatment. ASCT may lead to complete remission in certain types of T-cell lymphoma.

Lymphomas in localized areas may be treatable with radiation. Doctors may recommend surgery to remove certain parts of the intestine.

T-cell lymphoma generally has less favorable outcomes than its B-cell counterparts. However, the presence of specific markers affects outlook. For example, having Ki-67, EBV, or CD 26 is associated with a less positive outlook, while AKL and TCR BF1 indicate a better outlook.

A persons outlook also depends on factors such as their age and the type and stage of T-cell lymphoma. Doctors will also take into account extranodal involvement and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels.

CTCL are lifelong conditions that tend to recur when people stop getting treatments. Over time, these diseases tend to stop responding to treatment despite the various options available.

People in the initial stages of CTCL have a similar life expectancy as healthy individuals, and many people with CTCL die from unrelated diseases such as infections. People with SS are less likely to have a good outlook, as the disease has a median survival rate of 24 years.

T-cell lymphoma is an umbrella term for a rare group of blood cancers affecting the immune cells commonly present in lymphoid tissues. The type of T-cell lymphoma will determine the symptoms, management, and outlook.

T-cell lymphoma can be challenging to diagnose. However, anyone who experiences fever, weakness, and sudden weight loss alongside swollen lymph nodes should speak with a doctor about undergoing medical tests.

Here is the original post:
T-cell lymphoma: Symptoms, pictures, and treatment - Medical News Today

I'm a firm believer that no life is complete without an awesome dog to love up on, in fact, I love dogs so much I have three of them at home. If you agree with my dog-loving philosophy, but don't currently have a dog that fills the part, head over to Winnebago County Animal Services in Rockford sometime today or Saturday, (October 29 & 30).

October has been deemed "Subaru Loves Pets Month", so Napleton Subaru is bringing their pet-loving mission to Winnebago County Animal Services this weekend in hopes they'll find a whole bunch of awesome dogs some loving homes.

Napleton Subaru and Winnebago County Animal Services' "Make A Dog's Day " will feature:

Winnebago County Animal Services currently has many awesome dogs available for adoption, but not all of them will be eligible for the discounted adoption fee during the next two days. All potential adopters should fill out an adoption application online before heading to the shelter if they want tomake the process faster, (and not miss out on your dream dog). Adoptions during the "Make A Dog's Day" event will take place Friday (October 29) from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, (October 30) from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Available dogs and more information about the adoption process can be found now at winnebagoanimals.org.

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.

KEEP LOOKING: See What 50 of America's Most 'Pupular' Dog Breeds Look Like as Puppies

See original here:
Adopt a New Boo At a Discount This Weekend in Rockford - q985online.com

Alzheimers disease and other types of dementia affect more than 55 million people worldwide. But the development of effective treatments and cures is progressing slowly. To some extent, this is because we still dont understand enough about what causes the disease and drives its progression.

Myself and my colleagues most recent work, published in Science Advances, presents a new approach using ideas from other areas of science to analyse data from Alzheimers patients. In this way, weve been able to build a better understanding of the processes that control the progression of Alzheimers disease in the brain.

By way of background, in Alzheimers disease and many other neurodegenerative diseases, like Parkinsons disease, proteins that are normally part of healthy brain cells start sticking together in microscopic clumps. These clumps of protein, called aggregates, form in patients brains, killing off brain cells and leading to symptoms such as memory loss.

As the number of aggregates increases, the disease worsens and eventually leads to death, often many years after the first mild symptoms. Several processes likely contribute to the formation of aggregates, but scientists are yet to understand how aggregates form in detail, and which processes are the most important in controlling how quickly they form.

Read more: Alzheimer's: new research shows a leap forward in identifying neurons vulnerable to the disease

Research into Alzheimers disease often uses lab animals, such as mice, to mimic the human disease. This approach can be very useful for investigating specific aspects of the disease, such as the effect of genetic factors. But its not a great model for the disease as a whole. This is partly because Alzheimers normally takes decades to develop in humans, and lab animals can only be studied over a much shorter timescale.

Weve been in need of a way to understand the progression of Alzheimers disease in the brain using data directly from humans. Until now, this has been difficult, firstly because the data from humans is much more limited than what we can obtain in lab animals (we can modify lab animals, but not humans). Its also been tricky because the mathematical models to combine and analyse different kinds of human data relevant in this context did not exist.

This is where our work comes in. Using an approach from physical chemistry called chemical kinetics, we were able to work out what happens at the microscopic level in the Alzheimers brain. Chemical kinetics allows us to understand the way molecules interact with each other, and how quickly, without having to be able to zoom in and watch at the molecular level.

For example, we can work out how bleach destroys coloured molecules simply by looking at how quickly a stain disappears when bleach is applied. With Alzheimers disease, its much more complex, but weve been able to apply the same ideas to determine how aggregates form in an Alzheimers brain.

Over more than ten years, weve used chemical kinetics in increasingly complex systems, starting in a test tube. Our new study represents the first time weve been able to apply these methods to human data, such as from PET scans in patients living with Alzheimers, brain microscopy of patients who have died with the disease, and other measurement techniques.

We found that the protein aggregates in brains of Alzheimers disease patients multiply exponentially, meaning one aggregate produces two aggregates after a certain period of time, which then, after the same amount of time has passed again, produce four aggregates, and so on.

As weve all experienced during the COVID pandemic, exponential growth can appear deceptively slow at first, and then result in a seemingly sudden increase. In Alzheimers disease, this explains why patients experience no symptoms or mild symptoms while aggregates initially build up, followed by much more rapid progression and worsening of symptoms.

One encouraging finding from our work is that the human brain is actually quite good at slowing down the multiplication of aggregates. We found it takes around five years to double the amount of aggregates, which is over ten times longer than in lab animals or the test tube. The reason for this likely relates to many factors, such as the presence of molecules that slow down different steps of aggregation in the brain. Its all part of our ongoing research.

Read more: Is Alzheimer's caused by disruptions to the brain's energy supply?

Another process scientists are very interested in is the spreading of aggregates from one region of the brain to another. We also investigated how important this process is in driving the progression of disease and found, surprisingly, that it appears to have little effect on the speed of progression. While spreading may influence the location of the initial aggregates to some degree, we found the main factor that controls the speed of progression is the multiplication of aggregates in individual brain regions.

We can think about this by returning to COVID-19. Stopping travel between countries is not a particularly effective way to stem cases when there are already significant numbers of infected people in the original country. We found that, in the same way, stopping spreading of aggregates between brain regions is unlikely to help slow down Alzheimers once its started.

Targeting the multiplication of aggregates in individual regions of the brain is likely to be a more promising strategy. We might one day be able to harness this approach to slow down the disease and give patients several more years of healthy life.

See the article here:
Alzheimer's: our research sheds light on how the disease progresses in the brain - The Conversation UK

One thing Grand Junction pet owners have in common is that we love to spoil our pets.

The grocery store shelves are lined with all kinds of food for dogs and cats. If you go to a pet store, you'll see aisle after aisle of dog and cat food in cans and bags. In fact, it's almost mind-boggling to see so many varieties of pet food. Yet, we just can't help ourselves when it comes to giving our pets special human food treats.

Once your pet discovers human food, you are doomed to a lifetime of spoiling your beloved pet. How can you possibly resist that sweet face, that longing look, and those adorable begging eyes? And when you see the joy and pleasure your pet gets from each special treat, you only want to do it more and more.

I've never been one to give my dog scraps from the table, but I have been as guilty as the next person when it comes to showering it with special treats - a chip, a cracker, gravy on the dry dog food, a sprinkling of cheese, and watching with delight as they lick the nearly empty whipped cream container clean.

Recently, we asked pet owners to tell us what human food their pet is obsessed with and we found out we are not alone when it comes to giving our pets special treats. We received some fantastic responses and we can tell Grand Junction loves to spoil their pets, and Grand Junction pets clearly love to eat some crazy human foods.

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.

Most popular dog breeds that are good for families

See more here:
The Crazy Human Foods Grand Junction Pets Love To Eat - kool1079.com

You have seen on these pages recently pictures and videos of places where you can find lots of snakes at one location. But, with all due respect to our friends in southern Illinois, we have found a place where you have never seen so many snakes in one place. In. Your. Life.

The area around Narcisse, Manitoba, Canada, is not much to look at. The landscape is basically a little topsoil on top of limestone with small caves underneath.

And, it's cold, even for Canada.

The reason so many tourists flock to Narcisse each spring is to see over 70,000 Canadian Red Sided Garter Snakes emerge from their winter hibernation.

Experts say it is likely the biggest concentration of snakes in the world.

And, when that many snakes wake up in the spring from a long winter's nap, the males have just one thing on their mind ... and it ain't baseball.

Oh, and did we mention ... there are about 100 male snakes for every female.

The result is what is known as a garter snake mating ball, which has to be seen to be believed.

I'm told that these mating balls are not snake orgies. The males are trying to harass the female, getting her to let her guard down ... if you know what I mean.

And, just so you know, garter snakes in general are no danger to humans. The only problems they present is to the outnumbered females.

To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.

Missouri Lake Mansion Tucked Up Next to Lake of the Ozarks

Excerpt from:
'It's the Biggest Concentration of Snakes in the World' - KHMO News-Talk-Sports

This article was originally published here

Clin Lymphoma Myeloma Leuk. 2021 Aug 31:S2152-2650(21)02014-0. doi: 10.1016/j.clml.2021.08.012. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) is a useful tool for identifying high-risk features in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). This study evaluated the role of autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in patients presenting with positive results on PET/CT scans.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 210 patients who underwent PET/CT at diagnosis were retrospectively reviewed. Eligible patients for transplantation proceeded to upfront ASCT with high-dose chemotherapy (HDT) after induction therapy with novel agents.

RESULTS: The presence of a number of focal lesions (FL) >3 and extramedullary disease (EMD) occurred in 111 and 35 patients, respectively. ASCT was performed in 54 patients. Among patients with FL > 3, those treated with ASCT showed a prolonged 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates compared to those not treated with ASCT (PFS, 60.2% vs. 23.5%, P < 0.001; OS, 91.7% vs. 63.6%, P = 0.005). In patients with FL 3, treatment by ASCT was associated with a higher 2-year PFS rate than no treatment by ASCT (74.0% vs. 54.9%, P = 0.040). The OS of patients treated with ASCT was not significantly longer than that of patients not treated with ASCT (P = 0.115). In multivariate analysis, FL > 3, Revised International Staging System (R-ISS), and upfront ASCT were independent prognostic factors for PFS and OS.

CONCLUSION: Presenting FL > 3 on baseline PET/CT represents a high-risk feature in patients with NDMM. Frontline ASCT with HDT prolonged the survival of patients with FL > 3.

PMID:34598908 | DOI:10.1016/j.clml.2021.08.012

Original post:
Favorable Long-Term Outcomes with Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for High-Risk Multiple Myeloma Patients with a Positive Result On (18)F-FDG...

Peter Voorhees, MD, provides a broad overview on risk assessment and the goals of therapy in multiple myeloma management.

Transcript:

Peter Voorhees, MD: How do we determine risk in newly diagnosed patients with myeloma? There are a number of factors that we look at. One is the cytogenetic risk factors. Does the patient have a myeloma that harbors del(17p) or 1 of the high-risk IGH translocation such as 14;16, 14;20, or 4;14? Theres an increase in the body of literature supporting increased risk with regard to gain of 1q21.1. In particular, 4 or more copies are harbored by the multiple myeloma. We also look at the International Staging System [ISS]. Patients with ISS stage III disease certainly dont fare as well as their stage I and II counterparts. Then theres the revised ISS, which incorporates cytogenetic risk and high LDH [lactate dehydrogenase], which we know is a marker of more aggressive proliferative disease along with the ISS. Theres a number of other factors that we look at, including the presence of circulating plasma cells in peripheral blood; 5% or more typically connotes a more aggressive version of multiple myeloma. Advanced imaging techniques, such as PET [positron emission tomography]/CT, can help us determine whether theres the presence of extramedullary multiple myeloma at the time of diagnosis, which is also an indicator of high-risk disease.

The goal of treatment for a patient with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma is to drive the disease into as deep of a remission as possible and, by doing so, ameliorate the morbidities theyre experiencing related to their multiple myeloma at the time of initial diagnosis and to prevent additional morbidity arising as a result of their multiple myeloma over the long term. Deep remission and sustained remission achieve both of those goals, but we want to do it in a way thats not overly toxic with regard to adverse effects.

How do we determine if a patient is eligible for autologous stem cell transplantation? Increasingly were using age less frequently as that determinant. There are a good number of patients 70 years of age and older, and theyre perfectly capable of getting through high-dose melphalan chemotherapy, just as well as their 50- and 60-year-old counterparts. We look at fitness frailty more than we do chronologic age. Does the patient have comorbidities that would impact the safety of going through high-dose chemotherapy? There are a number of frailty scores, including 1 that was adapted by the International Myeloma Working Group that could help predict potentially more severe adverse effects related to treatment for patients with myeloma. Those metrics can be very helpful in making a decision about whether to proceed with transplant.

Transcript edited for clarity.

Here is the original post:
Risk Assessment and Goals of Therapy in Multiple Myeloma - Targeted Oncology