West Nile virus causes fetal brain damage like Zika

West Nile and Powassan can spread from an infected pregnant mouse to her fetuses, causing brain damage and fetal death, according to a new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The findings suggest that Zika may not be unique in its ability to cause miscarriages and birth defects.

It is possible that viruses related to Zika, such as West Nile, pose the same risk to developing fetuses that Zika does. Researchers linked Zika infection in pregnant women with the risk of bearing babies born with microcephaly, or abnormally small heads.

Like Zika, both belong to the flavivirus family and target neural tissues. West Nile Virus (WNV) has the potential to cross the placenta and damage developing fetuses, according to new studies in mice. As part of the study and for comparison, Platt and Miner also wanted to study the effects of two mosquito-borne viruses only distantly related to Zika: chikungunya and Mayaro. Both are found in Brazil and can cause arthritis.

They injected female mice at day six of their pregnancies with one of the four viruses, then examined the placentas and fetuses a week later. All four viruses infected the placentas and fetuses, but levels of West Nile virus were 23- to 1,500-fold higher than those of the other three viruses in the placentas, and 3,000- to 16,000-fold higher in the heads of the fetal mice.

In addition, brain tissue from West Nile-infected fetuses showed severe damage under the microscope, while brain tissue from chikungunya-infected fetuses appeared healthy. They found that the three flaviviruses - Zika, West Nile and Powassan - multiplied in human placentas while chikungunya and Mayaro did not.
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Infliximab for reducing inflammation

Infliximab reduces the effects of a substance in the body that can cause inflammation. Infliximab is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and ankylosing spondylitis. Infliximab is also used to treat severe or disabling plaque psoriasis. Infliximab is often used when other medicines have not been effective.

Using infliximab may increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer, including a rare fast-growing type of lymphoma that can be fatal. Infliximab can lower blood cells that help the body fight infections. Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur.  However, people with autoimmune disorders (including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriasis) may have a higher risk of lymphoma.

Using infliximab may increase the risk of developing other types of cancer, including skin cancer. Before you start treatment with infliximab, your doctor may perform tests to make sure you do not have tuberculosis (TB) or other infections. Infliximab is injected into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be watched closely after receiving infliximab, to make sure the medicine has not caused any serious side effects.

Infliximab can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using infliximab, or you could develop a serious infection. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.

Some side effects may occur during the injection. Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, itchy or tingly, swollen, short of breath, or have a headache, fever, chills, muscle or joint pain, pain or tightness in your throat, chest pain, or trouble swallowing during the injection. Infusion reactions may also occur within 1 or 2 hours after injection.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; chest pain, difficult breathing; fever, chills, severe dizziness; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with infliximab. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as: fever, extreme tiredness, flu symptoms, cough, or skin symptoms (pain, warmth, or redness).
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Mental health condition surpreses the immune system

According to new research, depression increases the risk of an early death.
Men's risk of a premature death increases three-fold when suffering from the mental health condition, while women's risk is heightened by up to 50 percent.

Depression causes the release of stress hormones that suppress the immune system, putting sufferers at an increased risk of conditions such as cancer. People with the mental health condition may have unhealthy lifestyle habits, including a poor diet, inactivity and excessive alcohol intake.

Researchers analyzed more than 3000 adults between 1952 and 1967, 1968 and 1990, and 1991 and 2011. The study's participants' had an average age of 50 when the trial started. Results reveal depression increases the risk of an early death by up to three times. Men's risk increases three-fold, while women's peaks at 51 percent.

Depression is linked to the release of stress hormones that suppress the immune system, putting sufferers at increased risk of disorders including multiple sclerosis, arthritis and some. cancers. People with depression may also neglect their physical health through lifestyle habits such as a poor diet, inactivity, smoking and excessive alcohol intake. The mental health condition is more prevalent in women, however, past findings suggest men suffer the effects of it more as they are often less inclined to seek help.

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Fish consumption ease arthritis pain

Regular consumption of fish ease joints pain caused by arthritis and prevents rheumatoid arthritis. Fish rich in Omega 3 oil are tuna, salmon, sardines, sashimi, sushi, trout, sole, halibut, grouper and poke.

Levels of inflammation will be lower with daily consumption of fish rich in omega 3. Researchers discovered that
eating fish at least twice weekly led to a reduction in disease activity among people with rheumatoid arthritis compared with eating fish less than once per month.

 Researchers analyzed data from 176 individuals with rheumatoid arthritis, food frequency questionnaire was used to gather information on participants' fish intake.

They were divided into four groups based on the frequency of their fish consumption: never to once per month; once each month to less than once per week; once each week; and more than twice per week.

Compared with participants who never ate fish or ate it less than once every month, the researchers discovered that participants who consumed fish more than twice each week showed significantly lower disease activity.

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Exercise aids healing process

Exercise has a positive effect on more than 85 per cent of physical and functional capacity indicators in patients suffering from more than 20 diseases.

It boosts patients' strength, balance, and ability to walk and complete everyday tasks. Being active prevents many diseases and aids healing process.

Researchers from the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, conducted a review of the effects of exercise therapy on 22 of the most common chronic diseases, including arthritis, heart failure, Alzheimer's disease and certain cancers.

This was then compared against patients doing no exercise or receiving standard care. Exercise has a positive effect on 86 per cent of physical performance and functional capacity indicators.

Exercise is a safe way to improve functional capacity and reduce disability in patients with chronic diseases.

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Links between gout and western diet

Regular consumption of Western diet can increase the risk of developing gout, researchers have discovered that people are at risk of developing gout  if they continue to eat processed meats, soft drinks, French fries, sugar, sweets and desserts.

Diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains may prevent gout. Latest research discovered that eating these types of foods in preference to red meat could prevent gout.

Gout is a form of arthritis which affects a lot of people, it occurs when crystals form inside the joints causing sudden attacks of severe pain and swelling. It is
common in men over 30 years and women after the menopause.

It is caused by a build-up of uric acid which forms tiny crystals near the joints. Fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains have ingredients that can prevent gout.

How to treat disease with exercise

Regular exercise can prevent many health problems, and prevents diseases like diabetes, asthma and arthritis.

Exercise improves endurance, builds muscle, burns fat, and increases flexibility.

Diabetes
Diabetic who exercise regularly build muscle, making them less likely to store extra glucose as fat. It also lowers glucose in the blood and improves insulin sensitivity.

Asthma
It strengthen lungs and prevents regular attack.

Arthritis
Exercise reduces pain related to arthritis.