No real need for booster vaccination, say experts as JN.1 spreads in India

There is no real need for booster vaccination, said experts even as JN.1, from the lineage of Omicron variant of Covid, is rapidly spreading in the country.

First detected in Luxembourg in August, JN.1 is currently present in about 41 countries, including India.

It is currently classified as a variant of interest (VOI) by the World Health Organisation (WHO) due to its rapid spread.

India reportedly has a total of 109 JN.1 variant cases, till December 26, majorly from Gujarat, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Kerala, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.

Dr. Pramod V. Satya, Consultant - Internal Medicine, Manipal Hospital Millers Road, told IANS that the current vaccines may not totally prevent the JN.1 virus infection, but since the viral infection is very less severe, "I think we can get away without booster vaccines".

"Also because, the JN.1 is only a sub variant of the Omicron variants, the vaccination that we had taken two years back had protected against severe Omicron variants.

"There is no renewed risk of this new JN.1 variant causing severe illness. Since the disease is causing illness like any other common upper respiratory infection. I don't think there should be a panic or there's a real need for booster vaccination as of now," Dr Satya said.

Despite the surge in Covid cases as well as an increase in JN.1 infections, the Health Ministry has also ruled out the need for any additional booster or precautionary doses to be administered to the general public.

According to data released by the Health Ministry on Wednesday, a total of 220.67 crore Covid vaccine doses have been administered across the country as on December 21 this year. However, only 22.88 crore precautionary or booster doses have been administered across the country among the eligible adult population.

Over 97 per cent of eligible citizens have received the first dose of the vaccine, while over 90 per cent received a second dose, the data showed.

"The JN.1 strain of Covid is spreading rapidly. But this is not to be worried about. Covid vaccination has given immunity against Covid and most likely it is going to help fight JN.1 strain of Covid, as well. No need to have an additional booster dose for JN.1, per se," Dr Ravindra Gupta, Head of Department (Internal Medicine), C K Birla Hospital told IANS, noting there is no need to panic.

"JN.1 has a few mutations compared to the Delta and other Covid variants. But JN.1 has an additional mutation in a spike protein which can evade the normal immune responses and so it transmits very fast," Dr. Satya said.

"This means the infection number will be higher, but it will be very, very mild, even milder than the routine flu. However, no current data shows that it has new or severe symptoms or the public needs to panic about," he added.

India also recorded 529 fresh Covid-19 cases in a single day, while the active infection count stood at 4,093, the Health Ministry said on Wednesday. Three new fatalities - two from Karnataka and one from Gujarat - were reported in a span of 24 hours, according to the ministry's data updated at 8 a.m. The ministry has issued a recent alert to states asking them to step up testing and surveillance in preparation for any further surge in cases.

"Infants, toddlers and elderly above 60, as also those who have diabetes, chronic kidney disease and chronic lung disease must take extra care by using masks in public places and improve immunity by adequate nutrition and control of diabetes," Dr Gupta said.

He also recommended the use of sanitisers, and masks to help prevent the exposure of disease.

https://www.newkerala.com/news/2023/131284.htm

IIT researchers harness plant cells to produce anti-cancer drug

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and Mandi have metabolically engineered the plant cells of Nothapodytes nimmoniana to increase the production of Camptothecin, which is used to treat cancer.

Using computational tools, researchers at IIT Madras' Plant Cell Technology Lab developed a genome-scale metabolic model for N. nimmoniana plant cells.

The team experimentally validated the overexpression of an enzyme predicted by the model, leading to the development of a 5-fold high camptothecin-yielding cell line of N. nimmoniana in comparison to the untransformed plant cell line.

This can be a major boost to produce cancer-treating drugs as Camptothecin -- the third most in-demand alkaloid -- is commercially extracted in India from Nothapodytes nimmoniana, which is an endangered plant, they said in the paper published in the peer-reviewed Journal Frontiers of Plant Science.

“Integration of metabolic engineering with bioprocess engineering principles can ensure enhanced and sustainable production of Camptothecin, to continuously meet its increasing market demand in minimum time and cost in addition to natural resource conservation,” Said Prof. Smita Srivastava, from the Department of Biotechnology, IIT Madras.

Cancer has been a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting to nearly 10 million deaths in 2020 according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In India, the number of cases is expected to rise to 15.7 lakh by 2025 according to the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Cancer Registry Programme.

With increasing cancer incidences each day, the demand for enhanced production of anti-cancer drugs has been a compelling need of the hour.

Due to extensive overharvesting to meet the market demand its major plant sources are now red-listed as per IUCN. The N. nimmoniana population has seen more than a 20 per cent decline in the last decade alone.

Camptothecin (CPT) is an important anti-cancer drug lead molecule for high-value drugs like Topotecan and Irinotecan. It is a potent topoisomerase I inhibitor extracted mainly from - Camptotheca acuminata (native to Eastern Asia) and Nothapodytes nimmoniana (native to India).

However, the conjunction of climate change and extensive deforestation undertaken for CPT extraction has pushed these plants into the endangered species category.

“The new platform technology for model-based rational metabolic engineering of plant cells can be adapted to enhance the production of many other high-value phytochemicals as well. This study can pave the way for effective and efficient commercial production of camptothecin and other medicinally important monoterpene indole alkaloids, with reduced dependence on nature,” said co-investigator Prof. Karthik Raman, from IIT Madras.

 https://www.newkerala.com/news/2023/131341.htm

Study finds cell-based therapy to fight cancer

Wistar researchers successfully evaluated a simple intervention that could unlock higher anti-tumour potential in T-cell therapies, a strategy known as "cell-based therapy," which uses specifically tailored T cells to combat cancer.

Dr. Hildegund C.J. Ertl, a professor in The Wistar Institute's Vaccine & Immunotherapy Centre, led the team that demonstrated an exciting concept: that the common cholesterol drug fenofibrate can boost T cells' ability to destroy human tumours, as described in their new paper, "Treatment with the PPAR agonist fenofibrate improves the efficacy of CD8+ T cell therapy for melanoma,"

CD8+ T cells work very well in fighting liquid tumors, but for solid tumors like melanoma, the cell-based therapy approach can stall due to the physical structure of the cancer.

The T cells infiltrate the tumor, but the cancer adapts and saps the T cells' energy by hijacking the form of metabolism that the T cells use: glycolysis, which turns sugar into energy.

Without energy, the T cells first lose functions and then die, and the cancer continues to grow.

But Dr. Ertl's team has been able to circumvent this problem by forcing T cells to use a different energy source than glucose.

They used fenofibrate because, as a cholesterol-lowering compound, the drug is a PPARa agonist.

When PPARa is upregulated, cellular metabolism is switched from glycolysis to fatty acid oxidation, or FAO.

This mechanism works to improve cholesterol levels in human patients, but for Dr. Ertl's purposes, the fenofibrate-induced switch to FAO provided T cells with a form of energy that cancer couldn't exploit -- which is how Dr. Ertl proved that fenofibrate has been able to boost the killing power of T cells deployed against cancerous cell lines.

In this paper, the authors wanted to see whether this kind of cancer-killing improvement would have similar effects when deployed against not just cancer cell lines but solid human tumor fragments -- a more challenging proposition.

The group treated T cells with fenofibrate, and the hypothesis held: Dr. Ertl's team watched the T cells treated with fenofibrate survive longer and kill more cancer in preclinical models with human solid tumor masses than the T cells that didn't receive the treatment.

"Treating T cells with fenofibrate before using them as a cancer treatment flips a switch of sorts in their metabolism," said Dr. Hildegund Ertl.

"Once that switch is flipped, T cells can destroy the cancer much more effectively. And we've confirmed that this holds for larger human tumor masses."

As a result of these findings, Dr. Ertl and her team think this intervention shows great promise for future anti-tumor therapies. "Melanoma is the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Anything we can do to chip away at the cancer and destroy more of it -- even a simple pre-treatment step like this one -- can make a world of difference."

https://www.newkerala.com/news/2023/131438.htm

Cell, gene therapy to rule pharma sector in 2024: Report

Cell and gene therapy (CGT) will have the greatest impact on the pharmaceutical industry in 2024, according to a report on Thursday.

The report by GlobalData, a data and analytics company, is based on a survey of 115 healthcare industry professionals.

It revealed that 18 per cent of industry professionals were convinced that CGT will dominate as the most important trend in pharma next year. This was followed by personalised/precision medicine (16 per cent).

"Cell and gene therapies are gradually becoming more important focus areas within the healthcare industry and their full potential is still unrealised. While this is a relatively new area, with the first autologous dendritic cell therapy Provenge approved in 2010 for prostate cancer, these therapies promise life-changing treatments for a broad spectrum of complex diseases ranging from genetic conditions to cancers," said Urte Jakimaviciute, Senior Director of Market Research at GlobalData, in a statement.

Although Global Data anticipates cell and gene therapies to become an established treatment modality in the years to come, higher development and production costs, the risk of clinical trial failures, and intensifying pricing and reimbursement pressures will continue to place further stress on these innovations.

"The industry may try to offset the high development costs by outsourcing. One of the recent examples is Bayer’s announcement of a cooperation with Shanghai Pharmaceuticals China in November 2023 to set up its first Chinese lab for CGT and cancer drug development. With lower R&D development costs than in advanced markets, countries like China are becoming attractive markets for the development of CGT, and therefore may emerge as strong competitors of overseas-made CGT," Jakimaviciute said.

The report estimates that the global CGT market is projected to reach $80 billion by 2029.

Oncology is expected to continue its lead as the indication and area of major development for cell and gene therapies, accounting for 44 per cent of the CGT market by 2029.

"Even though cell and gene therapies are mainly approved for the use in the oncology space, the versatility of these therapies means that they can be used in both acquired and inherited diseases. Other therapeutic areas that can benefit the most from CGT include neurodegenerative, autoimmune, and cardiovascular diseases," Jakimaviciute said.

https://www.newkerala.com/news/2023/131450.htm

For Huntington’s disease clues, scientists are looking in fruit flies

Understanding how Huntington’s disease progresses at the molecular level could reveal some mechanism that, if interrupted, can stop it in its tracks.

A male common fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster), about 2 mm long, is seen sitting on a blade of grass.

Every month, the medical genetics clinic in the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, sees about three to four people with Huntington’s disease. The numbers might appear small, but in each case behind the individual lies a family devastated.

At first, Huntington’s disease patients have mild symptoms: forgetfulness, loss of balance, and clumsiness in performing simple tasks. The symptoms begin in the ages 30-50, by when the patient might also have had children. The condition progressively worsens. The patient suffers mood swings, has difficulty in reasoning, shows abnormal and uncontrollable jerky movements, and experiences difficulty in speaking, swallowing, and walking.

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/huntingtons-disease-polyglutamine-tracts-yod1-gene-explained/article67673806.ece

Revolutionizing Diabetes Management with Digital Health Ecosystem

Technology advancement, in today’s time, is paving the way for informed decision making. From the rise of e-commerce and apps for ride-sharing services, to video streaming options, technology is making it easy for people to deal with their day-to-day lives. As technology continues to advance, we will see new innovations emerge that will have meaningful impact across industries. Hence, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that digital solutions have been transforming the way people manage their health and take care of themselves.

Recently, Abbott, the global healthcare leader, announced the launch of its digital health tool, FreeStyle LibreLink app in India. The mobile application will allow people who use the FreeStyle Libre system to measure their glucose to now get their readings on their mobile phones anytime, anywhere without the pain of pricking. By launching an integrated FreeStyle Libre digital platform, Abbott aims to empower people to better manage their diabetes through easy monitoring, easy insights and easy connection. The mobile app is available to work on compatible iPhone and Android smartphones.

How will the FreeStyle LibreLink app help patients?

The app enables people with diabetes to see their glucose data in real-time on their smartphones, and easily share the information with their doctors and caregivers. The mobile app uses near-field communication (NFC) technology to transfer glucose data from the sensor to the mobile app, allowing people to help track eight-hour glucose history, real-time trend patterns to manage food, insulin use, medication and exercise on their smartphone. This eliminates the need to use a separate reader for glucose monitoring.

People using FreeStyle LibreLink can share information with their healthcare professional and caregivers through LibreView and LibreLinkUp, digital health tools that are also part of the FreeStyle Libre platform. While LibreView is a secure, cloud-based diabetes management system that enables the patient to share their glucose insights with their healthcare provider helping him take timely intervention, LibreLinkUp is a mobile app for parents and caregivers, allowing them to easily check glucose history and trends for a child, elderly parent or loved ones managing diabetes.

People using the FreeStyle LibreLink app have access to latest updates and new features in comparison to the FreeStyle Libre reader. This includes a larger, high-resolution display, text-to-speech capabilities for glucose readings (when enabled), and data shared automatically through the app without the need to upload it manually. While the app can replace the reader, the two can also be used in combination with each other.

Transforming lives with a connected care ecosystem

With monitoring tools and data at our disposal, we are taking a step closer to enable holistic care for people with diabetes. At the same time, such solutions can yield economic benefits by reducing hospitalizations, supporting early interventions, and lowering the risk of complications and related doctor visits and treatment. This is reflected in the findings of several global studies. The Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD) Nationwide audit highlighted a 50% reduction seen in monthly hospital admissions for hyperglycemia or related diabetes complications. Similarly, a US MarketScan study reported a 32% reduction in all cause hospitalization in people with type 2 diabetes.

The potential of technology to transform the lives of people with diabetes is immense and unlimited. With CGM devices and connected digital health apps, people with diabetes can lead fuller lives of greater convenience and comfort. This helps in moving forward with freedom to participate in activities that bring them joy, while they actively make decisions to stay in control of their diabetes. These solutions can be simple, yet life changing.

https://www.thehindu.com/brandhub/revolutionizing-diabetes-management-with-digital-health-ecosystem/article67682790.ece?cx_testId=20&cx_testVariant=cx_1&cx_artPos=0&cx_experienceId=EXYP0QF4IP83#cxrecs_s

5 ways parents can encourage outdoor play in children to prevent Myopia

Myopia or nearsightedness is a common refractive error affecting millions of individuals worldwide, both young and old where this vision issue typically emerges in childhood when the eyes are still in the growth phase. It occurs when the eyes elongate too much from front to back, known as axial length.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Aloka Hedau, Pediatric Ophthalmologist and Squint Surgeon at Dr Aloka's Eye Care in Hyderabad, explained, “In myopia, light entering the eye converges in front of the retina instead of directly on it, leading to blurred distance vision. While myopia can have a hereditary component, lifestyle factors like extended screen time and prolonged engagement in near vision activities can also contribute to its development.”

He elaborated, “The modern trend of spending more time indoors, often engrossed in video games and television, has led to a significant reduction in outdoor activities for children. Research indicates that dedicating just one hour to outdoor activities each day can reduce the risk of myopia development in children by over 14 percent. This highlights the importance of outdoor time in visual health.”

The Benefits of Outdoor Play for Children's Eyes

According to Dr Aloka Hedau, encouraging outdoor activities for children, whether they already have myopia or not, can play a significant role in delaying its onset or slowing its progression. He highlighted:

Sunlight's Intensity

Sunlight provides much brighter visible light compared to indoor settings, which is crucial for myopia management. Studies suggest that sunlight triggers the release of dopamine into the eye when it reaches the retina. This release may help prevent excessive elongation of the eye, a key goal in myopia management. Children who spend a minimum of 2-3 hours outdoors under sunlight tend to show slower myopia progression compared to those who predominantly stay indoors.

Engaging in Distant Views

Prolonged engagement in near activities like reading and screen time is known to contribute to myopia. Recent studies indicate that the Covid-19 pandemic, with its increased indoor time, may have led to higher myopia rates in children. Spending time outdoors encourages children to focus on distant objects, such as trees or sports activities, which are more than an arm's length away.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays a role in regulating the smooth muscle tissue around the eye's crystalline lens, facilitating proper function. This muscle helps focus light on the retina and may contribute to maintaining the right eye shape and length. The sun's UVB light, although invisible, stimulates Vitamin D production. Some studies suggest that nearsighted individuals may have lower Vitamin D levels compared to those with normal vision, but further research is needed for conclusive evidence.

It is recommended that children over the age of 6 engage in at least 2 hours of outdoor play each day. When sending your child outdoors, ensure they have essentials like a water bottle, sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for a safe and enjoyable experience.

Encouraging Outdoor Play: Tips for Parents

If parents are struggling to entice their child away from screens and into the outdoors, Dr Aloka Hedau recommended they can consider these strategies to make outdoor time more appealing

Active Participation: Engaging in outdoor activities with the child not only encourages them to spend more time outside but also allows parents to reap the benefits of sunshine.

Explore Fresh Playgrounds: Discovering different playgrounds each week can add an element of excitement. The novelty of a new slide, swing, or climbing area can turn the outing into an adventure for the child.

Cultivate Sporting Interests: If the child associates outdoor time with playing their favorite sport, they're more likely to choose it over digital devices. Parents can challenge them to a game or join a sports activity together.

Embark on Nature Trails: Encouraging outdoor exploration by seeking out new hiking trails. Nature-rich environments not only motivate the child to step outside but also foster a deeper connection with the natural world.

Set up an Entertaining Scavenger Hunt: Engage the child's sense of adventure by organizing a scavenger hunt. Searching for hidden treasures or prizes not only promotes outdoor play but also nurtures creativity in outdoor activities.

Dr Aloka Hedau concluded, “Fostering a love for the outdoors not only contributes to a child's physical well-being but also plays a crucial role in safeguarding their vision. The benefits of outdoor play in myopia management are substantial and by incorporating these strategies, parents can pave the way for a healthier, more balanced lifestyle for their children.”

https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/healthy-eyes-5-ways-parents-can-encourage-outdoor-play-in-children-to-prevent-myopia-101703748808840.html

5 hormone-healthy foods for breast cancer prevention

Women’s health depends on dietary choices that ensure hormonal balance. Here are foods that prevent breast cancer, keep us healthy, safe from lifestyle diseases.

Our daily food choices wield tremendous power, both in nourishing our bodies and sustaining the planet however, some of chemicals found in regular food might be linked to diseases, including cancer. Health experts point out that farmers use pesticides on crops to fend off bugs and insects and for better yields but while this seems beneficial for crops and farmers, these common chemical pesticides might interfere with our hormones, potentially contributing to the rise of breast, ovarian and uterine cancer in women.

In an interview with Zarafshan Shiraz of HT Lifestyle, Samyuktha Adityan, Founder of Natureallé, suggested, “It is advisable to consume organically grown produce whenever possible and steer clear of processed food. Opting organic means choosing food cultivated with natural fertilisers and pesticides and avoiding genetically modified seeds. This diminishes exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, particularly associated with breast cancer, as they interfere with hormone regulation. It also ensures more nourishing meals for our bodies with minimal harm to the Earth. Beyond direct health effects, organic farming fosters biodiversity, healthier soil, and reduced environmental pollution, indirectly aiding in disease prevention, including cancer, by creating a healthier ecosystem and minimizing exposure to potential carcinogens.” Asserting that women’s health is highly dependent on dietary choices that ensure hormonal balance, she recommended the following organic foods in meals as they keep us healthy and safer from lifestyle diseases

1. Organic millets and grains are nutrient-rich superfoods packed with carbohydrates, fibres, vitamins and minerals known to boost immunity. (Pixabay)

2. Unrefined organic salt contains minimised residues when compared to regular salt. Organic salt not only enhances flavour but also ensure a more wholesome seasoning, providing essential minerals that are stripped away in regular salts due to heavy processing.

3. Nuts, seeds, and cold-pressed oils are antioxidant-rich, heart-healthy fats aiding potential cancer protection. Nuts and seeds make for a healthy, nutrition-packed evening snack or can be incorporated into your meals by topping off your morning oatmeal, blending them into your smoothies, and enjoying delicious varieties, while cooking with cold pressed oils keeps inflammation at bay.

4. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and kale are low-calorie and contain cancer-fighting compounds. If you are not a fan of greens, get creative with cooking – try steaming, grilling, roasting, or even make them into a warm bowl of soup to fight the winter blues.

5. Organic fruits, especially berries, are loaded with antioxidants and a variety of minerals and vitamins that aid in promoting healthy body functions. Eat them as they are or make a guilt-free snack bar out of them to munch on as an afternoon pick-me-up. (Pinterest)

https://www.hindustantimes.com/photos/lifestyle/5-hormone-healthy-foods-for-breast-cancer-prevention-101703770119082.html

Form of vitamin B3 may help manage Parkinson’s disease

Clinical trial finds that NR supplementation could lead to clinical improvements in Parkinson’s.

More than 10 million people globally have Parkinson’s disease.

There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease.

For a few years, researchers have been looking at the energy molecule nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) as a possible treatment for the condition.

A phase 1 clinical trial has found a high dose supplementation of NR, a form of vitamin B3, helps increase NAD+ levels in people with Parkinson’s disease.

The NR supplementation may be associated with clinical symptom improvement of Parkinson’s disease.

Researchers estimate that more than 10 million people around the world have Parkinson’s disease, making it the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease.

There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease. Medications, lifestyle changesTrusted Source, and sometimes surgery are used to manage symptoms through the disease’s stages.

Over the past few years, researchers have also looked at nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) — an important molecule that helps the body create energy — as a possible treatment for Parkinson’s disease.

Previous research suggests people with Parkinson’s may have a NAD+ deficiencyTrusted Source, and increasingTrusted Source NAD+ levels may have a positive effect.

Now, a phase 1 clinical trial has found that a high dose supplementation of nicotinamide ribosideTrusted Source (NR) — a source of vitamin B3 and precursor to NAD+ — increased whole blood NAD+ levels and expanded the NAD+ metabolomeTrusted Source in people with Parkinson’s disease, and may be associated with clinical symptomatic improvement for those with the condition.

The research is still in its early stages, and it remains to be conclusively proven that NR supplementation can improve the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

The study was recently published in the journal Nature CommunicationsTrusted Source.

What are NR and NAD+?

According to Prof. Charalampos Tzoulis, professor of neurology and neurogenetics at the University of Bergen and Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen Norway, and co-lead author of this study, NR is a form of vitamin B3 and a precursor of NAD+.

“NAD+ is an essential coenzyme that plays a vital role in multiple cellular processes, including mitochondrial function — the powerhouses of the cell — and cellular energy metabolism, regulation of gene expression, and DNA repair,” Dr. Tzoulis explained to Medical News Today.

“Research has shown that abnormal energy metabolism, due to dysfunction in the mitochondria, occurs in the Parkinson’s disease brain and is believed to play a role in the initiation and progression of the disease,” he added.

Dr. Daniel Truong, a neurologist and medical director of the Truong Neuroscience Institute at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Clinical Parkinsonism and Related Disorders, who was not involved in this study, told MNT that NAD+ levels tend to decline with ageTrusted Source.

“Some potential benefits and uses associated with NR include anti-aging, energy metabolism, mitochondrial function, [and] DNA repair,” Dr. Truong detailed. “Some research suggests that NR might have neuroprotective properties.”

NR supplementation may help in Parkinson’s

This study was part of the ChromaDex External Research Program (CERP™), which donated ChromaDex’s patented NR ingredient, Niagen®, for the advancement of this research.

The phase 1 clinical trial included 20 study participants with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. Participants received either 3,000 milligrams (mg) of NR in oral supplement form, or a placebo each day for 4 consecutive weeks.

Study participants were then assessed based on clinical and molecular measures, an electrocardiogram, and the severity of Parkinson’s disease symptoms through the MDS-UPDRS rating scale.

Researchers found that NR significantly increased NAD+ levels and modified the NAD+ metabolome in whole blood, compared to those who received the placebo.

Daily supplementation ‘safe’ in the short term

The study also reportedly found the high-dose NR was safe and well-tolerated by study participants, and was associated with a significant improvement of clinical symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, measured by the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), suggesting augmenting NAD+ levels may have a symptomatic anti-Parkinson’s effect.

“The study showed that treatment with high dose NR 3 gr [grams] daily is short-term safe for a month and may, therefore, be explored in larger clinical trials,” Dr. Tzoulis said. “It must be stressed that our study does not establish general safety for this NR dose, or whether it is safe to take for any period longer than 30 days. This remains to be determined in longer studies.”

“In addition, the study showed that NR 3 gr daily leads to a pronounced increase in blood NAD levels and related metabolites, without causing any adverse metabolic effects after 30 days,” he continued.

However, he cautioned that, “[w]hile NR treatment was associated with a small clinical improvement in this study, this cannot be interpreted as a sign of clinical effect, as the study was not designed to detect clinical improvement.”

Would higher doses of NR be safe?

One of the main purposes of this study was to determine the short-term safety of 3,000 mg NR daily.

“To harness the full therapeutic potential of NR, we need to explore higher-dose regimens,” Dr. Tzoulis said. “This study establishes the short-term safety of 3,000 mg NR daily and allows high-dose options to be explored in future therapeutic trials.”

“As for conclusive proof on the therapeutic potential of NR in Parkinson’s disease, we look forward to the results from our year-long NO-PARK phase 2/3 study on 400 persons with Parkinson’s disease, which is already ongoing at our Center and estimated to conclude by the end of 2024,” he added. “Public information on the NO-PARK study can be viewed at neuro-sysmed.no and at clinicaltrials.gov.”

Larger, long-term studies needed

After reviewing this study, Dr. Rocco DiPaola, movement disorders neurologist at the Hackensack Meridian Neuroscience Institute at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, told MNT his first reaction is that it offers a potential treatment that may help slow the progression of Parkinson’s Disease.

“There [are] currently no treatments that offer neuroprotection and this would be a treatment that may help prevent some of the long-term complications related to advancing disease. The current study was on a small scale and short duration to demonstrate safety. A large-scale trial with [a] longer duration of treatment would be necessary to further demonstrate safety and a neuroprotective benefit.”

– Dr. Rocco DiPaola

Dr. Truong agreed, noting that “[the findings are promising, but this is just one study, and its results need to be replicated and expanded upon in larger and longer-term trials, especially double-blind studies.”

“I am intrigued by the mechanism of action proposed in the study, namely the increase in NAD+ levels and its potential neuroprotective effects,” he continued. “They would be interested in how this could be integrated into current treatment protocols for Parkinson’s disease, considering the safety profile and patient tolerance.”

“Given the current status of treating Parkinson’s disease, any potential new therapeutic avenue is of interest,” Dr. Truong added. “The idea of a supplement that could improve clinical symptoms and potentially slow disease progression is particularly appealing.”

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/form-of-vitamin-b3-may-help-manage-parkinsons-disease#Larger,-long-term-studies-needed

Managing chronic inflammation with psoriasis

Although the exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, doctors consider it an immune-mediated inflammatory disease. This means that inflammation is at the root of this condition.

Up to 3%Trusted Source of adults in the United States have psoriasis. It causes skin symptoms, such as raised plaques and discoloration, and can also affect other parts of the body, such as the joints and eyes.

Experts believe inflammation is the common factor that can affect these different areas.

What causes inflammation in psoriasis?

In people with psoriasis, immune system dysfunction causes inflammatory cells to build up in the middle layer of the skin, known as the dermis. The condition also speeds the growth of skin cells in the epidermis, the outer skin layer.

Typically, skin cells grow and flake off in the span of a month. This process speeds up to just a few days in people with psoriasis. Instead of shedding, skin cells pile up on the skin’s surface, leading to uncomfortable symptoms such as raised plaques, scales, swelling, and redness or discoloration.

Even though psoriasis is a skin condition, the inflammation associated with psoriasis affectsTrusted Source the entire body. It can increase the risk of heart disease, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriatic arthritis.

Is there a way to treat inflammation?

Although inflammation in psoriasis is due to immune system dysregulation, studiesTrusted Source suggest that people can reduce this inflammation through lifestyle and dietary changes. This can help reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.

Using these methods, many people who have psoriasis can maintain remission, which is a long period without experiencing psoriasis symptoms.

Additionally, certain medications to treat psoriasis work by reducing inflammation. These include topical corticosteroids, injectable biologics, and oral medications.

Everyone with psoriasis is different. Some people will require more extensive treatment than others.

How to manage inflammation

While there is currently no cure for psoriasis, the following habits may help reduce psoriasis-related inflammation and increase a person’s chances of experiencing remission.

Eating a nutritious diet

Diet is strongly linked to systemic inflammation. Studies suggest that certain inflammatory dietary patterns can increase the risk of psoriasis and worsen symptoms.

A nutritious diet looks different for everyone. However, the following steps may help a person establish one:

Avoiding inflammatory foods: Certain foods and beverages contain pro-inflammatory substances that increase inflammation and trigger psoriasis symptoms. Examples include soda and ultra-processed foods such as salty snacks, sweets, and processed meat products.

Considering an anti-inflammatory diet: Diets that are rich in fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious foods consistently reduce psoriasis symptoms. For example, a 2018 study of 35,735 people, including 3,557 with psoriasis, suggested that those who followed a Mediterranean-style diet had less severe psoriasis compared with people who did not.

Maintaining a moderate weight

Obesity is a risk factor for psoriasis development. People with psoriasis who have overweight or obesity may also experience more severe symptoms than people with a moderate weight.

Weight loss may reduce inflammatory markers and help reduce psoriasis symptoms in people with excess body weight.

A 2020 study found that people with psoriasis and overweight or obesity who reduced their body weight by 12% through a 10-week program experienced a 50–75% reduction in psoriasis severity. Participants experienced an average weight loss of 23 pounds.

Implementing other healthy habits

Several habits can help reduce inflammation and improve psoriasis symptoms, such as:

 Avoiding or quitting smoking: Smoking significantly harms a person’s health and worsens inflammatory diseases, including psoriasis.

 Reducing alcohol intake: Excessive drinking can contribute to inflammation and worsen psoriasis symptoms.

 Staying active: Avoiding long periods of sitting may help with reducing psoriasis symptoms. One research review suggested that people with psoriasis who live sedentary lives have more severe symptoms compared with people who exercise regularly.

 Getting enough sleep: Not getting enough sleep can lead to a pro-inflammatory state in the body. Studies suggest that poor and inconsistent sleep can increase inflammation markers in the blood. Experts recommend adults get 7–9 hours of sleep per night for optimal health.

 Managing stress levels: Prolonged stress makes the immune system overactive and contributes to a pro-inflammatory state. Up to 88%Trusted Source of people with psoriasis report stress as a trigger for their symptoms. Using stress-reducing techniques such as meditation and yoga may help.

When to seek medical help

Anyone experiencing a psoriasis flare who is interested in learning ways to reduce psoriasis symptoms and inflammation may wish to consider speaking with their healthcare team, including their dermatologist.

They can recommend treatment methods based on symptom severity and provide recommendations for diet and lifestyle changes that may help lower inflammation and reduce psoriasis symptoms. They may also suggest taking vitamins or supplements.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/psoriasis-and-chronic-inflammation

Not just protein clumping, overall brain health better predictor of Alzheimer’s risk: Study

Clumping of starch-like amyloid proteins in the brain, known to signal Alzheimer’s disease, accelerates in old age, but other aspects such as the presence of lesions or a decrease in gray matter thickness are better predictors of the progressive neurodegenerative disease

Overall brain health, not only protein clumping and age, is a more powerful predictor of who is likely to progress to Alzheimer’s disease, a new study has found.

Researchers said that while the clumping of starch-like amyloid proteins in the brain, known to signal Alzheimer’s disease, accelerates in old age, other aspects such as the presence of lesions or a decrease in gray matter thickness are better predictors of the progressive neurodegenerative disease.

“Our findings are consistent with studies showing that the amyloid accumulation in the brain takes decades to develop, and occurs in the context of other brain pathologies, specifically small vessel disease,” said Oscar Lopez, professor of neurology at the University of Pittsburgh, US, and corresponding author of the study published in the journal Neurology.

In this research, 94 elderly cognitively unimpaired individuals were enrolled at an average age of 85 years and followed for 11 years or until their passing. Their rate of protein clumping in the brains was compared to those of a younger group from the Australian Imaging, Biomarker, and Lifestyle study.

The researchers found a steady increase in the clumping of amyloid proteins, or amyloid accumulation, in the participants’ brains with time, a rate that was ‘significantly faster’ in those in their 80s and older than those in their late 60s.

Further, they also found that the individuals whose brain scans showed protein clumps at the start of the study developed dementia two years earlier than those who did not show protein clumps in their scans.

However, through imaging, the team also found that along with amyloid accumulation, there were other indications hinting at ‘brain damage’.

These indications included the presence of white matter lesions (suggesting small vessel disease) and a decrease in gray matter thickness in the brain cortex (suggesting neurodegeneration), the researchers said.

They said that these signs of brain damage were the “strongest predictors of the risk” of developing Alzheimer’s disease, and indicated that an “active pathological process was already in place when the study began”, at which point, the researchers had deemed the participants to be cognitively unimpaired.

“Understanding the complexity of the increased amyloid accumulation, when individuals are cognitively normal, is critical for improved implementation of dementia treatments,” said Lopez.

The lead researcher said that while this study could not examine the occurrence of a vascular (vessel-related) process in parallel to the protein accumulation, however, “understanding the timing of the presence of these pathologies will be critical for the implementation of future primary prevention therapies.”

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/not-just-protein-clumping-overall-brain-health-better-predictor-of-alzheimers-risk-study-574775

Evidence of brain injury present even months after acute Covid infection, study finds

Over 800 hospitalised patients’ samples were analysed from across England and Wales

Evidence of brain injury present even months after acute Covid infection, study finds

Markers of brain injury developed due to COVID-19 were found in patients even months after the infection and despite blood tests measuring inflammation returning normal results, according to a new research.

Researchers from universities in the UK explained that during the acute phase of the viral infection, when symptoms develop quickly, key inflammatory proteins and brain injury markers are produced.

They analysed over 800 hospitalised patients' samples from across England and Wales.

Surprisingly, even months after being discharged from the hospital, there is on-going robust biomarker evidence of brain injury developed due to COVID-19, the researchers said in their study published in a journal, Nature Communications.

The biomarker evidence was more prominently seen in patients experiencing neurological dysfunction during the acute illness, and continued in the recovery phase in patients suffering acute neurological complications, the researchers said.

"While some neurological 'symptoms' were often mild (headache and muscle aches [myalgia]), it became clear that more significant and potentially life-changing new neurological 'complications' were occurring, including encephalitis (brain inflammation), seizures, and stroke," said Benedict Michael, Principal Investigator and Director of the Infection Neuroscience Laboratory, University of Liverpool.

The inflammatory markers, associated with abnormal immune responses in the acute phase of the disease, suggest the possibility of ongoing inflammation and brain injury that may not be detected by blood tests measuring inflammation, the researchers said.

They suggested that these biomarkers could represent therapy targets for COVID-19 and other infections causing acute brain dysfunction.

"Our study shows that markers of brain injury are present in the blood months after COVID-19, and particularly in those who have had a COVID-19-induced brain complication (e.g. inflammation, or stroke), despite resolution of the inflammatory response in the blood.

"This suggests the possibility of ongoing inflammation and injury inside the brain itself which may not be detected by blood tests for inflammation," said Michael.

Michael's team is now working to understand what the findings means for cognitive function, independence and recovery in those affected.

The research team also said that their work helps set the stage for discerning possible underlying mechanisms of these neurological complications.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/evidence-of-brain-injury-present-even-months-after-acute-covid-infection-study-finds-574761

IISc scientists uncover key mechanism that allows TB to persist in humans for decades

TB is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), which can be present in human body for decades without any symptom

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have uncovered an important mechanism that allows the tuberculosis (TB) bacterium to persist in the human host for decades.

The team, including researchers from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) and Institute For Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (InStem), Bengaluru, found that a single gene involved in the production of iron-sulphur clusters could be crucial for the persistence of the TB bacterium.

TB is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), which can be present in the human body for decades without any symptoms.

“Mtb needs humans to survive. In many cases of Mtb infection, the immune system can detect the bug and clear it out,” said Mayashree Das, a PhD student at IISc, and first author of the study published in the journal Science Advances.

However, in several asymptomatic individuals, Mtb hides within deep oxygen-limiting pockets of the lung and enters a state of dormancy in which it does not divide and is metabolically inactive, successfully evading the immune system and TB drugs.

“Due to persistence, there is a bacterial reservoir in a subset of the human population at any point which can reactivate and cause infection. Unless we understand persistence, we will not be able to eradicate TB,” said Amit Singh, Associate Professor at IISc and corresponding author of the study.

Singh’s team grew Mtb in liquid cultures containing special supplements needed for its growth.

Several proteins in Mtb depend on iron-sulphur clusters for functioning. These clusters consist of iron and sulphur atoms organised in various configurations like chains or cuboids.

The iron atoms in the cluster can pass on electrons from one site of a protein complex to another in cellular reactions such as respiration and carbon metabolism.

“The iron-sulphur cluster-containing proteins are important for essential processes such as energy production by respiration, enabling the bacteria to survive harsh conditions of the lungs and causing infection. So, we wanted to study the mechanisms that Mtb uses to build these iron-sulphur clusters,” said Singh.

These clusters are mainly produced by Mtb’s SUF operon, a set of genes that get switched on together, the researchers said.

However, there is another single gene called IscS that can also produce the clusters, they said.

To solve this mystery of why the bacterium needs both, the researchers generated a mutant version of Mtb that lacked the IscS gene.

They found that under normal and oxygen-limiting conditions, iron-sulphur clusters are produced mainly by the action of the IscS gene.

However, when the bacterium faces a lot of oxidative stress, the iron atoms of the clusters become oxidised and released, damaging the clusters. Therefore, there is an increased demand for producing more clusters, which switches on the SUF operon.

The researchers then sought to find out how the IscS gene contributes to disease progression. They infected mice models with the mutant version of Mtb lacking the IscS gene.

The absence of the IscS gene led to severe disease in the infected mice rather than a persistent, chronic infection typically seen in TB patients.

This is because, in the absence of the IscS gene, the SUF operon is highly activated - but in an unregulated fashion - leading to hypervirulence, the researchers said.

Depleting both IscS and the SUF system dramatically reduced the persistence of Mtb in mice, they said.

The team found that the IscS gene keeps the activation of the SUF operon in check, causing persistence in TB.

The researchers also noted that bacteria lacking the IscS gene were more likely to be killed by certain antibiotics.

“It becomes sensitive to some antibiotics and resistant to some. We would also like to explore this further,” said Das.

The team suggests that combining antibiotics with drugs targeting IscS and SUF might be more effective.

Singh is hopeful that a better understanding of the IscS and SUF systems in Mtb can eventually pave the way for eradicating persistence of TB.

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/health/iisc-scientists-uncover-key-mechanism-that-allows-tb-to-persist-in-humans-for-decades-575617

Fasting may improve gut microbiome balance in people with obesity

• Evidence is building that a healthy, diverse gut microbiome can benefit health.
• Studies have shown that people and animals with obesity often have a less diverse microbiome than those of a healthy weight.
• Now, research from China suggests that intermittent energy restriction (IER) — which involves eating normally on some days and eating a very restricted diet, or fasting, on others — not only helps people lose weight but may also alter their microbiome.
• This small, observational study shows only an association between weight loss and microbiome changes, rather than any causative effects.

Recently, research has found increasing evidence of the potential effects of the human microbiome  . on our health.

The microbiome consists of bacteria, archaea, viruses and eukaryotic microbes that live in and on our bodies. A healthy adult will house around 1000 different species of bacteria, the majority of which are in the gut.

In most people, the core microbiota  . remain stable throughout adulthood, but the gut microbiota differs between different people. It is affected by body mass index  . (BMI) level, exercise frequency, lifestyle, cultural and dietary habits, and antibiotic use.

Studies  . in people with obesity have found that they tend to have a less diverse gut microbiome, and the balance of species is different from that of leaner people. Other studies  . have suggested that the ease with which people lose weight on diets is linked to the composition of their gut microbiome. However, research  . has not yet revealed a consistent association between gut microbiota and obesity.

A meta-analysis of studies  . found that weight loss was associated with an increase in microbiome diversity and a reduction in intestinal permeability.

Now, a small study from China has suggested that intermittent energy restriction (IER), as well as helping people with obesity to lose weight, may alter their gut microbiota.

The study is published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology.

The types of gut bacteria affected by weight loss

As part of the study, the researchers recruited 25 people with a body mass index (BMI) of between 28kg/m² (classed as overweight) and 45kg/m² (classed as severely obese). None of the participants had any other uncontrolled health conditions.

To start, they ate a regular diet for four days, and the researchers recorded the energy content of this as their baseline daily intake. For the rest of the study, the researchers interspersed the days of regular baseline energy intake with days where the participants had severely restricted energy intake formulated by a clinical dietitian.

The researchers collected the participants’ blood and fecal samples at the beginning, midpoint, and end of phases II (highly-controlled fasting) and phase III (less-controlled fasting) during the two months the study was conducted. They also recorded their body weight, waist circumference, body fat, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure at each time point.

During the study, participants lost, on average, 7.8% of their body weight. And at the end of phase II, their gut microbial diversity had increased from the baseline. However, at the end of phase III, there was no significant difference from the start of the study.

There were also some changes in the species making up the gut microbiota, with a decrease in Escherichia coli and an increase in Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Parabacteroides distasonis, and Bacteroides uniforms.

How gut bacteria changes affect health

Kelsey Costa, a registered dietitian and nutrition consultant for the National Coalition on Healthcare, who was not involved in the study, explained how these changes in gut bacteria might affect health:

“F. prausnitzii is one of the most abundant bacteria in the gut and is generally associated with good health and immunity. […] P. distasonis is associated with breaking down carbohydrates and producing useful metabolites. This bacteria is known to thrive in a diet rich in fiber. B. uniformis is known to have anti-inflammatory properties and plays a role in processing complex sugars in our diet.”

“The alteration in gut microbe abundance induced by the diet is potentially beneficial, as these changes could help modulate metabolic and immune processes, though additional research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects,” she added.

The researchers noted that these changes were associated with significant reductions in the activity of brain regions implicated in the regulation of appetite and addiction. However, they do not explain what effect these changes are likely to have on appetite.

More evidence of gut-brain links

In a press release, co-author Dr. Xiaoning Wang from the Institute of Geriatrics of the PLA General Hospital stated:

“The gut microbiome is thought to communicate with the brain in a complex, two-directional way. The microbiome produces neurotransmitters and neurotoxins, which access the brain through nerves and the blood circulation. In return, the brain controls eating behavior, while nutrients from our diet change the composition of the gut microbiome.”

As an observational study, this research cannot show a causal relationship between IER, weight loss, and the gut microbiome, but it does provide more evidence of a link. The researchers suggest that long-term dietary intervention should be used to maintain weight loss and further clarify the relationship between the gut microbiome and the brain, and Costa agreed.

“Future research should aim to address the exact process through which the gut microbiome interacts with the brain in obese individuals, specifically during weight loss, including the identification of crucial gut microbiome components and brain regions that contribute to successful weight loss and maintenance of a healthy weight,” she told MNT.

She also gave general advice about how to look after your microbiome:

“The gut microbiome is a complex ecosystem, and its relationship with obesity is not fully understood. It’s thought that balance and diversity of gut bacteria may be more important than the presence or absence of specific species.”

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/fasting-may-improve-gut-microbiome-balance-in-people-with-obesity