The latest culprits in unregulated supplements

Image by Jan Marczuk from Pixabay

 As of July 15, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reported 69 illnesses in 28 U.S. states among consumers of a specific brand of recreational candies — Diamond Shroomz. The company claims that there are no illegal substances in their products, but the University of Virginia Health Toxicology Laboratory found psilocin, an hallucinogenic found in “magic mushrooms”, as a contaminant in their gummies. The company has issued a recall, but not all retailers have pulled the products.

How did this happen? And why does it matter?

Read more at Psilocin in Microdosing Gummies Is Making People Sick

What's causing my sore throat?

Pharyngitis, Source: Dake, Wikimedia

Viral pharyngitis is the most common cause of a sore throat. Pharyngitis is inflammation of the throat. It can also be caused by bacteria, irritants, or as a symptom of another disorder, like GERD. Each type of pharyngitis, and thus each cause of sore throat, may require particular treatment. However, most mild sore throats simply clear on their own, though there are a number of things you can do to ease the pain and discomfort.

Read more about the causes and treatment of sore throat.

Avoid dehydration this summer

Dehydration is caused by a lack of fluids in the body. Hot weather and strenuous activity, such as sports, are risk factors for dehydration. It's important to remain hydrated in the summer, especially children who are not aware of the consequences of overheating and may ignore symptoms, such as excessive thirst, altered urination patterns, and dry eyes.

Symptoms are treated by drinking small amounts of water or electrolyte drinks at a time, slowly replacing the fluids in the body to avoid more severe dehydration and its complications, such as heat stroke. Dehydration symptoms can be prevented by drinking plenty of clear fluids throughout the day, but sugary drinks should be avoided, including most sports drinks.

Read more about the symptoms, signs, and effects of dehydration.

Is obesity linked to addiction?

In 2009, an analysis of eight different research projects that investigated more than 31,000 obese individuals found an association between waist circumference and a variant of neurexin 3 (NRXN3), a protein found in the brain. The findings of the study indicated that the variant influences overall adiposity, that is the deposition of fatty tissue throughout the body, not just in the abdominal region. This indicates a more complex and generalized role of the protein in fat storage.

NRXN3 is known to be present in the central nervous system, and it is associated with alcohol dependence, cocaine addiction, and illegal drug abuse. The area of the brain in which the addiction pathway travels also takes part in the learning and reward responses. The addition of fat deposition to the roles of the protein raises the question of obesity as a byproduct of addiction. To what extent does food addiction or desire contribute to increased fat deposits and, consequently, weight gain and obesity?

Read more about the work on the association of neurexin-3 waist circumference and the link between obesity and addiction.

Fat-friendly transgenic meat

Omega-3 fatty acids are considered “healthy” fats. Found mainly in fish, these fats have been linked to beneficial cardiovascular effects and other health benefits, but most farm animals eat grains and other plants that contain omega-6 fatty acids, which are not processed the same way as omega-3 and do not offer the same health benefits. Some studies have even linked a higher omega-6 to omega-3 ratio to a higher prevalence of coronary artery disease. This makes many meats, especially those from farm animals, a less healthy source of fats in the human diet. A transgenic solution is to convert the dietary fat already being consumed into the healthier version by arming the animals with an enzyme.

Read about how scientists are creating fat-friendly meat with transgenics.

Laptop dangers: Toasted skin syndrome

Source: Altered Wikimedia image

Toasted skin syndrome, or heat induced circumscribed dermal melanosis (also known as erythema ab igne), has been described in a number of cases in which an individual used a hot object directly and repeatedly on their skin. The fire-like rash is caused by absorption of the irradiated heat. This condition is also seen with laptop users – 10 such cases have been reported in medical journals in the last 6 years. Laptop users who are affected by toasted skin syndrome exhibit a sponge or net-like pattern of brownish red lines on the affected area, generally on the upper leg or thigh, sometimes one or both depending on the user’s placement of the device. The condition as caused in this context is being dubbed “laptop-induced dermatosis” and was first described in 2004.

Read more about toasted skin syndrome in laptop users.

Health effects of the 2010 Gulf oil spill

From the NOAA

In April 2010, the Deepwater Horizon rig malfunctioned in the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in months of clean up and continuing questions about the health of Gulf coast residents and the seafood and tourism industries in the area. In July of last year I compiled information about the potential symptoms and illnesses Gulf coast residents and volunteer aid workers should be on the lookout for. Read more about the health risks of the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

Bird flu still affecting Asia

In March, the Hong Kong authorities confirmed that dead ducks and geese found on Hong Kong beaches earlier this year were infected with H5N1 avian influenza, the highly pathogenic strain responsible for a number of outbreaks among poultry, and humans, in the last decade. These birds were being infected, and dying or washing up on the beaches, despite tight government regulations and restrictions. Read more about the avian-influenza infected poultry on Hong Kong beaches, including links to the government notices and restrictions in place.

A step further in understanding Autism

There are two new studies of autism that may change the understanding of the disease. In two new studies, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and copy number variations (CNVs) have been found to be associated with the disease. These genetic variations were found in genes encoding two types of cellular proteins - cadherins and neurexin. This suggests an importance of neuronal cell adhesion in autism.

The Nature Reviews Genetics article requires free registration to read the synopsis, the actual articles linked at the bottom of the article may require a subscription. Now is a time when I would push open access because there are a number of people who should be able to read and understand these findings, as autism is one of the least understood disorders despite its prevalence. And the myths of its etiology need to be altered to include the truth as its discovered.

Another recent finding was the increased size of the amygdala in toddlers with autism. A 13% size difference in the portion of the brain that processes emotions and faces.

Steps forward to understanding the etiology of the disease and possibly facilitate early intervention.

C. difficile

Clostridium difficile is an opportunistic bacteria traveling in feces. It infects the GI tract when it becomes vulnerable after antibiotic use. Since 2000, more aggressive strains that are resistant to treatment have been seen. Prevention is simpler than treatment - find out more.

Swine flu infects North America

Canada is the third country to confirm cases of Swine flu, a strain that is now infecting the whole of North America. The human, swine, avian mixture strain has killed at least 68 and sickened more than 1000 in Mexico, with Mexico City as the epicenter of the outbreak.

California, Texas, and Kansas have confirmed cases, and a high school in New York City may be the next locale to be added to the list.

The U.S. Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared a swine flu emergency, freeing up resources to prevent further spread at the local level. No deaths have been reported in the U.S., but anyone suspecting to have the infection should see a doctor to receive treatment, preventing severe disease, and so the numbers can be properly recorded and tracked to head off a pandemic. The more the health authorities know about the spread, the better equipped they will be to stop it.

The strain is currently responding to Tamiflu treatment, and vaccine production is being evaluated. The symptoms are the usual for the flu - coughing, fever, fatigue, runny nose - in addition to vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.

According to press reports, students in New Zealand who recently returned from Mexico may add a fourth country to the infected list, and other countries are reporting that testing is under way to determine if they too have cases of the potentially pandemic strain.

Prevention methods include using a kleenex or your sleeve when sneezing, washing your hands frequently with warm water and mild soap (antibacterial products do not affect viruses and are not advised), staying away from public places when feeling ill, drinking plenty of fluids when starting to feel ill, and seeking medical attention.

Find out more on Twitter @CDCEmergency

Food from Clones

Ever wonder what the difference is between the food we're used to and the food derived from clones they are wanting to bring to market? Is it safe? I answer these questions in an article about the safety of cloned food.

A New Superbug?

Clostridium difficile is an intestinal bacterium discovered in the 1970s. It infects approximately a half million people a year in the United States, but has begun to reach epidemic proportions in 38 states some states. C-diff, as it is known, may be the next superbug and rival the likes of MRSA. Canadian and European hospitals have been struggling with these infections and American hospitals appear to be next.

The problem with C-diff? Antibiotics kill the growing bacteria but not the spores. Once the antibiotic treatment is ended the spores grow and the infection flares up again. The bacteria has been growing more and more resistant to antibiotics, and the bacteria is resistant to cleaning chemicals and alcohol, making it a tough infection to treat.

The third world in the U.S. - it's real

Rural regions of Virginia have a lot in common with other regions of the United States - distance between neighbors, questionable economy from plant shut downs or company withdrawals (think GM and Flint, Michigan; the gold rush ghost towns of the West; and the New England papermill towns), and a lack of health insurance. But the region also has a lot in common with Guyana and East Africa - thousands of people show up to get treated at a free medical and dental expedition. So many, in fact, that hundreds are turned away.

What does this say about the country in which these individuals live? It says that healthcare is not a priority, people really don't matter, and the state of things is worse than we think. Recent figures released by the CDC showed that 15% of all Americans are uninsured. That means that in a room of 100 people, 15 have no way to care for their teeth, eyes, diabetes, high blood pressure, pregnancies, infections, migraines, cancer, flu, whooping cough (it's coming back!), or anything else they may contract, present with, or suffer from. And how many more only have basic coverage without dental, eye, or both?

These numbers, sadly, include the government programs. They are not covering everyone, which they are supposed to do. Changes are needed to prevent many areas of the U.S. from becoming the third world.

Medical research is essential

PZ Myers has written a great entry on the need for medical advancement and research at Pharyngula. Though he concentrates on cancer research, he also highlights the overall lack of science funding and the need for medical research in general.

It's been drying up. Researchers are spending more time struggling to get basic funding and less time doing the work that saves lives, and more often than not, they aren't getting funded. Often, too, the researchers who are getting screwed are the new researchers, the ones who don't have established labs right now, which means we are short-sightedly demolishing our future research infrastructure.

I have to wholeheartedly agree with him. And it's one of the political movements I have no qualms writing about and pushing. Science needs to be at the forefront of funding and public dissemination.

It is my goal that at some point in the future, Maeflowers will be incorporated as a nonprofit, offering money to research that will advance mankind and our health. I'm far from that step, but knowledge is power. Stop by PZ's blog and read what he has to say. It'll be worth it.

Salmonella tomatoes

Amidst recent reports of illness due to salmonella on raw tomatoes, the CDC has compiled a list of retailers whose tomatoes have been deemed safe. One the vine, cherry, and grape tomatoes are also in that category.

Salmonella vaccine research in space

With the launching of the space shuttle on May 31, vaccine research may get a boost. Salmonella has been shown to have increased virulence in space, but it loses virulence during research here on Earth. This has been an obstacle for developing a vaccine against the bacterium. Now, researchers at the International Space Station may be able to produce a vaccine strain in space for use in human vaccines on Earth. They're starting by testing several strains, which were onboard Discovery on Saturday.

Now if they can only make space travel simpler, and re-entry safer, this may have promise.

Salmonella vaccine lift-off at The Scientist

Smoking tobacco is still bad

Going through the WHO health statistic report I mentioned a few posts ago, I pulled out and summarized the information about tobacco-related deaths. Tobacco is still a top killer. I was aghast at the sheer number of deaths the WHO attributes to tobacco, and the fact that most lung cancers are associated with its use. Even with my background in health I didn't realize how severe the effect still is. Especially since I live with a smoker, I have to admit that it scares me to imagine he is losing years from his life. There have been many smokers in my family, some negatively affected by it and others not. But the odds are not good and the statistics are worth keeping in mind when deciding to buy the next pack. I agree with people deciding what is best for themselves and in making personal choices about their health, including smoking. As someone who suffers respiratory problems from second-hand smoke I have a bias towards nonsmoker rights, but also have to admit that I have yet to see clear scientific evidence about the effects of secondhand smoke (by the way, if you have links to studies, please pass them my way). And I believe smokers have rights, too. It's a touchy subject, I know, but making informed choices is important, no matter what they may be. So I pass this information along to you.

New defense against antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Researchers at Merck have found a new compound in South African soil samples that may result in a new drug for fighting antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. Platensimycin represents a new class of antibiotics and has been found to be effective against MRSA. Though research is ongoing and no drug plans yet on the table, the pharmaceutical company researchers have given the medical community hope in the fight against bacteria.

Human bird flu cases

Colorized H5N1 influenza virus, also known as avian flu. Source

Bird flu, also called avian flu, is caused by an influenza virus that normally only infects birds, though it is becoming more common in pigs. Avian flu is a strain of type A influenza known as H5N1, different from the swine flu of the recent outbreak (which is H1N1).

Though the outbreak of influenza among birds in recent years has been extensive and resulted in the culling or death of many thousands of birds, the number of human cases has been minimal and human to human transmission rare. According to the World Health Organization, as of April 2009, approximately 421 humans have been infected with the virus and there have been roughly 257 deaths (these are cumulative numbers since the outbreak began). Most infections have occurred in areas reliant on poultry and those where the poor or the farmers live in close contact with wild and domestic fowl, including Indonesia and Vietnam. Mortality has been highest in those aged 10-19 years, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The first human cases were documented in the open farm markets of Vietnam, China, and Indonesia in 2005, though the animal outbreak has been ongoing since 2003. In 2006, the first case was reported in the Middle East. Since that time, Egypt has had the fourth highest number of deaths (23) and the third highest number of infections (67). There are a few widely sensationalized cases of spread among family members, such as in Thailand in 2004 and Indonesia in 2006 (killed 7 of 8 infected family members), but the spread was not beyond one person in each case (contact with dead fowl is the most common factor of family infections). The H5N1 strain of bird flu, as of now, has shown a lack of ability to bind to the cells of the human respiratory tract, which is necessary for the virus to infect humans and limits its spread. Mutations in the virus's ability to adhere to cells in the human respiratory system would make it a formidable opponent for modern medicine.

A Chinese father who contracted bird flu from his son was found to have been in contact with 91 people, none of which contracted the disease. Genetic analysis (published by Lancet in 2008) found that the bird flu strain had not undergone any major mutation that would allow it to spread more readily among humans. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been quoted as saying that the origin of human infection with bird flu is via bird droppings. Ingestion may be introducing a new route of transmission for this strain as opposed to the familiar aerosol, or airborne, transmission that influenza most commonly uses. Fecal transfer of disease is common for many pathogens.

So far, the evidence seems to indicate a genetic susceptibility to H5N1 infection and alternate transmission routes before human infection can occur. This is good news since the virus is extremely lethal to those who contract it. However, if the rate of mutation seen in the common flu virus is any indication, bird flu will find a way to more directly harm humans in the near future. Some governments are stockpiling antiviral medications, such as Tamiflu, for the possibility that a human pandemic is coming (and has been helpful for other outbreaks, such as H1N1). Research has found that suppressing viral replication is key to treating any human infections that may occur because the high mortality rate (60%) is due to highly efficient replication and corresponding increased host immune response. Also, the flu vaccine is being tested and adjusted to possibly cover the H5N1 strain, which it currently does not do.