Columbus, OH

Toxoplasma gondii is a parasitic protozoan that can infect pretty much all warm blooded animals. It is estimated that a third to half of the human population are infected with Toxoplasma – and many remain asymptomatic. However, it can lead to toxoplasmosis – which manifests as behavioural or neuropsychiatric changes in the animal (for example, Toxoplasma, a common parasite that makes you angry). It can also be passed on to fetuses, impacting their development or causing miscarriages. Whilst the parasites can infect most animals, it can only reproduce sexually inside feline hosts and the oocytes are shed in cat feces- this is why pregnant women are advised not to change cat litter trays.

Toxoplasma gondii – the good guy?

BMC Infectious Diseases volume 24, Article number: 833 (2024) Cite this article. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection are significant public health issues, despite the availability of an effective HBV vaccine for nearly three decades and the great progress that has been made in preventing and treating HIV. HBV and HIV both modulate micro-ribonucleic acids (microRNA) expression to support viral replication. The aim of this study was to describe the pattern of microRNA expression in patients coinfected with chronic HBV and HIV with varying disease severity, as indicated by Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) status, HBV viral load, alanine transaminase (ALT) levels, and HIV viral load.

MicroRNA levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus and HIV coinfection in a high-prevalence setting; KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

As of 2020, about 17.6 million people worldwide have the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis. Past studies have linked rheumatoid arthritis to an increased risk for a number of health concerns. Researchers from the University of Málaga in Spain have now linked rheumatoid arthritis to a greater chance of developing specific...

Why is rheumatoid arthritis tied to a higher risk of cognitive decline?

A recent article in PLOS ONE has shown that treatment of type 2 diabetes (NIDDM) with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1-RAs) was associated with a significant lowering of risk of all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) and type 2 diabetes. A...

Less Mortality with GLP-1 Agonists in Rheumatic Patients

Dehydration affects 20% to 30% of older adults and is usually caused by insufficient water intake. It may also be caused by excess water loss through diarrhea, vomiting, sweating, high fever, or side effects from medication. Dehydration occurs when a person loses more water than they take in. Water serves...

Symptoms of Dehydration in Adults Older Than 65

A study published in Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids indicated that patients reported a decrease in refractory gastrointestinal (GI) problems following the use of cannabis products. Some of the formulations included cannabis extracts and flower. A team of researchers associated with Thomas Jefferson University evaluated the effects of medical cannabis on...

Study Shows Cannabinoid Products Improve Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Colorado State

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David Heitz

A bill quietly introduced this spring in the Colorado legislature to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia obtained by harm reductionists has become law. As low-key as the legislation was introduced, the bill was signed into law without fanfare June 6. It garnered little to no media attention.

Colorado legalizes needles, pipes for meth and crack if obtained by harm reduction group

Everyday Health

Learn about eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) and its symptoms, including chronic cough, treatment options, and diagnosis methods.

Can Eosinophilic Esophagitis Be the Reason Behind Your Chronic Cough?

The following is a summary of “Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Are at Increased Risk of Hospitalization Due to Respiratory Syncytial Virus,” published in the August 2024 issue of Gastroenterology by Smith et al. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at high risk of respiratory infections, including...

Increased Risk of Hospitalization in Patients with IBD Following RSV Infection

Medications for Crohn's disease—a chronic, progressive, and relapsing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—include a variety of conventional and newer prescription therapies. These include drugs such as aminosalicylates, steroids, and antibiotics. Other novel treatments approved in recent years include biologics and immunosuppressants. All of these treatment options aim to decrease immune system activity to reduce inflammation.

Medications for Crohn’s Disease

Findings from a prespecified secondary analysis of the reduced-dose cohort of the TESTING trial suggest the efficacy of a lower dose of oral methylprednisolone in IgA nephropathy. A reduced-dose oral methylprednisolone regimen tapered over 6 to 9 months improves kidney outcomes in patients with high-risk IgA nephropathy (IgAN), according to...

Reduced-Dose Methylprednisolone Improves Kidney Outcomes, Delays Renal Failure in High-Risk IgAN

Thrombocytopenia is an atypically low platelet count. Acquired thrombocytopenia is caused by conditions that develop throughout your life instead of genes inherited from birth. Acquired thrombocytopenia can develop for many different reasons, such as:. thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, which is a medical emergency that can lead to serious internal bleeding. People...

Overview of Acquired Thrombocytopenia

Acute clinical events with stable MRI were more likely among patients with multiple sclerosis who had longer disease duration, received highly effective disease-modifying therapies, and were presented with fatigue. In a new multicenter observational cohort study published in JAMA Neurology, approximately one-fourth of relapses in multiple sclerosis (MS) were not...

Stable MRI in Multiple Sclerosis Reveals Relapses as Acute Clinical Events

Thyroid lymphoma is an extremely rare but highly treatable cancer that affects the thyroid gland. It can cause a mass in the neck, difficulty swallowing, and shortness of breath. Most cases of thyroid cancer start when thyroid gland cells become cancerous. Thyroid lymphoma, meanwhile, is a disease that happens when...

What to Know About Thyroid Lymphoma

Among patients with fibromyalgia, there was a moderate negative correlation between vitamin D and physical functioning as well as between magnesium and stiffness. An exploratory study evaluating the link between specific micronutrients and the symptoms of fibromyalgia revealed vitamin D and magnesium played a role in physical function and stiffness among patients.1.

Vitamin D, Magnesium Deficiency Linked to Worse Fibromyalgia Symptoms

Arthrogryposis–Renal Dysfunction–Cholestasis Syndrome (ARC Syndrome) is a rare genetic disorder that affects multiple systems in the body. Characterized by joint contractures, kidney problems, and liver issues, this condition presents significant challenges for those diagnosed. Caused by mutations in the VPS33B or VIPAR genes, ARC Syndrome is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern. Symptoms often appear at birth or in early infancy, making early diagnosis crucial for managing the condition. Treatment focuses on alleviating symptoms and improving quality of life, as there is currently no cure. Understanding ARC Syndrome can help families and healthcare providers better support affected individuals.

20 Facts About Arthrogryposis–Renal Dysfunction–Cholestasis Syndrome

Denver, CO

In addition to collecting more than 8,000 used needles in the past year from Denver drug users, the Harm Reduction Action Center passed out 10,000 meth pipes and “snort kits,” according to a newsletter sent to its supporters Thursday. They also connected about 1,700 people to medical, mental health and substance abuse treatment.

Denver group hands out 10K meth pipes, ‘snort kits,’ connects 1,700 to treatment annually

A large percentage of children with pediatric epilepsy, including some with Dravet syndrome (DS), were able to maintain a reduction in seizure frequency after discontinuing ketogenic diet therapy (KDT), according to a multicenter case note review published in Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy. The reduction in seizure frequency was maintained...

Seizure Reduction Maintained After Ending Ketogenic Diet in Pediatric DS

Florida State

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Akeena

Red Lobster, the popular seafood chain, has confirmed additional closures in Florida, adding to its recent wave of shutdowns following the company’s bankruptcy filing in May. The latest round of closures includes two more Florida locations, highlighting the ongoing struggles of the iconic restaurant chain.

Popular seafood chain announces more closures in Florida

Women with vs. without cognitive impairment had more intense menopause symptoms. Lower BMI, sexual activity, exercise, hormone therapy use and higher education were tied to lower cognitive impairment odds. Severe menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes and depressive mood, were associated with mild cognitive impairment for postmenopausal women, researchers reported...

Severe menopause symptoms linked to cognitive impairment in later life

NewsBreak

A diagnostic dilemma: cytomegalovirus colitis as an uncommon comorbidity in inflammatory bowel disease: a case report

Marouf Alhalabi ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-5027-20961 & Soumar Mueen Alziadan ORCID: orcid.org/0009-0000-3099-99331. Virology Journal volume 21, Article number: 188 (2024) Cite this article. Metrics details. Abstract. Background. The...

A diagnostic dilemma: cytomegalovirus colitis as an uncommon comorbidity in inflammatory bowel disease: a case report

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