Latest news with #JournalofClinicalInvestigation
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Pregnant mothers' high blood pressure linked to this increased risk in children
Pregnant mothers experiencing high blood pressure may have to worry about another potential health risk to their children, researchers warned on Monday. The condition, also known as gestational hypertension, has previously been linked to premature births and stillbirths that are tied to a decrease in blood flow through the placenta. Now, researchers at University of Iowa Health Care have found it is also associated with an increased risk for seizure in kids. "The connection between high blood pressure in pregnant moms and seizures in children from these pregnancies had been postulated before, but never examined on a large scale, and never modeled in an animal,' Dr. Baojian Xue, a senior research scientist in pediatrics at the university, commented on the research. 'With these new mouse models and this new connection between gestational hypertension and seizures, we can now perhaps come up with new childhood anti-seizure therapies," he wrote. Xue was the first author of the National Institutes of Health-funded study, which was published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. To reach these conclusions, they utilized clinical databases and studies in lab mice, including the records of more than 246 million patients from across the U.S. The study found that children born to mothers with high blood pressure during their pregnancy had significantly higher rates of seizures compared to those with normal blood pressure. In mice, testing confirmed that exposure to gestational hypertension in the womb increased seizure sensitivity and death due to seizures. Of their subjects, male offspring showed greater vulnerability to the medical condition. They also found that brain inflammation played a 'significant role' in the process of disease, saying it may play such a role in human children. Gestational hypertension impacts nearly 16 percent of American pregnancies. Mothers are also at a higher risk of seizures, stroke, temporary kidney failure, and liver and blood clotting problems, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Most people with high blood pressure will deliver healthy babies when the condition is caught early in pregnancy. However, the more severe the condition is, the more at risk mothers are for serious complications, the clinic notes. That can include preeclampsia, when high blood pressure develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Eclampsia occurs when a pregnant woman has seizures due to untreated or under-treated preeclampsia. But this study – the first large-scale evidence connecting gestational hypertension to heightened seizure risk in offspring – may offer new pathways for further research. The impact of brain inflammation could be targeted to prevent seizures in children exposed to gestational hypertension. Notably, this research was released the same day as another study from Columbia University that found low levels of arsenic in drinking water were also linked to preterm birth and lower birthweight. "This study is unique because you have an association drawn from analyses of large clinical databases, but then we go on to prove the association with animal models,' Dr. Vinit Mahajan, professor of ophthalmology at Stanford University and a co-author on the study, explained. 'We were even able to reduce seizures in mice offspring with anti-inflammatory drugs based on what we learned from the model.'
The Independent
5 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Common pregnancy complication linked to childhood seizures
A new study by University of Iowa Health Care researchers has found that gestational hypertension, which affects about 16 per cent of US pregnancies, is associated with an increased risk of seizures in children. The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, utilized clinical databases containing over 246 million patients and lab mice studies. Researchers found that children born to mothers with high blood pressure during pregnancy had significantly higher rates of seizures. Mice testing confirmed increased seizure sensitivity and death due to seizures in offspring exposed to gestational hypertension in the womb. The study also indicated that male offspring were more vulnerable and that brain inflammation played a significant role in the disease process, suggesting it may also do so in human children.
Daily Record
04-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
New drug could offer hope for people with incurable condition
A drug that is currently used for cancer could be the key in treating a disease that has no cure, and a life expectancy of just three to five years A lesser-known medication could potentially offer some mch needed hope for those suffering from an incurable and fatal condition, which often results in death within three years of diagnosis. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and terminal disease that causes lung scarring and increasing breathing difficulties. It's a severe and life-limiting illness affecting approximately 70,000 people annually in the UK, according to Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis. Amy Price, mother of Katie Price, was diagnosed with IPF in 2017 and continues to battle the disease. Sadly, there is no known cure and while existing treatments can provide some relief, they only slow down its progression. Although this is predominantly a disease associated with aging and is seldom seen before the age of 50, experts believe these findings could also offer significant hope for other similar age-related diseases. A drug currently used for cancer treatment could be the answer. According to recent research by Tulane University, scientists have discovered a potential new method to treat IPF. A study from Tulane University, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, suggests an existing cancer medication might help the immune system clear out cells causing lung scarring, potentially enhancing lung function for those with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF). The research points out that while fibroblasts, specialised cells in healthy lungs, contribute to tissue repair, in IPF patients, some fibroblasts and adjacent epithelial cells become "senescent"—cells that stop dividing but don't die as expected. These malfunctioning cells pile up, leading to the formation of stiff, scarred lung tissue. The team found that these senescent cells accumulate because the immune system struggles to remove them effectively, a problem linked to a protein known as CTLA4, which suppresses immune response like an emergency brake. To counter this, the researchers administered the cancer drug ipilimumab to mice, inhibiting CTLA4. This action released the immune system's "brake," allowing T cells, crucial for immunity, to eliminate the senescent fibroblast cells. Consequently, the treated mice exhibited better lung healing and less scarring. "The CTLA4 protein typically functions to inhibit excessive inflammation by restraining overactive T cells," explained senior author Dr. Victor Thannickal, professor and Harry B. Greenberg Chair of Medicine at Tulane University's John W. Deming Department of Medicine. "An excess of this 'blocker protein' may lead to the loss of the 'good' inflammation necessary for eliminating senescent cells. Essentially, we're blocking the blocker." The team zeroed in on CTLA4 as a potential therapeutic target after discovering elevated levels of it on T cells in the most scarred areas of lung tissue from humans and mice with IPF. Mice treated with ipilimumab exhibited improved lung healing and quicker recovery than those not administered the drug. "This paves the way for an entirely new approach to treating IPF," stated lead author Santu Yadav, PhD, assistant professor of medicine at the Tulane University School of Medicine. "Rather than employing drugs to destroy senescent cells, we are reactivating our own immune system to clear them out." Further research is required to determine the efficacy of drugs targeting CTLA4 or other "checkpoint proteins" in rejuvenating the immune system. A significant hurdle is identifying a safe dosage that allows the immune system to purge ageing cells without inciting excessive inflammation. "If it works in IPF, this immune rejuvenating approach to treatment may be effective in other diseases such as Alzheimer's or cardiovascular diseases in which senescent cells are known to accumulate. "Can the right drug activate T cells in a way that clears senescent cells without causing collateral damage? If so, we may be closer to combating many aging related diseases and perhaps even aging itself." What are the signs and symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis? Common symptoms can include: Unexplained weight loss Clubbing of fingers and toes (swollen and rounded finger and toe tips) Shortness of breath (breathlessness) Dry cough Tiredness (fatigue) What are the risk factors of pulmonary fibrosis? Risk factors for pulmonary fibrosis can include:
The Sun
30-04-2025
- Health
- The Sun
The 30-second daily habit doctor says could help you burn more fat than your gym workout
Katrina Turrill Published: Invalid Date, A WEIGHT LOSS expert has revealed the small daily habit that could help people burn more fat - and it takes less time than scrolling Instagram. Many people, especially those with demanding jobs or family responsibilities, face real time constraints when it comes to cooking healthy meals, preparing for workouts, or finding time for physical activity. 2 But according to Professor Franklin Joseph, of Dr Frank's weight loss clinic, there's one easy change people can make that helps the body become better at burning fat - and it doesn't involve hours at the gym or cutting carbs. The professor, who's helped thousands of people lose weight through but smart swaps, says a 30-second cold shower is key. A 30-second cold blast 'If you want to increase fat-burning without doing more cardio, start by turning your shower cold for 30 seconds at the end,' he said. 'It sounds simple - and it is - but it works.' The trick, he says, is in how the body responds to sudden cold exposure. 'When you're hit with cold water, your body has to work harder to keep you warm. That activates something called brown fat - a type of fat that burns calories to generate heat,' he explained. Brown fat is a type of fat that burns calories to generate heat, and can lead to increased energy expenditure Studies have shown that regular exposure to cold - even just a short blast at the end of a warm shower - can boost metabolism and encourage fat loss over time. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that participants exposed to mild cold for several hours increased their metabolic rate by up to 15 per cent. Another study in the same journal showed that after a month of exposure to mild cold, participants had a 42 per cent increase in brown fat volume and a 10 per cent increase in fat metabolic activity. I lost almost a stone in just six days and here's the exact list of delicious meals I ate which never left me hungry 'Brown fat is like your body's internal furnace,' Prof Joseph said. 'Unlike normal fat, which stores energy, brown fat burns it. And the colder you get, the harder it works.' Burns more than a workout 2 While a cold shower won't replace a training session, Prof Joseph says it can be surprisingly effective when done consistently. 'A single 30-second cold shower won't magically melt fat, but over time, the effect adds up,' he said. 'It can trigger metabolic changes that make your body more efficient at burning fat, especially when paired with a healthy diet and regular movement.' In fact, some research suggests that regular cold exposure can burn more calories over a week than a few moderate cardio sessions. 'It won't leave you sweating, but it's a great tool for people who want to maximise fat-burning with minimal effort,' he said. 'Plus, it boosts mood, alertness and immune function - so you're getting more than just fat loss.' Prof Joseph recommends starting with 15 to 30 seconds of cold water at the end of your shower, then gradually building up if you can tolerate it. 'It's free, fast, and takes less time than a warm-up,' he added. 'If you want to burn more fat without spending more time exercising, it's a no-brainer.' How to blast belly fat WITHOUT going to the gym or dieting Chew your food This mindfulness trick is used to focus your brain on the food you are eating - how it tastes and feels - rather than scoffing it in a hurry. If the brain does not register that you have eaten, you'll soon crave more food. Avocado a day Eating avocado every day can fight visceral fat in women, which collects around the organs in the stomach and can lead to diabetes, heart attack, and some cancers, according to a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign study of 105 people. Avoid fizzy drinks Losing belly 'fat' may just be a case of preventing bloating, which can be onset by fizzy soft drinks. Instead, keep hydrated with water. Reduce alcohol Alcohol does no favours at all for our health or figures. It is 'empty calories', meaning it contributes to your calorie intake without giving any nutritional benefit. Hangovers can also lead you to eat more fatty foods, while putting you off exercising. Sleep more Various studies have shown that if you're not sleeping well, it can cause weight gain. People are more likely to crave junk food when they are sleep deprived because, not only are they in need of an energy boost, but their appetite hormones are all over the place. Reduce stress Stress causes an imbalance of hormones, particularly cortisol. This hormone has been linked with obesity and excess belly fat. Find ways to reduce your stress to avoid the so-called 'stress belly'.
Daily Mail
27-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
A cancer drug available on the NHS could treat an incurable lung disease that plagues more than 30,000 Britons
A cancer drug available on the NHS could treat an incurable lung disease that plagues more than 30,000 Britons, a study claims. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) occurs when scar tissue builds up in the lungs, causing the walls to stiffen and making it difficult to breathe. The condition primarily affects older adults and leads to a persistent cough, fatigue, weight loss and muscle aches. Symptoms rapidly worsen, and its cause is unknown. Though the scarring can be managed by medications such as antifibrotics, average life expectancy once IPF sets in is just three to five years. However, a group of American scientists claim a cancer drug already used by the Health Service can reverse damage caused by the condition. Ipilimumab blocks the CTLA-4 protein – which suppresses the immune system – to allow the body to better recognise and attack diseased cells. The protein has also been proven to contribute towards lung scarring by negating fibroblast cells, which repair damaged tissue. In IPF sufferers, fibroblasts do not function properly. But ipilimumab can also be administered to aid lung-tissue regeneration, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation reveals. Mice that received the drug intravenously showed much-improved lung-repair ability and recovered faster than those not on the medication. 'This opens up an entirely new direction for potential treatment of IPF,' says lead author Dr Santu Yadav, assistant professor of medicine at the Tulane University School of Medicine. The researchers are hopeful the same 'immune-rejuvenating' approach could also be used to treat Alzheimer's and heart disease.
