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Time of India
6 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Replacing THIS food from one meal can be beneficial for liver health, experts reveal
A recent study reveals that swapping meat for plant-based protein in just one meal can significantly benefit individuals with liver disease. Researchers found that this dietary change lowers harmful ammonia levels, which are linked to cirrhosis and cognitive decline. Experts emphasize that even small dietary adjustments can positively impact liver health. Liver diseases are a growing health concern. Many factors contribute to the disease, and one among them is diet. Scientists have confirmed the link between a poor diet and increased risk of developing liver disease, particularly non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Recently, researchers have found that avoiding one food item can significantly benefit liver function. A new study by researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Medicine and the Richmond VA Medical Center found that replacing meat with plant-based proteins for one meal can be beneficial for liver patients. Swapping meat with plant-based proteins in just one meal lowers harmful ammonia levels, found in people with advanced liver disease. High levels of ammonia in the blood are linked to cirrhosis and a type of cognitive decline called hepatic encephalopathy. Cirrhosis affects the liver's ability to process toxins like ammonia, which is produced in the intestines when gut bacteria break down food. In healthy individuals, ammonia is processed by the liver and excreted by the kidneys. However, in patients with cirrhosis, this ammonia accumulates in the bloodstream and can reach the brain, causing hepatic encephalopathy, which is a potentially life-threatening condition. This condition impairs cognitive function and can lead to confusion, delirium, coma, or death. To understand how removing meat from one meal could help liver patients, the researchers followed 30 adults with cirrhosis, all of whom typically ate a Western-style diet rich in red meat and low in fiber. The categorized the participants randomly and assigned them to eat one of three types of burgers—beef/pork, vegan meat substitute, or vegetarian bean-based, each containing 20 grams of protein. The meal also included low-fat potato chips, a whole-grain bun, and water. No condiments or toppings were added to this meal. The researchers then tested blood and urine samples, and compared it with before the meal, to examine the ammonia levels and gut bacteria composition. They found that people who consumed meat burgers had higher levels of amino acids linked to ammonia production and hepatic encephalopathy, compared to those who ate the plant-based options. 'It was exciting to see that even small changes in your diet, like having one meal without meat once in a while, could benefit your liver by lowering harmful ammonia levels in patients with cirrhosis,' Jasmohan Bajaj, a world-renowned expert in hepatic encephalopathy with the Richmond VA Medical Center said in a statement. 'We now need more research to learn if consuming meals without meat goes beyond reducing ammonia to preventing problems in brain function and liver disease progression. ' Smriti Mandhana Flaunts Fit Look in Masked Athleisure in Andheri 'It can be so hard to make long-term dietary and behavioral changes. We wondered if making an occasional change could be an option for these patients. Liver patients with cirrhosis should know that making positive changes in their diet doesn't have to be overwhelming or difficult,' Bajaj added. What should you do So, does that mean skipping meal in just one meal can help liver patients? 'The main take-home message was that occasionally skipping meat from just a single meal can have benefits for patients with cirrhosis. A simple change to a patient's diet or substituting some parts of it could be a simple and accessible method to reduce ammonia generation,' Bajaj said. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Daily Record
27-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Children and teens with four specific cancers wait longer than necessary to be diagnosed
A new study has found that kids and young people wait longer than necessary to receive their cancer diagnoses, depending on the type of cancer they have. New research has revealed that children and young people are waiting longer than necessary to receive cancer diagnoses, particularly if they have four specific types of the disease. Experts at the University of Nottingham have found that young people suffering from certain types of cancer, such as bone tumours, are being affected by lengthy waiting periods before being diagnosed. The new study analysed children's and young peoples' cancer journeys, from the start of their symptoms until they received their cancer diagnosis. Childhood cancer is a global health issue, and early diagnosis is a major priority in combatting it. A team of researchers, led by Dr Shaarna Shanmugavadivel, Professor Shalini Ojha and Professor David Walker from the School of Medicine at the University of Nottingham, collected the data of 1,957 children and young people aged zero to 18 years who were diagnosed with cancer between September 2020 and March 2023. Some cancer types, including Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH), bone tumours, soft tissue tumours, and brain tumours, were associated with a higher number of medical visits before diagnosis. The Childhood Cancer Diagnosis Study, published in the Lancet Regional Health - Europe, was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Dr Shanmugavadivel said: 'For the first time, we understand the current landscape of childhood cancer diagnosis in the UK. "We can celebrate that ethnicity, sex and socioeconomic status have no impact on time to diagnosis, but there is an urgent need to focus efforts on young people and tumour types such as bone tumours that are still experiencing lengthy intervals. "Earliest possible diagnosis is key as time is crucial. Untreated, tumours grow bigger and can spread around the body, requiring more extensive surgery and more intensive therapies to offer cure.' In the study, the total time from first symptom to confirmed diagnosis varied widely from the same day to several years. The average time to diagnosis was 4.6 weeks, but this varied by age and cancer type. Teenagers aged 15-18 experienced the longest time to diagnosis, which was 8.7 weeks, whereas infants under one year had the shortest at 3.7 weeks. Bone tumours had the longest wait period (12.6 weeks), while kidney tumours had the shortest (2.3 weeks). The number of healthcare visits before a confirmed diagnosis was also examined by the scientists. Most children and young people (74%) had between one and three medical visits before being diagnosed, and two-thirds (67%) were diagnosed in an emergency setting. It became clear that children and young people, particularly teenagers and those with certain types of cancer, experience longer times to diagnosis. 'The findings will help focus efforts towards closing the gap for these groups, ensuring more children and young people receive a diagnosis sooner,' said Dr Shanmugavadivel. 'The results will feed into the Child Cancer Smart campaign led by CCLG: The Children & Young People's Cancer Association, which aims to promote earlier diagnosis, through awareness and education of the public and healthcare professionals.' Ashley Ball-Gamble, CEO of CCLG and co-author on the study, said: 'Childhood cancer knows no boundaries - it affects children and young people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. However, our research has revealed important differences in how long diagnosis takes. "It's crucial that we understand why certain groups, such as older teenagers, or those with certain cancers, such as bone and brain tumours, are likely to face a lengthier diagnosis. By recognising these differences, we hope to work towards faster diagnoses and improved survival rates." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Salt Lake City begins study to bridge east and west parts of the city
SALT LAKE CITY ()—Salt Lake City is aiming to bridge the gap between the east and west sides of I-15, and city officials are asking for residents' input to make it happen. Starting on May 21, the city will start a two-year (WEConnect) study. Officials said the study will aim to address and find solutions for 'long-standing transportation barriers' — such as I-15 and several railroad tracks — that split the city down the middle. BYU to build School of Medicine at site of former Provo High School Parked trains on the tracks can increase travel times, cause delays, and be a hazard for people driving, walking, and biking to the other side of the city. 'This divide is hurting people. Every day, westside residents and Utahns from all over are delayed by parked trains – missing work, school, and access to medical care,' said Salt Lake City Council Member Alejandro 'Ale' Puy. 'This study is a step in the right direction. We need bold, community-informed solutions; this study will help us find them.' The study will begin with a public in-person open house that runs from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, at Edison Elementary School, located at 430 South Cheyenne Street. The City encourages anyone who is impacted by the divide to attend the open house. For those who are unable to attend the open house, Salt Lake City has also made through early June for residents to leave their ideas and solutions. 'No one knows what the west side needs better than westside residents,' said Mayor Erin Mendenhall. 'The solutions we're looking for already exist—in the minds and experiences of those most affected by the divide. This open house will help us center their voices and let them guide the way toward a more connected city.' Salt Lake City has already started work toward bridging the gap between the east and west sides. In 2023, the Salt Lake City council funded a pilot program that placed digital signs at railroad crossings. The signs displayed real-time information about the railways and trains, helping commuters avoid any delays. The first signs were installed in 2024 at 900 West and South Temple, with more planned in the future. The Salt Lake City council said this was only an interim solution to the divide. Police searching for man accused of attempting Layton bank robbery 74-year-old man found dead after attempting 'Rim-to-Rim' hike at Grand Canyon SLC Summer League moves to Huntsman Center Hyrum Dam road closure to last 3-4 years for new spillway Salt Lake City begins study to bridge east and west parts of the city Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Scientists have finally solved the 100-year-old mystery of why some cats are orange
usually have all eyes on them. Not only because of their silly and chaotic behaviour, but also because of their fur, which is uniquely orange in colour, and the reason for it was an enigma to scientists till now. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Now, scientists have finally solved the century-old mystery of why some cats are orange in colour. Yes, in two studies published on Thursday, scientists have pointed out the gene that causes the orange cat fur. While one was led by Stanford University's School of Medicine in the United States, the other was led by researchers in Japan. The American study Image credits: Getty Images 'Over the past hundred years or so, it was recognised that orange cats kind of fall outside of the genetic rules for how coat colour in mammals is determined,' said Christopher Kaeline, geneticist at Stanford University's School of Medicine and author of the study. Thus, the investigation into the coat colour of these felines addressed questions about animal evolution and how gene regulation is encoded in the genome. While past studies had pointed to the orange mutation being caused by the X chromosome, by analysing sequencing data, the American scientists mapped the mutation to a DNA deletion near a gene called Arhgap36. The researchers found that cats with the orange mutation expressed higher levels of RNA from the , specifically in the pigment cells. The protein produced by this gene limits a step in the middle of the biological pathway behind the coat colour. In male cats that typically have one chromosome, the orange mutation signals more Arhgap36 protein in pigment cells and activation of a pathway to produce reddish yellow colour. Those that lack the mutation and Arhgap36 pigment cells have the colour black or brown. In females, the coat colour is more complicated as they have two X chromosomes. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A process known as X-chromosome inactivation turns off one X chromosome in each cell, resulting in a mixed tortoiseshell or calico pattern. The Japanese study Image credits: Getty Images Similar to the American team, the Japanese researchers also identified Arhgap36 as the reason for the orange coat colour. They also confirmed that the gene experiences chemical modifications that suggest it undergoes X-chromosome inactivation. 'The orange gene was a long-standing mystery for scientists,' said study author Hiroyuki Sasaki, a geneticist at Kyushu University's Medical Institute of Bioregulation and Institute for Advanced Study, by email. 'It is a great joy for me to have finally cracked it with my colleagues.' Is the orange mutation responsible for ginger cats being goofy? Image credits: Getty Images It could be right? The orange mutation could be the cause that these ginger cats are way more trouble-causing than other cats, but according to the American team of scientists, it's not so. Potentially, it could be that their friendly demeanour was a by-product of them being typically males, but it could also be caused due to some other genes, as per Leslie Lyons, a feline geneticist at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine.
San Francisco Chronicle
15-05-2025
- Science
- San Francisco Chronicle
Why are some cats orange? Stanford scientists solve century-old mystery
Orange cats are special — and not just because of notoriety for silly behavior. They have also been a longtime genetic enigma. Scientists have now cracked the cat color code. Two studies, published in tandem Thursday, pinpointed the gene responsible for orange cat fur. One study was led by Stanford University's School of Medicine and scientists based in the United States; the second was led by researchers in Japan. 'Over the past hundred years or so, it was recognized that orange cats kind of fall outside of the genetic rules for how coat color in mammals is determined,' said author Christopher Kaelin, a geneticist at Stanford University's School of Medicine. The investigation of felines' orange coat color addresses broader questions about animal evolution and how gene regulation is encoded in the genome, Kaelin said. Past studies pointed to the orange mutation as being on the X chromosome. By analyzing sequencing data, the American scientists further mapped the mutation to a DNA deletion near a gene called Arhgap36. In humans, increased expression of this gene has been implicated in brain tumors and endocrine cancer, according to the study. The researchers found cats with the orange mutation expressed higher levels of RNA from the Arhgap36 gene, specifically in pigment cells. They propose that the protein produced by this gene limits a step in the middle of the biological pathway behind coat color. In male cats, who typically have one X chromosome, the orange mutation means more Arhgap36 protein in pigment cells and activation of a pathway to produce reddish yellow pigment. By contrast, in male cats without the mutation, and less Arhgap36, pigment cells produce a different pigment that's black or brown. This switch recapitulates a molecular pathway in humans, in cells that make pigment that causes red hair, said author Gregory Barsh, a geneticist at Stanford University's School of Medicine and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. Coat color is more complicated with female cats, who have two X chromosomes. A random process, known as X-chromosome inactivation, turns off one X chromosome in each cell. If a female cat has the orange mutation on just one X chromosome, this random inactivation results in a mixed tortoiseshell or calico pattern. Like the American team, the Japanese researchers identified Arhgap36 as the reason for orange cats' coat color. They additionally confirmed that the gene experiences chemical modifications that indicate it undergoes X-chromosome inactivation. 'The orange gene was a long-standing mystery for scientists,' said study author Hiroyuki Sasaki, a geneticist at Kyushu University's Institute of Bioregulation and Institute for Advanced Study, by email. 'It is a great joy for me to have finally cracked it with my colleagues.' The two studies were originally posted as preprints last year. The Japanese results were posted on Nov. 21, 2024; the American results were posted on Nov. 22, 2024. 'It's fantastic that not only one group, but two groups have published on this,' said Leslie Lyons, a feline geneticist at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, who wasn't involved with the new studies. Lyons still wants to know more about how the genetic findings translate into the ginger hues of orange cats. One step could be quantifying how much reddish yellow pigment is produced, compared with other pigments. Another could be probing how much pigment is put into feline hairs. The U.S.-based researchers found the orange mutation specifically affected pigment cells, suggesting Arhgap36 isn't involved in orange cats' reputation for goofy behavior. Potentially, their friendly demeanors could just be a byproduct of orange cats typically being male. But there also could be linkage with some other genes, Lyons said. Scientists say orange cats' personalities could be an area for future study. 'There's a lot of anecdotal stories about orange cats and behavior, or orange cats and appetite, but those aren't well-documented in the scientific literature,' Kaelin said. 'I do think there's opportunities using citizen science approaches to make those types of associations.'
