Jul 02

Most infants admitted to ICU for RSV were previously healthy, study finds

Most infants admitted to the intensive care or high acuity unit for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections during fall 2022 were previously healthy and born at term, according to a new study reported in JAMA Network Open. The findings from this study support the use of preventative interventions in all infants to protect them from RSV, the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) and hospitalizations worldwide. RSV accounts for about 57,000-80,000 hospitalizations in children younger than 5 years with 1 in 5 RSV-positive hospitalized children being admitted to intensive care units, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Researchers across the United States evaluated the characteristics and outcomes of RSV-related critical illness in 600 infants from 39 hospitals across 27 states as part of the RSV Pediatric Intensive Care registry. The registry conducted prospective surveillance during the RSV seasonal peak in 2022. During the two-month period, the investigators found: The median age for infants requiring intensive care was 2.6 months. 169 (28%) were premature. 487 (81%) had no underlying medical conditions. 143 (24%) received invasive mechanical ventilation. “Most of the infants in our study receiving ICU-level care were young, healthy and born at term,” said lead investigator Natasha Halasa, MD, MPH, Craig Weaver Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. “Although mortality was rare, our findings emphasize the significant illness caused by RSV in young infants.” Children with a history of prematurity or certain underlying medical conditions such as congenital heart disease, neurologic or neurodevelopmental/neuromuscular disorders, chronic lung disease and immunocompromising conditions are at higher risk for life-threatening RSV disease, according to Halasa and co-corresponding author Angela Campbell, MD, MPH, from the CDC. High-risk infants are the only eligible population approved to receive a monoclonal antibody to prevent RSV-associated LRTI called palivizumab. However, most infants in our study admitted to the ICU with severe RSV did not have an underlying medical condition. Therefore, our data support the need for RSV preventative interventions targeting all infants to reduce the burden of severe RSV illness, including nirsevimab, the long-acting RSV-neutralizing monoclonal antibody. The drug was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and a maternal vaccine for RSV prevention is under consideration.” Natasha Halasa, MD, MPH, Craig Weaver Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt Related Stories “These products may protect both high-risk and healthy infants from medically attended RSV-associated LRTI.” On Aug. 3, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) unanimously recommended nirsevimab for all infants younger than 8 months, born during or entering their first RSV season and for children ages 8-19 months who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease and entering their second RSV season. Additionally, ACIP unanimously recommended inclusion of nirsevimab in the Vaccines for Children program. The current study found that only 2 of 17 infants eligible for palivizumab received the treatment, which highlights administration barriers and emphasizes the need to ensure that all eligible patients receive therapeutic interventions in a timely manner. Since nirsevimab requires only one shot versus monthly shots, it is believed that uptake and compliance will be improved. “We hope that our study findings will aid in the design of future RSV prophylactic and maternal RSV vaccine effectiveness and usage studies and recommendations,” Halasa said. The study was supported by the CDC. Vanderbilt University Medical Center Journal reference: Halasa, N., et al. (2023). Infants Admitted to US Intensive Care Units for RSV Infection During the 2022 Seasonal Peak. JAMA Network Open. doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.28950.

Jul 02

Blood factor can turn back time in the aging brain

<div data-thumb="https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/tmb/2023/blood-factor-can-turn.jpg" data-src="https://scx2.b-cdn.net/gfx/news/hires/2023/blood-factor-can-turn.jpg" data-sub-html="Systemic PF4 enhances adult hippocampal neurogenesis in vivo. a Experimental design of PF4 injection paradigm in young mice. b, c Intravenous (i.v.) PF4 injections for 1 week did not affect neural precursor cell proliferation in the subgranular zone (SGZ; n = 10 mice in saline group; n = 9 mice in PF4 group; counts of one hemisphere), but increased the number of doublecortin+ (DCX+) cells (n = 15 mice per group; counts of one hemisphere). d Experimental design of the double-labeling paradigm with CldU and IdU. e Acute administration of PF4 did not affect neural precursor cell proliferation, including the recruitment of cells from quiescence (n = 20 mice per group). f Running paradigm of PF4 knockout (KO) mice. g Representative images of Ki67+ cells in the SGZ of PF4 KO and wildtype (WT) mice. Scale bar: 50 μm. h PF4 KO mice show a significant reduction in the number of proliferating cells compared to wildtype mice. Physical exercise did not increase neural precursor proliferation in PF4 KO mice (WT STD n = 12; WT RUN n = 8; KO STD n = 14; KO RUN n = 8; counts of one hemisphere). i Representative images of DCX+ cells in the dentate gyrus (DG) of PF4 KO and wildtype mice. Scale bar: 50 μm. j PF4 KO mice have significantly lower levels of baseline neurogenesis compared to wildtype littermates (WT STD n = 12; KO STD n = 14; counts of one hemisphere). STD standard-housing, RUN 10-day running. Bars are mean ± SEM. Statistical analysis was performed using unpaired Student’s two-tailed t tests in (c) and (j), and one-way ANOVA with Sidak comparison in (h). *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001. Source data are provided as Source Data file. Credit: Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39873-9″> Systemic PF4 enhances adult hippocampal neurogenesis in vivo. a Experimental design of PF4 injection paradigm in young mice. b, c Intravenous (i.v.) PF4 injections for 1 week did not affect neural precursor cell proliferation in the subgranular zone (SGZ; n = 10 mice in saline group; n = 9 mice in PF4 group; counts of one hemisphere), but increased the number of doublecortin+ (DCX+) cells (n = 15 mice per group; counts of one hemisphere). d Experimental design of the double-labeling paradigm with CldU and IdU. e Acute administration of PF4 did not affect neural precursor cell proliferation, including the recruitment of cells from quiescence (n = 20 mice per group). f Running paradigm of PF4 knockout (KO) mice. g Representative images of Ki67+ cells in the SGZ of PF4 KO and wildtype (WT) mice. Scale bar: 50 μm. h PF4 KO mice show a significant reduction in the number of proliferating cells compared to wildtype mice. Physical exercise did not increase neural precursor proliferation in PF4 KO mice (WT STD n = 12; WT RUN n = 8; KO STD n = 14; KO RUN n = 8; counts of one hemisphere). i Representative images of DCX+ cells in the dentate gyrus (DG) of PF4 KO and wildtype mice. Scale bar: 50 μm. j PF4 KO mice have significantly lower levels of baseline neurogenesis compared to wildtype littermates (WT STD n = 12; KO STD n = 14; counts of one hemisphere). STD standard-housing, RUN 10-day running. Bars are mean ± SEM. Statistical analysis was performed using unpaired Student’s two-tailed t tests in (c) and (j), and one-way ANOVA with Sidak comparison in (h). *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001. Source data are provided as Source Data file. Credit: Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39873-9 Platelets are behind the cognitive benefits of young blood, exercise and the longevity hormone klotho. In a remarkable convergence, scientists have discovered that the same blood factor is responsible for the cognitive enhancement that results from young blood transfusion, the longevity hormone klotho, and exercise. In a trio of papers appearing in Nature, Nature Aging and Nature Communications, two UCSF teams and a team from the University of Queensland (Australia), identify platelet factor 4 (PF4) as a common messenger of each of these interventions. As its name suggests, PF4 is made by platelets, a type of blood cell that alerts the immune system when there is a wound and helps to form clots. It turns out that PF4 is also a cognitive enhancer. Under its influence, old mice recover the sharpness of middle age and young mice get smarter. “Young blood, klotho, and exercise can somehow tell your brain, ‘Hey, improve your function,’” said Saul Villeda, Ph.D., associate director of the UCSF Bakar Aging Research Institute and the senior author on the Nature paper. “With PF4, we’re starting to understand the vocabulary behind this rejuvenation.” Villeda led the study on young blood, which was published in Nature. Dena Dubal, MD, Ph.D., UCSF professor and David A. Coulter Endowed Chair in Aging and Neurodegenerative Disease, led the study on klotho, which was published in Nature Aging. Tara Walker, Ph.D., professor of neuroscience at the University of Queensland, led the study on exercise, which was published in Nature Communications. They committed to releasing their findings at the same time to make the case for PF4 from three different angles. “When we realized we had independently and serendipitously found the same thing, our jaws dropped,” Dubal said. “The fact that three separate interventions converged on platelet factors truly highlights the validity and reproducibility of this biology. The time has come to pursue platelet factors in brain health and cognitive enhancement.” Platelets quell the inflammation of an aging brain and body Villeda is an expert on parabiosis, an experiment in which two animals are linked together by their blood circulation. When a young, sprightly animal is connected to an aging animal, the aging animal becomes more youthful–its muscles more resilient, its brain more capable of learning. In 2014, Villeda found that plasma, consisting of blood minus red blood cells, mimicked parabiosis: young blood plasma, injected into old animals, was restorative. When his team compared young plasma to old plasma, they found it contained much more PF4. Just injecting PF4 into old animals was about as restorative as young plasma. It calmed down the aged immune system in the body and the brain. Old animals treated with PF4 performed better on a variety of memory and learning tasks. “PF4 actually causes the immune system to

Jul 02

Infections, Antibiotic Use Closely Associated With Late-Onset AD

Antibiotic use and infections are closely associated with late-onset atopic dermatitis (AD), according to a study published in Annals of Dermatology. The researchers explained that recent studies have suggested that varying onset times of AD may differ by patient risk factors. Consequently, they conducted a nationwide population-based case-control study to investigate potential differences in the influence of antibiotic use or infections on AD risk according to patients’ onset ages. They analyzed data of patients with AD from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. The researchers identified patients with AD as those who visited medical institutions with an AD principal diagnostic code (L20, L20.0, L20.8, and L20.9 in the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision) more than twice in 6 months, defining AD onset as the patient’s first visit date. For comparison, the researchers created an age- and sex-matched control group for each patient with AD. Similarly, the researchers identified patients’ infection episodes as their visits to medical institutes with a principal diagnostic code for infectious diseases. Also, they calculated the number of infection episodes and categorized them by organ involvement (eg, respiratory, gastrointestinal, otology, genitourinary, cutaneous, hematologic). Additionally, the researchers defined antibiotic cycles as a prescription of antibiotics, calculating the number of antibiotic cycles and the use duration. white pills spilling from orange bottle | Image credit: neirfy – stock.adobe.com. The study population consisted of 244,805 children with AD and an equal amount of sex- and age-matched healthy children. The researchers divided the patients according to onset age; the early-onset group consisted of patients who developed AD at younger than 2 years and the late-onset group consisted of those who developed AD at 2 years or older. Of the population, 216,563 (88.5%) developed AD before age 2 years. The analysis showed that infections had a positive association with AD risk in both groups, but it was greater in those with late-onset AD (odds ratio [OR], 15.81; 95% CI, 12.40-20.17; early-onset group: OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.54-1.59). Through further analysis, the researchers found that the association was strongest after skin infections in the early-onset group (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.91-1.99) and respiratory infections in the late-onset group (OR, 15.57; 95% CI, 12.44-19.49). Antibiotic use was also positively associated with AD risk in both groups, with the association stronger in the late-onset group (OR, 8.78; 95% CI, 7.42-10.40; early-onset group: OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.06-1.09). Through their findings, the researchers concluded that the degree of association between the risk of AD and infection or antibiotic use was different as they found it to have a greater influence on late-onset AD. They also found that respiratory infections strongly affected late-onset AD development. “Abnormal epithelial barrier or immune regulation can be the common underlying risk factors for AD and respiratory infection,” the authors wrote. “These immune responses may explain the strong association between respiratory infection and AD identified in this study.” The researchers acknowledged their study’s limitations, one being that they could not find information on confounding factors like environmental influences or a personal or family history of atopic disorders. Despite these limitations, they concluded by noting that “the prevention of infections can be a way to reduce the risk of AD, especially late-onset AD.” Reference Choi CW, Yang BR, Suh DI, et al. Infections and exposure to antibiotics may affect the development of late-onset rather than early-onset atopic dermatitis. Ann Dermatol. 2023;35(4):325-328. doi:10.5021/ad.21.240

Jul 02

State Investigates Rare Bacteria Infection Death – Finger Lakes Daily News

Vibriosis, a rare but potentially fatal bacterial infection that can cause skin breakdown and ulcers, has been identified in a recently deceased individual from Suffolk County, New York. Fatal cases of vibriosis have also been identified in Connecticut. Governor Kathy Hochul on Wednesday urged New Yorkers to learn how to avoid exposure and to take appropriate precautions, as the New York State Department of Health reminded providers to consider vibriosis when diagnosing wound infections or sepsis of unknown origins. Vibriosis is caused by several species of bacteria, including the Vibrio vulnificus bacteria, which occurs naturally in saltwater coastal environments and can be found in higher concentrations from May to October when the weather is warmer. Infection with vibriosis can cause a range of symptoms when ingested, including diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, fever and chills. Exposure can also result in ear infections and cause sepsis and life-threatening wound infections. The death in Suffolk County is still being investigated to determine if the bacteria was encountered in New York waters or elsewhere. In the meantime, the New York State Department of Health this week reminded healthcare providers to consider vibrio vulnificus when seeing individuals with severe wound infections or sepsis with or without wound infections. While anyone can get vibriosis, those with liver disease, cancer, or a weakened immune system or people taking medicine to decrease stomach acid levels may be more likely to get an infection or develop complications when infected. To help prevent vibriosis, people with a wound, such as a cut or scrape, a recent piercing or tattoo, should avoid exposing skin to warm seawater in coastal environments or cover the wound with a waterproof bandage. In addition, those with compromised immune systems should avoid eating raw or undercooked shellfish, such as oysters, which can carry the bacteria. Wear gloves when handling raw shellfish and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water when finished. More information about vibriosis can be found here (https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/vibriosis/index.htm). Get the top stories on your radio 24/7 on Finger Lakes News Radio 96.3 and 1590, WAUB and 106.3 and 1240, WGVA, and on Finger Lakes Country, 96.1/96.9/101.9/1570 WFLR.

Jul 02

IAN HERBERT: The Lionesses stand on the brink of glory

IAN HERBERT: Blood seeping through their socks, England ran the show and silenced the partisan Australia crowd… now the Lionesses stand on the brink of World Cup glory England reached the World Cup final with a 3-1 win over hosts Australia The Lionesses are now on the brink of glory with only Spain standing in their way WATCH: ‘It’s All Kicking Off’ – Episode 1 – Mail Sport’s brand new football show By Ian Herbert For The Daily Mail Published: 13:59 EDT, 16 August 2023 | Updated: 14:05 EDT, 16 August 2023

Jul 02

Study supports hypothesis that mitochondrial dysregulation is a contributor to the development of schizophrenia

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Researchers at Rutgers and Emory University are gaining insights into how schizophrenia develops by studying the strongest-known genetic risk factor. When a small portion of chromosome 3 is missing—known as 3q29 deletion syndrome—it increases the risk for schizophrenia by about 40-fold. Researchers have now analyzed overlapping patterns of altered gene activity in two models of 3q29 deletion syndrome, including mice where the deletion has been engineered in using CRIPSR, and human brain organoids, or three-dimensional tissue cultures used to study disease. These two systems both exhibit impaired mitochondrial function. This dysfunction can cause energy shortfalls in the brain and result in psychiatric symptoms and disorders. “Our data give strong support to the hypothesis that mitochondrial dysregulation is a contributor to the development of schizophrenia,” said Jennifer Mulle, associate professor of psychiatry, neuroscience and cell biology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and a co-senior author of the study published in Science Advances. “The interplay between mitochondrial dynamics and neuronal maturation is an important area for additional detailed and rigorous study.” Mulle, a member of the Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine at Rutgers, and colleagues first showed that 3q29 deletion was a risk factor for schizophrenia in 2010. The findings converge with work on another genetic risk factor for schizophrenia, 22q11 deletion syndrome (or DiGeorge syndrome), which has also been found to involve disrupted mitochondrial function. “For genetic variants associated with schizophrenia, we want to understand the primary pathology at the cellular level,” said Ryan Purcell, assistant professor of cell biology at Emory University School of Medicine and co-lead author of the study. “This gives us a foothold, which may help cut through schizophrenia’s polygenic complexity and better understand the neurobiology.” About one in 30,000 people are born with 3q29 deletion syndrome. In addition to increasing the risk for schizophrenia, 3q29 deletion can include intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder and congenital heart defects. The effect of 3q29 deletion on schizophrenia risk is more than any single known gene variant, but the contributions of individual genes within the deletion are still being unraveled. The finding that various schizophrenia-associated chromosomal deletions impair mitochondria runs counter to an expectation in the field that such mutations should alter proteins in the synapses that connect neurons. However, mitochondria are critical for energy-hungry synapses’ function—so these models may not be in conflict. It was also surprising that 3q29 cells have poorly functioning mitochondria because only one of the 22 genes in the deletion appears to encode a protein located in mitochondria. However, that gene or others within the interval may instead regulate the production or importation of mitochondrial proteins, the researchers said. Mitochondria, which are found in every cell, produce energy from sugar or fat. Sometimes this process is aerobic (done with extra oxygen from inhaled air) and sometimes anaerobic (done without oxygen). As a result of altered mitochondrial function, 3q29 cells lack metabolic flexibility, meaning their mitochondria have difficulty adapting to changes in sources of energy. This may interfere with neuronal development because maturing neurons need to switch to relying on aerobic energy production as they differentiate. The results illustrate how 3q29 deletion affects the whole body, not just the brain: The effects on mitochondria are seen in kidney cells as well as in brain cells. Individuals with 3q29 deletion syndrome also tend to be smaller in size, possibly because of altered fat metabolism. “Eventually, we want to understand which cellular changes like these are linked to specific clinical outcomes, which could help in designing more effective therapeutic strategies,” Purcell said. More information: Ryan Purcell et al, Cross-species analysis identifies mitochondrial dysregulation as a functional consequence of the schizophrenia-associated 3q29 deletion, Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh0558. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adh0558 Provided by Rutgers University Citation: Study supports hypothesis that mitochondrial dysregulation is a contributor to the development of schizophrenia (2023, August 16) retrieved 16 August 2023 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-08-hypothesis-mitochondrial-dysregulation-contributor-schizophrenia.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Jul 02

Causes of increased hepatitis risk in monsoon, tips for a healthy liver

ByZarafshan Shiraz, New Delhi Aug 16, 2023 07:31 PM IST Share Via Copy Link There are a large number of people who are detected with hepatitis A and E during the rainy season. Here are its causes along with treatment and prevention tips Gastrointestinal problems, including liver diseases, surge during the monsoon season owing to factors such as contaminated water and food hence, there are a large number of people who are detected with hepatitis A and E during the rainy season. People should take precautionary measures to keep liver problems at bay and lead a healthy life and avoid eating unclean raw food and vegetables, give up on street food as it can be made with contaminated water, get vaccinated for hepatitis and take medication prescribed by the doctor only. Causes of increased hepatitis risk in monsoon, tips for a healthy liver (Photo by Twitter/AbeDan14) In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Harshad Joshi, Consultant Gastroenterologist at Apollo Spectra in Mumbai, shared, “Monsoon is synonymous with a host of gastrointestinal problems including hepatitis infection. From children to adults to senior citizens, anyone can suffer from liver problems. “Contamination during rainy seasons leads to stomach infections. The common stomach infections are dysentery and diarrhea causing stomach pain, loose motions, and nausea. Typhoid is a serious bacterial infection causing High fever, stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting. Hepatitis A and Jaundice can also give one a tough time. Hepatitis A means inflammation (swelling) of the liver. Poor sanitation, and water and food contamination raise the chances of dysfunction. One will suffer from jaundice leading to yellow eyes, yellow urine, white stools and stomach pain.” Dr Vikas Pandey, Gastroenterologist at Zynova Shalby Hospital, highlighted, “Liver infections or hepatitis cases are on the rise during monsoon owing to A and E viruses. One gets hepatitis A or E because of contaminated food or water or from close contact with an infected person. Eating food available on the streets or opting for pre-cut fruits that may be washed with contaminated water, drinking juices, and having pani puris, gola, sherbet made from contaminated water or ice, unclean raw food, and vegetables can make one prone to hepatitis. In 2021, 110 people suffering from liver and gastrointestinal diseases were treated during monsoon. In 2022, the number of patients increased to 326 patients. This year, when the rainy season has just started, 220 patients suffering from liver problems and gastrointestinal diseases have been found. Water intake is greatly reduced during monsoons. It increases liver and stomach-related disorders. So it is very important to drink enough water irrespective of the season.” Dr Vikram Raut, Director of Liver Transplantation and HPB Surgery at Medicover Hospitals in Navi Mumbai, revealed, “Hepatitis A and E can take a toll on one’s overall well-being. It can steal one’s peace of mind as if left untreated, they can damage the liver. Hepatitis A and E presents as jaundice when the skin and the eyes turn yellow. One’s condition can worsen when he/she doesn’t seek timely treatment leading to acute liver failure and ultimately liver transplantation.” Talking about the treatment and preventive measures, Dr Harshad Joshi suggested, “The treatment will be based on symptoms and differ from one-person-to-another. Take the medication prescribed by the doctor only. Avoid eating raw food and vegetables or street food and boil the water before drinking. Juices and other drinks are a strict no-no as they may contain contaminated ice, do not eat pre-cut fruits available at roadside stalls, wash hands from time to time.” Topics Treatment Stomach Pain Hepatitis A Vaccination Hepatitis C Hepatitis B Monsoon Health Fitness Rain Rains Rainfall Liver

Jul 02

How the Red Cross Chooses Its Blood Donation Snacks

As she removed the needle from the crook of my arm, the nurse overseeing my very first blood donation said, “I hope you had a good experience, because 95% of first-time donors never give blood a second time.” I can’t verify that statistic (National Library of Medicine data appears to refute it), but she’s certainly right that most people don’t tend to incorporate blood drives into their regular routine. I do, though. I give as often as the Red Cross allows, and not because I’m some angel of mercy or even all that charitable. For me, a big part of it comes down to—what else?—the snacks. How To Dispose Of Cooking Grease The Easy Way After Frying Off English The American Red Cross, founded in 1881, has been collecting civilians’ blood a pint at a time since 1948, and donation centers hum along like a well-oiled machine. Although the human body is surprisingly good at losing roughly 10% of its blood supply within minutes, a post-donation pick-me-up helps stabilize one’s blood sugar levels and provides the necessary energy boost for your body to replace its lost blood volume (a process that takes 24-48 hours). But the snack table carries other less obvious benefits, too. Advertisement Why you always get a snack at blood drives “Having a seat, munching on a small snack and drinking water helps donors recuperate under the care of staff trained to identify and respond to adverse reactions,” Red Cross spokesperson Danny Parra told The Takeout via email. If you waltz right out the door after donating, you leave behind any medical professionals who know what to do if you faint, suffer a dizzy spell, or feel nauseous after giving blood. Staying parked in a chair and working your way through a bag of Welch’s Fruit Snacks while you check emails keeps you monitored by the pros just a little longer. Advertisement Advertisement Parra also suggests that the snack table functions as a gathering place for donors to socialize. While I don’t often chat up my fellow blood-givers, it’s true that this self-selected group of folks who took time out of their workday to get a needle stuck in their arm tends to be a pleasant bunch, flush with the satisfaction of having helped someone in need. Plus, emphasizing the social element can often encourage groups of people to snag donation time slots together, thereby increasing the amount of donations per blood drive. Finally, it’s a perk, plain and simple. “Providing tasty snacks and refreshing drinks is one of the ways we care for and show our gratitude to the 6.8 million Americans who donate blood each year,” Parra said. On my college campus, blood donations always came with the promise of two slices of pizza per donor. Do you think anyone with the proper iron levels turned that down? The Red Cross blood donation snack options The pizza, I eventually found out, is not a standard offering. The Red Cross arrives with its own supply of prepackaged treats in tow, and the organization hosting the drive can layer on any other perks they want (such as Papa Johns). Because it’s provided by the Red Cross itself, the post-donation snack table always seems to have the same array of options. They might vary by region, but here’s what’s always on offer at my Midwest-area blood drives: Bottled water Sun-Maid Raisins Welch’s Fruit Snacks Cheez-It Whole Grain Chips Ahoy! Snyders of Hanover Mini Pretzels Cooper Street Twice Baked Cookies (Brownie Chocolate & Blueberry Lemon flavor) Cooper Street Granola Bakes (Oatmeal Cranberry & Blueberry Pomegranate flavor) OREO Minis Nutter Butter cookies Quite an assortment, right? There’s always lots to choose from; I go for the Cooper Street products because they’re the only snacks that feel “exotic” (aka aren’t available at every single major grocery store nationwide). I asked Parra how the Red Cross decides what to stock—beyond the bottled water, of course. Advertisement “The Red Cross strives to provide snacks that accommodate all dietary needs, including those with celiac sensitivity, by offering raisins, trail mix, and fruit snacks as gluten free options,” Parra said. Similarly, the Cooper Street snacks are nut free and dairy free, and both the pretzels and Cheez-Its contain no sugar. Advertisement What to eat before and after blood donation However, both preparing for and recuperating from a blood donation takes more than just the snacks provided by the Red Cross. There’s a lot of guidance on what to do before, during, and after donation to ensure a seamless recovery, and much of it revolves around what to eat. Here are the broad strokes: Drink the right fluids. Avoid alcoholic drinks before your appointment, and if you can make it through the day without your morning coffee, it’s best to skip that as well. These beverages can affect your heart rate, as well as displace water in your system. Meanwhile, you should be taking in an extra glass or two of water beyond what you’d normally consume; this will make your veins easier to find, sparing you any extra prods and pokes of the needle. Eat a full meal. Eating iron-rich foods is preferred before a blood donation because it assists the production of hemoglobin, which delivers oxygen to your body tissue. But even if you don’t have dark leafy greens and lamb chops lying around the house, there are a surprising number of foods recommended by the Red Cross that you’re bound to have on hand. Do it all again. Just as you prepped for your blood donation with plenty of food and excess hydration, you’ll need to repeat that regimen in the 24 hours following your donation, too. During this timeframe, at least, don’t try to make your body run on your typical weekday intake of Diet Coke and pretzel rods, okay? Advertisement If you’ve never donated blood, the thought of following all this guidance might be understandably daunting. But if the prospect of ducking out of work for an hour, lying on

Jul 02

UW and Wyoming Libraries Offer Blood Pressure Cuffs for Checkout

Kacie Hutton (left) and Jill Matlock, both prevention specialists with the Wyoming Department of Health’s Chronic Disease Prevention Program, look over educational materials that are part of blood pressure kits available at the Natrona County Library. The kits are offered through a collaborative pilot project involving the Wyoming Center on Aging at the University of Wyoming, the Wyoming Department of Health’s Chronic Disease Prevention Program and each library system in all 23 Wyoming counties. (Kyle Spradley Photo) Self-measured blood pressure monitoring kits are now available for checkout at libraries across the state. The kits are offered through a collaborative pilot project involving the Wyoming Center on Aging (WyCOA) at the University of Wyoming, the Wyoming Department of Health’s Chronic Disease Prevention Program and each library system in all 23 Wyoming counties. In all, 252 blood pressure monitoring kits are available at 67 libraries. The project started out small with what was supposed to be a four-county pilot project in Albany, Converse, Park and Sweetwater counties. But, after WyCOA staff attended the Wyoming Library Association Conference in Casper in October 2022, the project quickly grew. “We were able to demonstrate the kits to the library professionals, and they were so excited. They all asked when their library was next in line for kits,” says Kara Beech, a regional coordinator with WyCOA. “It was exciting to see how the libraries want to not only provide books but be an information and resources hub for their community,” adds Kevin Franke, a regional coordinator with WyCOA. “They were a great group of individuals to work with on this project.” The kits, available in both English and Spanish, include an automated home blood pressure cuff; blood pressure logbooks; educational materials from the American Heart Association; information on what blood pressure is; and ideas for healthy lifestyle changes. The kits also include a resource directory to local community-based organizations and referral resources to the Healthy U chronic disease self-management program and Cent$ible Nutrition Program. The loan period is two or three weeks, depending on the library. Blood pressure kits can be renewed, up to two times, if there are no holds on the item. Nearly half of adults in the United States — 47 percent, or 116 million — have high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, or are taking medication for hypertension, and 24 percent with hypertension have their condition under control, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Wyoming, 30.7 percent of adults have been told that they have high blood pressure, according to the Wyoming Department of Health’s Chronic Disease Prevention Program. While self-measured blood pressure is not a substitute for regular visits to primary care physicians, it is a way for individuals to see and track their numbers, giving them more information that can be communicated to their doctors. “Information is power and, the more information a patient and their doctor have, the better the treatment plan,” Beech says. “Better treatment plans lead to better overall health. That’s the goal of this project — to work to improve the health of our communities.” Libraries around the state are committed to building and supporting strong, healthy communities. This project provided a unique opportunity to offer communities more information about self-monitored blood pressure and its important role in health. “We’re excited to partner with the Wyoming Department of Health and WyCOA to bring these much-needed resources to the community,” says Lisa Scroggins, executive director of the Natrona County Library. To watch a video about this program, go to www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mmm4Y4x_JDc. To learn more about WyCOA and its programs, go to www.uwyo.edu/wycoa/.