Day: July 1, 2024

Jul 01

Ultra-processed food raises risk of heart attack and stroke

Ultra-processed food significantly raises the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attacks and strokes, according to two studies presented this weekend at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Amsterdam. The first study, which tracked 10,000 Australian women for 15 years, found that those with the highest proportion of ultra-processed food (UPF) in their diet were 39 per cent more likely to develop high blood pressure than those with the lowest. The second study, a wide-ranging analysis of 10 studies involving more than 325,000 men and women, showed those who ate the most UPF were 24 per cent more likely to have serious heart and circulatory events including heart attacks, strokes and angina. Processing is the problem More than half of the typical British daily diet is made up of ultra-processed food, more than any other country in Europe. The products, made using a series of industrial processes, are often high in salt and sugar and may contain additives and preservatives. They include breakfast cereals, ready meals, frozen pizzas, sweets and biscuits. In the first study, the link between UPF consumption and a greater risk of high blood pressure remained even after researchers had adjusted their analysis to account for the impact of salt, sugar, fat and other nutrients. This suggests that it is the processing itself that is harmful. High blood pressure, or hypertension, increases the risk of serious heart and circulatory conditions including heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, and vascular dementia. According to the larger study, a 10 per cent increase in UPF consumption in daily calorie intake was associated with a 6% increased risk of heart disease. Those with UPF making up less than 15 per cent of their diet were least at risk of any heart problems. “Increasing concern” Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, our Associate Medical Director, said: “There is increasing concern about links shown between ultra-processed foods and cardiovascular disease. The study of women in Australia showed an association between higher consumption of these foods and the development of high blood pressure. “More research is needed to better understand why these links have been found and what the mechanisms are. For example, we don’t know to what degree this is driven by artificial additives or the high levels of salt, sugar and fat that these foods tend to contain. “We do know that the world around us doesn’t always make it easy for the healthy option to be the accessible and affordable option. On the contrary, less healthy foods often take centre stage. To address this we need a comprehensive strategy that creates an environment that can support people to live long and healthy lives.” Find out more about our healthy eating advice

Jul 01

Florida Lawmaker: DeSantis Has ‘Blood On His Hands’ After Jacksonville Shooting

LOADINGERROR LOADING Florida state Rep. Angie Nixon (D) slammed the state’s governor, Ron DeSantis (R), in emotional remarks after a white man shot and killed three Black people in what officials described as a “racially motivated” attack in Jacksonville on Saturday. “Look, at the end of the day, the governor has blood on his hands,” Nixon, who represents a district that includes the site of the deadly Dollar General store shooting, told MSNBC on Sunday. Advertisement “He has had an attack, an all-out attack on the Black community with his anti-woke policies, which we know very well was nothing more than a dog whistle to get folks up and riled up in the way in which it just happened yesterday. As I listened to him for the first time with that statement, my blood is literally boiling,” Nixon said. The lawmaker criticized DeSantis, who has condemned the attack, after he said “targeting people due to their race has no place in the state of Florida” at a press conference on Sunday. DeSantis has come under fire for backing efforts to loosen gun restrictions, gone after what he describes as “woke” policies, and supported controversial standards for teaching Black history in his state. Nixon noted that she and other Black lawmakers have “repeatedly” warned the GOP presidential candidate about his rhetoric. Advertisement “This is absurd, it’s ridiculous. He is one of the causes to this. This is an agenda that he has been pushing since he has gotten into office,” said Nixon, who referred to the governor’s “monkey this up” remark when he ran against 2018 Democratic opponent Andrew Gillum, who is Black. “We have Republican leadership across this state who are doing everything to continually attack Black lives. They are doing everything to erase Black history. They are feeding our children propaganda. All that does is lead to the devaluation of Black lives,” she added. Nixon, who appeared alongside the governor as he was booed at a Jacksonville vigil on Sunday, wrote in a post on X (formerly called Twitter) that DeSantis “needs to apologize for his part” in the attack. “Gov. DeSantis and the Republican Party of Florida are doing nothing but hurting us. And I am angry. I will not continue to sit idly by,” Nixon said in an emotional message. You can watch more of Nixon’s remarks on MSNBC in the clip below. Maybe you don’t know who Florida state Rep Angie Nixon is, but you will now. 🔥🔥🔥 If you care about what life is like in Florida under Gov Ron DeSantis, I urge you to listen to ALL of this. You will feel it in your bones. Thank you, @AngieNixon #Jacksonville pic.twitter.com/mIFpfS0roh — Christopher Webb (@cwebbonline) August 27, 2023 Advertisement <div class="js-react-hydrator" data-component-name="RelatedArticles" data-component-id="1482" data-component-props="{"index":16,"contentListType":"relatedArticles","blockTitle":"Related…","articlesList":[{"id":"64ec09c5e4b05b73949db94b","editionId":"us","headline":"Ron DeSantis Booed At Vigil For Victims Of Jacksonville Shooting","url":"https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ron-desantis-booed-jacksonville_n_64ec09c5e4b05b73949db94b","dek":"The Florida governor did not get a warm welcome from those mourning the three people killed in Saturday's racist attack.","defaultImage":{"type":"hector","url":"https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/64ec0f462200003200f11918.jpeg","queryParams":{"cache":"nTipXd2Hlw"},"width":7880,"height":5253,"credit":"via Associated Press","ops":""},"section":{"Id":"5576fe88e4b00a64381c1325","title":"Politics","url":"politics"},"lastPublished":"2023-08-28T15:28:46Z"},{"id":"64ebbcb3e4b0d17252144ca7","editionId":"us","headline":"Sheriff Provides The First Details Of How A White Man Fatally Shot 3 Black People At A Florida Store","url":"https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ryan-palmeter-racist-shooting-jacksonville-florida_n_64ebbcb3e4b0d17252144ca7","dek":"Ryan Palmeter used an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle and a Glock handgun in the shooting, Sheriff T.K. 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Deadly Jacksonville Shooting

Jul 01

As experts warn ultra-processed foods increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, what are they and how can you avoid them?

Ultra-processed foods (UPF) may increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attacks and strokes, two new studies have found. One of the presentations to the European Society of Cardiology in Amsterdam suggests consuming things like breakfast cereals, fizzy drinks and fast food could increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by almost 25%. Ultra-processed foods are generally defined as those that typically have five or more ingredients and include additives and ingredients that are not generally used in home cooking. What do the studies say? A team of researchers from the University of Sydney studied how increased consumption of UPF affected more than 10,000 middle-aged women over the last 15 years. They found that those with the highest proportion of UPF in their diet were 39% more likely to develop high blood pressure than those with the lowest, The Guardian reported. The second study, by researchers at China’s Fourth Military Medical University, found those who ate the most UPF were almost 25% more likely to suffer from a heart attack, stroke, or angina. More on Food Related Topics: Increasing the intake of UPF by only 10% caused the risk of heart disease to jump significantly, they added. Those with less than 15% of UPF in their diet were least likely to suffer from heart-related medical problems. Advertisement While researchers said there was a “non-linear relationship between UPF consumption and cardiovascular events”, they added: “Heavy UPF consumption was significantly and positively associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events.” Image: Mass manufactured bread can count as ultra-processed What are UPFs? It is estimated that more than half of British diets are made up of ultra-processed food – items which have gone through a series of industrial processes, and may contain preservatives. According to the British Heart Foundation, they often contain high levels of saturated fat, salt and sugar. That means there is “less room in our diets for more nutritious foods”, the BHF says. Ultra-processed foods include: Fizzy drinks, chocolate and sweets, hot dogs, sausages, hamburgers, meatballs, instant soup and noodles, ready meals, margarine and spreads, meal substitute shakes and breakfast cereals. Some seemingly ‘natural’ UPFs Most of the bread or buns in a supermarket bread aisle, cereal bars, fruit yogurts and ready-to-heat products. Like pre-prepared pies and pizzas, they may all seem pretty harmless when you view them on the supermarket shelf, but they actually qualify as ultra-processed. That is because they may contain extra ingredients added during production, such as emulsifiers, sweeteners, and artificial colours and flavours. Processed foods: Tends to be products with a few extra ingredients – typically made by adding things like sugar, oil and salt to unprocessed food. They include: canned fruit and vegetables, salted or sugared nuts and seeds, salted, cured or smoked meats, canned fish, fruit in syrup, cheese and handmade bread. Unprocessed or minimally processed foods: Fruit, vegetables, pulses, rice, seeds, pasta, eggs, fresh meat, fish and milk. How to eat healthily The best way to get your nutrition is via fresh, unprocessed food, cooked from scratch. A Mediterranean diet is often cited as healthy. It is recommended by the British Heart Foundation because it contains plenty of “minimally or unprocessed foods such as fruit, vegetables, fish, nuts and seeds, beans, lentils and wholegrains”, said dietitian Victoria Taylor. Read more on Sky News:Ultra-processed food linked to early death, studies findDo you know how much salt you should be eating?Bringing cake to office ‘as harmful as passive smoking’ Image: Some breakfast cereals are classed as ultra-processed What do experts say? Former government food adviser Henry Dimbleby said the results should be a “wake-up call” for the UK. “If there is something inherent in the processing of foods that is harmful, then that is a disaster,” he told The Guardian. “Britain is particularly bad for ultra-processed food. It is storing up problems for the future. If we do nothing, a tidal wave of harm is going to hit the NHS.” Dr Chris van Tulleken, a TV doctor who has written a book on UPF called Ultra Processed People, said the studies were “entirely consistent with a large and growing body of work showing that increasing consumption of UPF is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease”. He added: “Almost every food that comes with a health claim on the packet is UPF. “There is now significant evidence that these products inflame the gut, disrupt appetite regulation, alter hormone levels and cause myriad other effects which likely increase the risk of cardiovascular and other disease much in the same way that smoking does.”

Jul 01

Lincoln first responders launching blood drive to honor a fallen hero

6 minutes ago LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Local first responders are putting together a blood drive in honor of a fallen hero. Saturday marked three years since Lincoln Police Investigator Mario Herrera was shot while serving a warrant. He died 12 days later. But starting this Monday, you can give back in his honor. During those final 12 days of his life, officials say Herrera received countless amounts of blood transfusions, keeping him alive longer than anticipated. That’s why Lincoln Police and Lincoln Fire and Rescue are banding together for the “12 Days of Hope” blood drive. According to the American Red Cross, just one blood donation can save more than one life. If you’d like to donate, head to the Public Safety Center at 6601 Pine Lake Road from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tags: 12 days of hope, 12 Days of Hope Blood Drive, American Red Cross, blood transfusion, Investigator Mario Herrera, Lincoln Fire & Rescue, Lincoln Fire and Rescue, Lincoln Police Department, Lincoln Police Investigator Mario Herrera, Mario Herrera., Public Safety Center

Jul 01

Study discovers method to classify febrile illness with a single blood sample

In a recent study published in the Med Journal, researchers trained machine learning (ML) models to analyze RNA molecular signatures in patients’ blood and evaluated their performance in distinguishing between common infectious pediatric diseases. Their results elucidate that ML models assessing differential gene expression levels can rapidly differentiate between 18 inflammatory and infectious diseases in children. Notable, these models’ diagnostic accuracy was comparable to medical health professionals perusing conventional clinical data. Given the poor diagnostic accuracy and severe delays of current diagnostic approaches, this proof of concept shows excellent promise in diagnosing illnesses during pediatric care in the future. Study: Diagnosis of childhood febrile illness using a multi-class blood RNA molecular signature. Image Credit: NDABCreativity/Shutterstock.com The limitations of today’s pediatric diagnoses Children seeking medical care most commonly suffer from inflammatory and infectious diseases in hospital and community settings. Of these, only a small portion of children are infected with severe bacterial or inflammatory conditions, presenting clinical teams with the conundrum of appropriately identifying and treating this cohort without over-treating most patients suffering from self-limiting viral infections. “Conventional diagnostic tests cannot distinguish the multitude of potential etiologies with sufficient speed and accuracy to inform initial treatment. Culture-based microbiological diagnosis is slow, and while molecular diagnostic techniques are faster, they are limited by the pathogens included in the panel and positive results may identify pathogens that are not the cause of the current illness, particularly for respiratory samples.” Conventional viral pathogen detection often identifies a single viral pathogen but fails to capture infections of multiple interacting microbes, limiting their diagnostic application. Most severe infections are localized in hard-to-access sites (especially the lungs), resulting in false negative reports despite severe clinical infection symptoms. Inflammatory conditions, including Kawasaki disease (KD) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis, do not currently have tests to confirm or refute diagnosis, resulting in severe delays in treatment initiation, or worse, disease misidentification. Alarmingly, less than half of children admitted with a fever or even to a pediatric intensive care unit ultimately receive a definitive diagnostic verdict. This forces healthcare professionals to rely on interventions involving broad-spectrum antibiotics for even the most harmless infections, thereby contributing to the growing problem of antimicrobial drug resistance. Recently, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) has been explored as an alternative diagnostic approach, not limited by waiting times associated with conventional diagnostic procedures. A growing body of research elucidates that transcriptional signatures in whole-blood samples can rapidly and accurately distinguish between bacterial and viral infections, dengue, malaria, rotavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, tuberculosis (TB), and inflammatory conditions, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and KD. A noteworthy limitation of these studies is that they focus on simplified binary distinctions – one-versus-one (bacterial or viral infection) or one-versus-all (TB or any other disease) – thereby reducing their practical clinical applications. About the study The present study employs a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and Ridge regression hybrid-derived feature selection and classification approach to alleviate the limitations of previous research undertaken in the field. Researchers trained ML classifiers on 12 gene expression microarray datasets and subsequently tested model performance on an independent patient cohort whose whole-blood RNA-seq data was acquired. To discover the biomarker panel used for model training, 12 publicly available microarray datasets of children (n = 1,212) with acute febrile illness and healthy controls were used. Related Stories Control data was used to batch correct results using the COmbat CO-Normalization Using conTrols (COCONUT) method. Patients for whom clinical validation of illness was available were included in the study, while those with multiple potential causative pathogens were excluded. This resulted in a final dataset of 338 bacterial, 290 viral, and 487 inflammatory cases. Malaria was the only identified parasitic pathogen in the dataset (n = 97). This dataset was randomly divided into training (75%) and test (25%) data using a stratified holdout approach to maintain class proportions. Five ML models were trained and assessed, of which the LASSO + Ridge hybrid model was identified as the best-fit model that allowed cost-sensitivity evaluation. Cost-sensitivity (also called ‘cost-sensitive learning’) is a model penalization algorithm that uses the consensus judgment of multiple field experts to assign ‘weightage’ to the demerits of disease misidentification or treatment initiation delays. This allowed for the prioritization of predictions in favor of conditions for which misdiagnosis consequences are highest. While the above approach is helpful for specific disease identification and long-term clinical intervention, most pediatric cases, especially severe infections, require immediate treatment of the broad group of causative agents (bacterial, viral, or inflammatory). All data was categorized into viral, bacterial, or inflammatory to address this need and reanalyzed. Since TB and KD differ significantly from other bacterial and inflammatory conditions, respectively, in their pathology, management, and transcript signatures, they were treated as independent classes. “These predictions allow the model to reflect the diagnostic classification used in clinical decision making and simultaneously address multiple clinical questions. The clinical teams can be provided with the probabilities for each patient to belong in each class as an optimal input for decision making.” The final ML model was cross-validated on an independent dataset comprising whole-blood RNA-seq data from 411 patients covering all broad diagnostic classes and 18 under-study diseases to validate the LASSO-Ridge hybrid model performance. Finally, ML models were benchmarked against previous one-versus-all studies using linear model coefficients, receiver operating characteristic (ROC), and area under the curve (AUC) measures. Study findings The LASSO-Ridge ML model identified 161 RNA probes comprising 155 genes capable of distinguishing between 18 possible pediatric conditions. Since 10 genes were underrepresented across the datasets or represented transcripts that could not be sufficiently verified, 145 genes were defined as the final biomarker cohort. Broad class analyses revealed that all six included classes (viral, bacterial, malaria, TB, KD, inflammatory) could be accurately distinguished in one-versus-one and one-versus-all analyses. Test set prediction results revealed that ML models can reliably predict most diagnostic classes, albeit with prediction performance being a function of training sample size. However, broad-scale class classification was reliable independent of training sample size, which highlights the future

Jul 01

COVID-19 infections on the rise

COVID-19 infections are on the rise again in the region. For instance, in Wausau, wastewater monitoring by the Wisconsin Department of Health indicates that COVID infections are on average higher than they have been for the past three months. The variant we’re seeing now, called EG5 or Eris, is an offshoot of the omicron variant. Currently, it’s the most prevalent form of COVID in the US, according to CDC Variant Surveillance. I spoke with Kyla Waksmonski, Community Health Specialist for the Oneida County Health Department. “We have seen a little bit of an increase in COVID, 19 cases across the past several weeks. And as far as potential impact, we’re not sure what that’ll look like, if it’ll continue or if it will plateau out,” she said. Symptoms for this new variant remain the standard list of COVID symptoms- fever, cough, aches, new loss of taste or smell. Certain people may be more at risk for severe complications. Free at-home tests are available through the Oneida County Health Department. As school starts up again and students gather in large numbers, Waksmonski said that infections could spread more easily. “The CDC’s current recommendations is the available bi-valent vaccine that’s out right now. But that’s really just for people who are 65 and older and immunocompromised. However, there is a new COVID vaccine on the horizon that we expect to come out later this fall after FDA approval,” said Waksmonski. The Oneida County Health Department reminds people to stay home if you’re sick and test for COVID. They also say to wear a well-fitting mask when recommended.

Jul 01

LPD, LFR, NCBB hold annual 12 Days of Hope Blood drive

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – It was an intense showing of support, and a somber time that hangs over Lincoln in the history books: August 26th, 2020. That was the day Investigator Mario Herrera was shot in the line of duty during a standoff near 33rd & Holdrege. In the days that followed, 12 specifically, Herrera fought for his life with the help of many blood transfusions that were only possible because of donors at blood centers across eastern Nebraska. Today, and until Sept. 7th, Lincoln Police, Lincoln Fire & Rescue, and the Nebraska Community Blood Bank are working to make sure those 12 days in 2020 are not remembered just as a somber occurrence. The 12 Days of Hope Blood Drive is being held to not only honor Herrera’s life, but also to continue to keep at the forefront the critical need for blood donations to help others who need it. “Band Together to Save Lives” the motto says. That’s what happened in 2020, and that’s what all three agencies are hoping Lincolnites will do over the course of the remaining time of the event. On Monday, August 28th, LFR and LPD’s Southeast team will be holding a blood donation drive at the Joint Public Safety Center at 66th & Pine Lake, as NCBB’s Bloodmobile will be at the station for donors to stop by to help save a life from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. You’re encouraged to stop by, schedule an appointment, or stop by LPD’s headquarters at 9th and K on September 7th, when the Bloodmobile will return for another round of taking donations. You can schedule an appointment by clicking this link or this link. You can also do so by visiting the NCBB’s website. Copyright 2023 KOLN. All rights reserved.

Jul 01

Early Lipid-Lowering Therapy May Reduce Risk for Recurrent Cardiovascular Events

Risk for recurrent cardiovascular (CV) events among patients with a recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS) hospitalization may be reduced with early intensification of lipid-lowering therapy posthospitalization, according to a study presented at the National Lipid Association (NLA) Scientific Sessions 2023, held in Atlanta, Georgia, between June 1 and June 4, 2023. The ongoing VICTORION-INCEPTION trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04873934) is planned to be completed in 2024. It is a phase 3b, randomized, parallel-group, open-label study that includes 384 patients aged at least 18 years from more than 60 locations across the United States. Researchers aim to examine the effect of inclisiran added to usual care vs usual care alone on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations among patients recently hospitalized for ACS who have LDL-C concentrations equal to at least 70 mg/dL despite statin therapy. Percentage change from baseline to Day 330 in LDL-C concentration and proportion of patients at Day 330 achieving LDL-C of less than 70 mg/dL are the primary endpoints. Continue Reading Secondary outcomes of the study will be changes in intensity of lipid-lowering therapy from baseline to Day 330, the proportion of patients discontinuing statins at Day 330, the proportion of patients achieving prespecified LDL-C targets after Day 90 and Day 330, and absolute changes from baseline to Day 330 in LDL-C. Inclusion criteria include ACS within 5 weeks (inpatient/outpatient) of enrollment and LDL-C concentration of at least 70 mg/dL or non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol of at least 100 mg/dL despite statin therapy. Additionally, patients will have fasting triglyceride concentrations of less than 4.52 mmol/L at screening and estimated glomerular filtration rate of greater than 20 mL/min. Patients will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to inclisiran plus usual care (n=192) or usual care alone (n=192). Inclisiran therapy will be inclisiran sodium 300 mg subcutaneously twice yearly after initial doses at baseline and 3 months. The researchers plan to discontinue inclisiran in patients with unexplained creatinine kinase values, changes in liver parameters meeting study drug interruption criteria, or with intolerable adverse events. Statin therapy and usual care will continue among patients in both groups. The researchers noted that usual care may include anti-PCSK9 monoclonal antibodies in the usual care group only, or inclisiran in the usual care group if the treating physician prescribes it (acquired through commercial outlet). The discretion of the treating physician will be used for adjustments in therapy during the study other than for inclisiran in the inclisiran arm. LDL-C values obtained as part of the study will not be accessible by treating physicians, however at their discretion, physicians can perform these assessments. Study limitations include patients in the usual care only arm receiving inclisiran by treating physicians. Disclosure: This research is supported by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Some study authors declared affiliations with biotech, pharmaceutical, and/or device companies. Please see the original reference for a full list of authors’ disclosures. Reference Anderson JL, Navar AM, Balachander N, LeCocq J, Desai NR, Knowlton KU. A randomized study to compare LDL-C lowering effects of inclisiran with usual care vs usual care alone in patients with recent hospitalization for an acute coronary syndrome: rationale and design of the VICTORION-INCEPTION trial. Abstract presented at: National Lipid Association (NLA) Scientific Sessions 2023; June 1-4, 2023; Atlanta, GA. Abstract #130. Topics: Cardiovascular Disease Medications

Jul 01

Bayhealth touts cardiovascular care at event at The Peninsula

Bayhealth recently held an informational event for residents of The Peninsula in Millsboro. Ben Collins, senior director of operations for the cardiovascular service line, spoke about how patients with cardiovascular conditions can expect the highest quality of care at Bayhealth. This was one of several such events the Bayhealth Foundation has hosted throughout central and southern Delaware to inform residents that they don’t have to travel far to take care of their health needs. Bayhealth’s Cardiovascular Service Line recently earned the HeartCARE Center National Distinction of Excellence, which recognizes demonstrated commitment to comprehensive, high-quality culture and cardiovascular care. Bayhealth has also received cardiac cath lab accreditation and electrophysiology lab accreditation, and was first in the state to receive transcatheter aortic valve replacement certification. “It’s important for patients to know that they can get the high-quality care they deserve right here in Delaware,” said Lindsay Rhodenbaugh, DMin, Bayhealth Foundation president. For more information, go to Bayhealth.org/Foundation.