Reseachers Worried As Malaria Become's Untreatable

Scientists have raised fresh alert to the rapid spread of ‘super malaria’ in South East Asia, which they say pose a global threat to efforts to eliminate the mosquito-borne disease.
They fear that this dangerous form of the malaria parasite has become untreatable with the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended drug-of-choice, Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT).

The researchers from the Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit in Bangkok in their study published in The Lancet Infectious warned that the menace is spreading. It emerged in Cambodia but has since spread through parts of Thailand, Laos and has arrived in southern Vietnam.


The fear is palpable in Nigeria and indeed Africa where resistance to the drugs would be catastrophic, since 92 per cent of all malaria cases happen in the continent.
Reacting to the latest study, Head Case Management, National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), Dr. Godwin Ntadom, told the media “For now, we have not documented resistance in Nigeria, and to the best of my knowledge in any part of West Africa. There may have been few reported cases of delayed parasite clearance in some other parts of Africa, but certainly not resistance. The challenge we often have is that people confused ‘treatment failure’ with ‘resistance’.
“Before you have resistance, you will begin to record what is technically described as ‘delayed parasite clearance’ and from there it progresses to resistance after some time.”

Ntadom said resistance is only confirmed through studies where quality assured medicines are administered at the appropriate doses to a group of closely monitored patients who have been confirmed to have malaria, and followed up for about 28 to 42 days.

On the result of NMEP’s recent study on malaria drug resistance in Nigeria, Ntadom said: “Unfortunately, we are yet to produce the final report of the 2015 Drug Therapeutic Efficacy Tests conducted in the country. As you are aware, the whole study was funded through Global Funds support and the United State Presidential Malaria Initiative (USPMI). With the suspension of the Global Fund support in 2016, we could not go on.’’
Also, the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) had in June 2017 raised alarm over the increasing incidence of mosquito resistance to Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) in 18 states of the federation, even as over 50 million Nigerians still test positive to malaria annually.
According to NMEP, Nigeria has 25 per cent of the world’s disease burden for malaria and reports more deaths due to this disease than any other country in the world.
In Nigeria, malaria is responsible for the deaths of an estimated 300,000 children per year and contributes to over 4,000 maternal deaths annually. It is also the number one cause of absenteeism in Nigeria, resulting in loss in productivity at work and school.
The NMEP reports that 97 percent of Nigerians are at risk from malaria, with an estimated 50 percent of adults suffering at least one episode of the disease a year. Malaria counts for 60 percent of out- patient visit and 30 percent of hospitalisations.

Respondents who spoke with Nigeria Natural Health Online www.kimekwu.blogspot.com, on the urgly trend, said prevention through the use of treated mosquito net still remains the  best option in tackling malaria.

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Why Stopping Aspirin Therapy Could Lead To Heart Attack

The use of aspirin in the treatment of heart related diseases, has come under close scrutiny as stopping low-dose aspirin therapy without good reason raises the likelihood of heart attack or stroke by nearly 40 percent, a large Swedish study suggests.
Doctors commonly prescribe daily low-dose aspirin after a heart attack to reduce the risk of having a second cardiovascular event. But about one in six patients stop taking their aspirin within three years, the study authors note in Circulation.

“(Low-dose aspirin) makes the platelets in the blood less likely to form blood clots, and this is especially useful in the coronary or carotid arteries, where blood clots may lead to myocardial infarctions and strokes,” lead author Dr. Johan Sundstrom told Reuters Health by email.

“Millions of patients worldwide take aspirin on a daily basis and might consider stopping at some time during their life. We performed this study to help physicians and patients to make an informed decision whether or not to stop aspirin use,” said Sundstrom, an epidemiologist at Uppsala University.

To see if risk rises after a patient stops aspirin therapy, Sundstrom’s team used nationwide medical and death registries to identify patients over age 40 taking low-dose aspirin. In Sweden, low-dose aspirin is available only by prescription, so the researchers were also able to see who continued filling their prescriptions between 2005 and 2009.

The researchers analyzed records for 601,527 patients who were cancer-free and had taken at least 80 percent of their prescribed aspirin doses during the first year of treatment. After excluding a small proportion of patients whose medical records showed a reason for stopping aspirin, such as surgery or a case of severe bleeding, they found that about 15 percent of the full group had stopped taking their aspirin after about three years.

At the end of the study period, there were a total of 62,690 cardiovascular events, defined as hospitalization for a heart attack or stroke, or cardiovascular death.

“Patients who discontinued aspirin had a 37 percent higher rate of cardiovascular events than those who continued,” Sundstrom said. That translates to one extra cardiovascular event each year among every 74 patients who stopped taking aspirin.

The risk increased shortly after discontinuation, and did not appear to diminish over time, he added. “Hence, adherence to low-dose aspirin treatment in the absence of major surgery or bleeding is likely an important treatment goal.”
The study wasn’t a controlled trial designed to prove that stopping aspirin causes cardiovascular events. The researchers also didn’t have access to information on other factors that could influence risk, such as socioeconomic status, physical examination findings, blood work or smoking status.
“I think this gives clinicians more data to share with their patients, however, it likely won’t change current practice patterns for most providers because most already recommend low-dose aspirin for their cardiovascular patients,” said Dr. Abha Khandelwal, a cardiologist at Stanford University Medical Center in California who wasn’t involved in the study.
The bigger issue is how to address the high discontinuation rate noted in this study and learning how to overcome that will be very valuable, she said in an email.
Khandelwal noted that there are several established reports demonstrating lack of patient adherence to medications especially as they get older, and their medication list grows longer.
“There are many reasons that can contribute to this, from cost of medications, side effects, to confusion with a number of pills to name a few,” she said.

At the Women’s Heart Health clinic at Stanford, adherence is good, she noted. “This is partly due to the multidisciplinary approach including internists, cardiologists, nurses, advanced care providers, and behavioral psychologist who spend a considerable amount of time on education, and identifying barriers to medication adherence so we can work together with our motivated patient population on overcoming them.”
Despite aspirin being an over-the-counter medication in the U.S., it may have some side effects that one must weigh when prescribing, such as damaging the lining of the stomach and increasing the risk of bleeding, Khandelwal said.
“Therefore, patients need to continue a dialogue with their doctor over time to determine whether they should continue on therapy. This should especially be done prior to major surgery if they have had an episode of severe bleeding that led to a hospitalization or resulted in blood transfusions.”
Experts say it would be better to completely avoid the use of aspirin in the treatment of heart  related diseases since withdrawal could lead to fatal heart attack.

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Weight Loss Surgery Could Lead To Male Infertility - New Study

Experts have asserted that weight-loss surgery could make men infertile. According to the findings of a study published in the journal ‘Bariatric Surgical Practice and Patient Care,’ Semen abnormalities occur in 57.1 per cent of men after having bariatric surgery. Similarly, the researchers said that only four per cent of the study’s 79 participants fathered children after having the procedure, compared to 13 per cent before.

Weight loss is achieved by reducing the size of the stomach with a gastric band or through removal of a portion of the stomach (sleeve gastrectomy or biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch) or by resetting and re-routing the small intestine to a small stomach pouch (gastric bypass surgery).

Weight loss surgery is a procedure that is now common especially among the rich and wealthy as well as personalities in the entertainment industry, most of whom can afford to pay for it.

Dr. Edward Lin, editor-in- chief of the journal ‘Bariatric Surgical Practice and Patient Care’, said: “This study is one important piece in solving the puzzle of male infertility. “The challenge is to see if correcting hormonal and micronutrient aberrations are enough to reverse male infertility.”

Infertility is the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse, or the inability to carry a pregnancy to term. Infertility affects an estimated 15 per cent of couples globally, amounting to 48.5 million couples. Males are found to be solely responsible for 20-30 per cent of infertility cases and contribute to 50 per cent of cases overall.

However, this number does not accurately represent all regions of the world. nonetheless, the prevalence of infertility in Nigeria is estimated to be between 20 and 25 per cent among married couples.
Similarly, 40 to 45 per cent of all consultations in gynaecological clinics in the country are infertility-related.

Researchers from the Hospital das Clinicas in São Paulo analysed men who were attempting to conceive with their partner.
Of the study’s participants, 23 were followed for at least five years after having bariatric surgery; 23 for two years after having the operation; 18 were obese but did not have the procedure; and 15 were of a healthy weight.
 All of the participants completed a questionnaire asking them about their sexual quality of life. They were also assessed for their blood glucose, testosterone, Vitamin D, Zinc and semen levels.


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New Discovery Raises Hope For HIV Patients

Given the serious health and development challenges HIV/ AIDS poses to humanity, scientists have developed an antibody that attacks 99 per cent of HIV strains. Already tested on monkeys, the first clinical trials on human beings could begin next year, according to a report on the BBC.

The study, published in the journal ‘Science’, is a collaboration between the United States (U.S) National Institutes of Health and Sanofi, a pharmaceutical company and it attacked three key parts of the virus – making it harder for HIV to resist the antibodies.

Up until now, HIV has been difficult to treat because of its ability to mutate and change its appearance.
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lentivirus (a subgroup of retrovirus) that causes HIV infection and over time acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

AIDS is a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive and without treatment, average survival time after infection with HIV is estimated to be 9 to 11 years, depending on the HIV subtype.

There were approximately 36.7 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2015, majority of whom live in sub-Saharan Africa. Of these, 1.8 million were children, most of whom were infected by their HIVpositive mothers during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. Presently, Nigeria has the highest number of HIVpositive children, according to the coordinator of the National AIDS/STI Control Programme, Dr. Sunday Agboje.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that about 3.2 Nigerians adults are currently living with HIV. According to data issued by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, at least 80 per cent of eligible adults (women and men) and 80 per cent of children (boys and girls) are receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) based on national guidelines by 2015.
President of the International Aids Society, Prof Linda-Gail Bekker, said the report of the antibody which can attack 99 per cent of HIV strains, is an exciting breakthrough. Medical experts said this development would benefit African populace which presently bear the greatest burden of HIV.

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The Health Risks Of Tattoos On The Body

By Sola Ogundipe

Some call it Body Art, others just call it tattoo. Do you have a tattoo or intend to get one, then you need to read this. It is estimated that one-tenth of adults in the large cities in Nigeria now have at least one tattoo, but getting Body Art may come with long-term medical risks. While it is true that tattoos are becoming more popular than ever, it is also a fact that more and more people than ever are developing infections from contaminated tattoo inks, as well as adverse reactions to the inks. 

Reports of bad reactions to tattoo inks right after tattooing, even years later, are quite common. Adverse effects Several adverse effects involving tattoos have been reported in recent times. The rule of the thumb is this: Before you get a tattoo, you should consider certain key questions. In particular, be concerned about unsafe practices and the tattoo ink. For many of those with tattoos or individuals who had at least one tattoo experience some type of issue such as swelling, rashes, or severe itching that lasts longer than four months and even up to several years. 

Some of these adverse reactions could be treated with anti-inflammatory medications, others could require laser surgery. The most severe issues could result in the formation of scar tissue or skin lesions, and even require the removal of the tattooed area of the skin. 

A significant number of people who receive tattoos experience short-term complications such as pain, swelling, infection, and delayed healing, and the individuals usually seek medical attention or treatment for those issues. Long-term complications are most common in regions tattooed with red or black ink. 

The lack of regulatory oversight in the tattoo industry, as well as the lack of uniform standards amongst dye manufacturers and the poor understanding of the chemical composition of the coloured inks used in the process may play a role in these findings. While you can get serious infections from unhygienic practices and equipment that isn’t sterile, infections can also result from ink that was contaminated with bacteria or mould. Inks and kits sold as “do-it-yourself” to consumers have been associated with infections and allergic reactions. 

Using non-sterile water to dilute the pigments (ingredients that add colour) is a common culprit, although not the only one. There’s no reliable way to tell if the ink used for the tattoo is safe. An ink can be contaminated even if the container is sealed or the label says the product is sterile. Some inks contain pigments used in printer toner or in car paint. None of these chemicals are approved by health regulatory agencies. In fact the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or its Nigerian equivalent, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has not approved any pigments for injection into the skin for cosmetic purposes. Strange reactions You also might become allergic to other products, such as hair dyes, if your tattoo contains a chemical known as p-phenylenediamene (PPD). Strange reactions may happen after getting a tattoo. You might notice a rash—redness or bumps—in the area of your tattoo, and you could develop a fever. 

More aggressive infections may cause high fever, shaking, chills, and sweats. Treating such infections might require a variety of antibiotics—possibly for months—or even hospitalization and/or surgery. A rash may also mean you’re having an allergic reaction. And because the inks are permanent, the reaction may persist. Scar tissue Scar tissue can build up after getting a tattoo. The scar tissue may form when you get a tattoo, or you could develop “granulomas,” small knots or bumps that may form around material that the body perceives as foreign. If you tend to get keloids—scars that grow beyond normal boundaries—you may develop the same kind of reaction to the tattoo. Some people may have swelling or burning in the tattoo when they have Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), although this happens rarely and does not last long. There are still a lot of questions about the long-term effects of the pigments, other ingredients, and possible contaminants in tattoo inks. 

If you get an infection If you get a tattoo and develop an infection or other reaction, contact a health care professional. Notify the tattoo artist so he or she can identify the ink and avoid using it again. Ask for the brand, colour, and any lot or batch number of the ink or diluents to help determine the source of the problem and how to treat it. Whether you’re a consumer, tattoo artist, or health care professional, tell the health expert. Provide as much details as possible about the ink and your reaction and outcome. Reports from consumers are one of the most important sources of safety information. Removing tattoos Then there’s tattoo removal. The short-or long-term consequences of how pigments break down are generally unknown. In addition, some tattoo removal procedures may leave permanent scarring. Removing tattoos may be harder than you expect.

 So think before you ink. Consider the risks. Removing a tattoo is a painstaking process, and complete removal without scarring may be impossible. You should be concerned So should you be concerned because you are planning to get a tattoo? Experts say it is something to think about. Apart from cosmetic purposes, tattoos have no health advantages. However, if you do decide to get a tattoo, have it done professionally. Most persons that develop issues have longstanding, chronic complaints about their tattoo that could persist for months to years. If you have chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema, seek advice before getting a tattoo. If you already have a tattoo, do not expose the tattooed parts to the sun, as exposure to sunlight can be a trigger for adverse reactions.

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Walnuts: Natural Deffence Against Cancer

Oftentimes, the simplest foods are best for your health, and this is certainly the case for nuts, in which Mother Nature has crafted a nearly perfect package of protein, healthy fats, fiber, plant sterols, antioxidants, and many vitamins and minerals. Among nuts, the case may be made that walnuts are king, as research shows they may boost your health in a number of ways at very easy-to-achieve "doses." Eating just one ounce of walnuts a day (that's about seven shelled walnuts) may be all it takes to take advantage of their beneficial properties.

Walnuts belong to the tree nut family, along with Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, and pistachios. Each has its own unique nutritional profile. One-quarter cup of walnuts, for instance, provides more than 100 percent of the daily recommended value of plant-based omega-3 fats, along with high amounts of copper, manganese, molybdenum, and biotin. Some of the most exciting researches about walnuts go a long way to show how beneficial this gift of nature is to humanity.

Walnuts may help reduce not only the risk of prostate cancer, but breast cancer as well. In one study, mice that ate the human equivalent of 2.4 ounces of whole walnuts for 18 weeks had significantly smaller and slower-growing prostate tumors compared to the control group that consumed the same amount of fat but from other sources. Overall the whole walnut diet reduced prostate cancer growth by 30 to 40 percent. According to another study on mice, the human equivalent of just two handfuls of walnuts a day cut breast cancer risk in half, and slowed tumor growth by 50 percent as well.

Walnuts contain the amino acid l-arginine, which offers multiple vascular benefits to people with heart disease, or those who have increased risk of heart disease due to multiple cardiac risk factors. If you struggle with herpes, you may want to avoid or limit walnuts, as high levels of arginine can deplete the amino acid lysine, which can trigger herpes recurrences.

Walnuts also contain the plant-based omega-3 fat alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is anti-inflammatory and may prevent the formation of pathological blood clots. Research shows that people who eat a diet high in ALA are less likely to have a fatal heart attack and have a nearly 50 percent lower risk of sudden cardiac death. Eating just four walnuts a day has been shown to significantly raise blood levels of heart-healthy ALA, and walnut consumption supports healthful cholesterol levels.

 Antioxidants are crucial to your health, as they are believed to help control how fast you age by combating free radicals, which are at the heart of age-related deterioration. Walnuts contain several unique and powerful antioxidants that are available in only a few commonly eaten foods. This includes the quinone juglone, the tannin tellimagrandin, and the flavonol morin. Walnuts contain antioxidants that are so powerful at free-radical scavenging that researchers called them "remarkable,"  and research has shown that walnut polyphenols may help prevent chemically-induced liver damage.

Adding healthful amounts of nuts such as walnuts to your diet can help you to maintain your ideal weight over time. In one review of 31 trials, those whose diets included extra nuts or nuts substituted for other foods lost about 1.4 extra pounds and half an inch from their waists. Eating walnuts is also associated with increased satiety after just three days.

One of the less-known benefits of walnuts is their impact on male fertility. Among men who consume a Western-style diet, adding 75 grams (a bit over one-half cup) of walnuts daily significantly improved sperm quality, including vitality, motility, and morphology. Walnuts contain a number of neuroprotective compounds, including vitamin E, folate, melatonin, omega-3 fats, and antioxidants. Research shows walnut consumption may support brain health, including increasing inferential reasoning in young adults.

One study also found that consuming high-antioxidant foods like walnuts "can decrease the enhanced vulnerability to oxidative stress that occurs in aging," "increase health span," and also "enhance cognitive and motor function in aging." The beneficial dietary fat in walnuts has been shown to improve metabolic parameters in people with type 2 diabetes. Overweight adults with type 2 diabetes who ate one-quarter cup of walnuts daily had significant reductions in fasting insulin levels compared to those who did not, and the benefit was achieved in the first three months.

The outermost layer of a shelled walnut – the whitish, flaky (or sometimes waxy) part – has a bitter flavor, but resists the urge to remove it. It's thought that up to 90 percent of the antioxidants in walnuts are found in the skin, making it one of the healthiest parts to consume. To increase the positive impacts on your health, look for nuts that are organic and raw, not irradiated or pasteurized.


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