22/February/2022 Top Medical Bulletin

Here are today's top medical stories:

 Yoga skill training to improve fatigue in gastrointestinal cancer 

Gastrointestinal cancers are among the most prevalent cancers for both men and women, over 330,000 diagnosed in the United States each year, and the prevalence of GI cancer is increasing. It is important to address fatigue and co-occurring symptoms during chemotherapy to preserve quality of life in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. A pilot study in Journal of pain and symptom management reported Yoga Skills Training (YST) intervention showed promising improvements in fatigue, depressive symptoms, sleep disturbances, and inflammation. Yoga Skills Training is also feasible and reaches patients underrepresented in yoga research

Effects of copper interuterine devices in pregnancy

Intrauterine devices (IUD)  are most commonly used and is one of the most effective reversible contraceptive methods currently available. Intrauterine device IUDs as the most preferred contraceptive measure, worldwide, about 23% of women who use contraceptives choose intrauterine device. Recent study measured the changes in human leucocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) and insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) levels in the decidua and villi to explore the effect of a copper IUD on embryonic development. Published in Growth Hormone & IGF Research it concluded Copper IUDs may compromise embryonic development. Thus, use of an intrauterine device during pregnancy may be risky.

Smoking to affect fetal lung development during pregnancy

Smoking has adverse effects in women especially maternal smoking is dangerous as developing fetus is at increased risk of multiple adverse outcomes, including prematurity and low birthweight. Children of smoking mothers present more frequently with respiratory pathology, such as respiratory infections and wheeze and are more likely to develop asthma. Nicotine replacement therapy and e-cigarettes are recommended to pregnant women who wish to stop smoking. According to a study in Early Human Development journal Nicotine can impair fetal lung development, leading to concerns regarding the safety of Nicotine replacement therapy NRT and e-cigarettes in pregnancy. Studies have yet to explore the impact of these nicotine-containing products on infant respiratory outcomes.

Cashew nut shell liquid to help curing oral infections 

Oral diseases affects half of the world's population (3.58 billion people), with dental caries being the most prevalent condition and considered a major public health problem with high medical costs. Study evaluated the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of natural (n-CNSL) and technical (t- CNSL) cashew nut shell liquid against streptococci and enterococci related to dental caries and chronic apical periodontitis, respectively. Findings published in Archives of Oral Biology says both substances showed effective antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against the strains used in the study, except in viability of S. parasanguinis cells treated with technical cashew nut shell liquid.

Cryotherapy after exercise a better treatment for muscle stiffness

Injury and exercises are interrelated, high-intensity exercises, especially those with eccentric contractions cause muscle damage which leads to injuries, such as decreased muscle strength and decline in range of motion (ROM). Since these muscle injuries affect sports performance, it is important to repair muscle damage after exercise. Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness reports a study that investigate the effects of liquid ice on the change of passive stiffness as muscle function and to validate the effectiveness of liquid ice compared to block ice. The rate of change between pre and 48h in liquid ice was significantly lower compared to that in block ice. These results liquid ice could be helpful for reducing muscle stiffness after exercise and at sports field.