25/January/2022 Top Medical Bulletin

Here are todays top medical stories

Caffeine consumption in cyclists to attenuate increase in ammonemia

Coffee the most famous beverage of the world is known to have many benefits.   Nutrition journal reports a study that determines the relationship between caffeine consumption exercise and a ketogenic (low-carbohydrate) diet favor glycogen depletion and ammonemia, which can impair physical performance.

Study reports Caffeine group showed a significant decrease (up to 25%) in blood ammonia at 60, 90, and 120 min after beginning exercise compared with the placebo group. Researchers in conclusion suggested that the consumption of caffeine might attenuate the increase in ammonemia that occurs during exercise. 

Fingernail infections a serious concern, must follow instructions

 An article published in Dermatologic Clinics enumerated different types of bacterial and viral infections and must evaluate aspects. Researchers point out significant things to follow while treating nail infection as they are the most common infections.

With suspected nail folding or acute paronychia, they suggest to always perform culture to confirm the microorganism and ask for antibiotic sensitivity. A viral cause must be considered when suspected acute paronychia is unresponsive to antibiotics. Caution must be taken while treating them.

Carrot- ginger blend to improve micronutrient status and counts of T CD4 + lymphocytes in HIV patients

Micronutrient supplementation in form of shakes and juices are helpful. Most individuals with HIV infection after about 3–6 weeks experience a febrile sickness lasting for few weeks with anorexia, nausea and diarrhea and then loss of weight. Vegetables like carrot and ginger are nautral immune boosters in body.

A study in the journal Human Nutrition & Metabolism determined the positive impact of natural micronutrient supplements (Vitamins A, C, and E, Selenium and Zinc) from Carrot-ginger ( the ratio 75:25) blend on the micronutrient status and counts of T CD4 + lymphocytes of HIV-infected patients on Anti-Retroviral Therapy.

Smoking cessation advice from dental care professionals to help in quitting smoking

 The authors of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey reported on receiving smoking-cessation advice from a dental care professional they were associated with more attempts to quit smoking but not with abstinence of 6 months or longer.

Significant progress has been made in lowering cigarette smoking prevalence among adults in the United States in the past few decades, from more than 40% in the 1960s to approximately 14% in 2017 nevertheless smoking remains a major contributor to mortality and morbidity.

Dental care professionals are positioned to help patients quit smoking. Results of clinical trials have shown the efficacy of dental care professionals' smoking-cessation advice. 

Use of contraceptives to reduce incidence of ectopic pregnancies

The journal Contraception reports an incidence of 9.5 Ectopic pregnancy per 10,000 woman out of which 84.5% Ectopic pregnancy occurred during no prescription contraceptive use. However, incidence was highest after recent discontinuation of a prescription contraceptive.

Occurrence of ectopic pregnancy defined as a pregnancy that implants outside of the uterus, accounts for 1% to 2% of recognized pregnancies and is associated with short- and long-term sequelae including infertility, and in rare cases maternal mortality. 

Available contraceptive methods reduce the absolute risk of ectopic pregnancy by lowering the risk of pregnancy overall; however, when there is method failure, pregnancies in women using contraceptives are more likely to be ectopic than pregnancies in women who were not using contraceptives, concluded authors.