Here are the top Medical Stories of the Day
Eating peanuts may enhance memory and stress response in young population
Daily intake of peanuts could have beneficial effects on the cognitive function and stress response in young and healthy individuals, finds a new study. Regular peanut and peanut butter consumption may enhance memory function and stress response in a healthy young population. These effects seem to be related to the intake of polyphenols found in peanuts, the increased level of fecal SCFAs, and plasma and fecal VLCSFAs associated with peanut consumption.
Metformin reduces weight in obese children and adolescents
Metformin appears to be safe and effective for children and adolescents with obesity, suggests a study published in the Obesity Journal.
Metformin, sold under the brand name Glucophage among others, is the first-line medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, particularly in people who are overweight. It is also used in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome. It is not associated with weight gain and is taken by mouth. Few treatments exist for pediatric obesity. Metformin holds potential for pediatric weight loss.
Methylprednisolone therapy in COVID-19 patients receiving high-flow oxygen therapy was associated with clinical benefit mainly in patients with baseline serum ferritin levels in the upper tertile of values, find researchers.
These findings suggest that ferritin levels on admission may be used as a marker associated with corticosteroid response among patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia.
The study is published in the JAMA Network Open.
A recent study in the Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences has shown the effectiveness of herbal treatment for patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and menstrual irregularities. According to the study, the herbal medicine Femitex-SP4 can be used for PCOS treatment.
PCOS is a hormonal disorder characterized by abnormal production of androgens by ovaries and affects about fifteen percent of women of reproductive age. Despite this, there is no availability of any standard therapy. Considering this, Sumira Ishaq, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan, and colleagues aimed to assess herbal medicine (Femitex-SP4) for the management of PCOS. The study was carried out at Abbasi Shaheed hospital, Karachi, Pakistan during 2016-2017.
Smoking is a key modifiable risk factor in the development and progression of peripheral artery disease, which often manifests as intermittent claudication (IC). Smoking cessation is a first-line therapy for IC, yet a minority of patients quit smoking prior to elective revascularization.
In an online issue of JAMA Cardiology Reitz et al have reported that smoking is associated with an increased risk of early postprocedural complications following open and endovascular interventions for IC. The study thus emphasizes smoking cessation prior to elective revascularization for IC.
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