Medical Bulletin 20/December/2021

Here are Top Health stories of the day

Adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with increased risk of midlife stroke

A history of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO) is associated with higher odds of midlife stroke. APO included preterm delivery, low birth weight, preeclampsia, placental abruption, and stillbirth in the study published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Women's Health.

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in women in the United States. While the incidence of stroke in older age groups is decreasing, stroke and stroke risk factors in younger and middle-aged U.S. women are on the rise.

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Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Associated With Increased Risk Of Midlife Stroke

Exposure to toxic metals tied to atherosclerosis risk

A recent study has reported that exposure to toxic metals, including cadmium and titanium, arsenic among employees at a car assembly plant is related to subclinical level of atherosclerosis. The risk was found to be greatest among older employees, men and those who smoked at any time during their life. The study appears in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology.

The results supported cadmium and arsenic and identified titanium and potentially antimony as risk factors for atherosclerosis. In individuals without clinical disease, exposure reduction and mitigation interventions of these metals may reduce cardiovascular risk.

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Exposure To Toxic Metals Tied To Atherosclerosis Risk: Study

Lithium use - A Friend or Foe to kidney health?

Lithium remains the most efficacious therapy for a significant proportion of patients with type 1 bipolar disorder. Despite the therapeutic advantages, the use of lithium has been decreasing at least in part because of the perceived risks surrounding its use, including the potential for nephrotoxicity with long term use.

In a recent study, researchers have reported that lithium use does not have a direct impact on the incidence of AKI. However, they noted that lithium intoxication, duration of exposure and lithium levels in the blood might increase the risk of AKI.

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Lithium use - A Friend or Foe to kidney health?

Use of certain Hair and Beauty Products may Impact Hormones, Especially During Pregnancy

Use of certain personal care products during pregnancy may impact maternal hormone levels, according to a new Rutgers study.

Personal care and beauty products contain several ingredients that often include a wide range of endocrine-disrupting chemicals like phthalates, parabens, phenols, parabens and toxic metals. These chemicals interact with hormone systems, influencing synthesis, regulation, transport, metabolism and hormone reception, which are all especially vulnerable during pregnancy.

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Use Of Certain Hair And Beauty Products May Impact Hormones, Especially During Pregnancy

Vitamin B12 deficiency tied to increased risk of depressive symptoms in community-dwelling

In a large population representative research of older persons, Eamon Laird and colleagues discovered that poor B12 status was related with a considerably elevated risk of depressive symptoms over a four-year period. There were no correlations found for folate. The findings of this study were published in The British Journal of Nutrition.

Deficiency and poor status of B-vitamins such as folate and vitamin B12 are common in elderly people. Estimates of vitamin B12 (B12) deficiency in people over the age of 50 range from 5 to 40%, depending on the method of measurement and the deficient cut-off used. Low B12 status can result in megaloblastic anemia, permanent demyelinating neurological disease/paresthesia, and reduced cognitive function.

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Vitamin B12 Deficiency Tied To Increased Risk Of Depressive Symptoms In Community-Dwelling