Medical Bulletin 25/July/2023

Here are the top medical news for the day:

Diet type linked with better focus in school-aged children

A diet originally designed to help ward off cognitive decline in adults might also help improve attention in pre-adolescents, according to a new study. The new study examined two diets: the Healthy Eating Index – 2015 (HEI-2015), which is based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet, which combines the Mediterranean diet with the heart-healthy Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet to create a dietary pattern that focuses on brain health.

Much like the DASH and Mediterranean diets on which it is based, the MIND diet emphasizes fresh fruit, vegetables, and legumes like beans, lentils, and peas. However, it also includes recommendations for specific foods, such as leafy greens and berries, which promote brain health

Reference: Shelby Keye et al,AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR NUTRITION

The link between cervical cancer screening guidelines and preterm delivery among young females 

Findings of a recent cross-sectional study published in JAMA Health Forum suggest that additional recommended cervical cancer screenings before birth were associated with an increased risk of Preterm Delivery. These results can be used in future simulation models integrating oncological trade-offs to help ascertain optimal screening strategies.

The research by Rebecca A. Bromley-Dulfano et al, aimed to ascertain the population-level association between the number of guideline-recommended cervical cancer screenings and downstream Preterm Delivery risk among females aged 18 to 24 years

Reference:Bromley-Dulfano RA, Rossin-Slater M, Bundorf MK. Association Between Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines and Preterm Delivery Among Females Aged 18 to 24 Years. JAMA Health Forum. 2023;4(7):e231974. doi:10.1001/jamahealthforum.2023.1974

Chemotherapy-related fertility loss reversal using a cell-based therapy

The preclinical study showed that injecting ovarian tissue-derived differentiated induced pluripotent stem cells can restore hormone production and fertility in mice with premature ovarian failure related to genetic diseases and cancer treatment

A new study by investigators from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in a preclinical model demonstrates the potential for restoring fertility when the ovaries have stopped working. Researchers found that adult stem cells could restore healthy hormone levels after chemotherapy and lead to natural conception resulting in the birth of live mice. Techniques based on the study could revolutionize fertility options for women with premature ovarian failure.

Reference: Elias, K., Ng, N et al. "Fertility restoration in mice with chemotherapy induced ovarian failure using differentiated iPSCs." Lancet eBiomedicine. DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104715.

Foods that can help you live longer and protect the planet

Eating more planet-friendly foods could help you live a longer, healthier life, according to new research. Researchers found that people who followed a more environmentally sustainable diet were 25% less likely to die during a follow-up period of over 30 years compared to those with a less sustainable diet.

The study builds upon prior research that identified foods that are a win-win for both health and the environment—such as whole grains, fruit, non-starchy vegetables, nuts, and unsaturated oils—as well as foods that could be harmful to the environment and human health, like eggs and red and processed meats. The new findings suggest eating more planet-friendly foods can help reduce a person’s risk of death from causes such as cancer, heart disease, respiratory diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Reference: Linh Bui et al, AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR NUTRITION