Tuesday, 28 January 2014

Drinking and Memory Loss

Drinking is a very common habit amongst the middle aged men across the globe. It has led to many adverse changes to the health of the consumers. Drinking may be the reason for an accelerated memory loss and mental decay, according to a new study. Premature Old age may also be caused due to heavy drinking earlier.

Heavy drinking in mid-life is associated with faster cognitive declines for men, a new study suggests. However, lighter drinking didn't appear to accelerate mental decline. Men who consume more than two alcoholic drinks per day during their middle age may speed up the process of memory loss and premature old age up to six years. For women, no clear result was derived.

The research was carried out by a group of scientists. It was carried out on 5000 civil servants. The decline was equal to two extra years of aging for a combined measure of mental capabilities like reasoning, and six years of memory relevant product/services. The heavy drinkers were compared to those men who drank moderately or refrained from it.
Research has deduced that middle-aged men are at a greater risk of mental decay, because they are into heavy drinking for many years.  They have been drinking all their lives, which makes their brain vulnerable to memory loss.

Bentham Science Publishers is one of the leading STM publishing companies of the industry. It publishes more than 116 online and print journals and more than 300 eBooks. One of its journals is “Current drug Abuse Reviews.” Current Drug Abuse Reviews aim to publish the highest quality reviews, meta-analyses and drug clinical trial studies on all latest advances on alcohol and drug abuse and addiction.


Friday, 24 January 2014

Diabetes and Google

Diabetes is one of the most life-threatening diseases in the whole world. According to WHO, 347 million people, worldwide, have diabetes. The leading organization also predicts that by 2030, diabetes will be the 7th leading cause of deaths. The two types of diabetes vary in some characteristics, but the damage to the body is similar. The term “diabetes mellitus” describes a metabolic disorder of multiple etiology characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both”.

Diabetes can harm the patients internally and externally. High sugar levels can lead to kidney failure, eyesight weakening, heart diseases and many more. For diabetic patients tired with having to use pin prick blood tests every now and then to monitor their blood sugar levels, the good news is that Google has invented a novel pair of contact lenses to keep their glucose levels in check. The contact lenses have special sensors, minute transistors and a microscopic hair-thin antenna. The readings are then wirelessly transmitted to a handheld monitor device
Many patients have to administer pin pricks, sometimes more than 10 times in a single day in order to keep an eye on their glucose levels, as is evident from the case of Michael Vahradian, who finds it rather cumbersome to use them. Google lens, which will be available in markets in about 5 years, will revolutionize the way diabetes blood sugar levels are monitored and will ease the process for millions around the world.
Google is best known as a search engine and advertising company. However, it has launched a number of other useful wearable products, like Google Glass and a special pair of glasses fitted with cameras and a small computer display. Although, research on contact lenses for monitoring blood sugar levels started many years ago at the University of Washington, it was Google really which made the project a reality. The man behind the invention, Brian Otis expresses his opinion:
“You can take it to a certain level in an academic setting, but at Google we were given the latitude to invest in this project.”

Readers can refer to Current Diabetes Reviews by Bentham Science Publishers for the latest developments in the field of diabetes and its cures. A Bentham eBook, Epidemiology of Type 2 Diabetes is also a useful guide on diabetes epidemiology.

Saturday, 11 January 2014

Diabetes Can Lead To Cancer!

Diabetes is one of the most life-threatening diseases in the whole world. According to WHO, 347 million people worldwide have diabetes. The leading organization also predicts that by 2030, diabetes will be the 7th leading cause of deaths.

The two types of diabetes vary in some characteristics but the damage to the body is similar. The term “diabetes mellitus” describes a metabolic disorder of multiple aetiology characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both”.

Bentham Science Publishers is one of the leading journals in the STM industry. It has journals and eBooks pertaining to topics from science, medicine, technology and the like. One of the journals is Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets. This journal is devoted to timely reviews of experimental and clinical studies in the field of endocrine, metabolic, and immune disorders. Specific emphasis is placed on humoral and cellular targets for natural, synthetic, and genetically engineered drugs that enhance or impair endocrine, metabolic, and immune parameters and functions. Original articles related to Immune Disorders and Drug Targeting are also considered for publication.
A new research has proven that a drug used to treat the patients of the Type 2 diabetes, may lead to increased risk of bladder cancer. Type 2 diabetes (formerly called non-insulin-dependent or adult-onset) results from the body’s ineffective use of insulin. Type 2 diabetes comprises 90% of people with diabetes around the world, and is largely the result of excess body weight and physical inactivity.

This recent research may increase the rate of death among diabetic patients due to drug induced bladder cancer. The researchers have conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the chances of bladder cancer in adults suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus using thiazolidinediones. They suggested that type 2 diabetic patients have 40% more chances of development of cancer.


This study is very helpful for physicians who are specialist in diabetes management and treatment. It would be very healthy for patients if they are not prescribed pioglitazone rather there are various other Antidiabetic drugs that could be prescribed and they do not have any carcinogenic effect.

Saturday, 28 December 2013

Bentham eBooks: The Inflammatory Milieu of Tumors: Cytokines and Chemokines that Affect Tumor Growth and Metastasis

Bentham Science Publishers is a major STM journal publisher in the industry. It publishes 116 online and print journals, 150 plus open access journals, and related print/online book series, Bentham Science answers the information needs of scientists in the fields of pharmaceutical, biomedical, medical, engineering, technology, computer and social sciences.
Tumor development and progression are multi-factorial processes, in which genomic alterations and modifications in gene expression in pre-malignant cells are joined by deleterious microenvironmental factors. The tumor microenvironment contains stroma cells and leukocytes, soluble factors and matrix components. The intensive interplay that exists between the host factors and the tumor cells plays a major role in dictating the final outcome of the malignant process.

Inflammatory mediators are pivotal microenvironmental factors present in the tumor milieu. These inflammatory components support cell growth and invasion, induce mutagenesis, increase angiogenicity, and suppress potential anti-tumor immune functions. The inflammatory constituents that prevail in tumors include leukocytes and soluble mediators - cytokines and chemokines.

This e-book describes the roles played by these mediators in malignancy, and explains the basis for their consideration as therapeutic targets in cancer.

The e-book is a timely overview of the roles played by inflammatory soluble mediators in neoplastic diseases. The topics addressed in this volume serve as a handy reference to investigators studying basic aspects of the malignant tumor growth, to clinicians who wish to better understand the processes involved in malignancy, and to pharmacological professionals seeking novel candidates for therapeutic intervention in cancer. 

For the purchase of this eBook and other details, please visit: http://www.benthamscience.com/ebooks/9781608052561/index.htm

Thursday, 26 December 2013

Depression! The Most Common Mental Illness

Mind is a complicated organ, and works in mysterious ways. Depression is one the most common mental illness that exists. It is not a feeling of staying sad but it is a constant feeling of being sad and lacking interest in everyday events. Depression leads to emotional and physical issues as well. Its symptoms vary from person to person.
 Most common symptoms are:
·         A constant feeling of sadness, anxiety and emptiness.
·         Individuals feel restless and hopeless.
·         Fatigue sets in and the energy level decreases gradually.
·         Sleeplessness.
Depression can be triggered by environmental, genetic, biochemical or psychological factors. Most specialists say depression is a lifelong illness and cannot be cured. But the patients of depression can be made better by ‘talk therapy’ and ‘antidepressants’. According to the National Institutes of Health, a significant percentage of people with depressive illness never seek medical help. This is unfortunate, because the vast majority, even those with very severe symptoms, can improve with treatment.

Bentham Science Publishers is one of the leading journals in the STM industry. It has journals and eBooks pertaining to topics from science, medicine, technology and the like. Neurobiology of Mood Disorders is a monograph is a collection of selected articles on the subject of mood disorders such as depression and schizophrenia. 

Tuesday, 24 December 2013

Psoriasis- A Chronic Skin Condition:

Psoriasis is an acute skin condition that causes inflammation and scaling. It is developed by an abnormality of the body’s immune system, as the immune system that fights infections and allergic reactions. Psoriasis is a hereditary condition and most of the patients have a family history of this disease. Certain drugs may also trigger psoriasis.
It causes skin scaling and inflammation and itching. Most of the people have another symptom of having abnormal and thick fingernails known as pitting.
Psoriasis has several types, such as plaque psoriasis, inverse psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, guttate psoriasis. Psoriasis Arthritis is also one of its types, which affect people suffering from psoriasis. It occurs internally before it appears on the skin.
It is physically diagnosed by analyzing skin and nails. Skin biopsy is often recommended by doctors, which confirms the diagnosis and rules out other possible skin disorders.
Unfortunately, psoriasis is a long-term illness and there is no way to prevent it.  However, there are numerous treatments available for this condition depending on the type of psoriasis, affected area of the skin and its extent.
Some of the treatments include: oral medication, topical treatment, daily skin lubrication, petroleum jelly and salicylic acid. In addition to, phototherapy which is a treatment that uses ultraviolet B or A rays. Laser treatment is said to be effective too. Vitamin A, immunosuppressant, antineoplastic agents, and biologic therapies could also be used.

Bentham Science Publishers is a distinctive name in the STM industry. An eBook “Dermatological Treatments”  is available on http://benthamscience.com/ related to skin related conditions.

Saturday, 21 December 2013

Mood Disorders: Depression and Bipolar

Mood swings is a common phenomenon which is experienced by everyone once in a life time, but those with a high intensity suffer from mood disorders. Depression, disturbed physical health, and prolonged depressing emotions that affect people mentally are some of the symptoms.
Bipolar disorder and depression are known as manic depression; both are serious medical illness but are curable.  In bipolar disorder patients suffer from extreme depression to the extent that they feel really high and uncontrollable, which as a result makes them behave in a hasty manner.
Depression on the other hand is the most common type of mood disorder. Usually depression is caused by severe emotional setback or it could be a side effect of an illness or its medication. A depressed person feels low, tired and hopeless. Sleeping and eating patterns become abnormal and the patient loses interest in everything around him. Proper counseling and medication can help the patient live a normal healthy life.
Bentham Science Publishers covers a variety of topics in the fields of science, technology, medicine, natural sciences and social sciences. Here is one of its eBookNeurobiology of Mood Disorders” that incorporates discourse related to mood disorders.