Jeffrey Herrera

Dementia refers to impaired cognitive functioning that results in a loss of the ability to remember, think and solve problems. If it has advanced to the point where it affects daily activities, it can be called dementia. It is a broad term that refers to a variety of diseases. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, it is the most common form of dementia, and 6 million Americans are affected. New genetic research from the University of South Australia shows a direct connection between dementia and low vitamin D.

Even though dementia is considered an abnormal sign of aging and affects mostly older adults over 65, it’s not common. According to the CDC, nearly 14,000,000 Americans will be affected by dementia by 2060.

As we age, dementia is one of the leading causes of dependency and disability in older people. It can alter thinking and behavior. What if you could reverse this degenerative illness?

The study investigated the relationship between vitamins, neuroimaging features, stroke, and dementia risk.

Low levels of vitamin A were associated with lower brain volumes, which in turn led to an increased risk of stroke and dementia.

Genetic tests supported the causal relationship between vitamin D deficiency (deficit) and dementia.

It is possible to prevent as high as 17 percent of dementia cases in certain populations by increasing the vitamin D level (50nmol/L).

Dementia can be a progressive, chronic disorder that leads to cognitive dysfunction. Nearly 487.500 Australians have dementia, making it the second leading cause of demise. Globally, over 55 million people are affected by dementia. Every year, 10,000,000 new cases are discovered.

The National Health and Medical Research Council supported this genetic study. They analyzed data of 294,514 participants from UK Biobank. The results showed that low levels of vitamin A (25 nmol/L), could have an impact on the risk of stroke and dementia. Nonlinear Mendelian randomization (MR) – a method to use a measured variation of genes to examine the causal impact of a modifiable treatment on disease — was used to assess for underlying causality in neuroimaging outcomes.

Professor Elina Hypponen, the senior researcher at UniSA’s Australian Centre for Precision Health and Director, said the findings were important for the prevention or treatment of dementia.

Prof Hypponen said that Vitamin D is an important hormone precursor. It is now more well-known for its many effects, including brain health.
“Our study is one of the first to evaluate the effects of very low levels of Vitamin D on the risk for stroke and dementia. We used robust genetic analyses in large populations.

“Our findings can have important implications for dementia in some settings, where vitamin D is not very common.” Indeed, our findings in the UK showed that up to 17% of dementia cases could have been avoided if vitamin levels were increased to a normal level.

Given the high rate of dementia across the globe, the findings are quite significant.

Prof Hypponen said that dementia is a progressive and debilitating illness that can destroy families and individuals alike.

“If it’s possible to make this a reality, by making sure that we all have sufficient vitamin D, it would also have benefits for the rest of us and potentially change the lives and health of thousands.”

“Most of us will be fine. But, for anyone who does not receive sufficient vitamin D from the sunlight, adjustments to diet may be necessary. Supplementation may be necessary.”

Following a salmonella epidemic that affected over 650 individuals throughout the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging consumers to test their onions. The CDC has issued an alert for fresh, entirely red, white, as well as yellow onions shipped from Chihuahua, Mexico. ProSource Inc. supplied them to supermarkets and restaurants across the United States. According to the CDC, the implicated onions were last imported by the firm on August 27, however, they would last for up to 3 months in warehousing and may still be in businesses and homes. As per the CDC, illnesses linked to tainted onions began to surface on September 1.

As of Wednesday, the epidemic has been linked to 652 recorded cases in 37 states. The states with the most recorded cases were Texas, Virginia, and Illinois. Oregon, Dakota, Colorado, Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Kentucky, Michigan, West Virginia, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York, Oklahoma, Maryland, California, Utah, New Mexico, Kansas, Minnesota Wisconsin, Mississippi, Tennessee, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, as well as Connecticut, were among the other states reporting cases.

Although no one has died as a direct result of this outbreak, 129 individuals have been hospitalized. According to the CDC, officials are investigating to determine whether additional onions and vendors are related to the epidemic. The CDC also urged companies to inspect their storage refrigerators for contaminated onions. “If you can’t identify where they came from, toss them,” the CDC advised. “Wash and disinfect all surfaces which have come in contact with these onions.” Almost all salmonella infections cause symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps within 6 hours to 6 days of being subjected to the bacteria. The sickness usually lasts 4 to 7 days, and the majority of patients recover without any therapy. Children under the age of five, individuals over the age of 65, and persons with weaker immune systems are more prone to experience severe responses.

Health experts have been trying to find answers to one of the most mysterious questions that why men are more susceptible to COVID19 as compared to women. However, a new study has shown that it might be due to hereditary differences in the immune responses between men and women. The study has been done by experts from the Massachusetts General Hospital. The authors of the study have looked at 38 women who have tested positive for COVID19 during pregnancy. Experts have revealed that half of the participants have been pregnant with baby boys. The majority of women have been diagnosed with mild or moderate COVID19 infection. Health experts who have been involved in the new research have measured the levels of antibodies in the bloodstream of pregnant women and their fetuses with the help of extracted placenta tissues and blood samples taken from the umbilical cords. The findings of the research have shown that women who have been pregnant with baby boys have been found with fewer antibodies as compared to women who have been pregnant with baby girls. The authors of the study have also said that expectant mothers have passed on fewer antibodies to their male fetuses as compared to those women who have been carrying baby girls. The co-author of the study, Dr. Andrea Edlow has said that there is some crosstalk going on between the fetus and the immune systems of mothers. Dr. Andrea Edlow is working at the Massachusetts General Hospital as a maternal-fetus medicine expert. The findings of the study have highlighted broader differences in the way men and women react to SARS-CoV-2 infection, said the expert.

The outcomes of the new study have revealed that male fetuses appear to produce an inflammatory response to the virus that has not been found in female fetuses. Dr. Andrea Edlow has noted that the inflammatory response might be obstructing the ability of mothers to transfer COVID19 antibodies to their unborn baby boys. The authors of the study have said that they are not certain whether male fetuses react to the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the same way as boys and men do, however, there are some similarities. The study has noted that there has been an overexpression of interferon-stimulated genes in the placentas of women who are pregnant with baby boys that help promote inflammation. These genes have been under-expressed in the placentas of women who have been pregnant with baby girls. Dr. Andrea Edlow has claimed that such types of responses have been proved to be essential in shielding the fetus and placenta against an infection when an expectant mother is suffering from a viral infection. Nevertheless, such responses can lead to a harmful impact if it is exaggerated. The authors of the study have confirmed that the same type of immune response has been seen among men who have been diagnosed with COVID19 infection. A study that has been published last year has shown that men have been found with greater levels of cytokines as compared to women who have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus infection. Cytokines are a type of protein that can trigger inflammation. It makes men more susceptive to COVID19 as compared to women, said the experts. As per the database prepared by the US government, men account for the majority of COVID19 related deaths in the United States while they account for the minority of reported COVID19 cases in the country. Health experts have said that the trend is quite frequent among all age groups of men. They have said that men contribute to nearly 48 percent of total confirmed COVID19 cases in the US.

Dr. Andrea Edlow has said that the findings of the study have shown that the inflammation responses observed in male fetuses have a major effect later in male life. The authors of the study have said that the findings of the new study do not fully elucidate the sex bias in COVID19, however, they offer some insight into male immunity in general that begins in the uterus itself. As per the findings of the new study, none of the fetuses that have been observed in the study have inherited COVID19 infection during pregnancy; however, it has been consistent in Dr. Andrea Edlow’s past studies. All babies who have been delivered have maintained normal birth weights. Experts have said that none of the pregnancies that have been analyzed in the study have resulted in miscarriage or stillbirth. The authors of the study have told that they have not been able to find what will be the long-term effects on fetuses that are developing in the inflammatory atmosphere. Dr. Edlow has said that she is collaborating with other experts to see if exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the mother’s womb can affect the growth of the child. Many past studies have shown that diseases that are contracted during pregnancy can put children at a higher risk of neurodevelopmental issues such as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder), and autism. Experts have said that ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder), and autism are more frequent in boys. The co-author of the new report has claimed that whatever is occurring in development appears to trigger sex-bias risk for the child. The authors of the report have not been able to find whether COVID19 antibodies that are obtained by the fetus in the womb will translate into immunity against the virus after birth in the real world as well. Health officials have advised that both expectant mothers and children who are eligible for vaccination should receive COVID19 shots irrespective of whether they have been diagnosed with the infection in the past. They have warned that women who are pregnant are two times more likely to lose their lives due to the disease as compared to women who are not pregnant. A study that has been done by Dr. Andrea Edlow has shown that pregnant women tend to develop a weaker immune response after the first doses of Pfizer or Moderna COVID19 shots, therefore getting the second dose is even more crucial.

For the first time, a team of scientists from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine has shown that other coronavirus shots and prior coronavirus infection can offer a wide range of immunity against other similar types of coronaviruses. This is the first study that has demonstrated cross-protective immunity by shots. The findings of the study show possibility of a universal vaccine that can be effective against all types of coronaviruses. A universal vaccine might help avert other pandemics in the future as well. The lead author of the study, Pablo Penaloza-MacMaster has claimed that the findings of the study show that if someone is exposed to one type of coronavirus, he or she might have cross-immunity against other coronaviruses as well. The lead author is an associate lecturer of microbiology and immunology from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. The authors of the study have said that they have seen that plasma extracted from people who have been vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been able to create antibodies that have been cross-reactive against the SARS-CoV-1 and the common cold coronavirus known as OC43. The findings of the new study have shown that mice inoculated with a SARS-CoV-1 shot made in 2004 have been able to produce immune responses, which have prevented intranasal exposure by the SARS-CoV-2 in the animals. Apart from this, experts have found that immunity derived from prior coronavirus illness as well can prevent ensuing infections with other coronaviruses.

The findings of the study have shown that mice that have been immunized with COVID19 shots and later have been exposed to the common cold virus OC43 that is different from the SARS strains have been partly immune to the common cold. However, the protection has not been that robust. Experts have said that the SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 viruses are genetically similar while the OC43 virus or common cold virus is more different from SARS strains. The lead author of the study has said that as long as the coronavirus is more than 70 percent similar, the shot will prevent it. If these animals are exposed to a very unlike family of coronaviruses, the vaccines might not be able to offer a long-lasting defense. The team of scientists has said that considering how diverse each family of coronavirus is, a universal vaccine for all coronavirus might be possible in the distant future. However, there might be a way forward for making a shot for each family of coronaviruses such as Sarbecoronavirus, Embecoronavirus, and Merbecoronavirus. On the other hand, the findings of the new will help scientists reevaluate their theory of a universal coronavirus shot. The lead author of the new report has said that although a universal shot for coronavirus might not come in near future, experts might be able to come up with a generic shot for each family of such viruses. A universal shot for Sarbecoronavirus might be able to protect people from viruses such as SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2, and other SARS-related pathogens. A universal shot for Embecoronavirus might be able to save people from HKU1 and HCoV-OC43 that lead to the common cold.

The lead author of the study has joined hands with a medical expert, Dr. Igor Koralnik to test the immune reaction among humans who have been given COVID19 shots. Both experts as well have looked at the immune reactions in people who have been admitted to Northwestern Memorial Hospital after testing positive for COVID19 disease. Dr. Igor Koralnik is the head of the neuro-infectious disease and global neurology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Lavanya Visvabharathy as well has been a part of the new study. She is a postdoctoral research scholar in neurological manifestations of COVID19 at Feinberg. The authors of the study have said that they have seen that these people have been able to produce antibodies that can fight against viruses such as HCoV-OC43 in a better way. Now the team is trying to find how long the cross-protection is going to last. The lead author of the study has been studying the HIV vaccine for 10 years before the COVID19 pandemic has hit the region. He has been studying how HIV multiplies. It has led him to think about cross-reactivity within coronavirus shots. Pablo Penaloza-MacMaster has said that we do not have an HIV shot, as it is not possible to make cross-reactive antibodies. However, scientists can develop cross-reactive antibodies for coronaviruses for sure. Experts have said that the issue of variability among such viruses can be dealt with easily. The new study has been backed and funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Tanushree Dangi and Dr. Nicole Palacio have worked as co-authors of the study. The results of the new study have been released in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. The authors of the study have said that shots that have been made for the SARS-CoV-2 virus have been proved to be quite effective in all age groups. On the other hand, some of the shots have not been potent enough against other strains of the virus. As per the experts, the SARS-CoV-2 keeps mutating as it spreads further. Mutation of the virus shoots up the possibility of new strains. Many studies have found that the delta strain has the ability to dodge defense derived from shots. Experts have said that a universal shot might solve this issue once for all. However, the authors of the new study have said that there is a need for further studies to verify the findings. Other experts have said that the study has paved the way for a better approach for drugmakers.

Malaria is considered one of the worst diseases for decades by health experts. However, with the breakthrough childhood malaria vaccine, the fight against the disease is going to be much easier. The World Health Organization (WHO) as well as promoted the widespread use of this malaria vaccine that has been developed by GlaxoSmithKline. This is the first malaria shot that has received such kind of approval from the WHO. Health experts have said that the vaccine will be suggested for children living in sub-Saharan Africa and other high-risk regions. The new millstone vaccine involves a four-dose regimen and the first dose starts at 5 months of age. Experts have said that malaria is a mosquito-borne disease, which is caused by at least five different species of Plasmodium parasite. They have claimed that the majority of infections are led by Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. In Africa, most cases are linked to Plasmodium falciparum, said the experts. Experts have said that symptoms of malaria such as fever, headache, and chills are mild in the early stage. However, Plasmodium falciparum can cause severe disease leading to severe organ damage and at times death if the disease is not treated timely. Malaria especially affects children.

Health experts have been implementing mosquito control and treatment programs that have led to a major decline in cases of malaria in recent decades. However, experts have reported nearly 229 million cases of malaria across the world in 2019. As per the data, nearly 400000 people have lost their lives due to the disease across with world. Experts have said that this death toll is the second highest only to tuberculosis for a single contagious disease since COVID19 has surpassed malaria and tuberculosis in the last two years. Health officials have found that the appearance of insecticide resistance among female Anopheles mosquitoes, the vectors of the disease has further unsettled tremulous progress in efforts to fight against malaria. They have said that the constant threat of malaria has made the way for the development of a childhood malaria shot. Unstoppable cases of the disease across the world have made the vision of a childhood shot even more enticing. Experts have said that for ages, coming up with a childhood shot for a complex organism like a parasite has been proved to be harder as compared to developing a vaccine for bacteria and viruses until now. While announcing the endorsement of the shot, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who is the director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), has said that it is a historic moment for medical science. The development of malaria shots for children is a milestone for science, said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. He has said that with the help of this vaccine along with other currently available tools, experts can prevent many cases and save tens of thousands of young lives every year.

At present, the GlaxoSmithKline vaccine has been named as RTS, S/ASo1; however, it will be sold by the brand name Mosquirix. Experts have said that although it is a breakthrough vaccine, it is only discreetly efficient. The shot has been able to prevent nearly half of severe cases that are caused by Plasmodium falciparum in the clinical trials as compared to the control group, which have been held for the WHO endorsement. However, this level of immunity has been seen in the first year of immunization only, by the fourth year, immunity has reduced to quite a low level, said the experts. Health leaders have claimed that with a potency of 55 percent, the new malaria shot has been able to meet only the bare minimum requirement for the WHO endorsement. This year, a large-scale study has shown that with a blend of this shot and other anti-malaria treatments, experts can reduce the risk of severe infection and death by 70 percent that is a likable target for public health initiatives. On the other hand, another study has found that if the shot is used widely, it will be able to prevent nearly 20000 deaths each year in sub-Saharan Africa. Experts hope that like other vaccines in the past, Mosquirix might contribute to the first step towards more potent shots in the future. As per the latest update, there are multiple vaccines for malaria that are in pipeline. Moderna as well is planning to come up with an inventive malaria shot using mRNA technology. The firm has already made its successful attempt at developing the COVID19 shot with the help of the mRNA tool.