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New Delhi, August 19, 2018 :
First biomarker evidence autism is linked to insecticide DDT
A study published online August 16 in the American Journal of Psychiatry has implicated elevated levels of a dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethan
Previous studies have shown on proximity to sites that were contaminated with these pollutants as per Dr Alan S. Brown, MD, MPH, professor of epidemiology at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health and of psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City.
DDT has been banned in many countries decades ago, but it persists in the food chain. DDT transfers across the placenta, resulting in potential prenatal exposure.
The researchers identified 778 children with autism born between 1987 and 2005 and a matched control group. Maternal serum specimens from early pregnancy were assayed for levels DDE (p,p’-dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene), a metabolite of DDT. The odds of autism were nearly one third higher among offspring of mothers with DDE levels that were in the highest 75th percentile. The odds of autism with intellectual disability were increased by greater than twofold with maternal DDE levels higher than this threshold. There was no association between total maternal levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and autism.
Even light drinking may make fatty liver disease worse
People non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) should avoid alcohol if they want to prevent their liver damage from getting worse, a Korean study suggests in July 17 in Hepatology. The study examined data on 58,927 Korean young and middle aged adults with NAFLD who had low levels of fibrosis. After following half of these patients for at least 8.3 years, 5,630 people had progressed from low to more advanced levels of fibrosis.
Moderate drinkers (2 drinks per day in men and 1.5 in woman) were 29% more likely to have worse fibrosis by the end of the study than people who didn’t drink at all.
Light drinkers (<10 grams of alcohol per day) were also 6% more likely to have their fibrosis become more advanced than people who avoided alcohol altogether.
There is no safe limit of alcohol intake in relation to fibrosis progression.
Researchers did not use a liver biopsy to diagnose worsening fibrosis. The study also did not distinguish between different types of alcohol.
SGLT2 inhibitors may be associated with an increased risk for below-the-knee amputations
A retrospective cohort study published in JAMA Internal Medicine shows the concern about amputations with SGLT2 inhibitors.
In May 2016 also, the canagliflozin CANVAS study revealed a significant increase in amputation rates with the drug compared with placebo. Most were toe amputations. The US FDA then issued a drug safety communication warning about the risk of foot and lower leg amputations with canagliflozin. In contrast, the label warning in Europe covers all drugs in the class.
Video to watch: Modern day doctor-patient relationship: TEDx Talk by Dr KK Aggarwal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Dr KK Aggarwal
Padma Shri Awardee
Vice President CMAAO
President HCFI
HealthySoch
