@sumana Moderate and severe vasomotor symptoms can adversely affect quality of life of those affected and result in sleep disruption as well as increased risk for heart disease and other high-risk medical problems. Although menopausal hormone therapy significantly improves vasomotor symptoms, it may not be desired or it may not be safe for some women

@ayra Previous studies have shown a strong relationship between reduced odor detection and symptoms of depression, with less clear evidence of a link between olfactory perception and symptoms of anxiety, Cecchetto said. However, few studies have investigated to what extent individuals with symptoms of anxiety or depression are aware of, or pay attention to, odors in their environment, she added. The study included 429 healthy participants (76.9% women, aged 18 to 45 years) recruited through social media. The age cut-off was 45 because evidence shows that olfactory perceptions start to decline at that time of life, Cecchetto noted. Participants completed psychological questionnaires, including the Beck Depression Inventory-II, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale.

When doctors can't easily reach someone — whether it's in a war zone or a natural disaster — robot bugs are being designed to come to the rescue. That's because the same things that make some insects such invasive pests — like their tiny size and resistance to harsh environments — may make them ideal medical providers when doctors can't easily get to patients. Engineers have built prototype robotic bugs designed to mimic insect movements so they can get into tight spaces and survive where living creatures might not. These creepy-crawlies were built using artificial muscle technology, a process that allows the robots to flex, bend, and move by jumping across surfaces the way many insects do.

After several promising early phase studies, an injectable hyaluronic gel has been associated with sustained improvements in the appearance of the jaw in patients with poor jawline definition, according to data from what study authors characterized as a "pivotal" randomized multicenter trial. The results were presented during a late-breaking research session at the American Academy of Dermatology 2022 annual meeting in Boston, Massachusetts. The primary outcome, assessed at 6 months, was at least a 1-point improvement in a photonumeric scale used to grade jawline sagging, reported Jeremy Green, MD, Skin Associates of South Florida, Coral Gables. When those randomized to the hyaluronic filler gel VYC-25L (Vycross, Juvéderm) were compared with untreated controls, 68.5% versus 38.4% met the criterion for benefit at 6 months. Importantly, the effect in treated patients was sustained when reevaluated at 12 months. Green reported that the response is generally sustained at the maximum follow-up, now out to 17 months.

Two older women who underwent a Descemet's membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) transplant and later received a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine have presented with symptoms and signs of endothelial graft rejection, according to a new U.K. report. In one case, the DMEK was recent at the time of vaccination, but in the other it had taken place years earlier. In both cases, one unilateral and the other bilateral, the transplant rejection was treated successfully with topical corticosteroids.

@samik Of the more than 50 species that comprise the genus Cryptococcus, human disease is primarily associated with C neoformans and C gattii. Animal models provide much of the understanding of the pathogenesis and the host defense mechanisms involved in cryptococcal infections. Cryptococcosis is acquired in two routes; after exposure to C. neoformans in immunocompromised, causing rapidly progressive cryptococcosis; the second is with a phase of latency followed by reactivation and dissemination. The concept of latency has been validated in C. neoformans. The organism is primarily transmitted via the respiratory route, but not directly from human to human.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to take a toll on the happiness, wellness and lifestyles of many segments of the population, but especially those in the healthcare field, including neurologists. The newly released Medscape Neurologist Lifestyle, Happiness & Burnout Report 2022 explores neurologists’ level of happiness in their personal and professional lives and how they maintain their mental and physical health. Prior to the global pandemic, three quarters (75%) of neurologists reported they were "very" or "somewhat" happy outside of work, similar to physicians overall (81%). But as the pandemic wore on, feelings shifted and there are clear signs of stress and strain on those in the healthcare field. Now, the percentage of neurologists who say they are currently "very" or "somewhat" happy outside of work has dropped to 62%, about the same as physicians overall (59%). In last year's report, 42% of neurologists reported burnout; that's risen to 47% this year. When it comes to burnout, neurologists remain in the middle range of burned-out physicians. Perhaps not surprising given the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, burnout rates are highest in emergency medicine and critical care physicians.

@chandrima For most people with diabetes, continuous glucose monitoring is the key to achieving target blood glucose. It is most beneficial for people who need to test their glucose levels frequently. The device is suggested for adults and children aged two years and above (typically the ones that have juvenile diabetes).
The doctor may recommend a CGM all the time, or only for a few days, to help manage diabetes. The advantages are: Glucose levels can be tracked throughout the day and night.
Glucose levels can be checked during the night when the levels are generally not tested.
A rise or drop in glucose levels can be tracked, which will help people with diabetes to take early action.
CGM helps to reduce the number of finger-prick tests.
CGM can help improve the levels of HbA1c as it helps to tailor the insulin dose more carefully.
It helps patients to reduce hypoglycemia (low glucose) events, as they can notice a downward trend even before the sugar levels sharply drop.
The device can be used to set triggers and alarms for very high and low glucose spikes.
CGM helps evaluate and measure the effects of diet and exercise on sugar levels.
It aids in determining the effectiveness of the treatment plan at a detailed level.

@chandrima Treatment involves increasing the dietary intake of folate. You can also take a folate or folic acid supplement. Those with a genetic mutation that affects folate absorption, known as MTHFR, need to take methylated folate in order to avoid deficiency. Folate is frequently combined with other B vitamins in supplements. These are sometimes called vitamin B complexes. Pregnant women should completely avoid alcohol, and everyone else with a folate deficiency should decrease their alcohol intake.