Bangladesh scientist has breakthrough in burn injury dressing
Dhaka, Bangladesh (AHN) – A Bangladesh-born agro-scientist has invented a bio-based wound dressing that cures injuries 40 percent faster than any other conventional medicine currently available. That’s potentially good news for people with severe wounds and similar physical injuries from acid attack and fire.
Dr. Azam Ali, who lives in New Zealand, has created bio-based materials to create new wound dressings, bone-graft implant products and medical suture technology using low-volume protein sources from the wool from New Zealand sheep.
He told state-run news agency BSS that the new wound dressing dramatically brings down treatment time while the result is far better because the bio-based wound dressing accelerates the wound healing process and tissue growth.
Ali, a senior scientist with AgResearch, a leading research station in New Zealand, said the treatment would be costlier than existing synthetic products, but it would heal acid wounds and burn victims to the extent they can get back to normal life.
He said that Bangladesh can use shrimp shells instead of wool to produce the same products with similar quality and effectiveness.
‘There is lot of shrimp shells available at the industry where shrimp are being processed regularly for either export or domestic use,” he quipped.
The scientist sees very bright prospects of using the new product in Bangladesh because of the availability of natural raw materials.
Two of his wound-care medical products are now being used at New Zealand hospitals and are approved for use in Australia, United States and the European Union.
The breakthrough innovation won Ali the globally-reputed Bayer Innovation of the Year Award in 2010.
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Donors pledge $65m for Libyan humanitarian crisis
Nairobi, Kenya (IRIN) – Donors have so far announced some US$65 million of humanitarian contributions in response to the Libyan crisis and pledged another $10 million, but humanitarian operations there will need much more than that, say aid agencies.
A preliminary UN-coordinated “flash appeal” for $160 million for 17 organizations has been published. As of 7 March, the five largest donors to the regional crisis response are the US, the European Commission, Norway, Australia and Canada.
Priority areas include assistance in evacuation, food, decongestion of transit areas, assistance packages to people in transit (non-food items, food, water/sanitation and health services); and protection and monitoring at the borders.
Major sectors or clusters highlighted for aid:
- Multi-sector (including camp management and transport) – $81 million;
- Food security – $48 million;
- Health – $11 million, and
- Water, sanitation and hygiene – $6 million.
More than 200,000 people have fled Libya, according to the International Organization for Migration. Given uncertainty around conditions and needs inside Libya, and a volatile situation, the appeal is to be revised in two weeks.
eo/cb/bp/mw
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Vic, Tas, worst cholesterol in Australia
Victorians and Tasmanians have topped a study as having the worst average cholesterol levels in Australia.
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Study: Taking many standing breaks good for heart, waist
Brisbane, Australia (AHN) – Shedding some inches from your waistline could be as simple as standing up a few times more each day, according to a new study.
Researchers with the University of Queensland in Australia said that taking plenty of breaks from sitting at a desk or in front of the television may be beneficial to the heart and help people lose unwanted pounds. The researchers said in a statement that it is not the duration of standing that counts, as much as it is the number of times a person stands up during the day.
Prolonged periods of sedentary time, even if people also spend time vigorously exercising, are linked with worse indicators of cardio-metabolic function and inflammation, including larger waist circumferences, lower levels of “good” cholesterol, higher levels of C-reactive protein and triglycerides, or blood fat.
But the researchers said that even in people who spent long hours sitting around an office or home, if they took more breaks and stood up many times a day they had lower levels of C-reactive protein and smaller waistlines.
A report on the study is published in the online version of the European Heart Journal.
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What Is High Cholesterol And How Does It Affect Me
Cholesterol is a type of fat that is part of all animal cells. It is essential for many of the body metabolic processes, including hormone and bile production, and to help the body use vitamin D.
Cholesterol is more abundant in tissues which either synthesize more or have more abundant densely-packed membranes, for example, the liver, spinal cord and brain.
The liver is the main processing center for cholesterol. When we eat animal fats, the liver returns the cholesterol it can not use to our bloodstream and when there is too much cholesterol circulating in our bloodstream, it can build up into fatty deposits. These deposits cause the arteries to narrow and can eventually block the arteries completely, leading to heart disease and stroke.
Cholesterol is produced by the liver and it is also made by most cells in the body. It is carried around in the blood by lipoproteins. We need blood cholesterol because the body uses it to build the structure of cell membranes, to produce hormones like testosterone, adrenaline and estrogen and to aid the metabolism.
Types of Cholesterol
There are two types of cholesterol, good and bad, the difference between them is:
a. Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol called the bad cholesterol because it goes into the bloodstream and clogs up your arteries.
b. High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol called the good cholesterol because it helps to take the bad cholesterol out of the bloodstream.
Cholesterol is transported towards peripheral tissues by the lipoproteins chylomicrons, very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL).
Risks associated with high triglycerides
According to the lipid hypothesis, abnormally high cholesterol levels (hypercholesterolemia), or more correctly, higher concentrations of LDL and lower concentrations of functional HDL are strongly associated with cardiovascular disease because these promote atheroma development in arteries (atherosclerosis). High cholesterol has also been linked to diabetes and high blood pressure.
Both heredity and diet have a significant influence on a person’s LDL, HDL and total cholesterol levels. Evidence strongly indicates that high cholesterol levels can cause narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis), heart attacks, and strokes.
Cholesterol in the bile can crystallize to form gall stones that may block the bile ducts. Cholesterol count also rises during pregnancy.
However, in recent years, scientists have come to realise that to decide whether an individual’s cholesterol levels are dangerous, these levels need to be considered in the light of the person’s overall risk of heart disease.The higher the risk of heart disease (for example, a male smoker with high blood pressure and diabetes), the greater the need to get cholesterol levels down.
Cholesterol tests
Cholesterol testing is recommended as a screening test to be done on all adults at least once every five years.
Foods that contain cholesterol
The cholesterol in your diet comes mainly from the saturated fats found in animal products. All foods from animals contain some cholesterol. Foods from plants do not contain cholesterol. Other sources of dietary cholesterol are full fat dairy foods, eggs and some seafood.
Safe blood cholesterol levels
Health authorities recommend that cholesterol levels should be no higher than 5.5mmols per liter. Approximately 50 per cent of adult Australians have a blood cholesterol level above 5mmols per liter. This makes high blood cholesterol a major health concern in Australia.
How to lower high cholesterol
The best way to maintain healthy levels of cholesterol in your diet is to limit foods high in saturated fats. Try to avoid: Fatty meats , full fat dairy products, processed meats like salami and sausages, snack foods like chips, most takeaway foods, especially deep fried foods, cakes, biscuits and pastries.
However the most important thing you can do to reduce your cholesterol level is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. You should try to:
a. Limit the amount of cholesterol-rich foods you eat.
Increase the amount and variety of fresh fruit, vegetables and wholegrain foods you have each day.
b. Choose low or reduced fat milk, yoghurt and other dairy products or have added calcium soy drinks.
c. Choose lean meat (meat trimmed of fat or labeled as heart smart).
d. Limit fatty meats, including sausages and salami, and choose leaner sandwich meats like turkey breast or cooked lean chicken.
e. Have fish (fresh or canned) at least twice a week. Replace butter and dairy blends with polyunsaturated margarines.
f. Include foods in your diet that are rich in soluble fiber and healthy fats, such as nuts, legumes and seeds.
g. Limit cheese and ice cream to twice a week.
Some studies have suggested that eating oats and legumes may lower LDL cholesterol. Food components like saponins (found in chickpeas, alfalfa sprouts and other foods) and sulphur compounds (like allicin found in garlic and onions) may also have a positive effect on cholesterol levels.
Plant sterols can lower cholesterol levels,these are
found naturally in plant foods including sunflower and canola seeds, vegetable oils and (in smaller amounts) in nuts, legumes, cereals, fruit and vegetables. Some margarine has concentrated plant sterols added to it. Plant sterol enriched margarines may help to lower LDL cholesterol.
Treatment for high cholesterol
Treatment of high cholesterol is aimed at lowering the low-density lipoproteins (LDL) or bad cholesterol, lowering triglyceride levels, and increasing the high-density lipoproteins (HDL) or good cholesterol.
Treatment will be most effective if it also includes appropriate diet, weight loss (if necessary) and physical activity.
The first steps in treating high cholesterol levels are: Regular physical activity and healthy eating.
There are also some foods that may help to lower cholesterol levels, particularly garlic, soya, oats, corn and selenium-enriched cereals.
Cholesterol-lowering foods are not suitable for children under five years or for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.
Medication :Statin drugs work by interfering with the cholesterol-producing mechanisms of the liver and by increasing the capacity of the liver to remove cholesterol from circulating blood. Statins can lower LDL cholesterol by as much as 60 percent, depending on the drug and dosage.
Dick Aronson has a background of over 35 years in various facets of the Healthcare industry. He set up and ran clinical trials in more than 20 countries and he has also founded a number of small private health related businesses. Dick now runs a number of informative health websites Go to Health Innovations Online and Go to Cholesterol Information
What is High Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a type of fat that is part of all animal cells. It is essential for many of the body’s metabolic processes, including hormone and bile production, and to help the body use vitamin D.
Cholesterol is more abundant in tissues which either synthesize more or have more abundant densely-packed membranes, for example, the liver, spinal cord and brain.
The liver is the main processing centre for cholesterol. When we eat animal fats, the liver returns the cholesterol it can’t use to our bloodstream and when there is too much cholesterol circulating in our bloodstream, it can build up into fatty deposits. These deposits cause the arteries to narrow and can eventually block the arteries completely, leading to heart disease and stroke.
Cholesterol is produced by the liver and it is also made by most cells in the body. It is carried around in the blood by lipoproteins. We need blood cholesterol because the body uses it to build the structure of cell membranes, to produce hormones like testosterone, adrenaline and estrogen and to aid the metabolism.
There are two types of cholesterol, good and bad, the difference between them is:
Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol – called the ‘bad’ cholesterol because it goes into the bloodstream and clogs up your arteries.
High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol – called the ‘good’ cholesterol because it helps to take the ‘bad’ cholesterol out of the bloodstream.
Cholesterol is transported towards peripheral tissues by the lipoproteins chylomicrons, very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL).
Risks associated with high triglycerides
According to the lipid hypothesis, abnormally high cholesterol levels (hypercholesterolemia), or, more correctly, higher concentrations of LDL and lower concentrations of functional HDL are strongly associated with cardiovascular disease because these promote atheroma development in arteries (atherosclerosis). High cholesterol has also been linked to diabetes and high blood pressure.
Both heredity and diet have a significant influence on a person’s LDL, HDL and total cholesterol levels. Evidence strongly indicates that high cholesterol levels can cause narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis), heart attacks, and strokes. Cholesterol in the bile can crystallize to form gall stones that may block the bile ducts. Cholesterol count also rises during pregnancy.
However, in recent years, scientists have come to realise that to decide whether an individual’s cholesterol levels are dangerous, these levels need to be considered in the light of the person’s overall risk of heart disease. The higher the risk of heart disease (for example, a male smoker with high blood pressure and diabetes), the greater the need to get cholesterol levels down.
Cholesterol tests
Cholesterol testing is recommended as a screening test to be done on all adults at least once every five years.
Foods that contain cholesterol
The cholesterol in your diet comes mainly from the saturated fats found in animal products. All foods from animals contain some cholesterol. Foods from plants do not contain cholesterol. Other sources of dietary cholesterol are full fat dairy foods, eggs and some seafood.
Safe blood cholesterol levels
Health authorities recommend that cholesterol levels should be no higher than 5.5mmols per liter. Approximately 50 per cent of adult Australians have a blood cholesterol level above 5mmols per liter. This makes high blood cholesterol a major health concern in Australia.
How to lower high cholesterol.
The best way to maintain healthy levels of cholesterol in your diet is to limit foods high in saturated fats. Try to avoid: Fatty meats , full fat dairy products, processed meats like salami and sausages, snack foods like chips, most takeaway foods, especially deep fried foods, cakes, biscuits and pastries.
However the most important thing you can do to reduce your cholesterol level is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. You should try to:
Limit the amount of cholesterol-rich foods you eat.
-Increase the amount and variety of fresh fruit, vegetables and wholegrain foods you have each day.
-Choose low or reduced fat milk, yoghurt and other dairy products or have ‘added calcium’ soy drinks.
-Choose lean meat (meat trimmed of fat or labeled as ‘heart smart’).
-Limit fatty meats, including sausages and salami, and choose leaner sandwich meats like turkey breast or cooked lean chicken.
-Have fish (fresh or canned) at least twice a week. Replace butter and dairy blends with polyunsaturated margarines.
-Include foods in your diet that are rich in soluble fiber and healthy fats, such as nuts, legumes and seeds.
-Limit cheese and ice cream to twice a week.
-Some studies have suggested that eating oats and legumes may lower LDL cholesterol. Food components like saponins (found in chickpeas, alfalfa sprouts and other foods) and sulphur compounds (like allicin – found in garlic and onions) may also have a positive effect on cholesterol levels.
Plant sterols can lower cholesterol levels
Plant sterols are found naturally in plant foods including sunflower and canola seeds, vegetable oils and (in smaller amounts) in nuts, legumes, cereals, fruit and vegetables. Some margarine has concentrated plant sterols added to it. Plant sterol enriched margarines may help to lower LDL cholesterol.
Treatment for high cholesterol
Treatment of high cholesterol is aimed at lowering the low-density lipoproteins (LDL) or “bad cholesterol,” lowering triglyceride levels, and increasing the high-density lipoproteins (HDL) or “good cholesterol. Treatment will be most effective if it also includes appropriate diet, weight loss (if necessary) and physical activity.
The first steps in treating high cholesterol levels are: Regular physical activity and healthy eating. There are also some foods that may help to lower cholesterol levels, particularly garlic, soya, oats, corn and selenium-enriched cereals. Cholesterol-lowering foods are not suitable for children under five years or for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.
Medication : Statin drugs work by interfering with the cholesterol-producing mechanisms of the liver and by increasing the capacity of the liver to remove cholesterol from circulating blood. Statins can lower LDL cholesterol by as much as 60 percent, depending on the drug and dosage.
Author: Dick Aronson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Credit card currency-exchange fees
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