People Who Have These ‘Big Five’ Personality Traits are Happier Throughout Their Lives

 (Source: https://www.healthline.com/health-news)

New findings indicate that emotional stability was the most powerful predictor of overall satisfaction with life and career. Santi Nuñez/Stocksy

• A new study suggests that people who scored high on surveys measuring openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and emotional stability tended to report greater overall work, social, and life satisfaction.
• Furthermore, the team noted that the link between these personality traits and life satisfaction was stable across the lifespan.
• These personality traits are known collectively as the Big Five.

People who are emotionally stable, conscientious, and agreeable may experience more satisfaction with their lives, according to new research.

The report, published Monday in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, evaluated how the Big Five personality traits — emotional stability, extraversion, conscientiousness, openness, and agreeableness — correlated to work, social, and life satisfaction across the adult lifespan.

Past researchTrusted Source has found that people with certain personality traits, like extroversion, are generally happier than others, however, until now it’s been unclear if this remains the case as people get older.

According to the findings, despite changes in living environments and experiences, the Big 5 personality traits continue to be strongly associated with life satisfaction across the lifespan.

“The personality traits remained equally relevant to life, social or work satisfaction across the adult lifespan, or became even more inter-connected in some cases for work satisfaction,” Manon van Scheppingen, Ph.D., an assistant professor at Tilburg University and one of the study’s co-authors, told Healthline.

 

Women have higher risk of dying after coronary artery bypass surgery than men

 (Source: https://www.news-medical.net/news)

Compared with men, women continue to have a roughly 30-40 percent higher risk of dying following coronary artery bypass surgery, according to a large study led by investigators at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. The analysis showed that, without adjusting for differences in age and other health factors that influence risk, the female bypass patients had a 2.8 percent rate of death during or soon after surgery, compared with 1.7 percent for male patients, a nearly 50 percent difference that only dropped 10-20 percent after accounting for these factors.

The study, which appears Mar. 1 in JAMA Surgery, was based on data from nearly 1.3 million bypass surgeries performed in the United States from 2011 to 2020. It confirms the findings of studies based on surgery data from prior decades.

Doctors perform about 370,000 coronary artery bypass graft surgeries in the U.S. every year. Over the past few decades, advances in surgical techniques and overall care have brought improved outcomes from these surgeries.

However, since the 1990s, studies of these surgeries have been finding evidence that, compared with male patients, female patients tend to have worse outcomes. Female bypass surgery patients on average are older and more likely to have chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. But even when researchers adjust their analyses to take these factors into account, women still appear to have worse outcomes on average.

One of the big questions for the field has been whether these sex differences in outcomes, first observed more than 30 years ago, have continued in recent years as surgical techniques and surrounding care have improved. To answer this question, Dr. Gaudino and colleagues-;including surgeons in the U.S., Canada, and Austria-;analyzed bypass surgery cases from 2011-2020 in the Adult Cardiac Surgery Database, which is maintained by the Chicago-based Society for Thoracic Surgeons. The database covers a large proportion of U.S. bypass surgeries, and also includes data from medical centers abroad.

The analysis included a total of 1,297,204 bypass surgeries, of which 317,716 were in women. The main outcome measures were "operative mortality"-;death during surgery or within the 30 days following surgery-;and a composite measure defined as operative mortality or a major post-operative complication, such as stroke or kidney failure.

Without adjusting for differences in age and other health factors that influence risk, the investigators found that female bypass patients had a 2.8 percent rate of death during or soon after surgery, compared with 1.7 percent for male patients; and a 22.9 percent rate of the composite measure compared with 16.7 percent for male patients. Even after adjustment for male/female differences in those risk factors, being female appeared to bring a significantly higher risk of death or major complications. For mortality, being female was associated with a 28 percent to 41 percent higher risk depending on the year of surgery during the covered period. For the combined outcome measure, being female was associated with a 2 percent to 9 percent higher risk. There was no significant trend for either measure during the analyzed period.

The findings underscore the importance of determining why women have worse outcomes for this relatively common surgery, said Dr. Gaudino, who is also director of the Joint Clinical Trials Office at Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian.

"We're clearly missing something here, and that means we need more data on women-;data on the physiology of their coronary artery disease and how it tends to differ from men's, and data on their responses to different treatments and surgical techniques," he said.

To that end, he and his colleagues are planning a clinical trial exclusively in female patients, to see if the use of multiple coronary artery bypasses during surgery improves outcomes over single-artery bypasses.

 

Do nuts help with type 2 diabetes?

 (Source: https://www.news-medical.net/news)

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder that affects one in ten people worldwide. There has been an alarming increase of 16% in the global prevalence of type 2 diabetes over the past two years. Diabetes is also associated with other health complications, such as neuropathy, retinopathy, chronic kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease. Recently, scientists reviewed the role of nuts in the management of type 2 diabetes. This review is available in the journal Nutrients.

Background

Around 11% of adults across the world have impaired glucose tolerance. This group is at a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D). Diabetes can be managed through lifestyle changes, particularly adherence to healthy diets and regular exercise. As per the recent diabetes guidelines, the Mediterranean diet, which involves high consumption of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, olive oils, fish, and eggs, and a low intake of red meat, has been recommended for diabetes patients.

Different tree nuts include cashew, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, almonds, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, walnuts, and macadamias. Although peanuts are considered nuts, they are technically a legume. Nuts are considered nutrient-dense foods that provide unsaturated fatty acids, non-sodium minerals, phenolics, plant protein, and other important bioactive metabolites.

The authors collected relevant articles from PubMed and Cochrane's databases related to T2D and nut consumption for this review article. Both peanut and tree nuts were considered in this study.

How does Nut Consumption Affect Glucose Metabolism?

Few epidemiological studies have evaluated how nut consumption affects glycemic control markers. A previously conducted Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS) revealed lower fasting serum glucose levels after higher nut consumption. Several cross-sectional studies have highlighted an association between nut intake and glucose/insulin homeostasis markers. A higher nut intake has been linked to significantly low levels of all diabetes-related biomarkers, such as plasma insulin, blood glucose, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and HOMA-β.

The effect of nut consumption frequency on insulin resistance was assessed based on HOMA-IR. This study revealed that consumption of more than five servings (1 serving = 15 g) of nuts per week, compared to less than one serving a month, leads to lower HOMA-IR. This observation was found to be predominantly true among women participants aged less than 40 years.

Based on clinical trial evidence, nut consumption alone lowered postprandial glycemia in participants associated with high glycemic index (GI) food intake. In healthy individuals, the consumption of almonds with white bread significantly lowered postprandial glycemia.

A five-arm, randomized crossover trial was conducted involving individuals with impaired glucose tolerance. Participants were randomly divided into different groups, and each group was administered whole almonds, defatted almond flour, almond butter, almond oil, or no almonds. The whole almond-consuming group observed a significant decrease in blood glucose levels. Interestingly, in the case of peanut intake, a quicker return of insulin to basal concentrations was observed when obese men consumed shakes containing conventional peanuts and high-oleic peanuts. Nut consumption led to a significant lowering in fasting insulin and HOMA-IR; however, it did not have a considerable effect on fasting glucose or HbA1c.

Consumption of Nuts and Diabetes Prevention and Management

Epidemiological studies revealed inconsistencies and inconclusive findings related to nut intake and the incidence of T2D. To date, the effect of nut consumption, in a dose-dependent manner, on the incidence of T2D risk has not been elucidated. Also, most of the studies have combined nuts with other foods, making the assessment of individual nuts' roles in glycaemic index difficult.

No clinical trials aimed to assess the efficacy of nut supplementation to reduce or prevent the incidence of diabetes were found. However, several studies revealed the beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet, which entails a high consumption of tree nuts.

The macronutrients, micronutrients, and other bioactive compounds present in nuts regulate postprandial glycemic and insulinemic levels. In addition, they aid in body weight management, have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, control cellular membrane fluidity, and protect β-cells against glucose toxicity, microRNAs, and pancreatic insulin secretion.

Future Outlook

In the future, dose-response analyses are required to elucidate the total amount of nuts consumed for possible diabetes-related health benefits. Also, the impact of nuts in the prevention and management of TYD must be elucidated in greater detail. Since very little epidemiological and clinical trial data is available, more research could be conducted in this area to provide more insights into developing diabetes dietary guidelines.

Conclusion

Based on the limited evidence currently available, nuts may have beneficial effects on diabetes management and prevention. A diet that includes nuts may also lower cardiovascular disease risk and mortality in those with T2D and improve glycemic control.

 

Cancer-causing viruses use a human protein to evade the innate immune response

 (Source: https://www.news-medical.net/news)

The viruses Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) have been linked to several cancers. For the first time, UNC School of Medicine scientists have discovered that these viruses use a human protein called barrier-to-autointegration factor 1, or BAF, to evade our innate immune response, allowing the viruses to spread and cause disease.

These findings, published in Nature Communications, suggest that BAF and related proteins could be therapeutic targets to prevent these viruses from spreading and leading to cancers, such as Kaposi sarcoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, multicentric Castleman disease, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and gastric cancer.

Viruses have evolved with humans for millions of years, so it's no surprise they've evolved tricks to evade our natural, or innate, immune responses. Finding out precisely how viruses do this is the basis for creating vaccines and therapeutics to overcome their tricks.

In the case of KSHV and EBV, the expression of BAF is increased upon infection, suggesting that these viruses take advantage of this host protein to blunt the immune response to infection. In a series of experiments, Damania's lab found that BAF contributes to the degradation of the cGAS DNA sensor. With less cGAS protein available in the infected cell to detect DNA, the cells mount weaker immune responses, which allows these two viruses to replicate and spread more efficiently.

"BAF enables EBV and KSHV to reactivate from latency, replicate, and make more of themselves," said first author Grant Broussard, a graduate student in the Genetics and Molecular Biology Curriculum at UNC Lineberger. "Our study highlights the prominent role that DNA detection pathways like the cGAS pathway play in controlling viral infection."

He stressed that disrupting BAF activity with targeted therapies could reduce its immunosuppressive effects, thus restricting replication of these viruses to prevent the spread of disease.

Damania, who is a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Scholar and a Burroughs Wellcome Fund Investigator in Infectious Diseases, added, "Preventing lytic replication will prevent transmission of these viruses and also reduce the global cancer burden associated with these two viruses."

Female Doctors Have Higher Infertility Rates and Riskier Pregnancies: What Can Be Done?

 (Source: https://www.medscape.com/)

 

In 2021, Eugene Kim, MD, division director of pediatric surgery and vice chair in the department of surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, gave his presidential address to the Association for Academic Surgery.

"Presidents tend to give a message of hope or inspiration; I probably took it in a different way," he said.

 

Kim told the story of one of his clinical partners, Eveline Shue, who, after five rounds of in vitro fertilization (IVF), became pregnant with twins. A high-achiever in her field, Shue continued working the grueling hours required by her job throughout pregnancy until she noticed concerning symptoms — musculoskeletal issues, extreme swelling, and more. She and her group decided that she should step back from work in her third trimester. A few days later, Shue suffered a stroke. She was rushed to the hospital where her babies were delivered by emergency C-section. Shue underwent brain surgery but later recovered and is still practicing in Southern California.

 

"I remember being at her bedside thinking, 'How could we have let this happen? How could we have prevented this?' "

Kim's speech kicked off a firestorm of awareness about pregnancy complications among physicians. "I got scores of emails from women around the country, surgeons in particular, who felt like their issues had been seen. The conversation was long overdue," he said.

 

Family planning issues, pregnancy complications, infertility, and pregnancy loss are common, pervasive, and often silent issues in medicine. In July 2021, Kim and a group of other researchers published a study in JAMA Surgery. It revealed staggering truths: When compared to non-surgeons, female surgeons were more likely to delay pregnancy, use assisted reproductive technology such as IVF, have non-elective C-sections, and suffer pregnancy loss. In the study, 42% of surgeons had experienced pregnancy loss — more than double the rate of the general population. Almost half had serious pregnancy complications.

 

Research has found that female physicians in general have a significantly greater incidence of miscarriage, infertility, and pregnancy complications than the general population. According to a 2016 survey in the Journal of Women's Health, the infertility rate for physicians is nearly 1 in 4, about double the rate of the general public.

 

The Barriers to Starting a Family

Physicians face significant professional barriers that impact family planning. Demanding jobs with exhausting and often unpredictable hours contribute to a culture that, traditionally, has been far from family friendly. As a result, many physicians start families later. "For a pediatric surgeon, you finish training at age 35 — minimum," says Kim. "Simply being a surgeon makes you a high-risk pregnancy candidate just because of the career."

Madhya Pradesh doctor who treats people for Rs 20 gets Padma Shri honour

 By India Today Web Desk:

A Madhya Pradesh doctor who treats people for only Rs 20 has been conferred the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in the country.

Dr Munishwar Chandar Dawar, 77, sees around 200 patients daily and accepts the nominal sum of Rs 20 as payment from them.

Dr Dawar was born in Punjab, Pakistan, on January 16, 1946. He migrated to India after Partition. In 1967, he completed his MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) from Jabalpur.

He also served in the Indian Army during the Indo-Pakistan War in 1971 for around a year. After that, he has been providing health care services to people in Jabalpur since 1972.

Dr Dawar started treating people for Rs 2 and currently, he charges just Rs 20 as his fees.

 Speaking to news agency ANI, Dr Dawar said, "There was definitely a discussion in the house about charging such a low fee, but there was no dispute about it. Our only aim was to serve the people, so that is why the fees were not increased. The basic mantra of success is if you work patiently then you definitely get success and success is also respected."

On being conferred with Padma Shri, Dr Dawar said, "Hard work pays off sometimes, even if it is delayed. It is a result of that and it is the blessings of the people that I have received this award."

 

ORS pioneer Dilip Mahalanabis to be awarded Padma Vibhushan posthumously

 Dr Dilip Mahalanabis, who saved millions of lives by promoting the use of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), will be awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the country's second highest civilian award, the Centre announced on the eve of Republic Day.

Kolkata-based Dilip Mahalanabis was a paediatrician who started working on oral rehydration therapy in 1966. During his stint as a research scholar at Johns Hopkins University International Centre for Medical Research in the US, a team of doctors led by Mahalanabis developed the life-saving solution. The other two members of the team were Devid R Nalin and Richard A Cash.

The government said Mahalanabis demonstrated the effectiveness of ORS while serving in refugee camps during the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war. At the time, a huge number of people had migrated to India and settled in refugee camps. Lack of proper hygiene and general squalor in the camps led to outbreaks of diarrhoea and cholera. These patients were treated with ORS.

Eventually, ORS gained popularity across the globe as an effective treatment for diarrhoeal diseases. It is estimated to have saved over five crore lives globally. Thanks to ORS, a simple and inexpensive life-saving solution, there has been a 93 per cent reduction in deaths due to cholera and diarrhoea.

About Dilip Mahalanabis

Dilip Mahalanabis was born in 1934 in Kishoreganj, Bangladesh. He graduated from Calcutta Medical College in 1958, before joining the medical college as an intern.

 

When the British government launched the National Health Service in the sixties, he had the opportunity to study medicine. After earning two degrees from London and Edinburgh, he became the first Indian to become a registrar at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children.

From 1975 to 1979, Mahalanabis worked in cholera control for the World Health Organization (WHO) in Afghanistan, Egypt and Yemen. In 1983, he was made a member of the WHO’s Diarrhoeal Diseases Control Programme.

He died on October 16, 2022 in Kolkata at the age of 87. He was suffering from lung infection and other age-related ailments