New research shows that blood screenings can accurately spot multiple telltale biomarkers in patients with classic symptoms of depression.

PROBLEM: Depression has traditionally been diagnosed with a questionnaire that assesses patients’ reported symptoms. this process varies greatly, however, since it relies heavily on the clinician’s experience and resources.

METHODOLOGY: to test if an objective biological test could improve diagnosis accuracy, scientists recruited 36 adults with major depression and 43 healthy participants for a blood screening. they measured the levels of nine biomarkers associated with depressive symptoms, such as inflammation, the development and maintenance of neurons, and the interaction between brain structures involved with stress response and other key functions.

RESULTS: The blood test indicated the presence of depression in 33 of the 36 patients and registered false positives for eight of the 43 participants in the control group. The scientists validated these findings with a second trial where 31 of the 34 depressed patients were also successfully diagnosed.

CONCLUSION: Blood tests can detect depression.

CAVEAT: The scientists are planning on conducting larger-scale studies in clinical settings to fine-tune their test. for now, though, study co-author John Bilello hopes that “the biological basis of this test may provide patients with insight into their depression as a treatable disease rather than a source of self-doubt and stigma.”

SOURCE: The full study, “Assessment of a Multi-Assay, Serum-Based Biological Diagnostic Test for Major Depressive disorder: a Pilot and Replication Study,” is published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.

Image: Themalni/Shutterstock.

Q whenever certain people are on TV, our cat, Lilly, runs to the TV and begins to scratch at the set. This happens when certain music comes on. recently, when Justin Bieber appeared on TV, the cat went crazy. Lilly doesn’t have her claws anymore, so there’s no damage to the TV, but what is this scratching all about?

- S.U., Pasadena, Calif.

A Cats often express their excitement with a good scratch. even cats without claws go through the same motions. I can’t explain why certain music is more exciting to your cat, who apparently enjoys Bieber.

Q I’m concerned that the vaccine to protect cats against rhinotracheitis and the calici virus causes the (viral infections) and helps destroy a cat’s immune system. I know two cats whose deaths directly resulted from the feline leukemia vaccine. can you please tell people not to use these vaccines?

- A.A., Cyberspace

A I’m afraid I can’t help because you’re wrong. Feline herpes virus (rhinotracheitis) is the most common cause of upper respiratory disease in cats. Calici virus often causes inflammation in the mouth, oral ulcers and/or limping and can be very serious. both infections occur most often in kittens, cats in stressed or overcrowded environments like animal shelters and those in multicat households.

Once infected, there may be chronic flare-ups throughout a cat’s life.

Feline veterinarian Dr. Susan Little, of Ottawa, Canada, says, “The vaccine for the feline herpes virus and for the calici virus were never intended to prevent infection. Vaccination does in some cases prevent symptoms, or at least lessens their severity, so cats don’t die.”

As for your claim about the feline leukemia vaccine, it’s simply not true, says Little, a past president of the Winn Feline Foundation. Most veterinarians do agree that not all cats should be vaccinated for feline leukemia. This has nothing to do with the vaccines but instead is about the lifestyle of individual cats. For example, indoor-only cats are unlikely to be exposed to the disease and may not require the vaccine.

Certainly, here and there cats do have reactions to vaccines; the most feared of all may be vaccine-associated feline sarcoma at the vaccination site. Some researchers have suggested this aggressive cancer may be associated with some feline leukemia vaccines (those with an adjuvant), but it’s not proven and is very rare. if you’re concerned, ask about the non-adjuvanted vaccine for feline leukemia.

Q I take my dog to visit a hospice once a week. I wish I could describe what a difference this has made for the patients. For our border collie, Lucy, the emotional outlet and work has been wonderful. I was sure I’d be sad working in a hospice, but I haven’t felt that way at all. instead, I have a tremendous feeling of satisfaction. I’m writing in hopes you can convey how programs like this make a difference.

- S.C., Marietta, Ga.

A For 10 years, my wife and I were privileged to take our Lucy to visit patients at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago as a certified animal-assisted therapy dog. Therapy dogs are sometimes able to wiggle their way into hearts and minds where medical science cannot.

Science has repeatedly documented what such dogs can do. I talked with my friend David Frei, who participates in animal-assisted therapy with his dog through a program he founded called Angel on a Leash.

No one knows how these dogs are able to achieve the miracles they do. Frei and I agree that while they are patients in hospitals, rehab facilities and hospices, people are living like our dogs live – in the moment. This creates a special connection. And, of course, dogs don’t care how patients look or their diagnoses; they love everyone unconditionally.

After our beloved Lucy passed away in 2011, we set up a fund in her honor with the American Humane Association to support the American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards for animal-assisted therapy: bit.ly/ieF5K9.

Write to Steve Dale at .

If you suffer from impaired transit, diarrhoea or constipation, bloating and intestinal cramps, you may be afflicted with a condition colloquially known as “leaky gut”.

These symptoms are quite common, being reported in around 30% of the population. the proper medical term for the condition is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). while sometimes ascribed to psychological factors like stress or anxiety, IBS symptoms are more likely to have a physical origin. very common causes are lactose (milk sugar) or fructose (fruit sugar) intolerance, inflammation of the gut, bacterial overgrowth in the gut, gluten intolerance and type III food allergies. But what most people and physicians do not know is that these symptoms may suggest that you are suffering from leaky gut, a condition that can sometimes can be dangerous because it may cause other illnesses.

Leaky gut can cause an inflammation in the blood and even profound inflammation or auto-immune disorders. Leaky gut may cause chronic fatigue, depression, skin disorders, headaches and heart disorders. New research findings show that leaky gut is even associated with the onset of brain disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

How can we explain the association between leaky gut and these different medical disorders? In our bowel cavity there are many bacteria (collectively called bowel flora). Their number increases from the small intestine to the colon. These bowel flora ensure that food is properly processed and digested. They help to digest cartilage and fibres which we ourselves cannot digest. They are also important for the production of certain vitamins, such as vitamin K.

Hundreds of millions of such bacteria are present in the bowels of a typical adult and they may account for up to one or 1.5 kilogrammes of one’s body weight. there are 300 to 600 different types of gut bacteria. most of them are useful but there are also a few potentially dangerous varieties. Some bacteria contain a very toxic substance, called LPS, that is part of the bacterial wall. When small amounts of bacteria containing this toxic substance enter the bloodstream, our immune system mounts a strong reaction to eliminate the bacteria and the toxic substances contain. But when too many bacteria containing LPS enter the bloodstream a dangerous condition, sometimes life-threatening, may result. for this reason one’s body must be able to defend itself against these “bad” bacteria that are normally present in the bowel.

The primary tool our body uses to keep these bad bacteria under control is “good” bacteria (probiotics), such as milk acid bacteria (lactobacillus). When sufficient numbers of good bacteria are present, the detrimental bacteria cannot develop further. thus, milk acid bacteria function as a type of buffer which _ by virtue of their large numbers _ can catch and contain the bad bacteria. you can give nature a helping hand by taking probiotic pills.

A second line of defence against bad bacteria is the bowel barrier, a thin layer of cells and mucous membranes that is normally impermeable to bacteria, thus contain them in the intestinal cavity. Leaky gut arises when the bowel barrier is interrupted because the sticky substances that hold the cell walls together are disrupted. as a result, gaps arise between the cells and bad bacteria may use these openings to pass from the bowel into the bloodstream. this we call leaky or leaking gut. When bad bacteria penetrate the bloodstream they precipitate an inflammatory reaction and, as a consequence, cause the medical disorders described above.

There are several causes of leaky gut: inflammatory bowel disorders, such as Crohn’s and colitis ulcerosa; infections with yeast, such as Candida; infections with bacteria which cause gastro-enteritis, such as salmonella; long-term or very frequent use of antibiotics; repeated use of painkillers (NSAIDs) or alcohol; long-standing psychological stress; extended physical effort (athletes are particularly prone); and food allergies. In addition, very common conditions, such as lactose and fructose intolerance, may endanger your gut wall and promote leaky gut. A shortage of certain anti-oxidants may also increase the risk of you developing leaky gut. for example, when you have a deficiency of glutamine, painkillers can easily cause a leaky gut. this means that the presence of glutamine, an anti-oxidant, is obligatory in order to preserve a good bowel barrier and thus an adequate defence against the bad bacteria.

We estimate that around 50% of patients with depression, chronic fatigue and IBS also suffer from leaky gut. Phrased differently, leaky gut may play a role in the onset of each of these disorders. Although leaky gut is very frequent and a potentially dangerous condition it remains unrecognised in most cases. the diagnosis of the condition is very simple: one specialised blood and stool test can reveal whether you suffer from leaky gut or not. We would recommend that individuals who suffer from IBS symptoms have their blood and stool tested for leaky gut.

It is also important to identify the trigger factors that have caused leaky gut and IBS in order to eliminate these triggers. it may be necessary, therefore, to examine whether you suffer from lactose or fructose intolerance, small intestine bacterial overgrowth, inflammation of the gut, gluten or other food allergies, etc. Although many patients suffer from IBS and leaky gut due to lactose and fructose intolerance and food allergies, most physicians do not test for these conditions.

Our treatments are based on repairing the gut wall by treating with specific anti-oxidants, such as glutamine and zinc. Probiotics will help to reinstall a better equilibrium between the good and the bad bacteria. A specific diet will also help to repair the leaky gut.

New medications to treat leaky gut are likely to become available in the next few years. These medications are now being developed in the US and in Europe. Some are based on chemical compounds. others come from substances produced by living bacteria that have been found to strengthen the gut wall and repair leaky gut. Effective treatment of leaky gut and IBS also calls for the elimination of trigger factors. Therefore, exclusion diets and sometimes antibiotics or antifungal drugs to eradicate bacteria or yeast may be necessary. By following a proper course of treatment, IBS symptoms such as cramps, diarrhoea, constipation amd bloating will be considerably alleviated and should eventually disappear, while the potential danger posed by a leaky gut will be removed. this treatment will not only address the fatigue, depression, skin problems, etc, but will also prevent these conditions in the future.

Michael Maes, MD, PhD, is a physician based at the TRIA Integrative Wellness and Medical Institute, Piyavate Hospital.

About the author Writer: Prof Michael Maes Latest stories in this category:

list 4 symptoms of stds

Depends on the STD but some include burning sensation when you urinate, visible sores or legions in the genital area, cloudy discharge, inflammation of the scrotum, and often times there are no symptoms at all.

If you have any go and see a doctor immediately. things like a rash, burning sensation, hurts when using toilet, temperature.

STD symptoms vary, but the most common are soreness, unusual lumps or sores, itching, pain when urinating, and/or an unusual discharge from your genitals.

To see some pictures of common stds, you can visit this webpage:
avert.org/std-pictures.htm

well it depends which std you have but here are some common symptoms.

1.bleeding from vagina/penis while peeing.
2.unusual discharge
3.pelvic area pain
4.bleeding while having intercourse.

Itching, burning, discharge and researching your suspicions on yahoo answers.

How is it that with Hepatitis C, some cases are asymptomatic? if inflammation is occurring, then shouldn't something be happening to the body as a result? What's the science behind this?
Thanks in advance

Most people who were recently infected with hepatitis C do not have symptoms. about 10% have jaundice that gets better. Of people who get infected with HCV, most develop chronic HCV infection. usually there are no symptoms.
The following tests are done to identify and monitor liver damage from hepatitis C:
* Albumin level
* Liver function tests
* Prothrombin time

The image at left shows tissue from the intestine of a normal mouse. At right, in a mouse infected with Toxoplasma gondii, the intestines are inflamed and have lost much of their normal structure. Image: Kirk Jensen

Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that infects about one-third of the world’s population, comes in several strains. some can have severe consequences such as encephalitis, while others produce no noticeable symptoms.

Jeroen Saeij, an MIT biologist who has been studying Toxoplasma for several years, is trying to figure out the root of that discrepancy. in his latest work, he found that two of the three most common strains of Toxoplasma produce a protein that actually suppresses inflammation in the infected host — a discovery that could help researchers develop new ways to shut off inflammation in patients infected with the more threatening strains of Toxoplasma, or even in people with other inflammatory diseases such as Crohn’s disease.

“There’s a lot of these inflammatory diseases, and if there’s a general pathway that’s really good at quelling inflammation, there might be [drug] applications,” says Saeij, an assistant professor of biology.

Saeij and his colleagues described the new discovery in the June 15 issue of Cell Host & Microbe. Lead author of the paper is postdoc Kirk Jensen.

Inflammation

Toxoplasma spores, which can infect nearly any warm-blooded animal, are often found in dirt; humans can be infected by eating undercooked meat or unwashed vegetables. the parasite can cause encephalitis in individuals with suppressed immune systems and is also harmful to fetuses whose mothers become infected during pregnancy. some strains, primarily those found in South America, can lead to blindness.

There are about a dozen major types of strains of Toxoplasma; in North America and Europe, the most common is the type II strain, which is also the one most often isolated from patients with complications from Toxoplasma. in a previous paper, Saeij and colleagues showed that type II produces a form of the protein GRA15 that causes inflammation, an immune reaction that is meant to destroy invaders but can also damage the host’s own tissues if unchecked.

In the new paper, Saeij showed that type II also has a variant form of another protein called ROP16. the researchers found that in types I and III, which are less often found in patients with Toxoplasma symptoms, ROP16 suppresses inflammation in the host. However, the form of ROP16 found in type II has no such effect.

When the researchers inserted type I ROP16 into the type II strain, inflammation was suppressed.

Why opposite results from strains of the same parasite? the researchers believe different forms of the parasite evolved to take advantage of different immune reactions from potential hosts. Toxoplasma wants to provoke some inflammation in the host, because inflammation helps the host survive acute infection. As a consequence, the parasite can form tissue cysts that spread to other victims through carnivorism. However, too much inflammation might kill the host and stop the parasite’s life cycle. By employing different strategies, the parasite can be successful in hosts with varying inflammatory responses.

Jon Boyle, an assistant professor of biological sciences at the University of Pittsburgh who was not involved with this research, agrees with this assessment: “What the paper shows really well is that you have these different strains and even though they are quite similar, each type is adapted to different host environments.”

A model for Crohn’s disease

In the new paper, the researchers studied Toxoplasma infection in mice. the resulting inflammation of the mouse intestine strongly resembles the intestinal inflammation seen in Crohn’s disease, which affects about half a million people in the United States.

It is unknown if any of these cases are actually caused by Toxoplasma, but Saeij says some studies have shown a higher incidence of Toxoplasma in Crohn’s patients compared with the general population.

Saeij and Jensen are now trying to figure out how the ROP16 protein exerts its anti-inflammatory effects, which could help identify new approaches to developing anti-inflammatory drugs. However, that will likely require many more years of research, Saeij says.

“in reality, going from a discovery to a drug can take decades,” he says. “you hope that you contribute to something like that, but that’s always a long road.”

Provided by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (news : web)

For the past week or so my throat has been bothering me. it started off as just being scratchy in the mornings, but now it is painful to swallow.

*HOWEVER*

I don't have any other symptoms that may suggest I have a cold. No runny nose, aches or anything. And I've have this sore throat for quite some time now and other symptoms haven't developed.

Any idea as to what this sore throat thing is?

It could be allergy's. it could also be strep throat? Rinse and gargle with Tom's (of Maine) mouthwash. also try drinking hot water with lemon juice or fresh squeezed, and honey. it could be because of the dry season of winter coming. At least that's for me because of the seasons changing in my state. Keep your mouth moisturized and try the peppermint mints too. Hope this helps

hi ,not enough info.but i think u r having tosillitis that is inflammation or swelling of the tonsils

I have tried to search but nothing very specific has come up, I need to know. Not for my self but some one who is in the hospital.

Someone dying of liver failure has cirrhosis of
the liver. usually a liver problem starts out
as inflammation of the liver cells. if treated
and the cause of it is stopped, then the cells
can heal. however, if it isn't treated in time and
the liver cells start to die off…then it means
the patient is in liver failure. Liver failure
is a progressive disease…it means that the
cells of the liver have died off to the point
that the functions they do to keep the body
healthy are deteriating or stopped.

Usually, the liver doesn't show any signs of
a problem until the functions of the cells
does this…that is why it is not diagnosed
by the doctor right away…people can walk
around with this problem and not know it.
However, it can be treated so that the liver
cells that are left may continue to live or not
die as soon as they normally would.

Usually, the first signs, depending on what
the cause of the liver problem is…is extreme
tiredness; some people develop flu like
symptoms. The very first visible sign
may be the yellowing of the whites of the
eye and skin, with darker color urine and
possible almost white colored stools.
As the disease progresses, they may
develop fluid in their abdominal area known
as Ascites. This fluid can be removed by
a procedure known as a paracentesis if
it build up too much. it helps give the
patient more comfort then when it is gone and
they are able to breathe much better. however,
this fluid will rebuild inside of them to be
drained again since it comes from the lack
of a protein that the liver used to make
efficiently, known as albumin. They
may also develop fluid in the legs and feet and
other areas of the body. This fluid is different
than the one above, as this fluid comes from
the body retaining too much sodium when
the liver is in failure. The doctor sometimes
places them on a diuretic, tells them how
much fluid they are allowed to have each day
and puts them on a "lower" sodium diet.
They may develop a condition known as
Encephalopathy. This is because the liver
isn't able to handle toxins in the body like
it once did. therefore, these toxins go
out into the blood and pass the barrier there
and into the brain. it can cause memory
problems and having a hard time to think
clearly. The doctor can help this by giving
medication that will cut down on the toxin.
Another thing they can develop is Portal
hypertension. The portal vein is what
carries blood from all our abdominal area
to the liver. since the liver cells are damaged,
the blood doesn't flow well to the liver anymore.
It backs up in this portal vein and goes into
smaller vessels that is not used to handling
this amount of blood. These vessels may
be weak in areas, like the esophagus, and
balloon outward and break open. This is
an extreme emergency them. The doctor
go into the esophagus, by way of the throat,
and can band these areas so they stop
bleeding…these areas are known as "varies".
The patient tend to bleed easily and their
blood doesn't clot as well. That is because
the liver doesn't make the factors, like it used
to, to help the blood to clot. so any bleeding
from the esophagus is a dire emergency to
get it taken care of.
There are other things that you can read
on this site I am posting to give you further
information.
Liver failure means that the cells of the
liver are not functioning well because some
of them are damaged and died off. however,
it is progressive but not complete liver failure.
There is a difference. Complete liver failure
is when almost all the cells of the liver are
gone and the functions they do can not be
enough to keep the body alive.
A patient with cirrhosis of the liver, should
try to be placed on the transplant list.
This requires much testing and evaluation by
different doctors.

Here are some links that may help you:
medicinenet.com/cirrhosis/art…
surgery.usc.edu/divisions/hep…

Please be sure to ask the nurse if it is alright
to tell the patient this information. In some
cases, which may not be the case here,
they don't want the patient knowing if they
are not mentally able to handle this information.

This is just for your information. I hope this helps you understand more.

Yellowing of the skin and eyes,(jaundice), easily bruised, extreme weekness, possible hair loss, aniemia, and sometimes coma and death.

Acid reflux disease is a condition in which the stomach acids abnormally reflux into the esophagus. this phenomenon is irregularly experienced by most people, most especially after eating.

Our body uses gastric and stomach acids to break down the food that we eat. normally, after the digestion in the stomach, the food is delivered by the digestive muscles to the intestines for extra digestion. but in patients who have acid reflux disease, the acidic stomach contents are moved back to the esophagus, which then causes inflammation. Cigarettes, alcohol, caffeine, pregnancy, and fatty foods are some factors which worsens acid reflux conditions.

Our present knowledge about acid reflux based on medical researches tells us that this disease is common in men as it is in women. there is no sexual preference. Moreover, the prevalence of acid reflux is more frequent in people of 40 years of age or more.

Symptoms of acid reflux may be typical or atypical. but based on the diagnosis of acid reflux patients, only 70% of those who have this disease manifest typical symptoms.

Typical or esophageal symptoms concern indicators which are related with the esophagus. Such symptoms include the following:

Heartburn. this is a condition in which the patient feels a painful burning feeling in the esophagus. the pain often develops in the chest and may swell to the neck or throat. this is most probable to occur in relation with these activities: after a heavy meal, lifting, bending over, and lying down. Based on one study, about 75% of acid reflux patients experience this symptom at night. these nigh-time patients also tend to experience more harsh pain than those whose symptom occurs at other times.

Dyspepsia. Researches show that about half of acid reflux patients have dyspepsia. this is a syndrome which consists of pain and distress in the upper abdomen, nausea after a meal, and stomach fullness. it is not a rule however, that those who have dyspepsia have acid reflux.

Regurgitation. this is when the gastric contents back up into the pharynx and sometimes as far as the mouth. In cases where the acids have spilled into the tracheobronchial tree, respiratory complications can be stimulated.

There are many instances, though, that acid reflux patients do not manifest symptoms such as regurgitation and heartburn. Instead, they experience atypical or extraesophageal symptoms which include the following:

Throat Symptoms. although it does not commonly happen, acid reflux patients suffer from symptoms that occur in the throat. Hoarseness, the feeling of having a lump in the throat, dry cough are undergone by those who have acid laryngitis, a throat symptom. Patients can also have difficulty in swallowing, a condition known as dysphagia. In critical cases, the food may get trapped in the throat or even choke, which can result to a severe chest pain. Other throat symptoms are chronic sore throat and persistent hiccups.

Vomiting and Nausea. when a patient suffers from nausea which persists for weeks, he may have acid reflux. there are few instances where vomiting can occur as often as once a day.

Respiratory Symptoms. Coughing and wheezing are counted as respiratory symptoms. these result from the overrunning of the stomach acids into the tracheobronchial tree creating bronchoconstriction.

Acid reflux disease can last for several months if not given proper medical attention. Drug treatment may only be required for a short time. but when the symptoms tend to repetitively occur, the drug treatment may have to be reapplied.

Feet are generally specialized portion of the entire body thats generally the subject of a good deal of strain and is regularly inside dreary and also humid environment of the shoe. Pretty much everything produces an array of complications that might cause problems.

Chilblains are actually an inflammation on the skin as the result of an accumulation most typically associated with waste products as a result of trouble with the way that the actual circulation follow through to variations in the actual heat. if a frigid feet are heated up too quickly for your blood circulation to respond, this will happen. it is not because of poor blood circulation, yet much more caused by how the blood circulation reacts towards the variations in heat range. The easiest method to chilblains would be to be sure that the foot does not get frigid. if this type of dysfunction does take place, after that proper care of this sore is required therefore it can repair.

In people that have dense and also dry skin within the rearfoot, a condition which is called cracked heels can occur. This occurs when body fat pad underneath the rearfoot enlarges outside laterally underneath the rearfoot and thus stretches your skin layer. The dehydrated heavy epidermis will be divided and rips the good epidermis below and gets very painful. This problem is hard to fix devoid of the removal of the actual hard epidermis. This is often more prevalent in people who find themselves overweight and those who don open hindfoot footwear. This condition is commonly continual and desires regular management.

Though sweaty feet definitely are a prevalent problem, the disease is a vital aspect in the sources of a common ailment often called pitted keratolysis. It’s modest pits in the epidermis that is definitely a result of a bacterial infection on the skin inside the feet which often perspire too much. The treatment of this is to to begin with address the actual perspiration dilemma and utilize medications to treat the infection. Long lasting approaches also need to be placed in place to take care of it.